Today’s companies have several kinds of tax-advantaged accounts or arrangements they can sponsor to help employees pay eligible medical expenses. One of them is a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).
Author: Erica Ortsman (page 14)
Are you a tax-favored real estate professional?
For federal income tax purposes, the general rule is that rental real estate losses are passive activity losses (PALs). An individual taxpayer can generally deduct PALs only to the extent of passive income from other sources, if any. For example, if you have positive taxable income from other rental properties, that generally counts as passive income. You can use PALs to offset passive income from other sources, which amounts to being able to currently deduct them.
The “wash sale” rule: Don’t let losses circle the drain
Stock, mutual fund and ETF prices have bounced around lately. If you make what turns out to be an ill-fated investment in a taxable brokerage firm account, the good news is that you may be able to harvest a tax-saving capital loss by selling the loser security. However, for federal income tax purposes, the wash sale rule could disallow your hoped-for tax loss.
How companies can spot dangers by examining concentration
At first glance, the word “concentration” might seem to describe a positive quality for any business owner. You need to concentrate, right? Only through laser focus on the right strategic goals can your company reach that next level of success.
6 essential tips for small business payroll tax compliance
Staying compliant with payroll tax laws is crucial for small businesses. Mistakes can lead to fines, strained employee relationships and even legal consequences. Below are six quick tips to help you stay on track.
1) Maintain organized records
Accurate recordkeeping is the backbone of payroll tax compliance. Track the hours worked, wages paid and all taxes withheld. Organizing your documentation makes it easier to verify that you’re withholding and remitting the correct amounts. If you ever face an IRS or state tax inquiry, having clear, detailed records will save time and reduce stress.
Understanding the “step-up in basis” when inheriting assets
If you inherit assets after a loved one passes away, they often arrive with a valuable — but frequently misunderstood — tax benefit called the step-up in basis. Below is an overview of how the rule works and what planning might need to be done.
Businesses considering incorporation should beware of the reasonable compensation conundrum
Small to midsize businesses have valid reasons for incorporating, not the least of which is putting that cool “Inc.” at the end of their names. Other reasons include separating owners’ personal assets from their business liabilities and offering stock options as an employee incentive.
If you’re considering incorporation for your company, however, it’s essential to be aware of the associated risks. One of them is the reasonable compensation conundrum.
Planning for the future: 5 business succession options and their tax implications
When it’s time to consider your business’s future, succession planning can protect your legacy and successfully set up the next generation of leaders or owners. Whether you’re ready to retire, you wish to step back your involvement or you want a solid contingency plan should you unexpectedly be unable to run the business, exploring different succession strategies is key. Here are five options to consider, along with some of the tax implications.
What tax documents can you safely shred? And which ones should you keep?
Once your 2024 tax return is in the hands of the IRS, you may be tempted to clear out file cabinets and delete digital folders. But before reaching for the shredder or delete button, remember that some paperwork still has two important purposes:
- Protecting you if the IRS comes calling for an audit, and
- Helping you prove the tax basis of assets you’ll sell in the future.
Is your business on top of its tech stack?
Like many business owners, you’ve probably received a lot of technology advice. One term you may hear frequently is “tech stack.” Information technology (IT) folks love to throw this one around while sharing their bits and bytes of digital wisdom.