When employees commit fraud, they generally try to keep the schemes going as long as possible by concealing their activities from others. How successful thieves are at concealment depends largely on their identities, their roles within their organizations and the type of fraud they commit. To uncover potential fraud in your organization and prevent financial losses, […]
If your company operates in the business-to-business (B2B) marketplace, you’ve probably experienced some collections challenges. Every company, whether buyer or seller, is trying to manage cash flow. That means customers will often push off payments as long as possible to retain those dollars. Meanwhile, your business, as the seller, needs the money to meet its […]
Vacation homes in upscale areas may be worth way more than owners paid for them. That’s great, but what about taxes? Here are three scenarios to illustrate the federal income tax issues you face when selling an appreciated vacation home. Scenario 1: You’ve never used the home as your primary residence In this case, the […]
If you’re an “experienced” taxpayer, you’re probably entitled to some age-based federal income tax breaks that younger taxpayers can’t claim. Here are some details to help you take advantage of two valuable opportunities to lower your federal income tax obligations. Make Retirement Account Catch-Up Contributions If you’re age 50 or older, you can make extra “catch-up” […]
Trusts generally are used to reduce tax and help individuals leave wealth to their loved ones. But most trusts don’t last forever and applicable taxes may discourage trust owners from leaving wealth to generations beyond, say, their grandchildren. However, a dynasty trust is different in that it specifically enables a wealthy family to arrange for a […]
Many businesses support their communities by donating to local charities. Although there are plenty of nonprofits that deserve your support, some exist solely to facilitate fraud. How can you avoid the latter? Familiarize yourself with the deceptive tactics scammers use and carefully screen charities for legitimacy — before you write a check. Branding Tricks Fraud perpetrators […]
For businesses, cost-effectively sponsoring a health insurance plan for employees is an ongoing battle. In the broadest sense, you have two options: fully insured or self-funded. A fully insured plan is simply one you buy from an insurer. Doing so limits your financial risk while offering the most predictable costs. The other option is what’s […]
Most people are genuinely appreciative of inheritances, and who wouldn’t enjoy some unexpected money? But in some cases, it may turn out to be too good to be true. While most inherited property is tax-free to the recipient, this isn’t always the case with property that’s considered income in respect of a decedent (IRD). If […]
When you encounter the word “pivot,” you may think of a politician changing course on a certain issue or perhaps a group of friends trying to move a couch down a steep flight of stairs. But businesses sometimes choose to pivot, too. Under a formal pivot strategy, a company consciously changes its strategic focus in a […]
If your business doesn’t already have a retirement plan, it might be a good time to take the plunge. Current retirement plan rules allow for significant tax-deductible contributions. For example, if you’re self-employed and set up a SEP-IRA, you can contribute up to 20% of your self-employment earnings, with a maximum contribution of $69,000 for […]