View your financial statements through the right lens
February 2, 2021 Knowledge Center
View your financial statements through the right lens

Many business owners generate financial statements, at least in part, because lenders and other stakeholders demand it. You’re likely also aware of how insightful properly prepared financial statements can be — especially when they follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. But how can you best extract these useful insights? One way is to view your financial […]

Updated guidance on the employee payroll tax deferral
January 29, 2021 Knowledge Center
Updated guidance on the employee payroll tax deferral

In late January, the IRS updated Notice 2020-65. It provides guidance regarding an executive memorandum signed last summer that allowed employers to defer the withholding, deposit and payment of certain payroll tax obligations in 2020. The update reflects the changed deferral rules contained in the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA). A brief history On August 8, 2020, a […]

Don’t forget to take required minimum distributions this year
January 29, 2021 Knowledge Center
Don’t forget to take required minimum distributions this year

If you have a traditional IRA or tax-deferred retirement plan account, you probably know that you must take required minimum distributions (RMDs) when you reach a certain age — or you’ll be penalized. The CARES Act, which passed last March, allowed people to skip taking these withdrawals in 2020 but now that we’re in 2021, […]

Will permanent work-from-home work for your nonprofit?
January 29, 2021 Knowledge Center
Will permanent work-from-home work for your nonprofit?

It’s been almost a year since many not-for-profit organizations sent staffers home — to work remotely. For many nonprofits and employees, remote work has been a positive experience. And as the pandemic fades, you’ll probably need to decide whether employees should remain where they are, return to the office or work a hybrid schedule. Win-win […]

IRS issues final regs on ICHRAs
January 29, 2021 Knowledge Center
IRS issues final regs on ICHRAs

In mid-January, the IRS issued final regulations that clarify the application of employer shared responsibility provisions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), as well as nondiscrimination rules, to Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs). The regs also address Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs). These accounts allow employers to make tax-deductible contributions to reimburse employees for part […]

One reason to file your 2020 tax return early
January 22, 2021 Knowledge Center
One reason to file your 2020 tax return early

The IRS announced it is opening the 2020 individual income tax return filing season on February 12. (This is later than in past years because of a new law that was enacted late in December.) Even if you typically don’t file until much closer to the April 15 deadline (or you file for an extension), […]

Make your fraud contingency plan a blueprint for swift action
January 22, 2021 Knowledge Center
Make your fraud contingency plan a blueprint for swift action

Over the past year, most businesses have been forced to contend with multiple crises, including COVID-19, social unrest and financial challenges. The last thing you need right now is a fraud incident. But if your company is defrauded, you can help mitigate the damage with a fraud contingency plan. Identifying likely scenarios No contingency plan […]

How the new COVID-19 relief law affects retirement benefits
January 21, 2021 COVID-19
How the new COVID-19 relief law affects retirement benefits

The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) includes a wide variety of provisions that address the ongoing economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are so many provisions, in fact, that you may find it challenging to keep track of everything pertinent to your organization. One example is retirement benefits. Although the CAA doesn’t make sweeping […]

How well do your nonprofit’s development and accounting departments communicate?
January 21, 2021 Knowledge Center
How well do your nonprofit’s development and accounting departments communicate?

Your accounting and development departments are central to the continued financial health of your not-for-profit. So what happens when communication between these two functions break down? It could result in conflict between staffers, inaccurate financial statements and, in a worst-case scenario, the forfeiture of grant funds. Here’s how you can encourage collaboration. Note different accounting […]

Blockchain beckons businesses … still
January 19, 2021 Knowledge Center
Blockchain beckons businesses … still

The term and concept known as “blockchain” is hardly new. This technology surfaced more than a decade ago. Bitcoin, the relatively well-known form of cryptocurrency, has gotten much more attention than blockchain itself, which is the platform on which Bitcoin is exchanged. One might be tempted to think that, having spent so many years in […]

Reduce gift and estate tax exposure by making direct payments of tuition and medical expenses
January 19, 2021 Knowledge Center
Reduce gift and estate tax exposure by making direct payments of tuition and medical expenses

Now that the gift and estate tax exemption has risen to $11.7 million for 2021, you may be less concerned about these taxes. But if you have children or grandchildren in college or with medical expenses, you may want to take advantage of the exemption for direct payments of tuition and medical expenses. It can […]

Forecasting for 2021
January 15, 2021 Knowledge Center
Forecasting for 2021

Planning for what lies ahead is an important part of running a healthy business. Forecasting your company’s financial statements can help you manage inventory and other working capital accounts, offer competitive prices, identify impending cash flow shortages and keep your business on solid financial footing. No forecast will be 100% accurate, especially during these uncertain […]