April 1, 2023

Different Ways to Value a Business

đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min readWhen it comes to valuing a business, there are many ways to examine a company’s profitability. Looking at a business’ liquidation value and its breakup value are two of many approaches to see how a company is functioning and how it might run under different management and economic environments. Liquidation Value This type of valuation can be defined as the difference between what tangible assets would sell for at auction minus outstanding liabilities. Typically, intangible assets are not considered in this type of valuation. However, if the intangibles along with the physical assets, are considered for sale and not sold at auction, it would be considered a business’ “going-concern value.” Examples of intangibles include goodwill, brand […]
March 1, 2023

Sold Your Home Last Year or Plan to in 2023? If So, Here’s What You Need to Know

đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min readThe U.S. housing market has been extremely volatile over the past year. Year-over-year growth rates were at highs of 20.1 percent in April 2022, then declined to only 8.6 percent in November – the biggest drop in over 20 years. As a result, many homeowners who sold their homes in 2022 or plan to in 2023 may have either gains or losses depending on their location and timing. Below, we tackle the issues you need to know to properly account for the taxation of your home sale. Only Some Gains Are Taxable Not all gains on home sales are taxable, with the initial $250,000 or $500,000 exempt in certain circumstances. All you need to do is […]
March 1, 2023

Multigenerational College Planning with a Family Dynasty 529 Plan

đź–¨ Print⏱ 5 min readThe College Savings 529 plan offers a way for modest-income families to save and invest for college expenses for their children as early as birth up to college age. When invested 529 funds are used to pay for the beneficiary’s qualifying education costs, earnings are distributed tax-free. However, a lesser-known advantage for wealthier families is that the 529 plan can be used as an effective tax-advantaged tool for funding college expenses for family members over multiple generations. Basically, the 529 enables the investment to continue growing tax-free for years and even decades after the death of the original owner and beneficiary. Assets from a 529 account may be used to pay for expenses associated with higher […]
March 1, 2023

7 Steps to Start a Business

đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min readThe idea of starting your own business is inherently romantic, if not exhilarating: You get to run the show, flesh out your ideas and live your dream. But where do you begin? Here are seven smart steps to get you started – and help improve your chances of success. Come Up With a Concept What’s your idea? Is it profitable and something you’re passionate about? Would others consider you an expert in this area and seek your advice? What kind of funding do you have? Will you partner with someone or go solo? When you can determine all of these things, then you’ll be off and running. Know Your Competition and Market Do your research. Learn […]
March 1, 2023

Leveraging the Internet of Behavior (IoB) to Boost Customer Loyalty

đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min readCustomer loyalty is critical to any successful business strategy in today’s digital age. With emerging technologies such as the internet of things (IoT), companies are now leveraging a new approach called the internet of behavior (IoB) to gain deeper insights into their customers’ behavior and preferences. What is IoB? The internet of behavior exists because of the internet of things. IoT is the interconnection of physical digital objects that gather and exchange information over the internet. On the other hand, IoB makes sense of the collected data from various sources, including wearable devices, digital household devices, human online activity and social media. The acronym internet of behavior (IoB) was coined by Gartner, a tech research firm, […]
March 1, 2023

Increasing Small Business Investments, Relaxing COVID Vaccination Requirements and Generating More Challenges to Abortion Access

đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min readInvesting in Main Street Act of 2023 (HR 400) – Introduced by Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) on Jan.20, this bill would permit certain financial institutions to increase investments in small business investment companies (SBICs). The current cap is 5 percent; if passed, the amount would rise to up to 15 percent of their capital and surplus. The bill passed in the House on Jan.25 and is now under consideration in the Senate. To terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers and for other purposes (HR 185) – This bill would nullify the standing CDC order that requires non-U.S. citizens who […]
March 1, 2023

How Secure 2.0 Will Impact Employers’ Tax Situations

đź–¨ Print⏱ 3 min readThe Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement 2.0 Act of 2022, otherwise known as SECURE 2.0, is a piece of legislation that focuses on how employers and their employees are able to save for retirement and how it impacts their bottom lines. Businesses with as many as 50 employees can receive a tax credit when they offer a defined contribution plan to employees. The start-up tax credit permits up to 100 percent of start-up costs ($5,000 annually) to offset administrative expenses to implement a start-up plan. However, for businesses with 51 to 100 employees, the first SECURE Act’s tax credit equal to 50 percent of administrative costs, capped at $5,000, remains in effect. SECURE 2.0 […]
February 1, 2023

Key Deadlines and Changes for the 2023 Tax Season

đź–¨ Print⏱ 3 min readEvery year, typically right after the new year starts, the IRS formally announces key dates and deadlines for the current tax season. Recently, the IRS made the announcements for the current 2023 tax season. To make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible, it’s best if you are aware of this tax season’s deadlines and key dates so you don’t miss a beat in working with your CPA. Tax Season in Perspective More than 168 million individual tax returns are expected to be submitted to the IRS in 2023, covering the 2022 tax year. The last three years saw delays and snafus, largely impacted by the pandemic. This year, the IRS assures taxpayers it is […]
February 1, 2023

401(k) Options After You Leave an Employer

đź–¨ Print⏱ 6 min readApart from the spike in inflation, 2023 ended the year with a relatively strong economy, boasting an unemployment rate of 3.5 percent (below the market forecast of 3.7 percent) with increases in wages, corporate profits, and economic growth over the past two quarters. Despite the positive data, a slate of companies, including Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, and Bed Bath & Beyond, have all announced significant layoffs planned for this year. Whether the result of a layoff, a new job, or retirement, the reality is that over the course of a career, most people will change jobs several times. The good news is that 401(k) plan assets are portable – meaning you can take them with […]
February 1, 2023

How To Use Natural Language Processing To Improve The Efficiency Of Accounting Processes

đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min readNatural language processing (NLP) is a technology that allows computers to understand and process human language. Processing of natural language is necessary when you want an intelligent device to follow your instructions. NPL is an artificial intelligence (AI) component with many real-life applications. As technology advances, business leaders have to figure out how to tap into the new trends to remain relevant, stay ahead of competition, and meet consumer expectations and needs. How NLP Works in Brief NLP involves making computers perform tasks with the natural language humans use. The input and output can be spoken or written text. NLP combines computational linguistics – rule-based modeling of human language – with statistical, machine learning, and deep […]
February 1, 2023

Overhauling the National Tax System, Eliminating Oil Sales to China, and Criminalizing Late Abortion Attempts

đź–¨ Print⏱ 3 min readTo rescind certain balances made available to the Internal Revenue Service (HR 23) – Introduced by Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) on Jan. 9, this bill would rescind funds allocated to the Internal Revenue Service by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The bill is designed to “defund” specific enforcement activities, operational support, enhancement to the e-file tax return system, and allocations to the U.S. Tax Court and other Department of the Treasury tax agencies. The bill passed in the House on Jan. 9 and has moved to the Senate,  Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act (HR 22) – This bill would prohibit the Department of Energy (DOE) from selling crude oil to any entity […]
February 1, 2023

Defining an Impaired Asset

đź–¨ Print⏱ 3 min readWhen it comes to defining an impaired asset, its fair market value is worth less than the original cost of the asset – or, more formally, its carrying value. As a company re-evaluates its assets’ value, and when it determines there’s a discrepancy between the book or original value and the current market value, impaired assets that are lower in value are written down on the balance sheet. The business’ income statement shows a loss for the negative difference in value. Impaired assets can be Property, Plant, and Equipment (PP&E), goodwill, or fixed assets. Making a Judgment on Asset Impairment   One more consideration to get an accurate calculation, according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), […]
February 1, 2023

Why You Might Not Need a New Budget for the New Year

đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min readSo, we’re a month into 2023, and the sheen might’ve dulled from all your shiny New Year’s resolutions. Though diet and exercise are the top things you might want to change, there’s one you might not need to touch – your budget. Here’s a discussion about who does and doesn’t need to revamp their finances. Who Needs a New Budget? Budgets are always a good idea. They help you save money and pay off debt. But only a few folks need to create a new one. According to Annette Harris, founder of Harris Financial Coaching, you need a new budget if you are: Unable to keep up with expenses Falling behind on debt payments Borrowing money […]
January 1, 2023

The IRS Versus the Taxpayer

đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min read According to the IRS, ignorance of tax rules and regulations is no excuse. Therefore, it’s essential to use an experienced tax preparer to assist in filing your taxes. The tax code is complex and only gets more complicated as time goes on, making it almost impossible to ensure they are filing correctly without the help of a CPA, EA, or Tax Professional. Moreover, the penalty for making what could be deemed an innocent mistake can cost a taxpayer a significant sum. What is worse yet is that defending yourself against the IRS is a costly endeavor in terms of both time and money. Part of the problem is that taxpayers often do not have the option of […]
January 1, 2023

No-Heir Estate Planning

đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min readEven if you have no heirs, you should have an estate plan. Otherwise, the state will determine the fate of your worldly possessions. In fact, if you pass away “intestate” (without a will), the state can even keep all of your assets for itself – if no heirs are found. The most basic tenet of no-heir estate planning is to write a will. Every state has different rules about what constitutes a legally enforceable will, so be sure to check out your state’s guidelines. If you move, you’ll need to update your will according to the state you live in when you pass away. In your will, direct who receives which of your assets. There is […]
January 1, 2023

5 Financial Resolutions You Can Live With

đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min readFor the most part, New Year’s resolutions are hard to keep because many times you either list too many things or ones that aren’t manageable for the long haul – especially those that involve money. Here are a few simple tricks to help you make changes that are bite-sized, easy to implement, and more likely to stick. Do a five-minute daily money check-in. Life is so busy that sometimes it’s easy to just spend money, then move on to the next task at hand. You might think, “I’ll check my bank balance later,” and then you never do. But if you’re serious about getting a handle on your finances, you might want to try this one […]
January 1, 2023

Handling Talent Shortages in Tech Departments

đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min readTechnology advancement has brought about great digital transformation. Unfortunately, this has come with a global tech talent shortage. IT executives highlight the shortage as a huge barrier to the adoption of emerging technologies, as reported by this Gartner study. It is estimated that the demand for tech talent will keep increasing, and this could result in an estimated 85 million global talent shortage by the year 2030. Therefore, companies need to rethink their approach to hiring and retention. Reasons Behind the Tech Talent Shortage It is worth trying to first understand what is causing the tech talent shortage. A few of the reasons that have led to the shortage include: Advances in technology – technology is […]
January 1, 2023

Understanding the Weighted Average Cost (WAC) Method for Inventory Valuation

đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min readWhen it comes to businesses and their inventory and accounting methods for managing it, there are a few different ways to approach the task. The three different options to value inventory/implement cost flow assumptions, include: Last In, First Out (LIFO); First In, First Out (FIFO); and Weighted Average Cost Accounting (WAC). This article will focus only on the WAC method. Weighted Average Cost (WAC) Method WAC is a way to value inventory based on how much each tranche contributes to the overall valuation of its cost of goods sold (COGS) and inventory. Recognized by both GAAP and IFRS, it’s determined by taking the cost of goods available for sale and dividing it by the quantity of […]
January 1, 2023

Expanding Options for Marriage, Defense, Medical Marijuana, Amateur Athletes and Rail Workers

đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min readRespect for Marriage Act (HR 8404) – Introduced by Sen. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) on July 18, this Act replaces previous provisions that defined marriage as strictly between a man and a woman. It codifies marriage to state that a spouse may be a person of the opposite sex as long as the contract between the two individuals is valid under state law, and prohibits any state from denying out-of-state marriages on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity or national origin. The bill passed in the Senate on Nov. 29 and the final bill passed in the House on Dec. 8. President Biden signed the Act into law on Dec. 13. James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization […]
December 1, 2022

Defining and Calculating Amortization

đź–¨ Print⏱ 3 min readWhen there’s a question of the benefit that tangible or intangible assets provide businesses, there are many factors that must be weighed to make internal accounting procedures effective. Businesses must determine how the cost of business assets can be expensed each year over the asset’s lifespan. Looking at how amortization and depreciation work, implementing both processes depend on the type of asset being expensed. There are noticeable differences for each method, including how to salvage value is considered, whether accelerated expensing is allowed, and how each type is expressed on financial statements. Amortization Amortization is an accounting practice of spreading the cost of an intangible asset over its useful life. Examples of intangible assets, according to […]
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