Returning Value Blog

Enhancement limit for 2014, reduction for 2015

For small-business owners who frequently buy new equipment and other assets for their business activities, the new tax law enacted at the end of 2014—the Tax Increase Prevention Act (TIPA)—provides a temporary reprieve. Signed on December 19, 2014, TIPA extended a Section 179 deduction retroactive to January 1, 2014. But this provision expired—again—on December 31, 2014. As things now stand, the maximum deduction will fall precipitously in 2015 unless Congress takes further action.

There is no time like the present

If you are established in a job or operate your own business, when should you start saving for retirement? Although there are numerous aspects to consider and complications in certain situations, the short answer is relatively simple: immediately!

If you have recently entered the workforce, the sooner you begin a program of retirement saving, the better. If you are already in the midst of your career, you should not delay any longer. And if you are nearing the traditional time for calling it quits, better late than never. 

In its continued effort to simplify financial reporting for private companies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has issued an update to its standards for accounting for business combinations.  The update, Accounting for Identifiable Intangible Assets in a Business Combination, offers private companies an alternative method of accounting for certain acquired intangible assets.

How to prosper in a changing environment

It was not long ago that there was no Internet and only international spies had cell phones. The changes occurring these days are happening at breakneck speed, and small businesses are hard-pressed to keep up. However, it is important to adapt to the latest developments and incorporate them into your business planning.

What sort of changes are we talking about? Here are five prime areas worthy of your attention in 2015:

You may think that the company you created will last forever, especially if it's a family business with siblings or children involved in its operation. But statistics say otherwise.

Leadership Successions Can Shake The Success of a Business for Decades

A company’s next leader may already be on the company’s leadership team, in which case it may seem that the leader has all the right attributes. But being on the leadership team is vastly different than being the leader of the team. As Abraham Lincoln said: “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”