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How businesses can fund a buy-sell agreement
Businesses with more than one owner benefit from having multiple viewpoints and varying skill sets. However, they also face serious risks of uncertainty and conflict if one of the owners suddenly departs or undergoes a major life change. A carefully crafted buy-sell agreement can guard against these risks — if it’s securely funded. Transfer guidelines…
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Grant proposals in the age of AI
With fewer federal grants available to not-for-profit organizations, the competition to qualify for funding — from all sources, including foundations — has become more intense. Now, more than ever, your nonprofit needs to submit sharp, clear and attention-getting grant proposals to potential funders. Many organizations are enlisting AI tools to generate proposals. However, it remains…
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How do businesses report cloud computing implementation costs?
Today, many organizations rely on cloud-based tools to store and manage data. However, the costs to set up cloud computing services can be significant, and many business owners are unsure whether the implementation costs must be immediately expensed or capitalized. Changes made in recent years provide some much-needed clarity to the rules. Advantages of cloud…
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The search is on: Finding an independent auditor
Even if your not-for-profit isn’t legally required to obtain independent audits, such audits can enhance financial transparency, increase accountability and help you build trust with your stakeholders. But how do you find a truly independent auditor? Ensuring independence requires more than hiring an outside firm. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Code of…
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No tax on car loan interest under the new law? Not exactly
Under current federal income tax rules, so-called personal interest expense generally can’t be deducted. One big exception is qualified residence interest or home mortgage interest, which can be deducted, subject to some limitations, if you itemize deductions on your tax return. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) adds another exception for eligible car loan…
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Using POD or TOD accounts may result in undesirable results in certain situations
Payable-on-death (POD) and transfer-on-death (TOD) accounts are attractive estate planning tools because they allow assets to pass directly to named beneficiaries without going through probate. This can save time, reduce administrative costs and provide your beneficiaries with quicker access to their inheritance. However, there are drawbacks to using these accounts. In some cases, they can…
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Audit alert: Beware of potential conflicts of interest
As year end approaches, many businesses will soon be preparing for their annual audits. One key consideration is ensuring there are no potential conflicts of interest that could compromise the integrity of your company’s financial statements. A conflict of interest can cloud an auditor’s judgment and undermine their objectivity. Vigilance in spotting these conflicts is…
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If you’re asked to be an executor, be sure you’re up to the task
Make no mistake, serving as an executor (or a “personal representative” in some states) is an honor. But the title also includes significant responsibilities. So if a family member or a close friend asks you to be the executor of his or her estate, think about your answer before agreeing to the request. Let’s take…
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Act soon: The OBBBA ends clean energy tax breaks
The newly enacted One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) represents a major move by President Trump and congressional Republicans to roll back a number of clean energy tax incentives originally introduced or expanded under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Below is a summary of the key individual tax credits that will soon be scaled back…
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President Trump signs his One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act into law
On July 4, President Trump signed into law the far-reaching legislation known as the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). As promised, the tax portion of the 870-page bill extends many of the provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), the sweeping tax legislation enacted during the first Trump administration. It also incorporates…