Trendlines
Showing 49–64 of 233 results
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Practical Perspectives: Key financial issues for you and your family – Exchanging a life insurance policy — tax-free
April / May 2015
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 435
Abstract: In this issue’s “Practical Perspectives,” “Margaret” has had a permanent life insurance policy for years but now wants to get rid of it because of unappealing features and the poor financial standing of the insurer. Her financial advisor suggests that, rather than simply cash out, she might execute a tax-free “1035 exchange” of the policy for a better one.
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Moneylines: News briefs for businesses
April / May 2015
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 258
Abstract: This issue’s “Moneylines” notes the latest IRS mileage rates for business tax purposes, the results of an international risk survey for 2015 warning of common threats to U.S. businesses, and an intriguing 2014 survey that indicates the existence of a “creativity gap” between employees’ creativity and their ability to be creative on the job.
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Step carefully when paying cash for a new home
April / May 2015
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 692
Abstract: Taking out a mortgage is, of course, the most common method for buying a home. But many wealthier individuals — particularly those buying a vacation property or a residence for a child — may wish to look into making a straight cash purchase. This article describes the valid reasons to do so but also warns against the risks involved.
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Payroll management – 4 fundamental ways to lower your risk
April / May 2015
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1053
Abstract: The challenges of payroll management expand exponentially as a company grows and its workforce expands. Even if a business downsizes and turns to independent contractors, there are still considerable payroll-related issues to consider. This article addresses four fundamentals of payroll management that can help business owners head off mistakes or oversights before they turn into major crises. A sidebar explains how serious the DOL is about enforcing proper employee classification.
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Practical Perspectives: Key financial issues for you and your family – Anticipating the tax impact of a child’s investment income
February / March 2015
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 448
Abstract: In this issue’s “Practical Perspectives,” “Tom and Erin” want to show their daughter how to invest and understand the results. Before they get too far, however, they visit their tax advisor to clarify what impact her investments might have on their tax bill. The advisor explains the various ramifications that a child’s interest, dividends and other unearned income may have on the parents’ taxes.
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Moneylines: News briefs for businesses
February / March 2015
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 287
Abstract: This issue’s “Moneylines” notes IRS efforts to overcome the challenges of e-filing business returns. It also discusses a study that may indicate that risk management efforts in the workplace are paying off, and it cites a study showing that organizations are still struggling to integrate technology and data security.
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How a traditional IRA can benefit you and your heirs
February / March 2015
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 673
Abstract: With little fanfare, the traditional IRA has turned 40. Since 1974, this long-standing retirement funding arrangement has undergone a multitude of major and minor tweaks — so it’s important to stay up to speed on the distribution rules. This article provides a review of the current rules in the context of effectively transferring wealth to heirs.
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Appraisal anxiety – Why business owners should value valuations
February / March 2015
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1045
Abstract: Appraisals can inspire anxiety for many business owners. After all, valuations cost time and money. Nonetheless, there are some legitimate reasons to obtain an appraisal regularly or, at the very least, to familiarize oneself with the process so as to be ready when the time comes. This article discusses three basic “pillars” of the appraisal process and explains how a valuation can provide an unbiased, up-to-date perspective on a business. A sidebar looks at when a simple “calculation” may or may not be preferable to having a full valuation.
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Practical Perspectives: Key financial issues for you and your family – Deducting travel expenses when giving to charity
Year End 2014
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 445
Abstract: This issue’s “Practical Perspectives” discusses the case of “Jorge,” a carpenter who likes to travel to help charitable organizations rebuild low-income and disaster-stricken areas. He’s always shrugged off the opportunity to deduct travel costs, but, now that he’s married with a child on the way, his wife has made it clear that every dollar counts. So he visits his tax advisor and learns which costs are deductible and which aren’t.
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Moneylines: News briefs for businesses
Year End 2014
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 288
Abstract: In this issue, “Moneylines” looks at the IRS’s final regulations regarding the proper tax treatment of dispositions of tangible depreciable property under MACRS. It notes an ACFE report revealing that tips delivered via a telephone hotline or other such medium were the most common fraud detection method cited by survey participants. And a survey by a custom apps developer illuminates the evolving role of IT departments.
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Financial crisis management: A spouse’s death
Year End 2014
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 681
Abstract: For individuals, financial crisis management is often related to a disaster affecting one’s home or perhaps a sudden spate of medical bills. But the death of a spouse is also a major crisis that warrants preparation. While enduring the grieving process, it’s necessary to follow a number of steps to keep one’s finances in order. This article lists important documents to gather and discusses collection of insurance and benefits, along with updating account registrations for assets held at banks and other financial institutions.
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Make your own luck – Good business loans should be no accident
Year End 2014
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1053
Abstract: The success or failure of a business loan should be no accident. Rather, every financing arrangement needs to be a carefully planned strategic move with reasonably predictable results. This article explains how to approach business financing as a partnership rather than a provider-customer relationship. While a lender must be picky about its borrowers, the same holds true for borrowers choosing a lender. The key is to find the right fit so that external financing can serve a strategic purpose. A sidebar discusses revenue-based financing — and its pros and cons — as one approach.
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Practical Perspectives: Key financial issues for you and your family – Coping with a perhaps inevitable AMT hit
October / November 2014
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 451
Abstract: “Catherine” always meets with her tax advisor in the fall. And, just about every year, she appears to be on the brink of having to pay the alternative minimum tax (AMT) rather than the regular tax. But “this year,” her advisor says, “it’s finally going to happen.” This issue’s “Practical Perspectives” discusses several of the many items that can trigger the AMT, along with ways to cope.
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Moneylines: News briefs for businesses
October / November 2014
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 295
Abstract: In this issue’s “Moneylines,” we warn employers not to forgo a formal health care insurance plan and then point employees to a Health Insurance Marketplace and reimburse them for premiums paid there — this approach violates the Affordable Care Act. We also discuss a survey indicating which states are the most business-friendly — and unfriendly — and we look at a report that shows why defined-contribution plans are good for the economy.
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Stay on guard against credit/debit card fraud
October / November 2014
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 686
Abstract: Credit or debit card fraud is no longer the domain of the careless. Recent high-profile data breaches have made this crystal clear. Even if a company guards its cards as carefully as possible, a hacker could swerve around it and drive right through a firewall to get its sensitive data. This article describes how victims can handle breaches so as to minimize losses, and how to reduce the threat of such losses in the first place.
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Year end tax planning – 3 hot issues for businesses in 2014
October / November 2014
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1059
Abstract: When it comes to tax planning for businesses, every year end may seem to have common threads. But each year end also has a few hot issues all its own. This article looks at three for 2014: payroll tax management, property and asset repairs, and mergers and acquisitions. A sidebar reminds employers that they will need to withhold the additional 0.9% Medicare tax on the excess earnings of some highly compensated employees.