tax

How IRS Auditors Learn About Your Business Industry

Ever wonder how IRS examiners know about different industries so they can audit various businesses? They generally do research about specific industries and issues on tax returns by using IRS…

What types of expenses can’t be written off by your business?

If you read the Internal Revenue Code (and you probably don’t want to!), you may be surprised to find that most business deductions aren’t specifically listed. For example, the tax…

2023 Q4 tax calendar: Key deadlines for businesses and other employers

Here are some of the key tax-related deadlines affecting businesses and other employers during the fourth quarter of 2023. Keep in mind that this list isn’t all-inclusive, so there may…

Could your construction business qualify for an energy-efficient tax deduction?

Section 179D of the Internal Revenue Code allows a deduction for the cost of energy-efficient improvements to new or existing commercial buildings, as well as certain residential rental buildings. Originally…

Tax Tips: September/October 2023

Watch out for accumulated earnings tax Corporations have an incentive to retain earnings, rather than distribute them to shareholders, to avoid, or at least delay, double taxation. The accumulated earnings…

Even single people without children need an estate plan

Estate planning is important for everyone. This is equally true for single individuals without children. While the law makes certain assumptions involving a married couple regarding financial and medical decisions…

Do you have unused funds in your college savings plan? Consider a 529 plan-to-Roth IRA rollover

Given the exorbitant costs of higher education, many parents begin saving for college when their children are very young. A popular and effective tool for doing so is a 529…

The Virginia Land Preservation Tax Credit and the New Changes Effective July 1, 2023

Urbanization of our country’s natural habitats is a phenomenon that has been going on for decades and is still rampant today.  The protection and preservation of nature versus the urbanization…

Planning ahead for 2024: Should your 401(k) help employees with emergencies?

The SECURE 2.0 law, which was enacted last year, contains wide-ranging changes to retirement plans. One provision in the law is that eligible employers will soon be able to provide…

The advantages of using an LLC for your small business

If you operate your small business as a sole proprietorship, you may have thought about forming a limited liability company (LLC) to protect your assets. Or maybe you’re launching a…

A tax-smart way to develop and sell appreciated land

Let’s say you own highly appreciated land that’s now ripe for development. If you subdivide it, develop the resulting parcels and sell them off for a hefty profit, it could…

Corporate officers or shareholders: How should you treat expenses paid personally?

If you play a major role in a closely held corporation, you may sometimes spend money on corporate expenses personally. These costs may end up being nondeductible both by an…

Nonprofits: Special events call for tax planning

Tax reporting may be the last thing on your mind when planning a special fundraising event. But your not-for-profit should carefully track revenues and expenses and retain related documentation now…

Inheriting stock or other assets? You’ll receive a favorable “stepped-up basis”

If you’re planning your estate, or you’ve recently inherited assets, you may be unsure of the “cost” (or “basis”) for tax purposes. How do the rules work? Under the current…

Tax Tips: July/August 2023

Avoid capital gains tax with QSBS Qualified small business stock (QSBS) is an often overlooked, but potentially lucrative, investment. Be aware that it’s subject to several strict requirements. But if…