Beware of a stealth tax on Social Security benefits
March 26, 2024 Knowledge Center
Beware of a stealth tax on Social Security benefits

Some people mistakenly believe that Social Security benefits are always free from federal income tax. Unfortunately, that’s often not the case. In fact, depending on how much overall income you have, up to 85% of your benefits could be hit with federal income tax. While the truth about the federal income tax bite on Social […]

President Biden’s proposed budget highlights his tax agenda
March 22, 2024 Knowledge Center
President Biden’s proposed budget highlights his tax agenda

President Biden has released his proposed budget for the 2025 fiscal year, including numerous tax provisions affecting both businesses and individual taxpayers. While most of these provisions have little chance of coming to fruition while the U.S. House of Representatives remains controlled by the Republican Party, they might gain new life depending on the outcome […]

New option for unused funds in a 529 college savings plan
March 21, 2024 Knowledge Center
New option for unused funds in a 529 college savings plan

With the high cost of college, many parents begin saving with 529 plans when their children are babies. Contributions to these plans aren’t tax deductible, but they grow tax deferred. Earnings used to pay qualified education expenses can be withdrawn tax-free. However, earnings used for other purposes may be subject to income tax plus a […]

Why it’s important to get your company’s financials done on time
March 19, 2024 Knowledge Center
Why it’s important to get your company’s financials done on time

Have you completed your company’s year-end financial statements yet? Most calendar-year entities issue their year-end financials by March of the following year. Lenders and investors may think the worst if a company’s financial reports aren’t submitted in a timely manner. Here are three assumptions your stakeholders could make when your financial statements are late. Negative […]

Spotlight on auditor independence
March 14, 2024 Knowledge Center
Spotlight on auditor independence

Auditor independence is the cornerstone of the accounting profession. Auditors’ commitment to follow the standards set forth by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) ensures stakeholders can trust that audited financial statements present an accurate picture of the […]

4 ways to make an incentive trust more effective
March 14, 2024 Knowledge Center
4 ways to make an incentive trust more effective

Estate planning isn’t just about sharing wealth with the younger generation. For many people, it’s equally important to share one’s values and to encourage their children or other heirs to lead responsible, productive and fulfilling lives. One tool for achieving this goal is an incentive trust, which conditions distributions on certain behaviors or achievements that […]

If you didn’t contribute to an IRA last year, there’s still time
March 12, 2024 Knowledge Center
If you didn’t contribute to an IRA last year, there’s still time

If you’re gathering documents to file your 2023 tax return and you’re concerned that your tax bill may be higher than you’d like, there might still be an opportunity to lower it. If you qualify, you can make a deductible contribution to a traditional IRA right up until the April 15, 2024, filing date and […]

Lines may blur when it comes to estate and family business succession planning
March 8, 2024 Knowledge Center
Lines may blur when it comes to estate and family business succession planning

Owners of closely held businesses typically have a significant portion of their wealth tied up in their enterprises. If you own a closely held business with your relatives involved, and don’t take the proper estate planning steps to ensure that it lives on after you’re gone, you may be placing your family at financial risk. […]

April 15 is the deadline to file a gift tax return
March 7, 2024 Knowledge Center
April 15 is the deadline to file a gift tax return

Not only is April 15 the deadline to file a 2023 income tax return and pay any taxes due, it’s also the deadline to file a gift tax return. If you made substantial gifts of wealth to family members in 2023, you may have to file a gift tax return. It’s due by April 15 […]

Employers now have guidance on emergency savings accounts
March 5, 2024 Knowledge Center
Employers now have guidance on emergency savings accounts

Although employers have long helped employees save for retirement and have insurance in place for health care, another urgent need has persisted over the years: funds for financial emergencies. To address this problem, SECURE 2.0, a law enacted in 2022, contains a provision allowing employer-sponsors of certain retirement plans to offer “pension-linked” emergency savings accounts […]

Independent contractor vs. employee status: The DOL issues new final rule
March 1, 2024 Knowledge Center
Independent contractor vs. employee status: The DOL issues new final rule

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) test for determining whether a worker should be classified as an independent contractor or an employee for purposes of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) has been revised several times over the past decade. Now, the DOL is implementing a new final rule rescinding the employer-friendly test that […]

Auditing revenue recognition
February 23, 2024 Knowledge Center
Auditing revenue recognition

The top line of an income statement for a for-profit business is revenue (or sales). Reporting this line item correctly is critical to producing accurate financial statements. Under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), revenue is recognized when it’s earned. With accrual-basis accounting, that typically happens when goods or services are delivered to the customer, […]