849
Showing all 13 results
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Switch on tax savings – Claiming the energy-efficient commercial buildings deduction
September / October 2021
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 849
Abstract: Businesses that have invested in energy efficiency — or are considering doing so — shouldn’t overlook the Section 179D deduction for energy-efficient commercial buildings. This deduction was first added to the tax code in 2005 as a temporary incentive, but it has expired and been renewed several times over the years. Tax legislation enacted in late 2020 made the deduction permanent and provided for the maximum deduction amount to be adjusted for inflation in future years. This article details the deduction’s eligibility and qualifications and lists the specific improvements that can be deducted. A brief sidebar explores how a taxpayer can recover the deduction for a prior year.
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Signing up for law firm subscription plans – Why it may be time to reconsider your pricing model
Summer 2021
Newsletter: Law Firm Management
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 849
Abstract: Hourly billing has long been the industry standard for law firms of all sizes. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has prompted many firms to innovate in ways they probably wouldn’t have otherwise. This article covers why some resourceful firms are adopting a pricing model that has proven popular in a range of industries — subscription services. It highlights the benefits and risks of the subscription billing model, as well as the next steps firms need to take to start using this billing model. A short sidebar emphasizes how the subscription model works well for niche legal practice markets.
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Chances of qualifying for medical deduction are looking better
April / May 2021
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 849
Abstract: The Consolidated Appropriations Act extends the lower deduction floor for medical expenses past its scheduled expiration date. Even better, the new law change is permanent, meaning it has no expiration date. This article explains that taxpayers can benefit from this provision until Congress changes the threshold again — so, they might have a better chance of qualifying for a deduction this year, next year or beyond than in the recent past.
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How does the SECURE Act affect estate planning?
June / July 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 849
Abstract: The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act is the biggest retirement planning law in decades. However, when all is said and done, the new law may have just as significant an impact on estate planning. This article explains the SECURE Act’s key provisions and explores estate planning strategies to implement. A sidebar explains that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) waives required minimum distribution rules through the end of the year.
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Shareholder disputes: The good, the bad and the ugly
June / July 2015
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 849
Abstract: When owners don’t see eye-to-eye about major decisions, it can disrupt business operations and compromise debt service, especially if the parties wind up in court. One way borrowers can help themselves — and their stakeholders — is to implement a valid, comprehensive buy-sell agreement. This article discusses how buy-sells can prevent shareholder disputes and what relevant details to include in a buy-sell agreement. A sidebar identifies potential sources of buyout funding, including life insurance and loan proceeds.
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Risk management: How to contain threats before they become critical
Fall 2013
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 849
Abstract: Financial risks may be the most obvious threats to their well-being, but nonprofits need to worry about other risks as well — from threats to their reputation in the community to their volunteers’ conduct. Nonprofits without a comprehensive risk management plan may be courting unnecessary danger. This article discusses how to identify and prioritize risks, how to develop a risk-management policy, and types of insurance that can mitigate some threats. A sidebar highlights emerging risks that nonprofits are likely to encounter in the years ahead.
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Accounting standards for private companies move forward
October / November 2012
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 849
Abstract: In theory, U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) should apply to businesses of all sizes. But, as many owners of privately held companies know, GAAP often doesn’t make sense for their situations. However, recent initiatives by the Financial Accounting Foundation and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants offer a structure for providing the information needed by most users of private companies’ financial reports without requiring the level of detail mandated of public companies. This article examines the proposals, while a sidebar discusses International Financial Reporting Standards for small and midsize enterprises.
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Boning up on the new repair regs – IRS guidance can help you and your clients reduce taxes
Fall 2012
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 849
Abstract: In December 2011, the IRS issued temporary guidelines addressing the tax treatment of expenditures made to acquire, produce or improve tangible property. Contractors should familiarize themselves with these regulations because: 1) they affect the tax treatment of investments in their own buildings, and 2) they may provide opportunities to help clients reduce their tax bills. This article offers advice on how to determine whether an expense should be capitalized or deducted; a sidebar offers a specific example.
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The IRS is watching — Why having an accountable plan is so important
Summer 2012
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 849
Abstract: An “accountable plan” comprises policies and procedures for handling and reimbursing employee business expenses according to IRS guidelines. Without such a plan, these expenses must be included in the employee’s gross income, and the amounts are subject to employment taxes and withholding. If a practice fails to report this income and pay the appropriate taxes, it could become subject to back taxes and penalties. This article describes typical employee business expenses and explains the substantiation requirements for an accountable plan.
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What you need to know about top-heavy testing
Year End 2011
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 849
Abstract: Each plan year, retirement plan administrators must determine whether their plans are “top heavy” based on compensation to “key employees.” What are these terms and why do they matter? This article defines who is a key employee and what makes a plan top heavy. It also tells how plans are tested and what transactions the test includes.
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Being on the lookout for deceivable receivables
November / December 2009
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 849
Abstract: Next to cash, receivables are the most trusted source of loan collateral. But face value might exaggerate the truth. To protect against deceivable receivables, it’s important that lenders compare a borrower’s receivables to expenses to look for fictitious sales, and investigate journal entries that occur after the end of the accounting period. They should identify and monitor customers with too much concentration risk, and go beyond the financial statement to look at supplemental schedules, in addition to taking other proactive measures. When a borrower suffers from poor collections, there are specific actions a lender can take to help correct the situation.
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Keeping tabs on Mr. Wrench – How to measure your technicians’ performance
July / August 2009
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 849
Abstract: When your service department is slow, it’s more important than ever to make sure your technicians are performing up to par. There are a number of procedures to ensure accountability. How do you calculate contributions and create incentives? What are the pros and cons of guaranteed wages? How do you judge the “comeback ratio” and determine the performance of more experienced employees? These issues are explored, while a sidebar addresses labor hours and profitability.
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E-discovery – Structured data calls for specialist attention
November / December 2008
Newsletter: Advocate's Edge / Litigation Support
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 849
Abstract: Some attorneys have learned the hard way that e-discovery often means gathering and analyzing millions of bytes of information. Although much attention has been focused on discovery of “unstructured data” such as e-mail and documents, e-discovery also encompasses “structured data,” a category that includes human resource system and enterprise resource planning data. As this article argues, proper retrieval and handling of structured data differs from that associated with unstructured data sources and usually requires the assistance of a specialist.