Current Newsletter
Retirement Saving Tips
Though it's never too late to start, the sooner you begin saving, the more time your money has to grow. Gains each year build on the prior year's gains--that's the power of compounding--and the best way to accumulate wealth. Set Realistic Goals. Project your retirement expenses based on your needs, not rules of thumb. Be honest about how you want [...]
Managing Cash Flow is Key to Business Success
Cash flow is the lifeblood of every small business but many business owners underestimate just how vital managing cash flow is to their business's success. In fact, a healthy cash flow is more important than your business's ability to deliver its goods and services. While that might seem counterintuitive, consider this: if you fail to satisfy a customer and lose [...]
Understanding the Net Investment Income Tax
While the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) tends to affect wealthier individuals most often, in certain circumstances, it can also affect moderate-income taxpayers whose income increases significantly in a given tax year. Here's what you need to know. What is the Net Investment Income Tax? The Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) is a 3.8 percent tax on certain net investment [...]
Small Business Financing: Securing a Loan
At some point, most small businesses owners will visit a bank or other lending institution to borrow money. Understanding what your bank wants, and how to properly approach them, can mean the difference between getting your money for expansion and having to scrape through finding cash from other sources. Unfortunately, many business owners fall victim to several common, but potentially [...]
Safeguarding Financial Records
Natural disasters such as hurricanes are more common in summer, but tornadoes, floods, and fires can strike at any time. As such, it's always a good idea to plan for what to do in case of a disaster. Here are some basic steps you can take right now to prepare: 1. Backup Records Electronically. Many people receive bank statements by email. [...]
Tax Tips
Watch out for Scams during Hurricane Season
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. With hurricane season well underway, taxpayers should watch out for disaster-related scams carried out by criminals and scammers who often try to take advantage of the generosity of taxpayers wanting to help victims of major disasters. Fraudulent schemes normally start with unsolicited contact by telephone, social media, e-mail or in-person using a [...]
Avoid Delays: Renew ITINs Expiring in 2018 Now
Under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) that have not been used on a federal tax return at least once in the last three consecutive years will expire December 31, 2018. In addition, ITINs with middle digits 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 81 or 82 will also expire at the end of the [...]
The Facts about Penalty Relief for Taxpayers
Taxpayers who make an effort to comply with the law but are unable to meet their tax obligations due to circumstances beyond their control may qualify for relief from penalties. If you've received a notice stating that the IRS assessed a penalty, the first step taxpayers should take is to check that the information in the notice is correct. Those [...]
Some Veterans Eligible for Refunds from Overpayment
Certain veterans who received disability severance payments after January 17, 1991, and included that payment as income should file Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to claim a credit or refund of the overpayment attributable to the disability severance payment. The refund is the result of the Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act passed in 2016. Most veterans who received [...]
Good Recordkeeping Benefits your Business
Avoid headaches at tax time by keeping track of your receipts and other records throughout the year. Whether you use an excel spreadsheet, an app, an online system or keep your receipts organized in a folding file organized by month, good record-keeping will help you remember the various transactions you made during the year. Records help you document the deductions [...]
QuickBooks Tips
Tax Due Dates for September 2018
September 10
Employees Who Work for Tips – If you received $20 or more in tips during August, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.
September 17
Individuals – Make a payment of your 2018 estimated tax if you are not paying your income tax for the year through withholding (or will not pay in enough tax that way). Use Form 1040-ES. This is the third installment date for estimated tax in 2018.
Partnerships – File a 2017 calendar year income tax return (Form 1065). This due date applies only if you were given an additional 6-month extension. Provide each shareholder with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) or a substitute Schedule K-1.
S corporations – File a 2017 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120S) and pay any tax due. This due date applies only if you made a timely request for an automatic 6-month extension. Provide each shareholder with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1120S) or a substitute Schedule K-1.
Electing Large Partnerships – File a 2017 calendar year income tax return (Form 1065-B) and pay any tax due. This due date applies only if you timely requested an automatic 6-month extension. Otherwise, see March 15. Provide each partner with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065-B) or a substitute Schedule K-1.
Corporations – Deposit the third installment of estimated income tax for 2018. A worksheet, Form 1120-W, is available to help you make an estimate of your tax for the year.
Employers – Nonpayroll withholding. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments in August.
Employers – Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments in August.