Are you ready for the 2021 gift tax return deadline?
Posted February 23, 2022 / No comments
The annual gift tax exclusion has increased in 2022 to $16,000 but was $15,000 for 2021. Generally, you must file a gift tax return for 2021 if, during the tax year, you made gifts: That exceeded the $15,000-per-recipient gift tax annual exclusion for 2021 (other than to your U.S. citizen spouse), That you wish to
Read More4 levels of audit opinions
Posted February 23, 2022 / No comments
The first page of audited financial statements is the auditor’s report. This is an important part of the financials that shouldn’t be overlooked. It contains the audit opinion, which indicates whether the financial statements are fairly presented in all material respects, compliant with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and free from material misstatement. In general,
Read MoreAgencies clarify plan coverage of COVID-19 tests
Posted February 22, 2022 / No comments
On February 4, the Department of Labor, IRS and Department of Health and Human Services issued additional frequently asked question (FAQ) guidance addressing the terms and conditions under which group health plans must cover over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 diagnostic tests. The FAQs build on earlier guidance (FAQs Part 51) that established, during the COVID-19 public health emergency, group
Read MoreCan you deduct the costs of a spouse on a business trip?
Posted February 22, 2022 / No comments
If you own your own company and travel for business, you may wonder whether you can deduct the costs of having your spouse accompany you on trips. The rules for deducting a spouse’s travel costs are very restrictive. First of all, to qualify, your spouse must be your employee. This means you can’t deduct the
Read MoreMarried couples filing separate tax returns: Why would they do it?
Posted February 15, 2022 / No comments
If you’re married, you may wonder whether you should file joint or separate tax returns. The answer depends on your individual tax situation. In general, it depends on which filing status results in the lowest tax. But keep in mind that, if you and your spouse file a joint return, each of you is “jointly
Read MoreTake your financial statements to the next level
Posted February 15, 2022 / No comments
Spring is the time of year that calendar-year-end businesses issue financial statements and prepare tax returns. This year, take your financial data beyond compliance. Here’s how financial statements can be used to be proactive, not reactive, to changes in the marketplace. Perform a benchmarking study Financial statements can be used to evaluate the company’s current
Read MoreMaking withdrawals from your closely held corporation that aren’t taxed as dividends
Posted February 14, 2022 / No comments
Do you want to withdraw cash from your closely held corporation at a minimum tax cost? The simplest way is to distribute cash as a dividend. However, a dividend distribution isn’t tax-efficient since it’s taxable to you to the extent of your corporation’s “earnings and profits.” It’s also not deductible by the corporation. Five alternatives
Read MoreThe donor-advised fund: A powerful vehicle for charitable giving
Posted February 10, 2022 / No comments
If charitable giving is important to you, consider a donor-advised fund (DAF). A DAF — typically sponsored and managed by a community foundation or commercial investment company — offers many of the benefits of a private foundation at a fraction of the cost. Upsides of a DAF A DAF allows you to make tax-deductible contributions
Read MoreDid you give to charity in 2021? Make sure you have substantiation
Posted February 8, 2022 / No comments
If you donated to charity last year, letters from the charities may have appeared in your mailbox recently acknowledging the donations. But what happens if you haven’t received such a letter — can you still claim a deduction for the gift on your 2021 income tax return? It depends. The requirements To prove a charitable
Read MoreAudit disclosures: Why the fine print is important
Posted February 4, 2022 / No comments
Footnotes appear at the end of a company’s audited financial statements. These disclosures provide insight into account balances, accounting practices and potential risk factors — knowledge that’s vital to making well-informed lending and investing decisions. Here are examples of key risk factors that you might unearth by reading between the lines in a company’s footnotes.
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