Author: Tony Novak
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Change to client services agreement
This is a template for a new letter to be used beginning today: CHANGE TO CLIENT SERVICES AGREEMENT The past six weeks have been unlike anything I’ve experienced in the past 33 years of serving in the advisory profession. I responded by increasing my average daily client caseload from 3 to 5, increasing hours and…
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Armchair epidemiology
This is one of those times when a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous and frustrating thing. I’ve had some formal training in epidemiology, virology and public health policy and worked as an intern in a high profile medical research lab but never pursued this as a career. My most recent formal education comes…
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Still don’t have a financial plan?
This blog post is a reprint and revision of an article originally posted in 2011. The current pandemic underscores that many people, including many of my small business owner clients, do not have access to any type of financial planning document to serve as a basis of strategy, communication and decision-making. I’ve recently decided to…
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Inability to update electronic banking with IRS
Self-serve Options It seems that some of us were given inaccurate information about the ability to update personal bank accounts for the purpose of the Economic Impact Payment. As of today, this is what is posted on the IRS web page: “If we don’t have your direct deposit information from your 2018 or 2019 return…
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Small business roundup of crisis response news
The past day generated more financial news affecting U.S. small businesses than any previous day of this pandemic. While the learning curve is steep, typically 1-2 hours each day, the time requirement today and for the rest of this week will be substantially more. No doubt that after I speak with some small business clients…
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CARES Act triggers online and telephone scams
Please be aware of the increase in scams related to the CARES Act Programs. The Small Business Administration, Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Department of the Treasury will NOT CONTACT ANYONE DIRECTLY related to the various relief programs. In addition, bank employees will never ask for your social security number or other sensitive information via…
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Small Business Crisis Management Plan B
The new ’employee retention credit’ is a refundable payroll tax credit for 50% of qualified wages up to a maximum wage of $10,000 per employee. Wages paid starting March 13, 2020 through December 31, 2020 are eligible, even retroactively. The best way to take advantage is to integrate this cash flow benefit directly with your…
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File now to receive a CARES stimulus payment
Millions of Americans are eligible for a stimulus payment from the U.S. Treasury Department as part of the federal government’s corona virus crisis response but will not receive this money unless they take additional action. This blog post focuses on those estimated 400,000 to 500,000 who are otherwise eligible for a stimulus payment but have…
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Caution for those receiving Premium Tax Credits: AVOID CASHING IN IRAs
The new federal law providing public financial relief during the corona virus pandemic also brings some serious hidden risks for people who receive public financial assistance with their health insurance coverage. Since health insurance would be unaffordable to many people without financial assistance from Medicaid or the Advance Premium Tax Credits, any change that threatens…