Tax Tips for October 2020

Tax Tips for October 2020

Under the Affordable Care Act, certain employers – known as applicable large employers – are subject to the employer shared responsibility provisions. You might be thinking about these topics as you make plans about 2021 health coverage for your employees.

If you are an employer that is subject to the employer shared responsibility provisions, you may choose either to offer affordable minimum essential coverage that provides minimum value to your full-time employees and their dependents or to potentially owe an employer shared responsibility payment to the IRS.

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Six Tips for Starting Your Own Business

Six Tips for Starting Your Own Business

Starting your own business can be an exciting prospect, but there is more to it than simply writing a business plan. Also, if you expect to have employees, there are a variety of federal and state forms and applications that you need to complete to get your business up and running. That's where a tax professional can help. With this in mind, let's take a look at what you need to know before you start a new business. 1. Business Entity The first decision you need to make is determining which business entity you will use because the type of business structure you choose determines what taxes you need to pay and how to pay them, as well as which income tax return you file. The most common types of business entities are: Sole proprietorship - An unincorporated business owned by an...

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Tax Tips September 2020

Tax Tips September 2020

Form 1040-X has been one of the last major individual tax forms that still needed to be paper-filed, but now taxpayers can quickly correct previously filed tax returns by submitting Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return electronically using commercial tax-filing software.

Approximately 3 million Forms 1040-X are filed by taxpayers each year and taxpayers must mail a completed Form 1040-X to the IRS for processing. The new electronic option, however, allows the IRS to receive amended returns faster while minimizing errors normally associated with manually completing the form. The process is also simplified because the tax-filing software allows users to input their data in a question-answer format. The new form also makes it easier for IRS employees to answer taxpayer questions since the data is entered electronically and submitted to the agency almost simultaneously.

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Featured Articles September 2020

Featured Articles September 2020

On August 8, 2020, the President issued a Memorandum allowing employers to defer withholding and payment of an employee’s portion of the Social Security tax (i.e., the 6.2% FICA portion of the federal payroll tax on employees). Medicare taxes, however, are not covered. The payroll tax deferral is effective starting September 1, 2020, and also applies to the employee portion of the Railroad Retirement Act Tier 1 tax. While employers are allowed to defer the withholding and payment of the payroll taxes on employees’ applicable wages, they are not required to do so.

To take a look at how this affects employers and employees, click the “Read More” button below…

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Tax Tips August 2020

Tax Tips August 2020

Starting in tax year 2020, payers must complete Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation to report any payment of $600 or more to a payee. There is a new form that only applies to business taxpayers who pay or receive nonemployee compensation.

Generally, payers must file Form 1099-NEC by January 31. For 2020 tax returns, however, the due date is February 1, 2021. Be advised that there is no automatic 30-day extension to file Form 1099-NEC although an extension to file may be available under certain hardship conditions.

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Featured Articles August 2020

Featured Articles August 2020

There is a “Dirty Dozen” is a list of common tax scams that target taxpayers. Compiled and issued annually every year by the IRS, this year it includes many aggressive and evolving schemes related to coronavirus tax relief, including Economic Impact Payments. The criminals behind these bogus schemes view everyone as potentially easy prey and everyone should be on guard, especially vulnerable populations such as the elderly.

While tax-related scams usually increase at tax time, this year, scam artists are using pandemic to try stealing money and information from honest taxpayers. As such, taxpayers should refrain from engaging potential scammers online or on the phone.

To read more about these tax scams, and other featured articles for the month click the “Read More” link below…

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Featured Articles July 2020

Featured Articles July 2020

With a potential economic downturn in the wings due to COVID-19, being debt-free is a worthwhile goal. Unfortunately, between mortgages, car loans, credit cards, and student loans, this is unrealistic for most people – especially those of pre-retirement age. Instead, it’s better to start by focusing on managing debt. When you handle debt wisely, you won’t have to shell out every cent of your hard-earned money to your lender or feel like you’re always on the verge of bankruptcy.

The tips in this month’s featured article will help you get started paying off debt the smart way and help you save extra money to pay down those debts even faster. Click the “Read More” button below to find out more.

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Featured Articles for June 2020

Featured Articles for June 2020

As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law March 27, many small business owners were able to apply for – and receive – a loan of up to $10 million under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Businesses – including nonprofits, veterans’ organizations, Tribal entities, self-employed individuals, sole proprietorships, and independent contractors – that were in operation on February 15 and that have 500 or fewer employees are eligible for the PPP loans. The deadline for applying for a PPP loan is June 30, 2020. If the loan proceeds are used as specified, business owners may apply to have the loan forgiven.

To find out more information about the Paycheck Protection Program and other featured articles for this month, click the “Read More” button below…

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PPP Loan Update: 8 Weeks Extended to 24 Weeks!

PPP Loan Update: 8 Weeks Extended to 24 Weeks!

Late Wednesday night, the Senate unanimously passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act which makes significant modifications to the provisions of the original Paycheck Projection Program (PPP). These modifications are expected to be signed into law by the President. Among the key provisions is a change in the threshold for the amount of PPP funds required to be spent on payroll costs to qualify for forgiveness to 60% of the loan amount.

To find out more about this update, click the “Read More” button below…

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PPP Loan Update: 8 Weeks Extended to 24 Weeks!

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application

As of Friday, May 15, the Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instructions for the application. The form and instructions inform borrowers how to apply for forgiveness of their PPP loans, consistent with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).  SBA will also soon issue regulations and guidance to further assist borrowers as they complete their applications, and to provide lenders with guidance on their responsibilities. The form and instructions include several measures to reduce compliance burdens and simplify the process for borrowers, including: Options for borrowers to calculate payroll costs using an “alternative...

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