If you have a child or grandchild who is going to attend college in the future, you have probably heard about qualified tuition programs, also known as 529 plans. These plans, named for the Internal Revenue Code section that provides for them, allow prepayment of higher education costs on a tax-favored basis. There are two […]
Auditors commonly use confirmations to verify such items as cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, employee benefit plans and pending litigation. Under U.S. Generally Accepted Auditing Standards, an external confirmation is “a direct response to the auditor from a third party either in paper form or by electronic other means, such as through the auditor’s direct […]
High-income taxpayers face two special taxes — a 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT) and a 0.9% additional Medicare tax on wage and self-employment income. Here is an overview of the taxes and what they may mean for you. 3.8% NIIT This tax applies, in addition to income tax, on your net investment income. The […]
With electronic payments and in-app purchases becoming so much the norm, many midsize to large companies have grown accustomed to software-driven accounts receivable. However, there are some smaller businesses that continue to soldier on with only partially automated payment systems. If your company is still using paper-based processes, and suffering the consequences, it might be […]
As businesses and not-for-profit entities increasingly rely on technology, cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and aggressive. Auditors must factor these threats into their risk assessments. They can also help you draft cybersecurity disclosures and brainstorm ways to mitigate your risk of an attack. Increasing risks How much does a data breach cost? The average […]
You may have heard that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law recently. While experts have varying opinions about whether it will reduce inflation in the near future, it contains, extends and modifies many climate and energy-related tax credits that may be of interest to individuals. Nonbusiness energy property Before the IRA was […]
Victims of Hurricane Ian that began September 23 in Florida now have until February 15, 2023, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. Following the recent disaster declaration issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, individuals and households affected by Hurricane Ian that reside […]
The financial accounting standards board (FASB) could have congressional lobbyists nipping at its heels over a “book minimum tax” rule in the newly enacted inflation reduction act of 2022 (IRA). This would be the first corporate alternative minimum tax based on financial statement book income since the 1980s. In addition, many in the accounting profession […]
As a result of the current estate tax exemption amount ($12.06 million in 2022), many people no longer need to be concerned with federal estate tax. Before 2011, a much smaller amount resulted in estate plans attempting to avoid it. Now, because many estates will not be subject to estate tax, more planning can be […]
The pandemic and the ensuing economic turmoil have put tremendous stress on businesses. Many companies that appeared healthy on the surface, on their financial statements, quickly realized that they were not prepared for the unexpected. A so-called “stress test” of your company’s financial position and its ability to withstand a crisis can help prevent this […]