General & Family Business
Showing 897–912 of 1042 results
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Fraud has struck! What now? – A contingency plan can help minimize fallout, expedite investigation
Year End 2009
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 772
Abstract: When fraud strikes, panic is a common but not very desirable response. Having a fraud contingency plan can help ensure that a business will know just what to do to minimize the fallout from a fraud incident and get the investigation underway immediately. It involves taking an honest look at the types of fraud most likely to be attempted, and how to respond if controls are breached. This includes having the right members for a fraud investigation team and communicating effectively with employees, the public and other stakeholders. A good fraud contingency plan should be integrated into a greater suite of risk management programs.
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Charitable giving – Noncash donations can take many forms
Year End 2009
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1023
Abstract: Donating cash might be an easy way of supporting a charity, but it’s not necessarily the best. Rather than hurting personal cash flow by lowering the balance on one’s bank account, it might be better to look to other assets to serve as a valuable donation — with some helpful tax benefits. This article discusses donating a home, a vehicle, art or other collectibles, or appreciated stock, while a sidebar shows the different costs involved in donating cash, stock, real estate or collectibles.
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3 savvy year end tax planning moves for businesses
Fall 2009
Newsletter: Management & Tax Concepts
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 514
Abstract: Given the state of the economy over the past year, tax planning is more important than ever. But one can employ three savvy year end moves: timing income and deductions for best results; deferring tax on advance payments; and increasing one’s tax basis in company stock.
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Handle life insurance with care to protect proceeds from taxes
Fall 2009
Newsletter: Management & Tax Concepts
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 647
Abstract: Life insurance can help achieve a variety of estate planning and business planning goals. Unfortunately, keeping life insurance proceeds free of income and estate taxes can get complicated. But there are ways, such as having an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) own a life insurance policy; creating the right buy-sell agreement; and avoiding “for value” transfers.
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Solo 401(k)s offer singular advantages
Fall 2009
Newsletter: Management & Tax Concepts
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 524
Abstract: For self-employed individuals and owners of certain small businesses, several retirement plan options are available. One option that offers a number of singular advantages is the Solo 401(k). Among the advantages are high contribution limits, availability of plan loans, and flexibility in regard to contributions and the types of investments one may choose.
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Do you know what your competitors are up to? There are many ways of finding out …
Fall 2009
Newsletter: Management & Tax Concepts
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 860
Abstract: Knowledge is power. The more a company knows about its competitors, the better it will be able to anticipate their moves as well as create its own countermoves and proactive measures. This article describes a number of perfectly legitimate ways to gather competitive intelligence. And, as a sidebar explains, one such way is to hire competitors’ employees, providing one is careful to observe noncompete agreements or other legal constraints.
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First-time homebuyer tax credit set to expire Dec. 1
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 268
Abstract: Those who are ready to purchase their first home should consider doing so before Dec. 1. Why? Because that’s when a refundable “first-time” homebuyer tax credit equal to 10% of the purchase price of a principal residence is set to expire. This short article looks at details of the credit.
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Don’t let family matters interfere with business matters
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 670
Abstract: Even though knowing family members are watching the shop can be reassuring, the requirements of running a business can strain even the strongest family ties. The stresses can become further exacerbated when sibling rivalry exists or when one’s spouse is involved. But there are ways to address these issues, including treating siblings equally and dividing responsibilities between spouses.
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Now is the time – Take advantage of today’s low interest rates to transfer more wealth tax free
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 741
Abstract: To help jumpstart a struggling economy, the federal government began lowering key interest rates last year, and they remain at their lowest level in several years. This is good news for those looking to transfer wealth out of their estate. Lifetime giving strategies are particularly effective when interest rates are low because the probability of outperforming the hurdle rate — and, therefore, transferring wealth tax free — is high. This article explains what hurdle rates are, and details such giving strategies as family loans, grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs) and charitable lead annuity trusts (CLATs).
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Preparing for any business scenario – A buy-sell agreement can steady a company through uncertain times
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 867
Abstract: Smart business owners work to control the risks they can — such as if an owner leaves the company. To guard against the negative consequences that might arise from such a predicament, it’s important to be proactive and establish a buy-sell agreement. This article looks at some of the details of a buy-sell agreement, which is a contract among a business’s owners that sets guidelines for the transfer of their ownership interests. It discusses using life insurance to fund an agreement, while a sidebar explains the difference between fair market value and investment value when determining how to value a business.
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Practical Perspectives: Key financial issues for you and your family – Restaurateurs learn basics of wealth management
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 581
Abstract: This article looks at the case of Tim and Roberta, who run a popular restaurant/catering service in a well-to-do suburban area. Recently, the couple has started worrying about whether they’re doing enough to manage and protect the assets they’ve worked so hard to build up over the years. Their advisor lists four specific steps they should take in cooking up a sound, comprehensive wealth management plan.
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Moneylines: News Briefs for Businesses
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 445
Abstract: This issue’s “Moneylines” looks at tax breaks available only in 2009; how companies with defined-benefit plans are suspending 401(k) matches; the prevalence of intentional and unintentional software piracy within companies; and why it may be helpful to check with one’s banker about the coming year’s credit market and what one can do to maintain their own good standing.
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Time to review your business structure options
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1057
Abstract: As business owners gather their tax-related information and documentation, one major issue they may want to review is whether their business structure still best suits their company’s needs and situation. Many smaller businesses start life as a sole proprietorship or partnership, so the prospect of a business structure change often occurs when a company’s ownership decides to incorporate. This could involve a switch to a C corporation or an S corporation — or, to strike a balance between partnership and incorporation, a limited liability company (LLC). This article looks at the tax and liability ramifications of these various options, while a sidebar lists the considerations involved in the choice between a C and an S corporation structure.
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Be the early bird – Thinking about taxes now can pay off later
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 733
Abstract: Many people don’t start thinking about taxes until well after the first of the year. But thinking about taxes now, before time pressure may result in poor decisions, can really pay off. By working with a tax advisor to project income, deductions and tax liabilities for 2009 and 2010 — and beyond, if possible — it may be possible to shift income and deductions between tax years to minimize one’s overall tax burden, or at least to defer taxes. But there are pros and cons with particular strategies.
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Ethics matter — now more than ever
August / September 2009
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 521
Abstract: Even in healthy economic times when companies are thriving, business ethics can easily fall by the wayside. A poor economy only increases pressure on employees of every rank to do “whatever it takes” — even if it’s fraudulent or illegal. A company wishing to avoid these pitfalls needs to lay out the ground rules in a written policy and be prepared to enforce them. It also needs to develop strong internal controls and look out for poor quality control and evidence of fraud. And, it should be aware of specific potential risks when cutting costs.
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The right trust can help shield assets from creditors
August / September 2009
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 606
Abstract: More than ever, people are looking for ways to protect their assets — and with good reason. With the erratic stock market and weakened home values, threats such as a frivolous lawsuit or a forced bankruptcy filing could sink a business owner’s financial ship. Or, he or she may be more concerned about threats to assets being passed to children. All of these threats can be battled by placing assets in a trust — but not just any trust. Spendthrift trusts and offshore trusts may offer special protection — although there are some caveats.