Cell phone usage now considered a fringe benefit
In the past, the use of cell phones (including iPhones, Droids, Blackberries, etc.) with a business purpose have always been treated as listed property, which requires detailed usage records to substantiate the business and personal use. With the passing of the Small...
News from the IT Department
We live in a world that’s inundated with technology, and as the Information Technology Director at HBE, I live, work, and breathe technology every day. It’s fascinating for me to watch the constant evolution of technology from one day to the next because each one...
When is the sale of grain not a grain sale
Each year, taxpayers experience changes to tax regulations as imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Whether you’re impacted directly or indirectly, even the simplest of changes often generate a notice in the mail — which can cause alarm. However, when it...
Highlights from the 2012 employee benefit plan roundtable
Thank you to all the plan sponsors and advisors who attended the second annual Employee Benefit Plan Roundtable discussion. For those who were unable to attend, we have prepared a summary of the important items that will affect your plan. Regulatory Update Two...
What the Healthcare Reform Law could mean for you
The revenue-enhancing reforms and regulatory aspects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (also known as the healthcare or Obamacare law) are making themselves felt. Some provisions, such as restrictions on the ability of insurers to decline covering...
Tax Records: What Can You Throw Away?
Maybe it’s a good thing that the April 17th federal tax deadline coincides with the urge to spring clean. It feels good to throw out some of the financial records stuffing your filing cabinets. But before you head for the dumpster, make sure you’re not disposing of...
Succession Planning Requires Smart Strategies
Succession planning is important in any business, but it’s sometimes overlooked in family-owned operations. This is a big mistake. There are numerous former family-run companies that no longer exist due to poor or no succession plan. The plan needs to be well thought...
Save a Bundle with Retirement Plans!
Small business owners have some lucrative new choices in qualified retirement plans. Current tax law allows more money to be set aside for business owners and key employees, including their spouses. Since most entrepreneurs and executives don’t intend to live off...
A Cautionary Tale About Charitable Donations
If you want to support a favorite charity — and collect hefty tax deductions — consider giving away appreciated assets that you’ve owned for more than a year. You’ll avoid capital gains tax and get a tax deduction for your generosity. For example, let’s say you want...