Consider your options when addressing life insurance in your estate plan
February 5, 2021 Knowledge Center
Consider your options when addressing life insurance in your estate plan

Life insurance has long provided a source of liquidity to pay estate taxes and other expenses. Even though for many families, federal and state estate taxes aren’t a concern, life insurance continues to offer many benefits for these nontaxable estates. For this reason, it’s important to properly account for your life insurance policies in your […]

New revenue idea? Watch out for the commerciality doctrine
February 4, 2021 Knowledge Center
New revenue idea? Watch out for the commerciality doctrine

If your not-for-profit has lost financial support during the pandemic, you may be looking for ways to raise new revenue. But if your proposed solution is a side business, be careful. Even when business ventures are related to a nonprofit’s exempt purpose, they can run afoul of the commerciality doctrine — and jeopardize an organization’s […]

The power of the tax credit for buying an electric vehicle
February 4, 2021 Knowledge Center
The power of the tax credit for buying an electric vehicle

Although electric vehicles (or EVs) are a small percentage of the cars on the road today, they’re increasing in popularity all the time. And if you buy one, you may be eligible for a federal tax break. The tax code provides a credit to purchasers of qualifying plug-in electric drive motor vehicles including passenger vehicles […]

Footnote disclosures: The story behind the numbers
February 2, 2021 Knowledge Center
Footnote disclosures: The story behind the numbers

The footnotes to your company’s financial statements give investors and lenders insight into account balances, accounting practices and potential risk factors — knowledge that’s vital to making well-informed business and investment decisions. Here are four important issues that you should cover in your footnote disclosures. 1. Unreported or contingent liabilities A company’s balance sheet might […]

View your financial statements through the right lens
February 2, 2021 Knowledge Center
View your financial statements through the right lens

Many business owners generate financial statements, at least in part, because lenders and other stakeholders demand it. You’re likely also aware of how insightful properly prepared financial statements can be — especially when they follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. But how can you best extract these useful insights? One way is to view your financial […]

Updated guidance on the employee payroll tax deferral
January 29, 2021 Knowledge Center
Updated guidance on the employee payroll tax deferral

In late January, the IRS updated Notice 2020-65. It provides guidance regarding an executive memorandum signed last summer that allowed employers to defer the withholding, deposit and payment of certain payroll tax obligations in 2020. The update reflects the changed deferral rules contained in the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA). A brief history On August 8, 2020, a […]

Don’t forget to take required minimum distributions this year
January 29, 2021 Knowledge Center
Don’t forget to take required minimum distributions this year

If you have a traditional IRA or tax-deferred retirement plan account, you probably know that you must take required minimum distributions (RMDs) when you reach a certain age — or you’ll be penalized. The CARES Act, which passed last March, allowed people to skip taking these withdrawals in 2020 but now that we’re in 2021, […]

Will permanent work-from-home work for your nonprofit?
January 29, 2021 Knowledge Center
Will permanent work-from-home work for your nonprofit?

It’s been almost a year since many not-for-profit organizations sent staffers home — to work remotely. For many nonprofits and employees, remote work has been a positive experience. And as the pandemic fades, you’ll probably need to decide whether employees should remain where they are, return to the office or work a hybrid schedule. Win-win […]

IRS issues final regs on ICHRAs
January 29, 2021 Knowledge Center
IRS issues final regs on ICHRAs

In mid-January, the IRS issued final regulations that clarify the application of employer shared responsibility provisions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), as well as nondiscrimination rules, to Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs). The regs also address Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs). These accounts allow employers to make tax-deductible contributions to reimburse employees for part […]

One reason to file your 2020 tax return early
January 22, 2021 Knowledge Center
One reason to file your 2020 tax return early

The IRS announced it is opening the 2020 individual income tax return filing season on February 12. (This is later than in past years because of a new law that was enacted late in December.) Even if you typically don’t file until much closer to the April 15 deadline (or you file for an extension), […]

Make your fraud contingency plan a blueprint for swift action
January 22, 2021 Knowledge Center
Make your fraud contingency plan a blueprint for swift action

Over the past year, most businesses have been forced to contend with multiple crises, including COVID-19, social unrest and financial challenges. The last thing you need right now is a fraud incident. But if your company is defrauded, you can help mitigate the damage with a fraud contingency plan. Identifying likely scenarios No contingency plan […]

How the new COVID-19 relief law affects retirement benefits
January 21, 2021 COVID-19
How the new COVID-19 relief law affects retirement benefits

The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) includes a wide variety of provisions that address the ongoing economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are so many provisions, in fact, that you may find it challenging to keep track of everything pertinent to your organization. One example is retirement benefits. Although the CAA doesn’t make sweeping […]