Ideas & Insight

When businesses provide meals to their employees, generally their deduction is limited to 50%. But there are exceptions, for example, when the meal qualifies as a de minimis fringe benefit under the Internal Revenue Code. If you qualify, providing employee meals could mean a larger IRS deduction. A recent U.S. Tax Court ruling could ultimately […]

TAX RETURN SECURITY: For the 2017 tax year the IRS will be testing a W-2 verification code to increase security when filing tax returns. Tax preparers and those preparing their own returns are urged to enter this code when filing out the W-2 information on their return. Contact us for further information!

Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA can provide tax-free growth and the ability to withdraw funds tax-free in retirement. But what if you convert a traditional IRA — subject to income taxes on all earnings and deductible contributions — and then discover that you would have been better off if you hadn’t converted […]

For many people today, income tax planning offers far greater tax-saving opportunities than gift and estate tax planning. A record-high gift and estate tax exemption — currently $5.49 million ($10.98 million for married couples) — means that fewer people are subject to those taxes. If gift and estate taxes aren’t a concern for your family, […]

“We love our customers!” Every business owner says it. But all customers aren’t created equal, and it’s in your strategic interest to know which profitable customers are strengthening your bottom line and by how much. Sorting out the data If your business systems track individual customer purchases, and your accounting system has good cost accounting […]

You’ve probably heard the term and wondered whether it could happen to your company. Maybe it already has. We’re referring to “digital disruption” — when new technologies and business models affect the value proposition of existing goods and services. Read on to discover 5 ways to dance through digital disruption. Perhaps the most notorious recent […]

If a substantial portion of your wealth is tied up in a family or closely held business, you may be concerned that your estate will lack sufficient liquid assets to pay federal estate taxes. If that’s the case, your heirs may be forced to borrow funds or, in a worst-case scenario, sell the business in […]

If your estate plan includes a revocable trust — also known as a “living” trust — it’s critical to ensure that the trust is properly funded. Revocable trusts offer significant benefits, including asset management (in the event you become incapacitated) and probate avoidance. But these benefits aren’t available if you don’t fund the trust. Have […]

Estate planning typically focuses on what happens to your assets when you die. But it’s equally important (some might say more important) to have a plan for making critical financial and medical decisions if you’re unable to make those decisions yourself. That’s where the power of attorney (POA) comes in. A POA appoints a trusted […]

From the baseball field to the boardroom, statistical analysis has changed various industries nationwide. With proper preparation and guidance, business owners can use Key Performance Indicators to monitor company performance — far beyond the bottom line on an income statement. The metrics in question are commonly referred to as key performance indicators (KPIs). These formula-based measurements reveal […]