Retirement Planning

Sometimes how much is in tax-deferred retirement accounts may be too much

Could your traditional 401(k) or IRA balance be too large? Maybe!
August 18, 2026
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Contributing as much as possible to tax-deferred retirement accounts such as traditional 401(k)s and IRAs is a common recommendation. Contributions generally are pretax or deductible, and the power of tax-deferred compounding can help turbocharge growth. But some taxpayers can reach a point where maximizing tax deferral may become counterproductive. Potential downsides of tax-deferred saving After […]
#FinancialPlanning, #RothIRA, #TaxPlanning
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Tax Planning

Let’s trade! Business bartering is still taxable

Bartering can be a viable way to conduct business, especially if you’re strapped for cash. But you can’t escape tax obligations.
August 17, 2026
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Trading items or services — without exchanging cash — has long been common among small businesses. Today, some use online barter exchanges to facilitate trades. In addition to preserving cash flow, these types of transactions may expand your purchasing power, help you move overstocked inventory and increase your business’s exposure to new markets. But bartering […]
#Bartering, #businesstaxes, #TaxPlanning
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Financial Planning

Disability benefits may have income tax consequences you don’t expect

When deciding how much disability coverage you need to protect yourself and your family, take the tax treatment into consideration.
August 12, 2026
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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 […]
#DisabilityInsurance, #EmployeeBenefits, #TaxTips
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Business Valuation

Professional valuations provide businesses with more than a number

A valuation engagement is designed to estimate a business’s value for a specific transaction or strategic objective. But it can also help owners identify opportunities and risks — and the best way to boost ROI.
August 6, 2026
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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 […]
#BusinessAppraisal, #BusinessValue, #FairMarketValue
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Tax Planning

Tax tips for parents with kids heading to college this fall

When a child goes to college, there are both tax-saving opportunities and potential tax pitfalls. Learn how to make the most of the former and minimize the latter.
August 5, 2026
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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 […]
#CollegePlanning, #EducationTaxCredits, #TaxPlanning
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Tax Credits

Could the New Markets Tax Credit benefit your business?

The New Markets Tax Credit may provide tax savings to investors and financing opportunities to qualifying businesses in low-income communities. Here’s how the program works.
August 3, 2026
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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 […]
#BusinessFinancing, #CommunityDevelopment, #TaxPlanning
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Business Planning & Consulting

Ideas for negotiating smarter, not harder

Business owners: No matter your objective, successful negotiations with another party depend on good preparation and maintaining a cool head. Here are some tips to consider.
July 30, 2026
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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 […]
#BusinessConsulting, #BusinessGrowth, #NegotiationStrategy
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Payroll

When an employee’s Form W-4 raises red flags

How closely should your business review employees’ withholding information? Find out when you must take action — and when these matters should be left to the employee or the IRS.
July 28, 2026
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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 […]
#FormW4, #PayrollCompliance, #TaxWithholding
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