COBRA provisions play critical role in COVID-19 relief law
March 25, 2021 COVID-19
COBRA provisions play critical role in COVID-19 relief law

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees and their families have lost group health plan coverage because of layoffs or reduced hours. If your business has had to take such steps, and it’s required to offer continuing health care coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), the recently passed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) […]

Do you need to file a gift tax return?
March 24, 2021 Knowledge Center
Do you need to file a gift tax return?

It’s tax-filing season and you’re likely focused on your income or business tax returns. But don’t forget about another type of return. In 2020, if you made substantial gifts of wealth to family members you may have to file a gift tax return. Filing a gift tax return Generally, a federal gift tax return (Form […]

Latest COVID-relief law addresses underfunded multiemployer pensions
March 23, 2021 COVID-19
Latest COVID-relief law addresses underfunded multiemployer pensions

A multiemployer pension is generally a defined benefit plan to which more than one employer is required to contribute and is maintained pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. Many multiemployer pensions are expected to become insolvent in coming years. In fact, because of the number of pensions facing insolvency, and the total amount of unfunded […]

New law tax break may make child care less expensive
March 23, 2021 COVID-19
New law tax break may make child care less expensive

The new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides eligible families with an enhanced child and dependent care credit for 2021. This is the credit available for expenses a taxpayer pays for the care of qualifying children under the age of 13 so that the taxpayer can be gainfully employed. Note that a credit reduces your […]

New COVID-19 relief law extends employee retention credit
March 19, 2021 COVID-19
New COVID-19 relief law extends employee retention credit

The Employee Retention Credit (ERC), which was created to encourage employers to keep their workforces intact during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been with us for a year. But questions about it remain for many employers. With the new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) extending the credit and expanding eligibility — and the credit worth as […]

Making sense of your statement of cash flows
March 18, 2021 Knowledge Center
Making sense of your statement of cash flows

The statement of cash flows essentially tells you about cash entering and leaving a business. It’s arguably the most misunderstood and underappreciated part of a company’s annual report. After all, a business that reports positive net income on its income statements sometimes doesn’t have enough cash in the bank to pay its bills. Reviewing the […]

FILING DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 17
March 17, 2021 COVID-19
FILING DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 17

Updated 3/24/2021 (adding states that have also extended deadlines) The IRS has announced that the federal income tax filing deadline for individuals for the 2020 tax year is extended from April 15, 2021, until Monday, May 17, 2021. The IRS extended the deadline to provide relief to taxpayers facing challenges as a result of the […]

The American Rescue Plan Act provides sweeping relief measures for eligible families and businesses
March 16, 2021 COVID-19
The American Rescue Plan Act provides sweeping relief measures for eligible families and businesses

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The $1.9 trillion law is intended to provide far-reaching relief from the economic and other repercussions of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to funding for testing, contact tracing, vaccinations, education, and state and local governments, the ARPA includes extensive […]

New law: Parents and other eligible Americans to receive direct payments
March 16, 2021 COVID-19
New law: Parents and other eligible Americans to receive direct payments

The American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law on March 11, provides a variety of tax and financial relief to help mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the many initiatives are direct payments that will be made to eligible individuals. And parents under certain income thresholds will also receive additional payments in the […]

Estimated tax payments: The deadline for the first 2021 installment is coming ups
March 12, 2021 Knowledge Center
Estimated tax payments: The deadline for the first 2021 installment is coming ups

April 15 is not only the deadline for filing your 2020 tax return, it’s also the deadline for the first quarterly estimated tax payment for 2021, if you’re required to make one. You may have to make estimated tax payments if you receive interest, dividends, alimony, self-employment income, capital gains, prize money or other income. […]

InfoSec Alert: Microsoft Exchange Server Hack
March 11, 2021 Knowledge Center
InfoSec Alert: Microsoft Exchange Server Hack

by Stan Stahl, Ph.D. / originally written for and published on SecureTheVillage.org   Hundreds of thousands of Microsoft Exchange Server systems have been hacked by what appears to be an unusually aggressive Chinese cyber espionage unit. Compromised systems have a powerful backdoor Trojan Horse installed allowing the attackers to take complete control of the Exchange server […]

The American Rescue Plan Act has passed: What’s in it for you?
March 11, 2021 COVID-19
The American Rescue Plan Act has passed: What’s in it for you?

Congress has passed the latest legislation aimed at providing economic and other relief from the COVID-19 pandemic that has haunted the country for the last year. President Biden is expected to sign the 628-page American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which includes $1.9 trillion in funding for individuals, businesses, and state and local governments. The ARPA […]