Supply chain software can help digitize the dilemma
Supply chain disruptions have been a dilemma for a while now. Many companies are coping by digitizing their supply chains to improve oversight, increase efficiency and manage risk. One tool to consider is supply chain management (SCM) software. It helps manage how and when materials, products and equipment are procured. SCM software can allow you to predict demand spikes, mitigate inventory and labor shortages, and better manage transportation issues. Another tool is supply chain risk management (SCRM) software. True to its name, an SCRM solution focuses on lowering risk by spotting and eliminating trouble spots in your supply chain. Contact us for help managing your tech costs.
Could your business benefit from a PEO?
Many businesses struggle to keep up with employment regulations and health care benefits. One potential solution: engage a professional employer organization (PEO). These firms employ experts who can handle difficult, recurring tasks such as managing employment taxes and administering payroll and benefits. Because PEOs typically work with multiple clients, the cost to engage one can be lower than hiring HR staff. Partnering with a PEO also lets you focus on core operations while gaining access to HR expertise, technology and administrative services. Before signing up with a PEO, however, you’ll need to thoroughly analyze your company’s HR needs and the costs involved. Contact us for help.
Caring for an elderly relative? You may be eligible for tax breaks
Taking care of an elderly parent or relative may provide more than just satisfaction. You could also be eligible for tax breaks. For example, if the individual qualifies as your “medical dependent,” and you itemize deductions on your return, you can include any medical expenses you incur for the relative along with your own when determining your medical deduction. If you aren’t married, you may qualify for head of household status, which has a higher standard deduction and lower tax rates than a single filer. You may also qualify for the dependent care credit for costs you incur for the individual’s care to enable you and your spouse to go to work. Contact us if you’d like more details.
Inflation enhances the 2023 amounts for Health Savings Accounts
The IRS recently released the inflation-adjusted amounts for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) next year. For calendar year 2023, the annual contribution limitation for an individual with self-only coverage under an HDHP will be $3,850. For an individual with family coverage, the amount will be $7,750. This is up from $3,650 and $7,300, respectively, for 2022. For calendar year 2023, an HDHP will be a health plan with an annual deductible that isn’t less than $1,500 for self-only coverage or $3,000 for family coverage. Annual out-of-pocket expenses (deductibles, co-payments, and other amounts, but not premiums) won’t be able to exceed $7,500 for self-only coverage or $15,000 for family coverage.
Tighten up billing and collections to mitigate economic uncertainties
The U.S. economy is giving business owners plenty to think about. Although rising inflation and supply chain problems are beyond your control, you can tighten up your own operations. One area to look at is billing and collections. Ensure your order fulfillment and distribution processes are as efficient as possible. Resolve billing mistakes or confusion quickly, asking customers to pay any portion of a bill they’re not disputing. Familiarize yourself with industry norms for payment schedules. Use the latest invoicing and payment technology to your advantage. Regularly verify account information to make sure invoices and statements are going to the right place. Contact us for help.
Businesses may receive notices about information returns that don’t match IRS records
The IRS has begun mailing notices to businesses and other payers that filed certain returns with information that doesn’t match the agency’s records. These CP2100 and CP2100A notices are sent by the IRS twice a year to payers who filed information returns that are missing a Taxpayer Identification Number, have an incorrect name or have a combination of both. Payers are required to file with the IRS various information returns reporting payments they make to independent contractors, customers and others. These include Form 1099-MISC (Miscellaneous Income) and Form 1099-NEC (Nonemployee Compensation). Contact us if you have questions about filing information returns.
Valuable gifts to charity may require an appraisal
If you donate valuable items to charity, you may be required to get an appraisal. The IRS requires donors and charitable organizations to supply certain information to prove their right to deduct charitable contributions. If you donate an item of property (or a group of similar items) worth more than $5,000, certain appraisal requirements apply. You must: get a “qualified appraisal;” attach an “appraisal summary” to the first tax return on which the deduction is claimed; include other information with the return; receive the qualified appraisal before your tax return is due; and maintain certain records. Other rules apply to larger gifts and there are exceptions. Contact us with questions.
No parking: Unused compensation reductions can’t go to health FSA
The pandemic’s impact is raising some interesting fringe-benefit questions. In an information letter, the IRS recently answered an inquiry involving a qualified transportation plan participant who now works from home rather than in the office. The participant asked whether he could transfer unused compensation reductions for parking to his health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) offered through a cafeteria plan. The IRS said no, explaining: 1) the U.S. Code prohibits cafeteria plans from offering qualified transportation fringe benefits, and 2) tax rules don’t allow unused compensation reduction amounts under a transportation plan to be transferred to a health FSA. Contact us for more info.
Want to turn a hobby into a business? Watch out for the tax rules
You may dream of turning a hobby into a business. You won’t have any tax headaches if your new business is profitable. But what if the enterprise consistently generates losses (deductions exceed income) and you claim them on your tax return? The IRS may step in and say it’s a hobby (an activity not engaged in for profit) rather than a business. Then you’ll be unable to deduct losses. There are 2 ways to avoid the hobby loss rules: 1) Show a profit in at least 3 out of 5 consecutive years (2 out of 7 years for certain horse businesses). 2) Run the venture in such a way as to show that you intend to turn it into a profit-maker, rather than operate it as a hobby. Contact us for more details.
The tax mechanics involved in the sale of trade or business property
What are the tax consequences of selling property used in your business? Many rules may apply. Let’s assume the property you want to sell is land or depreciable property used in your business and has been held by you for more than a year. Gains and losses from sales of business property are netted against each other. The net gain or loss qualifies for tax treatment as follows: 1) If the netting of gains and losses results in a net gain, long-term capital gain treatment results, subject to “recapture” rules. Long-term capital gain is generally more favorable than ordinary income. 2) If the netting of gains and losses results in a net loss, the loss is fully deductible against ordinary income.