Maintaining the status quo in today’s volatile marketplace can be risky. To succeed, businesses need to “level up” by being proactive and adaptable. But some managers may be unsure where to start or they’re simply out of new ideas. Fortunately, when audited financial statements are delivered, they’re accompanied by a management letter that suggests ways […]
A Health Savings Account (HSA) can be a powerful tool for financing health care expenses while supplementing your other retirement savings vehicles. And it offers estate planning benefits to boot. ABCs of an HSA Similar to a traditional IRA or 401(k) plan, an HSA is a tax-advantaged savings account funded with pretax dollars. Funds can […]
Gift splitting can be a valuable estate planning tool, allowing you and your spouse to maximize the amount of wealth you can transfer tax-free. But in some cases, it can have undesirable consequences, so be sure that you understand the implications before making an election to split gifts. Gifts of separate property Gift splitting is […]
If you donate valuable items to charity, you may be required to get an appraisal. The IRS requires donors and charitable organizations to supply certain information to prove their right to deduct charitable contributions. If you donate an item of property (or a group of similar items) worth more than $5,000, certain appraisal requirements apply. […]
Form I-9, “Employment Eligibility Verification,” is used to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. As you’re no doubt aware, all U.S. employers must properly complete a Form I-9 for everyone hired, including citizens and noncitizens. Both employees and employers (or authorized representatives of an employer) need to fill […]
Many companies have an internal audit department that tests whether the organization is accurately reporting financial results and complying with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). But it’s important for internal auditors to think beyond compliance. Internal auditors who understand the big picture can expand their department’s influence by helping their organizations mitigate risk, improve […]
Like many people, you may have dreamed of turning a hobby into a regular business. You won’t have any tax headaches if your new business is profitable. But what if the new enterprise consistently generates losses (your deductions exceed income) and you claim them on your tax return? You can generally deduct losses for expenses […]
These days, it’s common for businesses to purchase cyber insurance to help mitigate financial losses from network breaches. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the proportion of businesses adding cyber coverage increased from 26% in 2016 to 47% in 2020. But in the event of a loss, processing such claims can be expensive, and […]
Estate planning experts usually cite the need to include advance health care directives in a comprehensive estate plan. But there may be different legal names given to those directives, depending on one’s jurisdiction. In any event, regardless of what they’re called in the state where you reside, it’s important to create these documents and keep […]
By now, many employers have chosen to offer employees a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) along with a Health Savings Account (HSA). One interesting issue that’s arisen is, at some organizations, employees have asked whether they can make pretax HSA contributions. Doing so would enable them to save on income taxes every pay period rather than […]
In some cases, homeowners decide to move to new residences, but keep their present homes and rent them out. If you’re thinking of doing this, you’re probably aware of the financial risks and rewards. However, you also should know that renting out your home carries potential tax benefits and pitfalls. You’re generally treated as a […]
Financial statements are an important source of data for valuing a business. But they tell only part of the story. An accurate business valuation hinges on a comprehensive understanding of the subject company’s relative performance and its future earnings power. To help clarify matters, experts often make various adjustments to the financials. Here are some […]