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Setting up Your Business Accounting System
You've done the hard work. You have a new business idea or you've found an existing business to purchase. Want to help ensure your business success? Pay attention to correctly setting up your business' accounting system. Here's how.
You NEED These Documents to File Your Taxes!
It’s easy to get inundated with documents during tax season. You can receive documents from many different organizations, including employers, financial institutions and others. Many documents are now also being sent via e-mail
New W-4 Creates Questions for Human Resources
With the major Form W-4 overhaul for 2020, you may field questions from your employees. While it’s not your responsibility to provide tax advice to your employees, it’s good to be prepared to help answer common questions
Valentine's Day - Did you know?
Cupid, candy hearts, flowers and chocolates are common items associated with Valentine’s Day. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans now spend more than $20 billion lavishing gifts on their kids, friends and significant others.
New Rules Mean Saving More for Retirement
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act, also known as the SECURE Act, was passed by Congress in late December 2019. Here are some of the features in the new legislation that will help you save more for retirement
Finding the Balance of Income vs. Spending
Every year the IRS publishes instructions to prepare your Form 1040, individual tax return. The publication for 2019 is a whopping 108 pages! On page 103 of the IRS booklet is a summary of collections (income) and spending (outlays) by the federal government. Given the election year, here is a summary of this recap and some general observations.
Avoid Misclassification: Understand Independent Contractors
The best way to avoid mis-classifying workers is to understand the defining characteristics of independent contractors — and then treat them as such. Use this to help you identify independent contractors and understand how they are different
Cash Flow: A Central Part of Your Business Plan
When tracking and planning your business objections, it’s easy to focus your analysis on two reports — the income statement and balance sheet. But one of the primary keys to your business’s success relies more on how you handle
Market Update: December 2019
What happened in December? Stocks continued to have positive returns. International stocks, measured by the MSCI World ex-US index, increased 3.19% in December. Large cap stocks, measured by the S&P 500 were up 3.02% for the month.
Save More This Shopping Season
This winter, the NPD Group’s 2019 Holiday Purchase Intentions Survey is reporting that Americans plan to spend an average of $740 on holiday shopping — a 7% increase since last year. The survey also found that more people started
3 Major Charity Scam Red Flags
You’ve probably already received several letters and phone calls from charities asking for donations. Most requests are from legitimate organizations. Some, however, are bogus charities set up by con artists who use the holiday
Time for a Yearly Credit Report
One way to head off fraud during tax season is to get your free annual credit report now. Credit reports often have errors in them; this quick checkup can be the first indication that some form of identity theft has taken place on your account.
November 2019 Market Insight
What happened in November? U.S. stocks continued to have positive returns. Large cap stocks, measured by the S&P 500 were up 3.63% in November. Small stocks, measured by the Russell 2000 were up 4.12%. International stocks, measured by the...
6 Ways to Cut Your Everyday Expenses
Many people dream of making more money, but cutting expenses can have the same effect. Identify unnecessary expenses with these six money-saving ideas and help free up some cash
Tips to Improve Your Credit Score
Your credit score is more important than ever. Once viewed as a necessity when applying for a mortgage, it now factors into renting an apartment, paying for utilities, buying a cell phone, and determining the amount you pay for home and auto...
The Power of Cultivating Gratitude
What are some ways you can make gratitude part of your everyday life? Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Reminder: Major Employment Tax Deadlines
Handling employment taxes can be complicated, especially when you’re required to file important tax documents throughout the year. Here's a list of key forms and deadline dates to help keep you on track.
2020 Social Security Benefits
Take a look at how Social Security benefits have changed and learn a little more about retirement benefits and taxes.
Save Money With These Year-End Ideas
There's still time to reduce your potential tax obligation and save money this year (and next). Here are some ideas to consider
October 2019 Market Insight
The so-called “Great Recession” ended more than 10 years ago. Since then, the U.S. economy has been in the longest recorded expansion in history. But good times don’t last forever. Because you’ve probably been hearing a number
5 Ways Payroll Services Boost a Business
Is a payroll provider right for you and your business? While it is an added expense, there are good reasons to add a partner to help with this service. Here are five things to consider.
Reminder: Time to Start the Financial Aid Process
If you have a child in college or entering college during the next school year, you need to read this. You can now fill out your required Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) for the next school year.
Amazon and eBay Sales Tax ALERT!
If you or your business sells product on Amazon using the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service, you are well into the multi-state sales tax mess ... even if you are not aware of it.
Bill collector calling? Know your rights
Maybe you're behind on paying your bills because of circumstances outside of your control. Or perhaps there's been an error in billing. Either way, these scenarios may lead to a run-in with a debt collector.
Another Year, Another New 1040
In 2018, the government attempted to “simplify” the tax-filing process by drastically shortening Form 1040. The result was six new schedules that created a lot of confusion.
Another Interest Rate Drop and Progress in U.S.-China Trade (for Now)
Many investors recouped losses from August thanks to perceived progress in the U.S.-China trade saga and the Federal Reserve dropping their short-term interest rate another 0.25% to 2.00%. While investor sentiment waxed and waned...
Consider the Tax BEFORE You Sell
In times of market volatility or when a financial need arises, it is only natural to consider selling some investments. Understanding the tax consequences is key to making an informed and planned decision. Here is what you need to know BEFORE you sell.
How to Handle Negative Reviews
With all the rating services on sites like Amazon and Yelp, it's not a question of whether your business will receive a negative review, only when. Every business or service must know how to handle these negative reviews. Here are some hints.
Help Older Adults Stand Up Against Scams
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently reported in financial exploitation cases that older adults lost an average of $34,200. Unfortunately, these funds are often never recovered. You can ensure this doesn't happen by learning more...
Why You Need to Read the Fine Print
According to a recent Deloitte survey, 91 percent of people agree to terms and conditions without reading the legal agreement. While reading through the legally complex language may be slow and painful, it’s more important than you think.
2020 Archive
2019 Archive
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