Fringe Benefits: Long-Term Care Insurance Can Pay Off
Posted December 7, 2018 / No comments
The U.S. population is aging and, as it does, the need for long-term support and services will only grow. According to a 2017 fact sheet from the AARP Public Policy Institute, on average, 52% of people who turn 65 today will develop a severe disability that will require long-term care (LTC) at some point. For
Read MoreCheck Deductibility Before Making Year-End Charitable Gifts
Posted December 4, 2018 / No comments
As the holidays approach and the year draws to a close, many taxpayers make charitable gifts — both in the spirit of the season and as a year-end tax planning strategy. But with the tax law changes that go into effect in 2018 and the many rules that apply to the charitable deduction, it’s a
Read More2019 Q1 Tax Calendar: Key Deadlines for Businesses and Other Employers
Posted December 3, 2018 / No comments
Here are some of the key tax-related deadlines affecting businesses and other employers during the first quarter of 2019. Keep in mind that this list isn’t all-inclusive, so there may be additional deadlines that apply to you. Contact us to ensure you’re meeting all applicable deadlines and to learn more about the filing requirements. January
Read More3 Under-The-Radar Aspects of Payroll Recordkeeping
Posted November 30, 2018 / No comments
The phrase “payroll recordkeeping” may conjure images of paystubs and W-4s. But there are other aspects that often fly under the radar and lead to administrative slip-ups. Here are three examples. Fringe benefit records The tax code provides an explicit recordkeeping requirement for employers with enumerated fringe benefit plans, such as: Health insurance, Cafeteria plans,
Read MoreConsider an Intrafamily Loan to Cover Estate Taxes
Posted November 29, 2018 / No comments
Sometimes estates that are large enough for estate taxes to be a concern are asset rich but cash poor, without the liquidity needed to pay those taxes. An intrafamily loan is one option. While a life insurance policy can be used to cover taxes and other estate expenses, a benefit of using an intrafamily loan
Read MoreWhen holiday gifts and parties are deductible or taxable
Posted November 26, 2018 / No comments
The holiday season is a great time for businesses to show their appreciation for employees and customers by giving them gifts or hosting holiday parties. Before you begin shopping or sending out invitations, though, it’s a good idea to find out whether the expense is tax deductible and whether it’s taxable to the recipient. Here’s
Read MoreWould a Roth 401(k) plan suit your employees?
Posted November 26, 2018 / No comments
Roth 401(k) accounts have been around for quite a while. But many employers still don’t offer them and many employees still don’t understand them. As the name implies, these plans are a hybrid — taking some characteristics from Roth IRAs and some from traditional employer-sponsored 401(k)s. When considering (or reconsidering) your retirement plan options, look
Read MoreWhat do the 2019 cost-of-living adjustments mean for you?
Posted November 21, 2018 / No comments
The IRS has announced its 2019 cost-of-living adjustments to tax items that might affect you. Many of the amounts increased to account for inflation, but some remained at 2018 levels. As you implement 2018 year-end tax planning strategies, be sure to take these 2019 adjustments into account in your planning. Bear in mind that, under
Read MoreCatch-up retirement plan contributions can be particularly advantageous post-TCJA
Posted November 20, 2018 / No comments
Will you be age 50 or older on December 31? Are you still working? Are you already contributing to your 401(k) plan or Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) up to the regular annual limit? Then you may want to make “catch-up” contributions by the end of the year. Increasing your retirement plan contributions
Read MoreTax reform expands availability of cash accounting
Posted November 19, 2018 / No comments
Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), many more businesses are now eligible to use the cash method of accounting for federal tax purposes. The cash method offers greater tax-planning flexibility, allowing some businesses to defer taxable income. Newly eligible businesses should determine whether the cash method would be advantageous and, if so, consider
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