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Accountable plans: A smarter way for nonprofits to reimburse expenses
Accountable plans remain the most tax-efficient way for nonprofits to reimburse employee business expenses. When properly structured and implemented, these plans allow reimbursements to be excluded from employees’ taxable income and save payroll taxes for the organization. Eligible expenses To qualify under an accountable plan, reimbursements must meet three core IRS criteria: 1) they must be…
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4 types of interest expense you may be able to deduct
Personal interest expense generally can’t be deducted for federal tax purposes. There are, however, exceptions. Here are four, one of which is a new break under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which was signed into law in 2025. 1. Mortgage interest Perhaps the most well-known interest expense deduction, home mortgage interest may be…
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Accounting for intellectual property in your estate plan
When most people think about estate planning, they focus primarily on tangible assets, such as real estate, investments and personal property. However, in some cases, intellectual property (IP) can make up a substantial portion of an individual’s wealth. Proper planning can help ensure that these assets are preserved, accurately valued and transferred according to your…
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2 retirement plans for small businesses with lean budgets
Most business owners would like to offer their employees a 401(k) retirement savings plan with all the bells and whistles. But for small businesses with lean budgets and small staffs, offering such benefits may be out of the question. Fortunately, SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs are less expensive and easier to administer. Might one of…
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3 tips to streamline your accounting processes
Whether you operate a for-profit business or a not-for-profit organization, strong accounting practices are essential for maintaining financial health and making informed decisions. These include creating budgets, monitoring results, preparing accurate financial statements, and complying with tax and payroll requirements. Over time, even efficient systems can become outdated or inconsistent. Here are three simple ways…
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Some small businesses can still benefit from the health care coverage credit
Tax credits reduce tax liability dollar-for-dollar. As a result, they can be more valuable than deductions, which reduce only the amount of income subject to tax. One tax credit that hasn’t been getting much attention lately but that can still be valuable for some small businesses is the credit for providing health insurance to employees.…
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Before claiming a charitable deduction for 2025, make sure you can substantiate it
If you itemize deductions on your 2025 individual income tax return, you potentially can deduct donations to qualified charities you made last year. But your gifts must be substantiated in accordance with IRS requirements. Exactly what’s required depends on various factors. In some cases, you must have a written acknowledgment from the charity. Substantiating cash…
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To maximize — or not to maximize — depreciation deductions on your 2025 tax return
The deadlines for filing 2025 tax returns (or extensions) are fast approaching. Although most tax planning moves must be completed by December 31 of the tax year, there are some decisions you can make when filing your return that can save taxes now or in the future. One such decision is whether to claim accelerated depreciation…
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If you’re married, should you file jointly or separately?
Married couples have a choice when filing their 2025 federal income tax returns. They can file jointly or separately. What you choose will affect your standard deduction, eligibility for certain tax breaks, tax bracket and, ultimately, your tax liability. Which filing status is better for you depends on your specific situation. Minimizing tax In general,…
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IRS issues guidance on Trump accounts
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) creates a new type of tax-advantaged account for eligible children. Section 530A accounts, also known as “Trump accounts,” can be established for children under age 18 who have a Social Security Number (SSN). Contributions to properly established accounts can begin on July 4, 2026. The IRS has released guidance that sheds more…
