Strong leadership is essential to running a successful business. However, as perhaps you’ve experienced, playing the role of a strong leader can force you to make tough decisions that expose you to legal claims.
Business owners who are particularly worried about this type of risk can buy directors and officers (D&O) insurance to hedge against it. Although every small to midsize business may not need one of these policies, some should consider buying coverage.
Read MoreA variety of tax-related limits that affect businesses are indexed annually based on inflation. Many have increased for 2025, but with inflation cooling, the increases aren’t as great as they have been in the last few years. Here are some amounts that may affect you and your business.
Read MoreFrom the moment they launch their companies, business owners are urged to use key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor performance. And for good reason: When you drive a car, you’ve got to keep an eye on the gauges to keep from going too fast and know when it’s time to service the vehicle. The same logic applies to running a business.
Read MoreNew and used “heavy” SUVs, pickups and vans placed in service in 2025 are potentially eligible for big first-year depreciation write-offs. One requirement is you must use the vehicle more than 50% for business. If your business usage is between 51% and 99%, you may be able to deduct that percentage of the cost in the first year. The write-off will reduce your federal income tax bill and your self-employment tax bill, if applicable. You might get a state tax income deduction too.
Read MoreAs a business owner, you may travel to visit customers, attend conferences, check on vendors and for other purposes. Understanding which travel expenses are tax deductible can significantly affect your bottom line. Properly managing travel costs can help ensure compliance and maximize your tax savings.
Read MorePresident-Elect Donald Trump will return to the White House in 2025 — a year that already was expected to see significant activity on the federal tax front. A projected unified GOP Congress is poised to help him notch early legislative tax victories. (Republicans have won back a majority in the U.S. Senate and are projected to retain a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.) The most obvious legislative win will likely be the extension and expansion of Trump’s signature 2017 tax legislation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).
Read MoreBusiness owners are rightly urged to develop succession plans so their companies will pass on to the next generation, or another iteration of ownership, in a manner that best ensures continued success.
Ideally, the succession plan you develop for your company will play out over a long period that allows everyone plenty of time to adjust to the changes involved. But, as many business owners learned during the pandemic, life comes at you fast. That’s why succession planning should best be viewed from three separate but parallel timelines:
Read MoreThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was signed into law in 2017 and generally took effect at the start of 2018. It brought sweeping changes to various aspects of tax law for both individuals and businesses.
But many of its provisions aren’t permanent. In fact, some of the most important ones are scheduled to expire after 2025. Although the outcome of the November election is expected to affect the fate of many expiring provisions, now’s still a good time for construction business owners to read up on the impending tax law changes and plan for their potential impact.
Read MoreThe next quarterly estimated tax payment deadline is June 17 for individuals and businesses, so it’s a good time to review the rules for computing corporate federal estimated payments. You want your business to pay the minimum amount of estimated tax without triggering the penalty for underpayment of estimated tax.
Read MoreMany people dream of turning a hobby into a regular business. Perhaps you enjoy boating and would like to open a charter fishing business. Or maybe you’d like to turn your sewing or photography skills into an income-producing business.
Read MoreConstruction companies are required to obtain surety bonds on many types of projects — particularly those that are publicly funded. The bonds essentially guarantee that the work will be completed one way or another. Contractors are urged to manage their operations and financials carefully to preserve or, better yet, increase bonding capacity. But what is this, really?
Read MoreIn the midst of holiday parties and shopping for gifts, don’t forget to consider steps to cut the 2023 tax liability for your business. You still have time to take advantage of a few opportunities.
Read MoreRecently, the IRS announced 2024 indexing adjustments to the applicable dollar amount used to calculate employer shared responsibility penalties under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Read MoreIt’s been years since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 was signed into law, but it’s still having an impact. Several provisions in the law have expired or will expire in the next few years. One provision that took effect last year was the end of current deductibility for research and experimental (R&E) expenses.
Read MoreIf you’re buying or replacing a vehicle that you’ll use in your business, be aware that a heavy SUV may provide a more generous tax break this year than you’d get from a smaller vehicle. The reason has to do with how smaller business cars are depreciated for tax purposes.
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