Returning Value Blog

Nonprofit organizations have been navigating change in almost every aspect of their operations over the past two years, including shifting priorities, a new employment landscape, and changes in fundraising and hosting programs and events. As organizations continue to reimagine what their futures will look like, donor engagement strategies should be reevaluated and refined to ensure they keep up with these other changes. Consider the following steps to support strong donor engagement:

Form 941-X, Adjusted Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return or Claim for Refund, maybe your key to getting all the Covid relief your business is entitled to. It's a 30-page form, and the rules are complex, but here are the basics.

These days, most businesses have websites. But surprisingly, the IRS hasn’t issued formal guidance on when website costs can be deducted.

Under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), financial statements are normally prepared based on the assumption that the company will continue normal business operations into the future. When liquidation is imminent, the liquidation basis of accounting may be used instead.

The restaurant industry is no stranger to the critical role data plays in running a business. Yet, in many cases, the restaurateur struggles to identify the proper data from the sheer volume that may be available through countless sources — POS terminals, online ordering services, social media, and more. It’s this array of data sources that, if properly accessed, holds great value in guiding the success of the business.

Sometimes, bigger isn't better: Your small- or medium-sized business may be eligible for some tax breaks that aren't available to larger businesses. Here are some examples.

The concept of “tax risk” is an increasingly important and regular topic of discussion across organizations and in boardrooms, and for good reason. Businesses that operate across state lines or internationally can, in certain cases, trigger tax liabilities in jurisdictions where they do not have a physical presence. In addition, many countries are adopting policies requiring greater transparency in tax and financial reporting, providing tax administrations more information with which to raise investigations and issue assessments. As companies place additional focus on social responsibility and fiscal transparency, the benefits of having a tax risk policy in place can be substantial. Given the rapidly changing global tax environment combined with the continued demand for tax departments to add value to the organization, an effective tax risk policy is a necessity for any business needing to better manage tax risk.

U.S. businesses have been hit by the perfect storm. As the pandemic continues to disrupt supply chains and plague much of the global economy, the war in Europe further complicates the landscape, disrupting major supplies of energy and other commodities. In the U.S., price inflation has accelerated the Federal Reserve’s plans to raise interest rates and commence quantitative tightening, making debt more expensive. The stock market has declined sharply, and the prospect of a recession is on the rise. Further, U.S. consumer demand may be cooling despite a strong labor market and low unemployment. As a result of these and other pressures, many businesses are rethinking their supply chains and countries of operation as they also search for opportunities to free up or preserve cash in the face of uncertain headwinds.

Health savings accounts are paired with high-deductible health plans for an especially adaptable insurance and savings program. HDHPs have large deductibles that members must meet before receiving coverage. Participants meet those deductibles by contributing their own money to HSAs. The government does not tax these funds as long as they're used to pay for qualified medical expenses.

The pandemic has presented numerous challenges for businesses, but it also taught us how to be resilient, cost-conscious, and adaptable. Over the last few years, we’ve learned that remote working arrangements offer many benefits, including reducing the time and cost of performing many tasks. Here’s how these lessons translate to the work auditors do to prepare your company’s financial statements.