Are you giving holiday gifts to employees or customers? Or is your business throwing a holiday party? Make sure you understand the tax implications.
Category: Tax Bites
What is your taxpayer filing status?
For tax purposes, December 31 means more than New Year’s Eve celebrations. It affects the filing status box that will be checked on your tax return for the year. When you file your return, you do so with one of five filing statuses, which depend in part on whether you’re married or unmarried on December[ … ]
Using your 401(k) plan to save this year and next
You can reduce taxes and save for retirement by contributing to a tax-advantaged retirement plan. If your employer offers 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 contributing the maximum allowed, consider increasing your contribution rate between now and year end.[ … ]
Small businesses: Stay clear of a severe payroll tax penalty
One of the most laborious tasks for small businesses is managing payroll. But it’s critical that you not only withhold the right amount of taxes from employees’ paychecks but also that you pay them over to the federal government on time. If you willfully fail to do so, you could personally be hit with the[ … ]
IRA charitable donations are an alternative to taxable required distributions
Are you charitably minded and have a significant amount of money in an IRA? If you’re age 70½ or older, and don’t need the money from required minimum distributions, you may benefit by giving these amounts to charity. IRA distribution basics A popular way to transfer IRA assets to charity is through a tax provision[ … ]
Selling securities by year end? Avoid the wash sale rule
If you’re planning to sell assets at a loss to offset gains that have been realized during the year, it’s important to be aware of the “wash sale” rule. How the rule works Under this rule, if you sell stock or securities for a loss and buy substantially identical stock or securities back within the[ … ]
Use a Coverdell ESA to help pay college, elementary and secondary school costs
There are several ways to save for your child’s or grandchild’s education, including with a Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA). Although for federal tax purposes there’s no upfront deduction for contributions made to an ESA, the earnings on the contributions grow tax-free. In addition, no tax is due when the funds in the account are[ … ]
The DOL announces final overtime rule impacting Arizona businesses
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released a long-anticipated final ruling on September 24, 2019, which revises federal overtime regulations. Changes will be effective January 1, 2020, resulting in the eligibility of overtime pay for approximately 1.3 million workers. As many business owners may recall, a similar overtime regulation update was initiated by the Obama[ … ]
Understanding and controlling the unemployment tax costs of your business
As an employer, you must pay federal unemployment (FUTA) tax on amounts up to $7,000 paid to each employee as wages during the calendar year. The rate of tax imposed is 6% but can be reduced by a credit (described below). Most employers end up paying an effective FUTA tax rate of 0.6%. An employer[ … ]
