Returning Value Blog

The U.S. government has repeatedly revised the requirements for U.S. taxpayers to claim the Employee Retention Credit ("ERC"), also commonly known as the Employee Retention Tax Credit, since its initial codification into law. As a result, many eligible taxpayers have been left uncertain as to whether they may properly claim this often-valuable tax credit. Because there is a strict statute of limitations on claiming the ERC, potentially eligible taxpayers that have not already claimed the ERC should review their eligibility under current U.S. law as soon as possible.  

Here are some of the key tax-related deadlines affecting businesses and other employers during the third quarter of 2023. 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.

Whether you’re operating a new company or an established business, losses can happen. The federal tax code may help soften the blow by allowing businesses to apply losses to offset taxable income in future years, subject to certain limitations.

Your business may be able to claim big first-year depreciation tax deductions for eligible real estate expenditures rather than depreciate them over several years. But should you? It’s not as simple as it may seem.

Not-for-profit organizations exist to achieve nonfinancial or philanthropic goals, not to make money or build value for investors. But they still need to monitor their financial health — that is, how much funding is coming in from donations and grants and how much the organization is spending on payroll, rent, and other operating expenses.

Each company’s path toward sustainability is unique but effective environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies and programs have something in common — they help companies better navigate uncertainty and cultivate resiliency.

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers with tipped workers can take a "tip credit," which allows them to pay tipped workers less than the federal minimum wage if the employees' tips make up the difference.

Most companies spend 20% to 30% of their annual revenue on payroll. The exact amount varies based on the employer's size, industry, staffing, and operational needs. In some industries, such as service, it's not uncommon for payroll to encompass up to 50% of revenue. For other industries, such as manufacturing and food and beverage, it usually takes up no more than 20% to 30%.

Three years after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the hospitality industry, like others, is still recovering. Though 2022 saw some significant growth with a public eager to travel for leisure, particularly to locations offering unique experiences, the pandemic has markedly changed business travel patterns and consumer behavior. An ongoing labor shortage and emerging competition from resort hospitality locations have further strained some hospitality markets still adapting to shifting consumer demands.

Working capital — the funds your company has tied up in accounts receivable, accounts payable, and inventory — is a critical performance metric. During times of rising inflation and interest rates, managers search for ways to free up cash and eliminate waste. However, determining the optimal amount of working capital can sometimes be challenging.