What is your taxpayer filing status?
When you file your tax return, you do so with one of five filing statuses. It’s possible that more than one status will apply. The box checked on your return generally depends in part on whether you’re unmarried or married on December 31. Here are the filing statuses: Single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household and qualifying widow(er) with a dependent child. Head of household status can be more favorable than filing as a single person, but special rules apply. You must generally be unmarried, have a qualifying child (or dependent relative) and meet certain rules involving “maintaining a household.” If you have questions about your filing status, contact us.
The tax implications if your business engages in environmental cleanup
If your company needs to “remediate” or clean up environmental contamination, the expenses involved can be tax deductible. Unfortunately, every type of environmental cleanup expense cannot be currently deducted. Some cleanup costs must be capitalized. For example, remediation costs generally have to be capitalized if the remediation adds significantly to the value of the cleaned-up property; prolongs the useful life of the property; or adapts it to a new or different use. In addition to federal tax deductions, there may be state or local tax incentives involved in cleaning up contaminated property. If you have environmental cleanup expenses, we can help maximize the deductions available.
3 key traits of every successful salesperson
Every business needs to set performance management standards for its sales department. These standards help drive productivity and, thereby, profitability. Focus on the three key traits of successful salespeople. First, there’s aptitude. Not everyone is cut out for sales. An employee who’s a bad fit could be moved to another department or simply let go. The second trait is effective tactics. Although there are many ways to sell, a good salesperson builds lasting and fruitful relationships with customers. The third trait is strong numbers. Identify and track sales metrics that are fair to your staff and reflect the strategic goals of the business. We can help you crunch the numbers.
Using your 401(k) plan to save this year and next
Does your employer offer a 401(k) or Roth 401(k) plan? Contributing to it is a taxwise way to build a nest egg. If you’re not already socking away the maximum allowed, consider increasing your contribution between now and year end. With a 401(k), an employee elects to have a certain amount of pay deferred and contributed by an employer on his or her behalf to the plan. The contribution limit for 2019 is $19,000. Employees age 50 or older by year end are also permitted to make additional “catch-up” contributions of $6,000, for a total limit of $25,000 in 2019. The IRS just announced that the 401(k) contribution limit for 2020 will increase to $19,500 (plus the $6,000 catch-up contribution).
Small businesses: Get ready for your 1099-MISC reporting requirements
Early next year, your business may be required to comply with Form 1099 rules. You may have to send forms to independent contractors, vendors and others whom you pay nonemployee compensation, as well as file them with the IRS. There are penalties for noncompliance. Employers must provide a Form 1099-MISC for nonemployee compensation by Jan. 31, 2020, to each noncorporate service provider who was paid at least $600 for services during 2019. (1099-MISCs generally don’t have to be provided to corporate service providers.) A copy of each Form 1099-MISC with payments listed in box 7 must also be filed with the IRS by Jan. 31. If you have questions about your reporting requirements, contact us.
Reducing wasteful spending in healthcare by curbing administrative complexity
Wasteful spending is an increasingly thorny problem in healthcare, especially with the industry comprising an ever-larger portion of GDP.
The TeleDentists Offers Dental Second Opinions
The TeleDentists delivers vital dental services virtually wherever, whenever a dentist is needed. A proprietary, national network of Licensed dentists use secure online video consults to connect with patients’ smart phones, laptops or tablets. They diagnose problems, start remediation and, when needed, arrange next business day appointments with a conveniently located dentist. The service is available to hospitals, urgent care facilities, retail clinics, self-insured corporations, senior-living centers, universities and telemedicine service providers. Visit https://www.theteledentists.com
Insurance, subscriptions, and apps: The changing landscape of patient payment options
As dental practices struggle to keep afloat with insurance payments alone, new options such as membership plans and Chewsi are becoming more common. Ann-Marie DePalma provides this guide for dental hygienists on today’s payment options.
Real Estate Investors to Benefit from the Federal Reserve’s Third Interest-Rate Cut
The central bank lowered the benchmark interest rate a quarter of a percentage point to a range of 1.5% to 1.75%.