The Employee Retention Credit has been extended. To encourage businesses to maintain their workforces, the CARES Act created the Employee Retention Credit, a refundable credit against payroll tax for employers meeting certain requirements. The credit equaled 50% of up to $10,000 in compensation (including health care benefits) paid to an eligible employee from March 13, … Read More
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Assessing and mitigating key person risks
Auditing standards require a year-end risk assessment. One potential source of risk may be a small business’s reliance on the owner and other critical members of its management team. If a so-called “key person” unexpectedly becomes incapacitated or dies, it could disrupt day-to-day operations, alarm customers, lenders and suppliers, and drain working capital reserves. Common … Read More
IRS: Families First Act Extension March 2021
A valuable employer tax credit is extended, but modified, for 2021. Under the Families First Act, certain employers were obligated to provide paid sick and family leave to employees affected by COVID-19 from April through December 2020. Employers who provided such leave then qualified for refundable employment tax credits to help mitigate the cost. The … Read More
New law provides option to delay implementing the updated CECL standard
The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), signed into law on December 27, 2020, includes a variety of economic relief measures. One such measure allows certain banks and credit unions to temporarily postpone implementation of the controversial current expected credit loss (CECL) standard. Here are the details. Updated accounting rules The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting … Read More
IRS: Forms 1099-MISC
Businesses that generally report payments to workers on Forms 1099-MISC will need to adapt. Beginning with the 2020 tax year, payments of at least $600 made for services performed by a non-employee must be reported on the new Form 1099-NEC (Nonemployee Compensation). Previously this information was reported on Form 1099-Misc, box 7. In addition, if … Read More
New law doubles business meal deductions and makes favorable PPP loan changes
The COVID-19 relief bill, signed into law on December 27, 2020, provides a further response from the federal government to the pandemic. It also contains numerous tax breaks for businesses. Here are some highlights of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA), which also includes other laws within it. Business meal deduction increased The new law … Read More
The COVID-19 relief law: What’s in it for you?
The new COVID-19 relief law that was signed on December 27, 2020, contains a multitude of provisions that may affect you. Here are some of the highlights of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which also contains two other laws: the COVID-related Tax Relief Act (COVIDTRA) and the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act (TCDTR). … Read More
Make your legacy last by educating your children about wealth management
If you’ve worked to build a large estate, you undoubtedly would like to leave a lasting legacy to your children and future generations. Educating your children about saving, investing and other money management skills can help keep your legacy alive. Teaching techniques There’s no one right way to teach your children about money. The best … Read More
Need another PPP loan for your small business? Here are the new rules
Congress recently passed, and President Trump signed, a new law providing additional relief for businesses and individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. One item of interest for small business owners in the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) is the opportunity to take out a second loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The basics The CAA permits … Read More
IRS: Independent Contractor Classification
When determining whether to classify a worker as an employee or an independent contractor, the IRS and the courts look at several factors. They include: 1) the degree of control exercised by the business over the work details; 2) which party invests in the facilities used in the work; 3) whether the worker has the … Read More