Mitigate the risks: Tips for dealing with tariff-driven turbulence

President Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement of global tariffs caught businesses, as well as foreign countries and worldwide financial markets, off guard. While the president has long endorsed the imposition of tariffs, many businesses expected him to take a targeted approach. Instead, Trump rolled out a baseline tariff on all imports to the United States and […]

Late with reasonable cause?

Did you miss the federal income tax filing deadline? Do you owe the IRS money? If so, there may be some wiggle room if you can show “reasonable cause” for not filing and paying on time. You’ll also need to make a “good faith” payment as soon as possible. Taxpayers with reasonable causes typically include […]

The Trust Fund Recovery Penalty

Employers who withhold but willfully fail to remit payroll taxes to the IRS can face a penalty equal to 100% of the unpaid amount. The Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP) can be assessed personally against individuals deemed “responsible.” In one case, a chairperson and board member of a school was found to have willfully failed […]

Deduct a loss from making a personal loan to a relative or friend

Suppose your adult child or friend needs to borrow money. Maybe it’s to buy a first home or address a cash flow problem. You may want to help by making a personal loan. That’s a nice thought, but there are tax implications that you should understand and take into account. Get it in writing You […]

Tax refund stolen?

What can you do if your tax refund is stolen? According to the IRS National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA), this happens to tens of thousands of taxpayers each year. The NTA offers steps to take and warns that recovering a stolen refund is a slow process. If you were expecting your refund by direct deposit and […]

IRS layoffs ongoing

IRS layoffs and voluntary separation programs are ongoing. It’s estimated that the agency’s staff could ultimately shrink by 25% or more. Such cuts may have consequences for tax collection. The IRS took in approximately $5.1 trillion in tax revenue in fiscal year 2024. Without adequate staffing to investigate tax evaders, revenues could fall. According to […]

6 essential tips for small business payroll tax compliance

Staying compliant with payroll tax laws is crucial for small businesses. Mistakes can lead to fines, strained employee relationships and even legal consequences. Below are six quick tips to help you stay on track. 1. Maintain organized records Accurate recordkeeping is the backbone of payroll tax compliance. Track the hours worked, wages paid and all […]

Debt cancellation income

If a credit card company or mortgage lender cancels your debt, it could result in taxable income that you must report to the IRS. Your lender will mail you Form 1099-C with the amount of canceled debt for you to report as ordinary income on your income tax return. However, certain exceptions or exclusions (https://bit.ly/3XXW2vG […]

China announces reciprocal tariffs

The global trade war has escalated as China announced a reciprocal tariff on American-made products. On April 11, China increased the tariff on U.S. goods from 84% to 125%. The tariff will begin on April 12 and affect U.S.-produced products such as soybeans, drugs and aircraft. For goods from most countries, President Trump recently announced […]

6 practical tips to lower business travel expenses

Travel remains a critical expense for many businesses, whether for client meetings, networking, industry conferences or sales opportunities. However, travel and entertainment (T&E) costs can quickly spiral out of control, cutting into profits. Consider taking these six proactive measures to keep T&E costs in check. 1. Set clear travel policies A formal, written T&E policy […]