The “manufacturers’ deduction”: It’s not just for manufacturers
February 10, 2015 Knowledge Center
The “manufacturers’ deduction”: It’s not just for manufacturers

The manufacturers’ deduction, also called the “Section 199” or “domestic production activities” deduction, is 9% of the lesser of qualified production activities income or taxable income. The deduction is also limited to 50% of W-2 wages paid by the taxpayer that are allocable to domestic production gross receipts. Yes, the deduction is available to traditional manufacturers. But […]

Be sure to deduct all of the mileage you’re entitled to
February 3, 2015 Knowledge Center
Be sure to deduct all of the mileage you’re entitled to

You probably know that miles driven for business purposes can be deductible.  But did you know that you might also be able to deduct miles driven for other purposes?  The rates vary depending on the purpose and the year. Business: 56 cents (2014), 57.5 cents (2015) Medical: 23.5 cents (2014), 23 cents (2015) Moving: 23.5 […]

Why you shouldn’t procrastinate on filing your 2014 income tax return
January 27, 2015 Knowledge Center
Why you shouldn’t procrastinate on filing your 2014 income tax return

If you’re like many Americans, you may not start thinking about filing your tax return until the April 15 deadline is just a few weeks – or perhaps even just a few days – away.  But there’s another date you should keep in mind: Jan. 20.  That’s the date the IRS began accepting 2014 returns, […]

Have you had your annual estate plan checkup?
January 20, 2015 Knowledge Center
Have you had your annual estate plan checkup?

An annual estate plan checkup is critical to the health of your estate plan. Because various exclusion, exemption and deduction amounts are adjusted for inflation, they can change from year to year, impacting your plan:   2014 2015 Lifetime gift and estate tax exemption $5.34 million $5.43 million Generation-skipping transfer tax exemption $5.34 million $5.43 […]

Entities Filing 2014 Form 990
January 19, 2015 Knowledge Center
Entities Filing 2014 Form 990

990 Changes The 2014 990 instructions have been updated to clarify that compensation earned or accrued in the current year should be included in Reportable Compensation,  if deferred no more than 2½ months after year-end.

Tax extenders: 3 credits for businesses on their 2014 returns
January 13, 2015 Knowledge Center
Tax extenders: 3 credits for businesses on their 2014 returns

The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 (TIPA) extended through Dec. 31, 2014, a wide variety of tax breaks, including many tax credits — which are particularly valuable because they reduce taxes dollar-for-dollar. Here are three credits that businesses may benefit from when they file their 2014 returns: 1. The research credit. This credit (also […]

Controls for Alternative Investments
January 8, 2015 Knowledge Center
Controls for Alternative Investments

Plan management is responsible for establishing internal controls over financial reporting, including proper valuation and appropriate presentation in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Hard to value assets have recently been identified as an area of focus by the Department of Labor and there’s no better time to tighten up your plan’s controls. […]