Security breaches of confidential data capture the global news headlines on a daily basis. Identity theft has become so commonplace that credit card companies and banks market their protection efforts as free services to their customers. The IRS is at risk too, with impersonators using the fear and authority of the government to prey on [...]
Aristotle famously lamented that giving away money is easy, but giving it away wisely is another matter. For business owners, smart giving begins with an understanding of a few tax rules. Your business form. The tax implications of giving to charity from your business depend on your form of entity. A regular C corporation can [...]
As an employee, you may not have thought much about the procedures behind the issuance of your paycheck. But as a new business owner, you'll need to understand how federal employment taxes work because you'll have to withhold these payroll taxes from your employees' paychecks. Here's an overview of four types of payroll tax. Social [...]
Worried about the next financial crisis? Reacquaint yourself with two important allies: the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). The FDIC. The FDIC is an independent agency of the U.S. government and provides up to $250,000 in protection for qualified bank accounts in case of a bank failure. The [...]
Raising funds in small amounts from a large pool of people, also known as crowdfunding, has become a popular way for budding entrepreneurs to drum up the working capital for pet projects. It seems like everyone from twenty-somethings to stay-at-home parents to retirees are getting in on the act. Here's how the process works. Let's [...]
Change happens. That's especially true in the business world, where changes may be mandated by tax or regulatory requirements, increased competition, shifts in customer needs, or technological advances. Whatever your reason for making a change in your business, managing the process effectively is the best way to succeed. Here are suggestions for handling change. Clarify [...]
Basic estate planning begins with completing documents that allow your last wishes to be carried out as you choose. But are you familiar with the documents you'll need? Here's a list of common estate planning documents and their purpose. Advance Directive. Your instructions for end-of-life and quality of life wishes regarding medical treatments. Share your [...]
It's a mobile world, and your employees may be asking to work from a location other than your office. Adapting to this request can allow you to keep quality talent and accommodate workers who may have health or other issues that make working in a traditional office difficult. But managing employees from a distance can [...]
Remember the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, which was passed in 2014 and authorized tax-favored savings accounts for people with disabilities? Proposed regulations issued in 2015 provided a blueprint for creating these ABLE accounts and authorized the IRS to develop forms needed for reporting purposes. Another law passed in December 2015 eliminated certain [...]
Employee fraud can cost your business real money — perhaps more than you may realize. A 2016 study of occupational fraud published by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners found that small businesses accounted for approximately 30% of fraud incidents, with a median loss of $150,000. Implementing a system of policies and procedures known as [...]
