Your 3 Types Of Taxed Income
Taxes are fickle. One classification misunderstanding and the IRS could blindside you with a tax or a tax rate you weren’t expecting. Small business owners are especially vulnerable since their personal and business assets can be uncomfortably intertwined. The key to tax savings is in understanding three main types of taxed income and how the […]
Forensic Accounting Lessons From The College Admissions Scandal
If the recent college admissions scandal has you scratching your head wondering, “how did they get away with it for so long, and how was it uncovered,” wonder no more. There’s no doubt that forensic accountants played a role, and what they did to uncover the payoffs might save your own business one day. The […]
Not All Postmarks Are Valid To The IRS
While printing postage from the internet is convenient, it may not be a good idea to do so for payments or petitions mailed to the IRS. That’s what one taxpayer recently learned when her correspondence was regarded as being late despite the timely date her private postage label clearly displayed. In this case, the woman […]
Accounting Lessons From The NBA’s Zaza Pachulia
NBA star Zaza Pachulia and his wife recently learned the hard way that it’s critical to use a reputable accountant. Pachulia’s identity was used by his accountant, Randy Usow, to defraud the IRS of more than $800,000. The case is eye-opening in several ways: Pachulia and his wife worked with Usow for about seven years […]
Retiring In 2019
Retiring soon? Congratulations! Certain changes in the tax code affect your income taxes as you retire, including healthcare deductions and Social Security distributions. If you’re a business owner, other changes can affect how you plan your succession and the potential sale of your business. Below are some considerations that could determine how much of your […]
When A Loan Triggers A Tax Debt
Funds received as proceeds of a loan aren’t taxable as long as you’re expected to pay it back. However, the moment some or all of the debt is forgiven (and doesn’t need to be paid back), the IRS will jump in and want its cut. Don’t be caught off-guard by unexpected income taxes when this […]
Unlucky Tax Strategies That Don’t Work
Have you ever heard about a tax strategy you thought was so crazy, it just might work? Here’s what we can tell you: If it’s illegal, the IRS has seen it before, and it’s only a matter of time before they catch on. Before you try your luck, let’s honor St. Patrick’s Day by looking […]
Plaintiffs And Attorneys, Take Note: Personal Settlements Are Now Taxed 100%
Lawsuit settlements just became more profitable…for the IRS. Under the new tax code, most personal claims are now taxed at 100% with no deduction for legal fees. That’s right: In those cases, the plaintiff will be taxed on the fees paid to the attorney and so will the attorney who receives them! Here are some […]
Growing Business, Mounting Employment Taxes: A Bankler Case Study
Business growth is great. It’s the American dream. But without the right team on your side, the IRS can quickly turn that dream into a nightmare. “I failed to realize that middle management was the key to making it all work,” a business owner—now a Steven Bankler, CPA, Ltd. client—confessed when explaining how his company’s […]
Divorce And The Family Business
You won’t own your business forever. Many small business owners neglect to acknowledge that simple fact. Perhaps your exit will be planned to perfection and you’ll either sell to a third-party or leave via a strategic family succession plan. Or maybe life will throw you a curveball. Divorce is certainly one of those curveballs that […]