Returning Value Blog

The Internal Revenue Service has announced a new, streamlined way for taxpayers to extend the period of time for the IRS and the IRS Independent Office of Appeals to review a taxpayer’s response to a disallowance of an Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claim to avoid refund litigation.

Many modern businesses rely on intangible assets, such as goodwill, trademarks, and customer lists. But the IRS doesn’t treat all intangibles the same way. Questions about how these assets are taxed often arise when a business is sold, ownership changes hands, or intellectual property is licensed or transferred.

High-performing workplaces such as Google, IBM, Nissan, and Starbucks are among a growing list of organizations that have benefited from having their employees participate in stay interviews. Traditionally, most companies conduct only two interviews: the hiring interview and the exit interview. By the time a company is ready to complete an exit interview, it's too late to address any of the employees' concerns that might have prevented them from looking outside the firm for a job.

 If you’re self-employed, you probably have questions about deducting business expenses on your federal income tax return. Here’s a quick overview of the filing requirements for sole proprietors and independent contractors, and five examples of expense deductions that are commonly overlooked or misunderstood.

Financial statements are essential tools for evaluating performance, planning for growth, and managing risk. Yet many business owners, board members, donors, and investors don’t have formal accounting training. Presenting financial information in a clear, approachable way can help stakeholders better understand results and make informed decisions.

Although your business may seem big to you, you may wonder how the government classifies it for tax purposes. If your organization qualifies as a “small business,” you may enjoy several important tax advantages. But the rules for specific tax provisions vary. So, depending on your size, you might be eligible for some so-called small business breaks but not others. Here’s a closer look.

 Many businesses offer health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs) as part of their employee benefits package. These plans provide valuable tax savings to employees and payroll tax savings to employers.

Tax identity theft isn’t limited to individual taxpayers — businesses are also targeted through their Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), payroll systems, and tax filings. The financial impact of these crimes can be significant. Businesses may face delayed or stolen tax refunds, unauthorized payroll filings, and the time and expense of resolving IRS issues. There may even be credit damage or, if employee or customer data is compromised, reputational harm. Here’s what you need to know to protect your business.

The passive activity loss (PAL) rules may limit your ability to deduct losses from a business structured as a limited liability partnership (LLP) or limited liability company (LLC). Depending on how your ownership interest is treated under these rules, you may have more or less flexibility to claim losses in the current year. Here’s a closer look.

 Even financially sound businesses can be vulnerable to market volatility and unexpected disruptions. Many companies discover too late that their financial position, internal controls, or contingency plans aren’t built to withstand sudden shocks, potentially leading to cash shortfalls, debt covenant violations, and reduced profitability. A “stress test” models how your cash flow, liquidity, and overall financial structure would perform under adverse scenarios. Here’s how stress testing can help you proactively evaluate your business’s resilience and strengthen its ability to adapt to changing market conditions.