Friday, May 28, 2010
Happy Memorial Day
I would like to thank all those who gave their lives for our country. For their friends and family, have a blessed memorial day.
SBA offers tools for small businesses
Recently the SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration) released a collection of videos designed to help small businesses. This series has tools and suggestions that can help businesses with topics such as marketing, preparing for growth and team building (among others). These videos are designed to be short enough to be interesting, but succinct enough to entice small business owners into action. If you have some extra time, check it out here:
http://sba.gov/strategiesforgrowth/
http://sba.gov/strategiesforgrowth/
Interesting article regarding MBT
In a strange twist of fate, two compelling things have happened:
1. A Grand Rapids Press writer has something interesting and topical that was not taken directly from the AP wire.
2. This article talks about what accountants have been stressing since the implementation of the MBT. Namely that this tax is much more complex than the SBT and although it charges a "surcharge" (essentially a penalty for either adding value to your company, or gasp, actually earning net income) the actual revenue the state collects from this tax is less than collections from the SBT. What this article does not point out is that many businesses are having to pay a much higher share to this tax than others, because there are many advantageous tax breaks and tax credits for certain business types.
http://www.mlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/05/michigan_business_tax_isnt_wor.html
1. A Grand Rapids Press writer has something interesting and topical that was not taken directly from the AP wire.
2. This article talks about what accountants have been stressing since the implementation of the MBT. Namely that this tax is much more complex than the SBT and although it charges a "surcharge" (essentially a penalty for either adding value to your company, or gasp, actually earning net income) the actual revenue the state collects from this tax is less than collections from the SBT. What this article does not point out is that many businesses are having to pay a much higher share to this tax than others, because there are many advantageous tax breaks and tax credits for certain business types.
http://www.mlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/05/michigan_business_tax_isnt_wor.html
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Simplest visualization of US debt
Check this out. It is a little nerdy, but hey, do what you know...
This is a visualization of the national budget vs. the proposed budget cuts the Obama administration is attempting to administer in the next 90 days. The rest speaks for itself.
http://www.wimp.com/budgetcuts/
This is a visualization of the national budget vs. the proposed budget cuts the Obama administration is attempting to administer in the next 90 days. The rest speaks for itself.
http://www.wimp.com/budgetcuts/
Thursday, May 20, 2010
New and Expiring Tax Credits: Part 1
At no time in the history of the United States has the tax code changed so rapidly, in such a short period of time. With many changes to business and personal income taxes as well as other tax concerns, it is important to stay on top of the ever-changing tax landscape.
In the next few weeks I will attempt to cover most of the major personal and business tax changes that have either gone into effect in 2010, or that will be implemented in 2011.
Some of the major topics I will cover for businesses will include:
The Hire Act
"Universal Health Care"
NOL carrybacks
First year bonus depreciation (168k)
179 bonus depreciation
Some of the major personal topics I will cover include:
Capital Gains rate changes
Tax bracket changes
Education benefits changes
Many expiring tax credits
AMT tax changes
IRA distribution changes
So if anyone would like information regarding a specific tax credit, or tax concern, please let me know.
In the next few weeks I will attempt to cover most of the major personal and business tax changes that have either gone into effect in 2010, or that will be implemented in 2011.
Some of the major topics I will cover for businesses will include:
The Hire Act
"Universal Health Care"
NOL carrybacks
First year bonus depreciation (168k)
179 bonus depreciation
Some of the major personal topics I will cover include:
Capital Gains rate changes
Tax bracket changes
Education benefits changes
Many expiring tax credits
AMT tax changes
IRA distribution changes
So if anyone would like information regarding a specific tax credit, or tax concern, please let me know.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Deducting Health Insurance Premiums
The other day I took a phone call from one of our business clients. His business provides insurance services to other businesses. He asked me a very simple question, "I have a business client who has a group health insurance plan for him and his employees, and he needs to know whether or not he can deduct these expenses."
It became pretty clear to both of us, that although it may have been an easy question for him to ask me, the answer to that question is a lot more involved. Thanks to the prevalent use of pass-through taxable entities (S-Corps, and Partnership returns), and changes to tax provisions, deducting health insurance as a business owner is not as easy as paying the insurance bill.
If this business owner has a traditional C-Corporation the corporation would be able to deduct the full amount of the health insurance expenses as long as they have a qualified plan in place that covers all employees (without discriminating in favor of Highly Compensated Employees, or the business owners, or their families).
If this business is instead a Schedule C business or a single member LLC (disregarded entity) the business would not be able to deduct the portion of health insurance purchased for the business owner and/or his family. The health insurance expense for his normal employees (other than himself and his family) would be deductible. However, the portion of the expenses paid for his personal health insurance coverage would be includable on the front page of the business owner's personal income tax return (1040). Therefore, the business owner would be allowed to deduct on his personal return, personal health insurance expenses (to the extent that his business has earnings in the current taxable year). If the business owner had a loss for that same year, he would not be allowed to take the deduction on the front page of his personal return, but would instead include the expense on Schedule A (to the extent that health expenses exceeded 7.5% of AGI).
If this business is instead a S-Corporation, and the business owner is a more than 2% owner, the preferred method for deducting this expense is to include the amount as a "Gross-up" of W-2 wages to the owner/shareholder. This method is a little more involved, but basically at the end of the day, the deductibility is treated similarly to Schedule C business owners.
In conclusion, thanks to many changes in the tax code in recent years, businesses and individuals should be aware of costs and opportunities associated with business tax decisions. If you have concerns regarding your business's specific tax items, it is important that you use a qualified tax representative.
It became pretty clear to both of us, that although it may have been an easy question for him to ask me, the answer to that question is a lot more involved. Thanks to the prevalent use of pass-through taxable entities (S-Corps, and Partnership returns), and changes to tax provisions, deducting health insurance as a business owner is not as easy as paying the insurance bill.
If this business owner has a traditional C-Corporation the corporation would be able to deduct the full amount of the health insurance expenses as long as they have a qualified plan in place that covers all employees (without discriminating in favor of Highly Compensated Employees, or the business owners, or their families).
If this business is instead a Schedule C business or a single member LLC (disregarded entity) the business would not be able to deduct the portion of health insurance purchased for the business owner and/or his family. The health insurance expense for his normal employees (other than himself and his family) would be deductible. However, the portion of the expenses paid for his personal health insurance coverage would be includable on the front page of the business owner's personal income tax return (1040). Therefore, the business owner would be allowed to deduct on his personal return, personal health insurance expenses (to the extent that his business has earnings in the current taxable year). If the business owner had a loss for that same year, he would not be allowed to take the deduction on the front page of his personal return, but would instead include the expense on Schedule A (to the extent that health expenses exceeded 7.5% of AGI).
If this business is instead a S-Corporation, and the business owner is a more than 2% owner, the preferred method for deducting this expense is to include the amount as a "Gross-up" of W-2 wages to the owner/shareholder. This method is a little more involved, but basically at the end of the day, the deductibility is treated similarly to Schedule C business owners.
In conclusion, thanks to many changes in the tax code in recent years, businesses and individuals should be aware of costs and opportunities associated with business tax decisions. If you have concerns regarding your business's specific tax items, it is important that you use a qualified tax representative.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Private letter rulings
One of the major “insurance” opportunities the IRS offers for uncertain tax positions is called private letter rulings. These rulings are given to businesses and individuals on a case by case basis and cannot be relied upon by other taxpayers, but in the right instances can be very beneficial for taxpayers as a basis against an adverse IRS opinion. IRS private letter rulings cost between $625 and $11,500 (for a complex private letter ruling).
Business owners considering filing for a private letter ruling should do their homework before sending in a request for a private letter ruling as there are certain pitfalls associated with this type of filing, including:
1. You may have an issue that is already covered under an automatic or simplified method, that is both standardized and less costly than a private letter ruling.
2. Check IRS publications for matters that are already covered under statute, court decisions, revenue ruling, revenue procedure, etc as these have a higher standing as far as the IRS is considered than private letter rulings.
3. Make sure the IRS has not placed your topic of consideration on its “no ruling” list.
4. Seek guidance from the IRS directly. The IRS may be able to direct you to an IRS publication or revenue ruling that speaks to your issue directly.
Remember, an IRS private letter ruling may not always be the answer, but $650 may be much more tolerable than an adverse IRS ruling down the road with associated fees and penalties that can add up quickly.
Business owners considering filing for a private letter ruling should do their homework before sending in a request for a private letter ruling as there are certain pitfalls associated with this type of filing, including:
1. You may have an issue that is already covered under an automatic or simplified method, that is both standardized and less costly than a private letter ruling.
2. Check IRS publications for matters that are already covered under statute, court decisions, revenue ruling, revenue procedure, etc as these have a higher standing as far as the IRS is considered than private letter rulings.
3. Make sure the IRS has not placed your topic of consideration on its “no ruling” list.
4. Seek guidance from the IRS directly. The IRS may be able to direct you to an IRS publication or revenue ruling that speaks to your issue directly.
Remember, an IRS private letter ruling may not always be the answer, but $650 may be much more tolerable than an adverse IRS ruling down the road with associated fees and penalties that can add up quickly.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Contributions to 401(k) and simple plans for 2010
401(k) and Simple contribution limitations have remained the same from 2009.
401(k) contributions are limited to $16,500 for individuals, with available additional ‘catch-up’ contributions available to those ages 50 years and older of $5,500 (total available contributions of $22,000).
Simple contributions are limited to $11,500, with additional ‘catch-up’ contributions available to those 50 years and older of $2,500. (for total available contributions of $14,000).
401(k) contributions are limited to $16,500 for individuals, with available additional ‘catch-up’ contributions available to those ages 50 years and older of $5,500 (total available contributions of $22,000).
Simple contributions are limited to $11,500, with additional ‘catch-up’ contributions available to those 50 years and older of $2,500. (for total available contributions of $14,000).
Eleven Easy Ways to Destroy Your Company
There was a great article written recently in the New York Times called ‘Eleven easy ways to destroy your company’. It is a short one page article highlighting the most common pitfalls of new and existing businesses that business owners might be too busy to keep in mind.
Check it out here:
http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/eleven-easy-ways-to-destroy-your-company/
Check it out here:
http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/eleven-easy-ways-to-destroy-your-company/
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