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Planning a summer business trip? Turn travel into tax deductions
If you or your employees are heading out of town for business this summer, it’s important to understand what travel expenses can be deducted under current tax law. To qualify, the travel must be necessary for your business and require an overnight stay within the United States. Note: Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,…
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Nonprofits: Beware of shady investment advisors
For the past couple of years, investment fraud has been the costliest type of scam reported to the FBI’s Crime Complaint Center. The FBI generally defines investment fraud as schemes where criminals misrepresent themselves or lie to victims to gain control of assets that the perpetrators then mishandle or steal. This may not sound like…
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The One, Big, Beautiful Bill could change the deductibility of R&E expenses
The treatment of research and experimental (R&E) expenses is a high-stakes topic for U.S. businesses, especially small to midsize companies focused on innovation. As the tax code currently stands, the deductibility of these expenses is limited, leading to financial strain for companies that used to be able to expense them immediately. But proposed legislation dubbed…
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Review your nonprofit’s revenue like an auditor
Without a predictable revenue stream, you’ll have a hard time budgeting, funding priorities and planning for the future. Right now, many organizations are grappling with sudden federal grant cuts. If this is your nonprofit’s situation — and even if it isn’t — you should assess your revenue streams between audits using the same techniques professional…
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Your nonprofit has lost an executive. Now what?
A fictional nonprofit lost its executive director (ED) when she died unexpectedly. The charity had a basic contingency plan, but the document didn’t name an actual successor for the ED position. Fortunately, the plan outlined procedures for finding a new leader, and the already-assembled search team was able to interview several candidates and hire a…
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Still have tax questions? You’re not alone
If you filed your 2024 tax return, you may still have a few questions: 1) When will you get your refund? Go to the IRS website and click “Get your refund status.” You’ll need your Social Security number, filing status and the exact refund amount. 2) How long should you keep tax records? In general,…
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Disaster victims may qualify for tax relief … including on amended returns
Victims of presidentially declared disasters in recent years who couldn’t previously claim a casualty loss deduction may now be able to claim a refund. Additional tax relief also might be available. Read on to learn more about the potential opportunities for victims of certain disasters. Loosened restrictions for casualty losses The tax relief comes via…
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4 ways business owners can make “the leadership connection”
To get the most from any team, its leader must establish a productive rapport with each member. Of course, that’s easier said than done if you own a company with scores or hundreds of workers. Still, it’s critical for business owners to make “the leadership connection” with their employees. Simply put, the leadership connection is…
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Loan applications: How to strengthen your hand in today’s credit markets
In recent years, interest rates have increased and credit has tightened. Under these conditions, which are expected to persist in the coming months, securing a commercial loan can be challenging for businesses of all sizes. Whether you want to expand, stabilize your cash flow or simply build a financial cushion, being loan-ready is more critical…
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The tax rules for legal awards and settlements: What recipients should know
If you’ve received a legal settlement or award, it’s important to grasp the tax implications. While compensation for physical injuries is typically tax-free, awards for lost wages, emotional distress and punitive damages are usually taxable. Even if your attorney is paid directly from the settlement, you may be taxed on the full amount. The way…
