Slow cash flow is one of the leading causes of insomnia for business owners. Even if sales are strong, a lack of liquidity to pay bills and cover payroll can cause more than a few sleepless nights. The good news is that you can rest easier by exercising sound cash flow management. Scrutinize your cycles […]
Business owners can rest easier with sound cash flow management Read More »
The treatment of research and experimental (R&E) expenses is a high-stakes topic for U.S. businesses, especially small to midsize companies focused on innovation. As the tax code currently stands, the deductibility of these expenses is limited, leading to financial strain for companies that used to be able to expense them immediately. But proposed legislation dubbed
The One, Big, Beautiful Bill could change the deductibility of R&E expenses Read More »
Many businesses turn to independent contractors to help manage costs, especially during times of staffing shortages and inflation. If you’re among them, ensuring these workers are properly classified for federal tax purposes is crucial. Misclassifying employees as independent contractors can result in expensive consequences if the IRS steps in and reclassifies them. It could lead
Hiring independent contractors? Make sure you’re doing it right Read More »
Even well-run companies experience down years. The federal tax code may allow a bright strategy to lighten the impact. Certain losses, within limits, may be used to reduce taxable income in later years. Who qualifies? The net operating loss (NOL) deduction levels the playing field between businesses with steady income and those with income that
Can you turn business losses into tax relief? Read More »
To get the most from any team, its leader must establish a productive rapport with each member. Of course, that’s easier said than done if you own a company with scores or hundreds of workers. Still, it’s critical for business owners to make “the leadership connection” with their employees. Simply put, the leadership connection is
4 ways business owners can make “the leadership connection” Read More »
Many business owners take an informal approach to controlling costs, tackling the issue only when it becomes an obvious problem. A better way to handle it is through proactive, systematic cost management. This means segmenting your company into its major spending areas and continuously adjusting how you allocate dollars to each. Here are a few
Cost management is critical for companies today Read More »
Your business can set up an educational assistance plan that can give each eligible employee up to $5,250 in annual federal-income-tax-free and federal-payroll-tax-free benefits. These tax-favored plans are called Section 127 plans after the tax code section that allows them. Plan basics Sec. 127 plans can cover the cost of almost anything that constitutes education, including
An education plan can pay off for your employees — and your business Read More »
Today’s companies have several kinds of tax-advantaged accounts or arrangements they can sponsor to help employees pay eligible medical expenses. One of them is a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). Under an HRA, your business sets up and wholly funds a plan that reimburses participants for qualified medical expenses of your choosing. (To be clear, employees can’t
EBHRAs: A flexible health benefits choice for businesses Read More »
Suppose you’re thinking about setting up a retirement plan for yourself and your employees. However, you’re concerned about the financial commitment and administrative burdens involved. There are a couple of options to consider. Let’s take a look at a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) and a Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE). SEPs offer easy
Explore SEP and SIMPLE retirement plans for your small business Read More »
Small to midsize businesses have valid reasons for incorporating, not the least of which is putting that cool “Inc.” at the end of their names. Other reasons include separating owners’ personal assets from their business liabilities and offering stock options as an employee incentive. If you’re considering incorporation for your company, however, it’s essential to