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Can you deduct the costs of a spouse on a business trip?
If you own your own company and travel for business, you may wonder whether you can deduct the costs of having your spouse accompany you on trips. The rules for deducting a spouse’s travel costs are very restrictive. First of all, to qualify, your spouse must be your employee. This
Are you ready for the new disclosure requirements for government assistance?
Starting in fiscal year 2022, all entities — except nonprofit organizations in the scope of Topic 958, Not-for-Profit Entities, and employee benefit plans — must provide detailed disclosures about government assistance. Here are the details of the new rules. Defining Government Assistance The term “government assistance” may refer to perks and
The Ins and Outs of IRAs
Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs have been around for decades and the rules surrounding them have changed many times. What hasn’t changed is that they can help you save for retirement on a tax-favored basis. Here’s an overview. Traditional IRAs You can make an annual deductible contribution to a traditional
Tax Aspects of Operating as a Sole Proprietor
If you’re in business for yourself as a sole proprietor, or you’re planning to start a business, you need to know about the tax aspects of your venture. Here are eight important issues to consider: 1. You report income and expenses on Schedule C of Form 1040. The net income
Could an FLP Fit Into Your Succession Plan?
Among the biggest long-term concerns of many business owners is succession planning — how to smoothly and safely transfer ownership and control of the company to the next generation. From a tax perspective, the optimal time to start this process is long before the owner is ready to give up
Tips to Speed Your Tax Return Processing
Are you ready to file your tax return? Here are some important considerations before filing. Do you have all your documentation? Being organized helps your tax preparer. You should wait to file until you have all your supporting documents, which may include: Forms W-2 from employer(s) Forms 1099 from banks,
Use the Net Gift Technique to Reduce Your Gift Tax Rate
If you’re concerned about the impact of transfer taxes on your gifts, consider making “net gifts” to your loved ones. A net gift is simply a gift for which the recipient agrees to pay the gift tax, thereby reducing the value of the gift for tax purposes. It may also
Proactively Use Your Financial Statements for Planning and Success
Spring is the time of year that calendar-year-end businesses issue financial statements and prepare tax returns. This year, take your financial data beyond compliance. Here’s how financial statements can be used to be proactive, not reactive, to changes in the marketplace. Perform a Benchmarking Study Financial statements can be used
Defer Tax With a 1031 “Like-Kind” Exchange
Do you want to sell commercial or investment real estate that has appreciated significantly? One way to defer a tax bill on the gain is with a Section 1031 “like-kind” exchange where you exchange the property rather than sell it. With real estate prices up in some markets (and higher
Tax Changes to Think About in 2022
The 2021 tax landscape was filled with headlines about new, possible, and pending legislation. When the year ended, taxpayers were left with many questions about what taxes would look like in 2022. For now, the Build Back Better Act is on hold, and many provisions of the Tax Cuts and