Returning Value Blog

Managing payroll tax obligations is a critical part of running a business. For small and mid-sized companies, the risk of IRS penalties, interest charges, and compliance issues can be overwhelming.  The information below highlights common penalties imposed by tax agencies and offers suggestions to help employers ensure they meet IRS requirements.

The IRS recently released the 2026 inflation-adjusted amounts for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).Employees will be able to save a modest amount more in their HSAs next year.

In the hiring process, you must ensure that every individual you plan to employ is authorized to accept employment in the U.S. Some individuals are automatically authorized to work based on their immigration status, while others must apply for separate employment authorization.

The House Ways and Means Committee approved a sweeping tax bill early on May 14 that would make permanent most of the expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) while paying for several new tax cuts through an aggressive package of revenue raising tax increases.Committee passage is an important step in the legislative process, but the bill is likely to continue to evolve as it moves forward.

The month-end close is a pain point for many small to midsize businesses. While internal accounting teams often aim to wrap up the close within three days, a recent survey found that half the respondents actually take six days or longer to close the books. What can your organization do to help streamline this process? Leveraging cloud-based technology tools like QuickBooks® can be a game changer.

Many businesses turn to independent contractors to help manage costs, especially during times of staffing shortages and inflation. If you’re among them, ensuring these workers are properly classified for federal tax purposes is crucial. Misclassifying employees as independent contractors can result in expensive consequences if the IRS steps in and reclassifies them. It could lead to audits, back taxes, penalties, and even lawsuits.

Payroll cards are cheaper for employers and can be more convenient for employees. However, some cards charge high fees to withdraw money and access account balances. The right payroll card might be a good solution, but it can’t be the only solution you provide.

In recent years, interest rates have increased and credit has tightened. Under these conditions, which are expected to persist in the coming months, securing a commercial loan can be challenging for businesses of all sizes. Whether you want to expand, stabilize your cash flow, or simply build a financial cushion, being loan-ready is more critical — and more complicated — than it’s been in the past.

For many businesses, accounts receivable (AR) are more than just a line item on the balance sheet. This account provides a key indicator of potential cash flow, customer relationships and overall financial health. So proactive AR management is critical. The AR aging report has long been a cornerstone of expediting collections and reducing credit risk, but it’s taken on greater significance with the implementation of new accounting rules for recognizing credit losses.

Even well-run companies experience down years. The federal tax code may allow a bright strategy to lighten the impact. Certain losses, within limits, may be used to reduce taxable income in later years.