Returning Value Blog

On September 17, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an accounting rule that will provide more detailed information about noncash contributions charities and other not-for-profit organizations receive known as “gifts in kind.” Here are the details.

August 3, 2020, President Trump signed the legislation to assist nonprofits and government entities into law.

The business use of websites is widespread. But surprisingly, the IRS hasn’t yet issued formal guidance on when Internet website costs can be deducted.

Does your business receive large amounts of cash or cash equivalents? You may be required to submit forms to the IRS to report these transactions.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many small businesses are strapped for cash. They may find it beneficial to barter for goods and services instead of paying cash for them. If your business gets involved in bartering, remember that the fair market value of goods that you receive in bartering is taxable income. And if you exchange services with another business, the transaction results in taxable income for both parties.

In light of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many businesses are interested in donating to charity. In order to incentivize charitable giving, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act made some liberalizations to the rules governing charitable deductions. Here are two changes that affect businesses.

On March 27, President Trump signed into law another coronavirus (COVID-19) law, which provides extensive relief for businesses and employers. Here are some of the tax-related provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). 

Now present on every continent except Antarctica, COVID-19 has infected more than 125,000 people and is responsible for more than 4,600 deaths. With the number of cases in the U.S. continuing to climb, individuals and companies alike are taking steps to prepare for a pandemic. From a shortage of masks and hand sanitizer to CDC-imposed travel restrictions and the cancellation of conferences and other large events across the globe, this public health emergency is rapidly evolving and all sectors are having to navigate its impact and uncertainty around what the future holds.

If you’re the owner of an incorporated business, you probably know that there’s a tax advantage to taking money out of a C corporation as compensation rather than as dividends. The reason is simple. A corporation can deduct the salaries and bonuses that it pays executives, but not its dividend payments. Therefore, if funds are withdrawn as dividends, they’re taxed twice, once to the corporation and once to the recipient. Money paid out as compensation is taxed only once, to the employee who receives it.

Do you conduct your business as a sole proprietorship or as a wholly-owned limited liability company (LLC)? If so, you’re subject to both income tax and self-employment tax. There may be a way to cut your tax bill by using an S corporation.