Archive for Business

Congress Has Authorized a Second Round of PPP Loans

Congress passed, and President Trump signed, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Included in its approximately 5,600 pages is a second draw of forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The first round allowed loans to businesses with 500 or fewer employees and to certain businesses with multiple locations, for which each location could not have more […]

2018 Standard Mileage Rates Announced

Article Highlights: Standard Mileage Rates for 2018 Business, Charitable and Medical Rates Important Considerations for 2018 Switching Between the Actual Expense and Standard Mileage Rate Methods Employer Reimbursements Employee Deductions Suspended Special Allowances for SUVs As it does every year, the Internal Revenue Service recently announced the inflation- adjusted 2018 optional standard mileage rates used […]

How Small Businesses Write Off Equipment Purchases

Article Highlights: Depreciation Materials & Supplies De Minimis Safe Harbor Expensing Routine Maintenance Unlimited Expensing Bonus Depreciation Sec 179 Expensing Mixing Methods From time to time, an owner of a small business will purchase equipment, office furnishings, vehicles, computer systems and other items for use in the business. How to deduct the cost for tax […]

Better to Sell or Trade a Business Vehicle?

From time to time business owners will replace vehicles used in their business. When replacing a business vehicle, the tax ramifications are different when selling the old vehicle and when trading it in for a new vehicle. If the vehicle is sold, the result is reported on the taxpayer’s return as an above-the-line gain or […]

Affordable Care Act Reporting Relief for Employers

Article Highlights: Applicable Large Employer Form 1095-C and Form 1094-C IRS Filing Due Date Copy to Employee Due date Effect on Filing Individual Returns Beginning for the 2015 tax year, Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) are required to file Forms 1095-C and 1094-C with the IRS and provide a copy of the 1095-C to each of […]

6 Steps to Get Your Business Startup on Track For Long Term Success

It’s easy to think about startup businesses and consider the success or horror stories, but what about the average startups? The hard and bleak reality is that the majority of small business startups fail. So, to avoid being like the average startup, you need to create a plan for success. Choose the Right Entity One of […]

Show Me the Money – Six Best Practices in Billings and Collections

One area where most small-business owners can improve their cash flow is in billings and collections. A thorough credit check before you offer payment terms is not enough. Here are six best practices that can make a real difference in your cash balance at the end of every month. 1. Get it right. One legitimate […]

Sole Proprietorship – Is The Risk Worth It?

Article Highlights: Reporting Sole Proprietorships On Your 1040 Business Checking Account Local Business Licenses Resale Permits & Payroll Reporting Personal Liability If you are considering starting a business, the simplest and least expensive form of business is a sole proprietorship. A sole proprietorship is a one-person business that reports its income directly on the individual’s […]

Don’t Overlook the Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums

This Article Highlights: Small employers get a tax credit for providing a health insurance plan. Credit can be as much as 35% of the premiums paid. A small employer is one with no more than 25 full-time equivalent employees (FTE) with average wages less than $50,000. Self-employed individuals, including partners and sole proprietors, 2% shareholders […]

Audit-Proofing Your Meal & Entertainment Expenses

When looking for deductions to add to your taxes, don’t overlook your meal and entertainment expenses. These types of expenses must be “ordinary” and “necessary” to your business or trade and must be “directly related to” or “associated with” the active conduct of business. In order for the IRS to allow these deductions, documentation is […]