First the old news: Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), employers with at least 50 employees (or full-time equivalents) are required to provide health benefits and pay for a good portion of the cost. And many smaller employers that aren’t required to offer health coverage do so anyway. Why? They may do it to compete…
The impact of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, now over a year since it was handed down, continues to reverberate throughout the business world. As the year wears on, it’s clear the decision carries implications for industries beyond retail and, indeed, for the very basic functions of any business with multi-state…
Despite evolving customer expectations, continued pressure on profit margins and fierce competition, the restaurant industry fared well through the first quarter of 2019, with same-store sales up an overall 1.5%. To preserve profitability and reclaim foot traffic, many industry players are recognizing that a departure from business-as-usual is the key to continued success. But, given…
The summer months are a good time to brainstorm tax planning strategies. Some ideas will help cut your tax bill for the current year; others will allow you to minimize future taxes. Here are various short- and long-term strategies to consider. They factor in changes included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Industry 4.0 is shorthand for all the technological innovations fundamentally altering the manufacturing sector — including smart factories, the Internet of Things, cloud and hybrid computing, and augmented reality. Mobile devices are the gateway to Industry 4.0. Manufacturing managers still working with decade-old computers — or pencil and paper — will likely be left in…
The so-called “gig economy” challenges conventional practices between companies and the people who perform the work. A key question is: Are these workers independent contractors or employees? The U.S. Department of Labor recently published a new wage and hour opinion letter, spelling out its position with respect to a specific virtual marketplace company. Though the…
Many construction bookkeepers have gaps in their knowledge about how to produce quality financial statements. That can matter at year-end. There is only so much your CPA can do at the end of the financial year to correct or modify poorly recorded transactions. In some companies, bookkeepers may keep records in a certain, albeit less-than-perfect,…
The free use of a company car is one of the best perks an employee may receive as part of a compensation package. But the benefit to the employee isn’t completely “free” under current tax law. Essentially, personal use of a company car is treated as a taxable noncash fringe benefit, subject to income tax…
With this year’s average tax refund around $2,700, the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers they have options to control the amount of their take-home pay and the size of their tax refund by adjusting their tax withholding. A Paycheck Checkup using the IRS Withholding Calculator can help taxpayers determine the right amount of tax they should have…
When a loved one who was “financially comfortable” passes away, his or her family must deal with the emotional issues that come with the loss — as well as winding up the decedent’s financial affairs. Surviving family members are often unprepared for the tax issues that may arise when a loved one dies. Here’s some…
