Returning Value Blog

How to value business interests

It is often difficult to put a price tag on a company that is not publicly traded. For instance, the value of a family-owned business will typically exceed the total value of the hard assets such as equipment and inventory. In addition, assigning a value to intangible assets such as goodwill is a difficult proposition at best.

If you’re an employer with full and part-time employees, get ready for potentially big changes in how certain employees may be entitled to overtime pay. The ramifications of new governmental regulations could have a sizeable impact on your bottom line—and if you’re an employer that’s affected, it may not take long to feel the bite.

Just in time to make a splash in advance of their national convention in Cleveland, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives released a 35-page tax reform report on June 24 that proposes fundamental changes in several significant areas. Among the most important changes are proposals to slash tax rates for corporations, pass-through businesses, and most individuals.

Perhaps you’ve heard of the Last In, First Out (LIFO) method, but were uncertain what it means, what it’s used for, and why it may be important.

Maximize tax benefits for passive activities

Do you own investment real estate—say, an apartment building—that you rent out to tenants? Real estate can be a valuable and reliable source of income. Of course, the rental income is subject to tax, but the resulting tax liability may be offset by deductible expenses. In some cases, you might even qualify for a loss.

When it comes to evaluating the fair value of income-producing real estate properties, capitalization rates – or cap rates, as they’re widely known – are among the most useful tools available for buyers, sellers, property appraisers, bankers, and financial statement auditors. 

Understanding the Challenge

“When should I begin to collect Social Security benefits?”

It’s a question we hear often—and that’s understandable. People who are nearing the retirement age face this very difficult decision, and the actions they take can have profound implications.

Although you may have spent years building up a successful enterprise, your family may be forced to sell it soon after your death to pay the federal estate-tax bill. The full amount of estate tax is due nine months after an individual’s death. Fortunately, there is some tax relief for a family that inherits a small business.

Although summer is traditionally the time for rest and relaxation, you can still “work on” your 2016 tax bill. What’s more, special tax incentives for individuals and small-business owners have been restored by the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015. Here are seven popular tax-saving ideas.