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Returning Value Blog

Jessica L. Pagan, CPA

Jessica Pagan has worked with Machen McChesney since 2003. She specializes in reviews, business and individual tax and construction accounting. She participates in core processes, mentoring and training at the firm.

Recent Posts

Warning for Retailers and Other Businesses Using the LIFO Method

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Jun 21, 2022

Recent supply shortages may cause unexpected problems for some businesses that use the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for their inventory. Here’s an overview of what’s happening so you won’t be blindsided by the effects of so-called “LIFO liquidation.”

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Posted in Business Tax

Is Your Corporation Eligible for the Dividends-Received Deduction?

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Jun 14, 2022

There’s a valuable tax deduction available to a C corporation when it receives dividends. The “dividends-received deduction” is designed to reduce or eliminate an extra level of tax on dividends received by a corporation. As a result, a corporation will typically be taxed at a lower rate on dividends than on capital gains.

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Posted in Business Tax

How Inflation Could Affect Your Financial Statements

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on May 20, 2022

Business owners and investors are understandably concerned about skyrocketing inflation. Over the last year, consumer prices have increased 8.3%, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) covers the prices of food, clothing, shelter, fuels, transportation, doctors’ and dentists’ services, drugs, and other goods and services that people buy for day-to-day living. This was a slightly smaller increase than the 8.5% figure for the period ending in March, which was the highest 12-month increase since December 1981.

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Posted in Business Advisory

Biden Administration's FY 2023 Budget Plan Calls for Corporate, High-Net-Worth Individuals Tax Hikes

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Apr 21, 2022

The Biden administration’s fiscal year 2023 budget blueprint, released on March 28, consists of a mix of familiar proposals and brand-new initiatives that reflect the President’s policy objectives. The proposals are described in more detail in the General Explanations of the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2023 Revenue Proposals, commonly referred to as the “Green Book,” that was released with the budget, and include the President’s now-familiar calls for increasing the top corporate tax rate to 28% and the top individual rate to 39.6%.

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Posted in Tax Updates, Taxation

2022 Q2 Tax Calendar: Key Deadlines for Businesses and Other Employers

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Apr 08, 2022

Here are some of the key tax-related deadlines that apply to businesses and other employers during the second quarter of 2022. Keep in mind that this list isn’t all-inclusive, so there may be additional deadlines that apply to you. Contact us to ensure you’re meeting all applicable deadlines and to learn more about the filing requirements.

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Posted in Taxation

Significant Change to the Treatment of R&E Expenditure Under Section 174 Now in Effect

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Mar 04, 2022

As 2022 kicks off and tax legislation continues to be stalled in Congress, the amendment to Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 174 was originally introduced by the 2017 tax reform legislation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), is now in effect.

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Posted in Business Tax

The ABCs of Activity-Based Costing

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Feb 04, 2022

Revenue and expenses, as reported on your company’s income statement, have limited usefulness to people inside the organization. Managers often need information presented in a different format in order to make operational and strategic decisions. That’s where activity-based costing comes into play. This costing system is commonly used in the manufacturing and construction sectors to determine which products and customers are profitable, to identify and eliminate waste, and to more accurately price products or bid jobs going forward.

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Posted in Accounting & Outsourcing

Entrepreneurs and Taxes: How Expenses Are Claimed on Tax Returns

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Jan 24, 2022

While some businesses have closed since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, many new ventures have launched. Entrepreneurs have cited a number of reasons why they decided to start a business in the midst of a pandemic. For example, they had more time, wanted to take advantage of new opportunities, or they needed money due to being laid off. Whatever the reason, if you’ve recently started a new business or you’re contemplating starting one, be aware of the tax implications.

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Posted in Business Tax

Look To the Future With a QOE Report

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Dec 02, 2021

Are you thinking about merging with or acquiring a business? CPA-prepared financial statements can provide valuable insight into historical financial results. But an independent quality of earnings (QOE) report can be another valuable tool in the due diligence process. It looks beyond the quantitative information provided by the seller’s financial statements.

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Posted in Business Valuation

2021 Year-End Reminders Regarding Common Fringe Benefits, Special Rules for 2% S Corp Shareholders

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Nov 12, 2021

As 2021 draws to a close, employers should review whether they have properly included the value of common fringe benefits in their employees' and (if applicable) 2% S corporation shareholders' taxable wages. This is especially true for 2021 since COVID relief brought about a number of changes to the rules relating to traditional fringe benefits.

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Posted in Business Tax

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