by Lori Bowden | Nov 2, 2024 | Business, Newsletter, Tax
To prepare for a business audit, an IRS examiner generally researches the specific industry and issues on the taxpayer’s return. Examiners may use IRS Audit Techniques Guides (ATGs). A little-known secret is that these guides are available to the public on the IRS...
by Lori Bowden | Nov 1, 2024 | Individuals, Newsletter, Tax
In recent years, the residential real estate market has surged in many areas. That means many homes have greatly appreciated, and the $250,000 home sale gain exclusion ($500,000 for joint filers) isn’t always sufficient to protect a home sale from federal income...
by Lori Bowden | Oct 4, 2024 | Business, Newsletter, Tax
Some small businesses struggle with employee morale for a variety of reasons, one of which may be economic uncertainty. If you want to boost employees’ spirits without a big financial outlay, an achievement awards program is a relatively low-cost fringe benefit that...
by Lori Bowden | Oct 3, 2024 | Business, Fraud, Newsletter
While the use of paper checks has greatly diminished, thieves still view them as a source for stealing revenue. In fact, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network warns that many thieves are returning to old-fashioned financial theft, using paper checks. That’s one...
by Lori Bowden | Oct 2, 2024 | Individuals, Newsletter, Tax
If the fringe benefits of your job include employer-paid group term life insurance, a portion of the premiums for the coverage may be taxable. And that could result in undesirable income tax consequences for you. The cost of the first $50,000 of group term life...
by Lori Bowden | Oct 1, 2024 | Business, Newsletter, Tax
As the year winds to a close, your chance to lower your 2024 tax bill also winds down. If you’re age 70½ or older, you may want to make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA before year-end. Normally, distributions from a traditional IRA are taxable....