Business owners, lean into sales staff retention
Historically, sales departments have always trended toward higher turnover rates. However, by leaning into sales staff retention a little harder, you can hang on to your company’s top sellers. Begin with improvements to your hiring and onboarding processes. Welcome new employees warmly, provide ample training and consider appointing mentors to help them get comfortable. Of course, compensation matters as well. Investigate the feasibility of retention bonuses and financial rewards for maintaining and increasing sales. Also, consider forming a sales leadership team that can contribute to strategic planning. Because they work in the trenches, salespeople often have some great ideas.
Lost your job? Here are the tax aspects of an employee termination
If you’re laid off or terminated, taxes are probably the last thing on your mind. However, there may be tax implications. For example, what’s the best option for amounts you’ve accumulated in a retirement plan sponsored by a former employer? For most, a tax-free rollover to an IRA is the best move. You may continue group health coverage under COBRA. The cost of premiums paid for health insurance is a medical expense, which is deductible if you itemize deductions and your total medical expenses exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income. Complex situations arise if you have incentive stock options or a “golden parachute payment.” We can help you chart the best tax course during this time.
Does your business barter? Here are some facts you should know
In today’s economy, many small businesses are strapped for cash. They may find it advantageous to barter for goods and services instead of paying cash for them. But if your business engages in bartering, be aware that the fair market value of goods you receive is taxable income. And if you exchange services with another business, the transaction results in taxable income for both parties. Some businesses join barter clubs that facilitate barter exchanges. If you join such a club, you’ll be asked to provide your Social Security number or Employer Identification Number. You may receive a form that reports barter transactions. Contact us if you need assistance or would like more information.
5 ways to control your business insurance costs
Every company should carry various forms of business insurance. But that doesn’t mean you should pay unnecessarily high premiums. Here are five ways to control your costs: 1) Regularly review every policy to ensure it’s appropriate to your current circumstances and needs. 2) Shop around for better coverage, as well as for discounts you’re missing out on. 3) Actively manage workers’ compensation insurance, particularly making sure to properly classify employees. 4) Consider increasing your deductibles on certain policies so you can pay a lower premium. 5) Above all, prioritize safety through proper training, vigilance and enforcement. Contact us for help assessing the cost of your insurance.
There still may be time to cut your tax bill with an IRA
If you’re getting ready to file your 2021 tax return, and your tax bill is more than you’d like, there might still be a way to lower it. If you qualify, you can make a deductible contribution to a traditional IRA right up until the April 18, 2022, filing date and benefit from the tax savings on your 2021 return. For 2021, if you’re eligible, you can make a deductible traditional IRA contribution of up to $6,000 ($7,000 if you’re 50 or over). To be eligible, you must meet rules involving your income and whether you (or your spouse) are an active participant in an employer retirement plan. Contact us if you want more information or ask us about it when we prepare your tax return.
The election to apply the research tax credit against payroll taxes
The credit for increasing research activities, often referred to as the research and development credit, is a valuable tax break for eligible businesses. Claiming the credit involves complex calculations, which we can take care of for you. But in addition to the credit itself, be aware that it also has a feature that is especially favorable to certain eligible small businesses. The credit can be used against the employer’s Social Security payroll tax liability. To qualify for the election a taxpayer: 1) must have gross receipts for the election year of less than $5 million and 2) be no more than five years past the period for which it had no receipts (the start-up period). Contact us about whether you can benefit from the payroll tax election and the research tax credit.
Should your business address retirement plan leakage?
Under just about any circumstances, the word “leakage” has negative connotations. In a retirement planning context, leakage refers to pre-retirement withdrawals from an account. Why should business owners who sponsor a qualified plan care? Leakage can lead to higher plan expenses. It may also indicate that employees are facing unusual financial challenges, which tend to negatively affect morale, productivity and quality of work. Perhaps the most important thing you can do to limit leakage is educate and remind employees about how pre-retirement withdrawals can diminish their accounts and delay their anticipated retirement dates. Contact us with questions or for more information.
Are you ready for the 2021 gift tax return deadline?
If you made large gifts to your children, grandchildren or others in 2021, it’s important to determine whether you’re required to file a gift tax return by April 18 (Oct. 17 if you file for an extension). The annual gift tax exclusion has increased in 2022 to $16,000 but was $15,000 for 2021. Generally, you’ll need to file a return if you made 2021 gifts that exceeded the $15,000-per-recipient gift tax annual exclusion (unless to your U.S. noncitizen spouse) and in certain other situations. But sometimes it’s desirable to file a gift tax return even if you aren’t required to. If you’re not sure whether you must (or should) file a 2021 gift tax return, contact us.
Can you deduct the costs of a spouse on a business trip?
If you own your own company, you may wonder if you can deduct the costs of having your spouse accompany you on business trips. To qualify, your spouse must be your employee. This means you can’t deduct the airfare or meals of a spouse, even if his or her presence has a bona fide business purpose, unless the spouse is an actual employee of your business. If your spouse isn’t an employee, you can still deduct the costs of driving your own car or renting one to reach your destination. And you can write off the hotel costs of what you would have paid traveling alone. In other words, the single room rate rather than the double. Contact us if you have questions about this or other tax topics.
COVID-19 pushes the trend toward office-based labs
COVID-19 has spurred innovation and growth, including the trend toward outpatient care at office-based labs. As a result of increased calls to keep patients out of the hospital and safe from infection during the pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has encouraged procedures in the outpatient setting, according to Lindsay Pack, Office-Based Labs […]
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