Annuities have recently gained attention as an employee benefit because of changes in federal retirement law. But their use in workplace plans remains limited. The 68th Annual 401(k) Survey by the Plan Sponsor Council of America, published in late 2025, found that only 8.9% of respondents had an in-plan annuity for the 2024 plan year. […]
Financial statements provide the data to support prices in mergers and acquisitions (M&As). But are those reported results reliable and sustainable? After all, the value of a business is based on expected future earnings, not historical results. A quality of earnings (QoE) report prepared by a qualified business valuation professional provides critical insight into earnings, supports informed […]
Would you like your estate plan to support your favorite charity and leave a legacy for your family? Two trust types can be used together to help achieve those goals (one familiar and another you may not have heard of): a charitable remainder trust (CRT) and a wealth replacement trust (WRT). Let’s take a closer […]
Materiality is a core concept that shapes the entire financial reporting process. In simple terms, materiality helps determine which financial information is significant enough to influence decisions — and which details likely won’t affect the overall picture. Understanding how experienced certified public accountants (CPAs) evaluate materiality can help you prepare reliable financial reports and avoid […]
A new but temporary special depreciation allowance for qualified production property (QPP) was created by last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). It’s available for certain manufacturing-related real property placed in service after July 4, 2025, and before January 1, 2031. Under previous law, taxpayers had to depreciate such property over a 39-year period. The OBBBA […]
A family limited partnership (FLP) allows you to manage and protect your wealth while gradually transferring it to your children or other heirs. Additional benefits include potential tax savings and protection from creditors. And you don’t have to own a business to have an FLP. FLPs in a nutshell To take advantage of an FLP, […]
When most people think about estate planning, they focus primarily on tangible assets, such as real estate, investments and personal property. However, in some cases, intellectual property (IP) can make up a substantial portion of an individual’s wealth. Proper planning can help ensure that these assets are preserved, accurately valued and transferred according to your […]
The many tax-related provisions that went into effect last year after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law are affecting 2025 federal income tax returns being filed now. However, some OBBBA provisions aren’t taking effect until this year. Plus, some changes under previous legislation are also taking effect in 2026. Here’s an overview […]
Employee benefits can quickly become outdated as tax laws change, new guidance is issued and workforce needs evolve. If your organization sponsors a cafeteria plan, regular checkups are essential to protect its tax-advantaged status and confirm that the plan continues to deliver meaningful value to your team. Chief objective Formally defined, a cafeteria plan is […]
An important decision to make when filing your individual income tax return is whether to claim the standard deduction or itemize deductions. A change under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) will make it beneficial for more taxpayers to itemize deductions on their 2025 returns. Specifically, if you paid more than $10,000 in state […]
If your organization sponsors a retirement plan for employees, you’ve probably noticed that compliance hasn’t been easy over the last few years. Whether the SECURE Act, the CARES Act and other pandemic-era legislation, or SECURE 2.0, employers have had to deal with significant changes. The IRS apparently sympathizes. In its recently issued Notice 2026-9, the tax […]
If you’ve ever skimmed the auditor’s report for a public company and noticed a section titled critical audit matters (CAMs), you may have wondered what it means and whether it’s relevant to you. CAMs highlight complex, high-judgment areas that drive audit inquiries and testing procedures. Even for private companies, understanding audit risks can be helpful, […]