If someone manipulates cash transactions to avoid required bank reporting to the Treasury Department, they are using the technique of structuring their transactions. Knowing what is reported and the power given to the IRS to seize related assets can be important. Background To identify questionable illegal transactions, financial institutions are required to report any monetary amounts over $10,000 to the…
The savings limits for the ever-popular health savings accounts (HSA) are now set for 2020. The new limits are outlined here with current year amounts noted for comparison. What is an HSA? An HSA is a tax-advantaged savings account whose funds can be used to pay qualified health care costs for you, your spouse and your dependents. The account is…
When you buy shares of a mutual fund, your money is pooled with other shareholders’ money and invested in a portfolio of securities (stocks, bonds, etc.) An investment in a mutual fund offers you diversification and management by professionals. Mutual funds have no guarantee of good returns or safety of your investment; they go up and down just like the…
When it comes to taking qualified deductions on your Federal Tax return three things must happen. First, you must recognize that an expense might be deductible on your tax return. Second, you must keep a record of the expense in an organized fashion. Third, you must have the proper (and timely) documentation to support your deduction. While this may seem…
There are many ways to save for college, but one thing is certain: it is never too early to start. One way to save for college is with a “Section 529” plan. These plans offer a way to pay for college expenses with some nice tax advantages. What are they? Section 529 plans allow you to set up a tax-advantaged…
Tax law changes so frequently that you must be concerned with tax planning year-round, or you’ll miss opportunities to lower your tax bill. Here are some common areas that can mean big money savings with proper planning. 1. Familiarize yourself with the income levels at which various tax breaks phase out. While it doesn’t make sense to make less income…
The Social Security Administration (SSA) made a 2.8 percent increase to monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for 2019. Take a look at some of the most significant changes as you create and update your financial plan for 2019: 2019 Social Security benefit highlights Up to $132,900 in wages will be subject to Social Security taxes (up…
Whether your firm is large, small or somewhere in between, you may be faced with rising costs and declining revenues. This, in turn, may force you to make tough personnel decisions, including layoffs. Before you take this step, however, it makes sense to consider alternatives. Ask yourself whether expense reductions can be accomplished using less drastic means. For instance, a…
When big-box stores come to town, how can a small business successfully compete? That’s a tough question. While one answer doesn’t fit all cases, certain strategies have proven effective for many businesses. Consider these ideas: Compete on your own terms. As a small business, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to compete with larger competitors on the basis of price alone.…
When it comes to taxes, being self-employed has some advantages. Whether you work for yourself on a full-time basis or just do a little moonlighting on the side, the government has provided you with a variety of tax breaks: Build up your retirement funds. When you’re self-employed, you’re allowed to set up a retirement plan for your business. Remember, contributing…
We are delighted to announce that our own L. Scott Elwell has been recognized as a “2018 Executive of the Year” by South Jersey Biz. Scott has been ranked one of twenty-two leaders who excel in shaping the future of business in South Jersey. This achievement is such an honor and our team couldn’t be more proud! Congratulations, Scott! Below…
We have been asked a ton of questions about the new NJ Sick Leave program, especially this most-asked question: when must the employer provide employees with the notice of employee rights? The answer is: Each employer shall provide each employee a written copy of the notification: 1. Not later than 30 days after the form of the notification is issued…
Because financial stress is a normal part of life for most people, learning to cope with money worries is important — vital, in fact — for maintaining positive relationships, job productivity, and personal health. If you’re dealing with excessive anxiety about your finances, consider implementing the following three policies: Move forward and control what you can. If you’ve been laid off…
The storms and wildfires during the last year are a good reminder that one of the best ways to manage the aftermath of a natural disaster is to plan ahead. If you live in a natural disaster high-risk area, you can take steps to alleviate tax and financial issues post-disaster by following these tips: Check your homeowners or renters insurance…
It’s easy to get in the mindset that if you want things done the right way you have to do them yourself. But that isn’t always the best approach at work, even if you firmly believe you’re the best person for the job. There simply isn’t enough time in the day, especially if you have a business to run. Like…
If you’re a business owner, one of the first questions to ask yourself is whether or not you should incorporate. The biggest advantage of incorporating is that it limits your legal liability. Your responsibility for debts and other liabilities incurred by a corporation is generally limited to the assets of the business. Your personal assets are not usually at risk,…
Are you receiving a tax refund this year? No doubt you’ve already heard about why you shouldn’t be giving the government an interest-free loan. Maybe you’ve decided to revise your withholding or estimated tax payments to reduce the amount of next year’s refund. Either way, you have options. Financial planning means creating effective strategies that work for you. The more…
If you need more time to file your 2017 income tax return, you can get an extension — no explanation is necessary. There are a lot of reasons why you may need more time to file your 2017 individual income tax return. For instance, you might want to hold off funding a retirement plan until you can save more money.…
When determining whether or not to carry life insurance on your children, you’ll find that people have a variety of opinions. Here’s a look at some of the most common considerations for and against life insurance policies on children: Financial security. Traditionally, you take out life insurance to provide for the financial security of dependents. The policy should include funds to…
Should you pay for your child’s college education? Or should your child find the financing? There are compelling arguments for both sides, but ultimately, your family needs to do what’s best for your financial situation. Most families find that a combination of both works the best. Parents should pay. Arguments in favor of shelling out your hard-earned cash for a…
As we approach graduation season, we have education costs on the brain! You’re probably familiar with 529 college savings plans. Named for Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, they’re also known as qualified tuition programs, and they offer tax benefits when you save for college expenses. But are you aware of a lesser-known cousin, established under Section 530 of…
After you file your tax return, the last thing you want to see is a notice from the IRS questioning your return. Some IRS notices involve very minor changes, like a correction to a Social Security number. Some are for serious changes that could involve a lot of money, such as a billing for more taxes, interest, or penalties due…
Turnover is an often overlooked cost of doing business. Sometimes it can run as high as 25% of salary and benefits. One way to reduce this cost is to hire wisely. It’s an oft-quoted cliché that employees are a company’s most valuable assets. Try generating revenue with unmotivated or unskilled employees, and you’ll soon discover that the cliché rings true.…
Are you looking forward to your tax refund? By now you know how much you’ll be getting and approximately when the cash will land in your bank account. The only question is, what’s the best way to put the money to work for you? Here are two tax-smart ideas. Tax Refund Tip #1 Fund your IRA. Depending on your income,…
Some tax-cutting strategies make good financial sense. Others are simply bad ideas, often because tax considerations are allowed to override basic economics. Here’s one example of the tax tail wagging the economic dog. Let’s say that you operate an unincorporated consulting business. You want an additional tax write-off, so you decide to buy $10,000 of office furniture that you don’t…
Research has shown that giving workers – and perhaps yourself, as a business owner – time off to recuperate from work demands can be energizing. Here are three ways your business can benefit. Read more. Does a suggestion to boost productivity with time off sound counter intuitive? Research has shown that giving workers – and perhaps yourself, as a…
Do you regularly monitor your company’s cash accounts? Being aware of where your cash is going can help prevent theft or improper expenditures, which are among the chief sources of loss for small companies. Do you regularly monitor your company’s cash accounts? Being aware of where your cash is going can help prevent theft or improper expenditures, which are among…
If you own a calendar-year corporation, you can benefit from planning moves you make before December 31. For example, corporations can accelerate or defer income or deductions to stay within a certain tax bracket. You’ll also want to look at your corporate alternative minimum tax exposure to determine whether you qualify for an exception to the tax. Finally, reviewing estimated…
Team Business Accounting Systems took part in The Light The Night Walk on Saturday, October 17th at Washington Lake Park, Sewell, NJ. The Light The Night Walk is a fundraising campaign benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and their funding of research to find blood cancer cures. As a team, we raised $1400 to support this mission. Co-workers, friends,…
If you or a member of your family is off to college this fall, you may be eligible for the American Opportunity Tax Credit. Eligible students may take this credit for the first four years of higher education. The credit can be up to $2500 annually. Expenses that qualify for the credit include tuition, fees, and related expenses. Forty percent…
Is your cabinet overflowing? Do you hesitate to purge tax information because you’re not sure what to keep and what to discard? Here’s a quick guide to help you cut through the clutter. Expenses. Substantiation for deductions includes charitable donation acknowledgments, receipts for employee business expenses, and automobile mileage logs. Retain these at least seven years after you file the…
A tax-deferred exchange is a tax planning technique which should be considered by any taxpayer that is relocating or disposing of property. Often referred to as a “tax-free exchange,” the tax-deferred exchange allows you to exchange certain business or investment property for other “like-kind” business or investment property and pay no income taxes currently. Your tax liability is deferred until…
Business Accounting Systems, P.C. has been named to the 100 best in South Jersey Business List by South Jersey Biz Magazine, 2015. The specialty to which we have been named this time is Bookkeeping. In 2014, we were named to the list for our Payroll Services. We are proud and thankful for the nomination and win. Thank you for…
Even if you don’t itemize deductions on your tax return, you may be entitled to certain “above-the-line” deductions. These deductions are subtracted from your income to arrive at your adjusted gross income, an important number because it determines your qualification for certain tax credits and various tax breaks. Above-the-line deductions include such things as IRA contributions, health savings account contributions,…
If your child has a summer job, consider opening an IRA for him or her. According to the tax rules, anyone under age 70 1/2 who has earned income can contribute to a traditional IRA. There’s no age restriction for Roth accounts, though the amount of the contribution phases out at higher income levels. The advantage of a Roth over…
Take time this summer to examine your investment portfolio for potential tax savings, such as selling stocks that are worth less than you paid to offset your capital gains. You might also donate appreciated stock that you have held for more than one year to charity and avoid capital gains altogether – plus getting a deduction for the stock’s fair…
For many companies, inventory is a significant dollar amount on the company’s financial statements. So it’s crucial that recorded inventory balances reflect actual values. When such accounts aren’t properly stated, the cost of goods sold and current ratios – numbers that often matter to decision makers – may be skewed. If banks discover that your company’s inventory accounts are overstated,…
How you classify your workers – as “independent contractors” or “employees” – matters a great deal to the IRS. The IRS is aware that employers prefer to treat workers as independent contractors to avoid paying fringe benefits and payroll taxes. The IRS estimates that 80% of workers who are classified as independent contractors are actually employees. About 100 new auditors…
A new law, the “Don’t Tax Our Fallen Public Safety Heroes Act,” was signed on May 22, 2015, to clarify the tax treatment of federal and state benefits for public safety officers killed or injured in the line of duty. Under the law, such benefits will not be subject to federal income tax.
In a survey of small businesses conducted by the National Small Business Association, 59% of respondents said taxes were more of an administrative burden than a financial one. Most businesses put payroll taxes at the top of the list of taxes with the greatest administrative burden. Payroll taxes also outranked other taxes, such as income, property, and sales taxes, as…
Keep your college student qualified as your dependent by meeting the “support” test. Generally, your child cannot provide over one-half of his or her own support during the year. Add up funds your child will have received from work, student loans, and other sources of income. Do you need to increase your level of support during the rest of year…
If you itemize your deductions, you can deduct the mortgage interest and property taxes paid for your vacation home. A boat or RV can qualify as a vacation home if it has sleeping quarters, cooking facilities, and a bathroom. If a retreat also serves as rental property, you can control your tax deductions by changing the number of days you…
Here’s another filing deadline that might apply to you: April 15 is the due date for filing 2014 gift tax returns. If you made gifts last year in excess of the $14,000 annual limit to any one individual, you may need to report the transaction to the IRS. If you and your spouse agree to “gift-splitting,” you could give up…
South Jersey Biz January 2015 Our Vice President, L. Scott Elwell, MST, EA is currently featured in the January, 2015 edition of South Jersey Biz Magazine. The article features predictions from local industry leaders on what 2015 has in store for the South Jersey business world. Here is a copy of the article as well as a link to the website…
In its final session of the year, Congress extended a long list of tax breaks that had expired, retroactive to the beginning of 2014. But the reprieve is only temporary. The extensions granted in the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 remain in effect through December 31, 2014. For these tax breaks to survive beyond that point, they must be…
There are several sources of revenue that are not subject to income tax. Here are the most common sources of money that are not taxed on your federal income tax return: Borrowed money such as from banks or personal loans. Money received as a gift or inheritance from family or friends. Money paid on your behalf directly to a school…
Many small business owners pay too little attention to their financial statements. This is due in part to not understanding just what the statements have to offer. In fact, many may not be able to tell you the difference between a Balance Sheet and an Income Statement. Think of them this way. The Balance Sheet is like a still picture. …
We are pleased to announce that Business Accounting Systems, P.C. has been named Best in Payroll Services, from the 2014 Small Business Awards, named by South Jersey Biz Magazine. Click here for the list of 30 businesses who are recipients of the Small Business Awards this year: https://www.southjerseybiz.net/articles/?articleID=950 Congratulations to our fellow winners – and thanks to everyone for their…
YEAR-END TAX STRATEGIES FOR BUSINESSES Gift shares of stock to family members who are in a low tax bracket before declaring a dividend, as part of a larger plan to shift ownership of the business to younger family members. The owners of pass-through entities, such as S corporations and partnerships, have the income taxed on their personal tax returns. The…
It is important to be aware of pop-ups or emails ‘phishing’ for personal information. They are transmitted electronically and done so very easily. You may even receive a text, SMS message or a personal message through social media platforms. These false requests are daily occurrences and are sent in hopes to lure innocent victims into disclosing personal and/or financial information.…
Just because it is summertime, it doesn’t mean that you should shelve any thoughts about next year’s tax return. The choices made throughout the year can and will affect how much money you get back from the IRS or how much you will have to pay. A large refund sounds inviting, but not at the expense of a struggling budget…
Active business owners know that using a professional payroll service is a smart business decision. Busy owners and administrative employees adhere to the valuable benefits a good payroll service can bring to a company’s overall financials. Outsourced payroll services decreases payroll burdens and frees up administrators’ and owner’s time to focus on other important business aspects.
Knowing what kinds of services to expect out of a payroll company will help in the search for one.
We’re excited to announce the official launch of our Business Accounting Systems, PC blog. We’ll be posting helpful news from the financial industry, updates from our practice, and more about the latest in keeping your personal and business finances in the best shape possible. We built our practice on the notion that we’re there for our clients when they need us…