Take care of a loved one who has special needs with a special needs trust
February 23, 2024 Knowledge Center
Take care of a loved one who has special needs with a special needs trust

When creating or revising your estate plan, it’s important to take into account all of your loved ones. Because each family has its own unique set of circumstances, there are a variety of trusts and other vehicles available to specifically address most families’ estate planning objectives. Special needs trusts (SNTs), also called “supplemental needs trusts,” […]

Get ready for the 2023 gift tax return deadline
February 22, 2024 Knowledge Center
Get ready for the 2023 gift tax return deadline

Did you make large gifts to your children, grandchildren or others last year? If so, it’s important to determine if you’re required to file a 2023 gift tax return. In some cases, it might be beneficial to file one — even if it’s not required. Who must file? The annual gift tax exclusion has increased […]

Liquidity overload: Why having too much cash may be bad for business
February 20, 2024 Knowledge Center
Liquidity overload: Why having too much cash may be bad for business

In today’s uncertain marketplace, many businesses are stashing operating cash in their bank accounts, even though they might not have imminent plans to deploy their reserves. However, excessive “rainy day” funds could be an inefficient use of capital. Here’s a systematic approach to help estimate reasonable cash reserves and maximize your company’s return on long-term […]

Employers: Beware of payroll tax errors
February 20, 2024 Knowledge Center
Employers: Beware of payroll tax errors

Many employers rightly proclaim that their employees are their most valuable assets. If this holds true for your organization, it stands to reason that paying those employees consistently and accurately is among the most important things you must do. Unfortunately, payroll errors plague many employers. Among the biggest dangers of inaccurate payroll administration is that […]

If you gave to charity in 2023, check to see that you have substantiation
February 16, 2024 Knowledge Center
If you gave to charity in 2023, check to see that you have substantiation

Did you donate to charity last year? Acknowledgment letters from the charities you gave to may have already shown up in your mailbox. But if you don’t receive such a letter, can you still claim a deduction for the gift on your 2023 income tax return? It depends. What the law requires To prove a […]

Pay attention to securities laws when planning your estate
February 15, 2024 Knowledge Center
Pay attention to securities laws when planning your estate

Do your assets include unregistered securities, such as restricted stocks or interests in hedge funds or private equity funds? If so, it’s important to consider the securities laws that may be involved in various estate planning strategies. Potential estate planning issues Transfers of unregistered securities, either as outright gifts or to trusts or other estate […]

New final rule on independent contractors takes effect in March
February 9, 2024 Knowledge Center
New final rule on independent contractors takes effect in March

It’s safe to say that “gig workers” are firmly ensconced in the U.S. economy — especially in certain industries. And we don’t mean only those helpful folks who drop off dinner at the front door or give you a ride home from the restaurant. Nay, many kinds of independent contractors are available to serve employers, […]

Solid financial reporting can help attract debt and equity financing
February 8, 2024 Knowledge Center
Solid financial reporting can help attract debt and equity financing

Financial reporting plays a key role when a business needs funds for continued operations and strategic investment opportunities. Lenders and investors will generally want to review your company’s financial statements before they give it money. Timely, reliable reports can increase the odds that a bank will approve your company’s loan application and equity investors will […]

There’s a new threshold for electronically filing information returns
February 6, 2024 Knowledge Center
There’s a new threshold for electronically filing information returns

Does your business file 10 or more information returns with the IRS? If so, you must now file them electronically. This is a significant rule change that went into effect on January 1, 2024, for 2023 tax year information returns. The threshold for electronically filing most information returns has dropped from 250 to 10. Before the […]

IRAs: Build a tax-favored retirement nest egg
February 1, 2024 Knowledge Center
IRAs: Build a tax-favored retirement nest egg

Although traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs have been around for decades, the rules involved have changed many times. The Secure 2.0 law, which was enacted at the end of 2022, brought even more changes that made IRAs more advantageous for many taxpayers. What hasn’t changed is that they can help you save for retirement on […]

2024 tax calendar
January 30, 2024 Knowledge Center
2024 tax calendar

To help you make sure you don’t miss any important 2024 deadlines, we’ve provided this summary of when various tax-related forms, payments and other actions are due. Please review the calendar and let us know if you have any questions about the deadlines or would like assistance in meeting them. Date Deadline for January 31 […]

The IRS unveils ERTC relief program for employers
January 26, 2024 Knowledge Center
The IRS unveils ERTC relief program for employers

Since July 2023, the IRS has taken a series of actions in response to what it has termed a “flood of ineligible claims” for the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC). Most recently, it launched a Voluntary Disclosure Program (VDP). The program presents a valuable, but temporary, opportunity for eligible employers. Flood of invalid ERTC claims The […]