Returning Value Blog

Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, Leases, requires organizations to report the full magnitude of their long-term lease obligations on their balance sheets — a historic first. For private companies and nonprofits, the changes take effect this year. Public entities adopted the rules in 2019. While the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) conducts its post-implementation review of the new-and-improved lease standard, the guidance is concurrently being adopted by private organizations.

In today’s tough job market and economy, the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) may help employers. Many business owners are hiring and should be aware that the WOTC is available to employers that hire workers from targeted groups who face significant barriers to employment. The credit is worth as much as $2,400 for each eligible employee ($4,800, $5,600, and $9,600 for certain veterans and $9,000 for “long-term family assistance recipients”). It’s generally limited to eligible employees who begin work for the employer before January 1, 2026.

Did you know that 45% of tax executives say they are not involved in supply chain planning?

That’s according to BDO’s 2022 Tax Outlook Survey, which found that business leaders do not always consult with their tax departments on decisions that can affect their companies’ total tax liability.

But do tax executives really need to be involved in supply chain planning?

Risks abound in today’s uncertain marketplace. Nearly two-thirds of senior finance leaders said that the volume and complexity of corporate risks have changed “mostly” or “extensively” in the past five years, according to a new report published by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and North Carolina State University.

Businesses operating across state lines must determine the amount of their income that is subject to tax in each state. Generally, this is done using what is known as “formulary apportionment.” Given that states regulate the apportionment methods they allow and are not required to use a uniform approach, the varying methods — especially the different ways states source and weight a taxpayer’s sales activities — may result in excessive taxation overall. Multi-state businesses should review the apportionment options and rules in the states and localities where they are taxable for potential opportunities to reduce their tax bill and to ensure they are reporting and paying the correct amount of tax.

Does your business need real estate to conduct operations? Or does it otherwise hold property and put the title in the name of the business? You may want to rethink this approach. Any short-term benefits may be outweighed by the tax, liability, and estate planning advantages of separating real estate ownership from the business.

Do you own a successful small business with no employees and want to set up a retirement plan? Or do you want to upgrade from a SIMPLE IRA or Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan? Consider a solo 401(k) if you have a healthy self-employment income and want to contribute substantial amounts to a retirement nest egg.

Distinguishing between independent contractors and employees is important for both tax and financial reasons. In order to comply with federal tax laws, you've got to be crystal clear about your workers' status and keep accurate records no matter what. Here's how to distinguish between independent contractors and employees – and why it's important.

In today’s volatile market conditions, it’s important to review your accounts receivable ledger and consider writing off stale, uncollectible accounts. The methods that you’ve used in the past to evaluate bad debts may no longer make sense. Here’s how to keep your allowance up to date.

Now that Labor Day has passed, it’s a good time to think about making moves that may help lower your small business taxes for this year and next. The standard year-end approach of deferring income and accelerating deductions to minimize taxes will likely produce the best results for most businesses, as well as bunching deductible expenses into this year or next to maximize their tax value.