Two important tax deadlines are coming up — and they don’t involve filing your 2022 tax return
March 23, 2023 Knowledge Center
Two important tax deadlines are coming up — and they don’t involve filing your 2022 tax return

April 18 is the deadline for filing your 2022 tax return. But a couple of other tax deadlines are coming up in April and they’re important for certain taxpayers: Saturday, April 1 is the last day to begin receiving required minimum distributions (RMDs) from IRAs, 401(k)s and similar workplace plans for taxpayers who turned 72 […]

Enacting a spendthrift trust can be beneficial to your loved ones
March 23, 2023 Knowledge Center
Enacting a spendthrift trust can be beneficial to your loved ones

Are you concerned that some of your beneficiaries might squander their inheritances or simply aren’t equipped to handle the financial responsibilities that come with large sums of money? You don’t have to hold on to your assets until the day you die with the hope that your heirs will change their ways by that time. […]

Small employers: Don’t forget about the new and improved pension credit
March 21, 2023 Knowledge Center
Small employers: Don’t forget about the new and improved pension credit

At the very end of 2022, President Biden signed into law the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement 2.0 Act (SECURE 2.0). Now that the year is well underway, small employers would be well-advised not to forget about a key feature of the law: marked improvements to the small employer pension plan start-up cost […]

Miller Kaplan Named Top 100 Firm | Accounting Today
March 21, 2023 Knowledge Center
Miller Kaplan Named Top 100 Firm | Accounting Today

We are so honored to be recognized again as one of the #Top100CPA firms in the US. Our understanding that the numbers we crunch represent something greater—you, your family, your business, your dreams—is why we’re able to consistently provide industry-leading services that help our clients and the firm thrive.

President Biden’s proposed budget includes notable tax provisions
March 17, 2023 Knowledge Center
President Biden’s proposed budget includes notable tax provisions

President Biden has released his proposed budget for the federal government for the 2024 fiscal year. The budget, which aims to cut the deficit by nearly $3 trillion over 10 years, includes numerous provisions that would affect the tax bills of both individuals and businesses. While most of these proposals stand little chance of enactment with a Republican […]

Claiming losses on depreciated or worthless stock
March 16, 2023 Knowledge Center
Claiming losses on depreciated or worthless stock

Have you bought stock in a company that later dropped in value? While you may prefer to forget such an ill-fated investment, at least you can claim a capital loss deduction on your tax return. Here are the rules that apply when a stock you own is sold at a loss or becomes completely worthless. […]

Alex Chernyak and Kami Cohen Named Leaders of Influence: Minority CPAs | LABJ
March 15, 2023 In the News
Alex Chernyak and Kami Cohen Named Leaders of Influence: Minority CPAs | LABJ

Those of us living and working in Los Angeles are fortunate to have access to an impressive and diverse selection of financial professionals. Congratulations, Alex Chernyak and Kami Cohen, on being honored by the Los Angeles Business Journal as Leaders of Influence: Minority CPAs!

Close-up on sources of substantive audit evidence
March 14, 2023 Knowledge Center
Close-up on sources of substantive audit evidence

Organizations that understand how auditors verify account balances and transactions can minimize disruptions during audit fieldwork and maximize the effectiveness of financial statement audits. Here’s a summary of the types of “substantive evidence” auditors gather to help them form opinions regarding your financial statements. Original source documents Auditors can verify an account balance or record […]

IRS final regs expand mandatory e-filing of many information returns
March 14, 2023 Knowledge Center
IRS final regs expand mandatory e-filing of many information returns

The IRS recently finalized regulations that substantially expand mandatory electronic filing (e-filing) of certain information returns. The regulations were proposed in 2021 to implement statutory changes made under the Taxpayer First Act of 2019. Generally, they establish lower thresholds for required e-filing of the following returns related to employee benefit plans: Form 1094 Series; Forms […]

U.S. Supreme Court rules against the IRS on critical FBAR issue
March 10, 2023 Knowledge Center
U.S. Supreme Court rules against the IRS on critical FBAR issue

The U.S. Supreme Court recently weighed in on an issue regarding a provision of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) that has split two federal courts of appeal. Its 5-4 ruling in Bittner v. U.S. is welcome news for U.S. residents who “non-willfully” violate the law’s requirements for the reporting of certain foreign bank and financial accounts […]

Measuring fair value for financial reporting purposes
March 7, 2023 Knowledge Center
Measuring fair value for financial reporting purposes

Fair market value is the appropriate standard of value in most business valuation assignments. But when valuing an asset for financial reporting purposes, fair value is generally used. Here’s an overview of what fair value is and how it differs from fair market value. Eyes on GAAP The terms “fair value” and “fair market value” […]

Awarded money in a lawsuit or settlement? It’s only tax-free in certain circumstances
March 7, 2023 Knowledge Center
Awarded money in a lawsuit or settlement? It’s only tax-free in certain circumstances

You generally must pay federal tax on all income you receive but there are some exceptions when you can exclude it. For example, compensatory awards and judgments for “personal physical injuries or physical sickness” are free from federal income tax under the tax code. This includes amounts received in a lawsuit or a settlement and […]