Disability insurance is a valuable benefit provided by many employers. It replaces a portion of the insured person’s income — typically 45% to 65% of pre-disability earnings — after a specified waiting period that starts when the person becomes disabled (as defined by the policy’s terms). Whether you’re just beginning to receive disability benefits or you’re […]
Many small businesses start out as sole proprietorships. This structure is simple and inexpensive to establish and maintain — and it gives the owner direct access to profits without having to take formal distributions. But it also makes your taxes more complicated than when you were a W-2 employee. Here are some federal tax issues […]
Are you selling your business, soliciting new investors, updating a buy-sell agreement, pursuing litigation or drafting an estate plan? An accurate business valuation prepared by a valuation professional is critical to the success of these and many other activities. Knowing some fundamentals about the process can help you understand your valuator’s conclusions, what drives business […]
A higher education is expensive, and many parents spend years saving up. Others haven’t had the financial bandwidth to save or have hit unexpected financial roadblocks along the way. Regardless of your situation, current tax breaks may be available to you (or to your children or even their grandparents) once your child begins attending college […]
Businesses in economically distressed communities often have difficulty obtaining capital for expansion, equipment, facilities and other investments. The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) encourages private investment in these underserved areas by offering federal income tax credits to qualifying investors. This credit was previously scheduled to expire on December 31, 2025. However, the One Big Beautiful […]
Business negotiations aren’t about squeezing every possible concession from the other side. Both parties should leave the table believing they’ve protected their interests and gained something of value. This approach not only supports the current transaction, but also lays the groundwork for future deals. The reason is simple: Business owners with a reputation for fairness […]
Mutual funds offer an easy way to invest in a diversified portfolio compared to buying individual stocks and bonds. But the tax treatment of mutual funds isn’t so simple. How are mutual funds taxed? If you sell appreciated mutual fund shares, the resulting profit will be taxable. If you’ve held the shares for one year […]
Your employees use Form W-4, “Employee’s Withholding Certificate,” to tell you how much federal income tax to withhold from their pay. Most forms are routine, but an altered certificate, unusual accompanying statement or IRS lock-in letter may require special handling. Knowing how to respond can help your business meet its withholding obligations without becoming involved […]
Financial information is the foundation for every important business decision. Whether your goal is to improve cash flow, launch a new offering, hire additional workers or expand into a new market, accurate data enables you to make decisions confidently. An experienced advisor can help prepare this data and ensure your business is poised to capitalize […]









