Author: Tony Novak
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Are tax free gains in your future?
In general, it is more difficult to avoid capital gains taxes than ordinary income taxes. One simple way to avoid the capital gains tax is to gift the appreciated asset to a parent and inherit it back with a new, higher stepped up basis. But what is easy under the tax law might be more…
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Two tips for new nonprofit organizations
There are more than a million nonprofit businesses in the U.S. with more every day. State requirements that new cannabis companies be in nonprofit form bring more attention. Yet most nonprofit organizations are small volunteer-driven businesses with small budgets. They still need to make smart business management decisions, beginning with the business start-up. Starting out…
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Accounting for volunteer services provided to a nonprofit organization
The accounting treatment of services donated to a nonprofit frequently comes up in conversation. This blog post is meant to simplify three of the most common scenarios if those discussions: Should a nonprofit include the value of donated services in its reported revenue? No, unless the contributed service either: 1) creates a new non-financial asset,…
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More employer-provided student loan benefits
Last summer we were surprised to learn that IRS approved a way to allow employers to assist their employees with student loan payments on a tax-advantaged basis. I covered it in this blog post. Now a range of new proposals are on the table that are likely to propel this benefit forward. Two of the…
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Sample small business bill payment policies and procedures
Every small business – even one person firms where one person wears all the hats – benefits from having a well-considered bill payment policy. This sample policy is one that I drafted for a client with about $25,000 per month in expenses. The intent is to allow this to spark some ideas about how your…
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‘Assurance’ though a web app is not insurance
‘Assurance’ based on technology is nice but it does not include the financial risk shifting of insurance or the legal force of a contract. I recall writing a blog post years ago about how health insurance was morphing into a web app. Consumers seemed unaware or unconcerned of the distinction between a legal contract that…
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Opportunity Zones vs Qualified Small Business Stock: Which is right approach to revitalize Cumberland County NJ?
This blog post is meant as an introductory primer for community planners and local small business owners. Investors are encouraged to seek their own professional counsel. The Cumberland County Improvement Authority has a program planned for bankers and Realtors on May 3 that will discuss the local Opportunity Zones. Following the passage of the federal…
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Changing address with IRS
I would guess that half of the IRS client tax dispute matters I handle involve some form of failed notification in the storyline. The most common cause is a failure to record an appropriate change of address. Changing address with IRS is simple: Complete a form 8822 (8822-B for businesses) and mail it in. Here…
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Initial thoughts on tax season wrap up and where to go from here
Initial thoughts on the wrap up of tax season: 1. OVERALL: It was the roughest tax season in my 30+ years, yet it was not as bad for me as many others tax professionals reported. Tax accountants’ online discussion groups are filled with stories of excess stress, it’s health impact, and threats of retirement from…
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Legal requirements to release the tax returns of candidates for public office
In the aftermath of revelations about the president’s financial scandals, a number of states are moving forward with bills that would require all candidates for public office to release tax returns in order to be listed on the ballot. This blog post does not attempt to list the states, the bills or their status. We…