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October 5, 2016.
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Under the qualified small business stock (QSBS) rules, eligible gains from selling QSBS may qualify for a 0% federal tax rate. Sound too good to be true? These rules were made permanent under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015. Here are some important details about this tax-saving opportunity, including the most important restrictions and limitations.
The IRS offers simplified methods for reimbursing employees' out-of-town lodging, meals and incidental expenses. By using travel per diems instead of documenting actual expenses, businesses and employees don't need to prepare detailed expense reports. This article discusses government-approved rates, the high-low method and changes that go into effect for travel starting on October 1, 2016.
Marketing strategies have changed dramatically in recent years. Like it or not, a huge part of your target audience gets their news and information -- even their opinions -- from social media. Social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook can not only help you to broaden your customer base, but perhaps even reduce your traditional advertising budget. For more details on this win-win, read on.
Are you self-employed and traveling overseas on business? There might be ways to maximize your tax deductions when adding some vacation time to a business trip. Keep in mind the tax rules for foreign business travel are different from those for domestic travel. Here is an explanation of the rules and how to protect deductions when you mix business with vacation.
Do you have a traditional IRA? You may have wondered whether you should take money out of it when financial needs come up. If you are under age 59 1/2, there's generally a 10% penalty for early withdrawals — in addition to any regular income tax on the amount. However, there are exceptions to the penalty, as explained in this article.
1232 RXR Plaza 12th Floor, West Tower Uniondale, NY 11556
1232 RXR Plaza 12th Floor, West Tower Uniondale, NY 11556 
1232 RXR Plaza 12th Floor, West Tower Uniondale, NY 11556 
1232 RXR Plaza 12th Floor, West Tower Uniondale, NY 11556 
1232 RXR Plaza 12th Floor, West Tower Uniondale, NY 11556 
1232 RXR Plaza 12th Floor, West Tower Uniondale, NY 11556 
1232 RXR Plaza 12th Floor, West Tower Uniondale, NY 11556 
1232 RXR Plaza 12th Floor, West Tower Uniondale, NY 11556 
1232 RXR Plaza 12th Floor, West Tower Uniondale, NY 11556 |
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In May, the U.S. Department of Labor released a new final overtime rule, and it recently published additional guidance to flesh out certain details. The new guidance, which goes into effect on December 1, 2016, is expected to significantly reduce cash flow in many industries, including retail, manufacturing and not-for-profits. Here are the highlights, including possible implementation strategies to consider.
These days, your customers head to the Internet to comparison shop, get the facts and find out what other consumers are saying about their purchases. That's why smart marketers are using online technology to not only disseminate information, but also manage and improve communication with the buying public. Learn how to get the most out of an email marketing campaign by reading the "Full Article."
Employees should reasonably be expected to conform to certain standards when they set foot in your workplace. When it comes to a dress code, knowing where to draw the line can be tricky. It requires balancing the needs of the business and employees' expectations not to be micromanaged on matters of personal taste. Here are some guidelines.
The key to maintaining a healthy balance of money flowing in and out of your business is to understand the cash cycle and take steps to improve it. Enterprises that successfully practice good cash management generally survive and prosper. Here are a dozen ways to help increase your company's cash flow.
Charitable giving isn't just good for society and your karma — it can also lower your tax bill, if you follow federal tax rules and keep detailed records. When the philanthropic mood strikes you, think beyond cash and online donations. Here, we provide several creative alternatives for sharing your good fortune with your favorite charity, as well as advice on how to receive a "gift" of your own from the IRS.
Members of the Baby Boomer generation are now joining the retirement ranks. As they arrive, or get close to their mid-sixties, they have many questions: How does the future of the system look? How are benefits affecting personal circumstances, such as divorce, remarriage or the availability of private pensions? Here are the answers to these and other frequently asked questions.
Setting up branch operations can help expand your revenue, boost profits and get your company's brand farther afield. But satellite operations can be disastrous if everyone is not on the same page working together. Click "Full Article" for a checklist of steps you can take to keep your branches on track.
Writing an email message that results in sales is an art and a science. You don't have to be an advertising pro to put together an effective sales message but you do have to follow some fundamental guidelines. Click "Full Article" for seven tips that will make your email pitch a winner and boost your bottom line.
If you have a child in college, living expenses can be significant. One way to save money is to invest in an on-campus condominium for him or her and any roommates to reside in. As an added bonus, you may be able to sell the condo for a gain after graduation. Here are the details on the federal tax rules on rental properties for college kids and advice on how to avoid potential pitfalls.
In some family businesses, the succession plan is simply to pass the operation on to the oldest child, or in some cases, the oldest male child. While this may have worked in royal dynasties years ago, it has no place in family businesses. Here are seven steps that current senior owners should consider taking to help make passing the business on a success.
Deductions for vehicle expenses may be easy targets during IRS audits. That's because many taxpayers misunderstand the rules and fail to maintain detailed mileage logs. Or they mistakenly assume their company qualifies for an exception from the IRS's strict recordkeeping requirements. Here's what you should know to preserve your deduction for vehicle expenses.
Many of today's college students graduate with a bundle of loan debt. Sometimes the loans are discharged or forgiven. In other cases, employers pay off all or part of student loans as a fringe benefit. In either case, there are tax implications for the student loan borrower. This article explains.
Have you met with your tax adviser to plan for 2016? The tax year is almost half over, and several new and expanded tax-saving opportunities are available under recent legislation. Moreover, some tax breaks have been made permanent, adding certainty to a few of your tax planning strategies. Here are some ideas for individuals and small businesses to lower their tax obligations this year.
Valuing your family business can help determine whether you should keep it, sell it or pass it on to a family member — either now or in your estate plan. There are two types of valuations that relate to a small business. Here are details on both and how they can fit into the succession plans for your family business.
Successful CEOs were asked by a psychiatrist what is the most important factor in operating a winning company. The key? Don't waste time with impossible, destructive employees. For a tool to help you evaluate and identify these trouble-makers, click "Full Article."
You've no doubt heard the warnings and seen the commercials about monitoring your personal credit. But did you know that your business -- even the smallest company -- may have a credit score of its own? If you are not nurturing your credit score, you could be losing opportunities. Read on to learn more about your business credit score.
One issue that virtually every American supports this U.S. presidential election year is revitalizing our manufacturing sector. Since 1998, millions of manufacturing jobs have been outsourced to countries with lower wages and fewer regulations. But that trend is slowly reversing due to resurgence in the Made-in-America movement, the growing benefits of "reshoring" and government efforts to expand export opportunities.
Credit card debts can pile up quickly for many reasons including illness, job loss and overspending. If you know someone who seems overwhelmed by financial problems, here's a guide that can help the individual come up with solutions that don't involve selling assets or declaring bankruptcy.
You know you're operating a reputable business, but is that the impression your sales force is leaving with potential customers? In a competitive business environment, it's easy to forget what constitutes ethical sales. Here are some reminders to give to sales people that let them know that something bigger than monthly sales targets is at stake.
As anyone marketing on the Internet knows, it can be hard to get people to click on banner ads. How can you get the attention of prospective customers with an enticing banner given the limited amount of space there is to work with? Here are some ways your organization can get the most out of its banner ads.
Every year, thousands of jobs go unfilled in the United States. Why? It's often because there's a shortage of applicants with the skills that employers need. Here are ways your business can rethink the traditional hiring and training processes, as well as details on some opportunities to partner with government agencies, local schools and not-for-profit groups.
You've spent years building your business and net worth. As you plan your estate, you may want to keep the details private. However, it might be better to share information with family members. You can do this by gathering your heirs together. These meetings are reminiscent of Scottish clan gatherings held hundreds of years ago. This article explains.
The IRS takes a strict position on travel and entertainment deductions. If you don't follow recordkeeping requirements, the tax agency may disallow the sought-after deductions. This article explains the basic rules, lays down some guidelines for providing proper receipts, and delves into a few additional points that both employers and employees will find helpful.
Like most tax breaks, charitable deductions come with many rules. This article covers some of the details of writing off donations of cash, non-cash items, appreciated securities, and even vehicles, boats and planes. It also provides eight steps to finding an IRS-approved charity.
It's harder than ever for young people to find summer jobs. The government's Summer Opportunity Project encourages employers to hire young adults for part-time or seasonal work. Doing so will help them earn money and learn valuable life lessons. Here are some ways you can partner with your local community to recruit, train and mentor young people this summer, plus details about a possible federal tax break and potential legal pitfalls to consider.
Some federal disability payments are on the fast track since the Social Security Administration set up its Compassionate Allowances program. So far the program includes 225 illnesses or conditions that meet the agency's definition of disability and allow claimants to receive benefits in a matter of weeks. Here are the details.
Today's employers face a growing list of liability dangers. They begin as soon as a business starts looking for job applicants and can continue even after employees leave the company. Here are three cases involving a medical practice, a manufacturer and a restaurant that highlight some of the surprising dangers all employers might encounter.
In the wake of a hurricane, tornado, flood, fire, earthquake or other disaster, fraud is always quick to surface. Businesses affected by unexpected catastrophes need to be aware of shady operators — including construction con men — who are only too eager to profit from the misfortune of others.
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