News and Posts

The 2022 Report to the Nations from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners reports that not-for-profits are the least likely type of organization to experience occupational fraud. Sounds like good news, right? Unfortunately, the $60,000 median loss is more than most nonprofits can afford. Fewer financial and staff resources and less vigorous oversight and enforcement of internal controls can make nonprofits vulnerable. But inexpensive controls [...]

Congress is getting serious about addressing the confusion surrounding the tax treatment of digital assets such as cryptocurrencies. A bipartisan bill dubbed the Responsible Financial Innovation Act was recently introduced in the U.S. Senate. The bill would establish a regulatory framework for digital assets. The first-of-its-kind proposed legislation would attempt to validate the mainstream use of digital assets, particularly so-called stablecoin cryptocurrencies that function as [...]

If your not-for-profit hasn’t conducted an executive search since before the pandemic, anticipate an altered search landscape. For example, the job market now is tighter and, given the prevalence of working from home, candidates may not want to consider relocating. A search committee of board members should keep comprehensive, up-to-date job descriptions for executive positions and list the knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes required. Also, [...]

“It is time to scrap the cap, expand benefits, and fully fund Social Security,” Independent Senator Bernie Sanders stated in a Senate Budget Committee hearing on June 9. With the support of seven Democratic co-sponsors, Sanders introduced the Social Security Expansion Act, which would increase Social Security benefits by $2,400 annually. This increase would be funded by lifting the current $147,000 cap on the maximum [...]

In general, quid pro quo donations occur when a not-for-profit receives a contribution of more than $75 and it provides the donor with goods or services valued at less than the donation amount. These arrangements create reporting obligations for your nonprofit. You must give written notice to donors that they can deduct only the amount in excess of the value of goods or services they [...]

Seriously delinquent tax debt (SDTD) is no minor issue and could result in revocation of a passport. An SDTD is a federal tax liability that has been assessed, exceeds $55,000 in 2022 (inflation adjusted), is unpaid, legally enforceable and is subject to a filed lien notice or levy. One taxpayer had SDTD totaling $90,201, incurred over several years ($28,912 was interest). She satisfied $17,346 of [...]

As a result of the current estate tax exemption amount ($12.06 million in 2022), many people no longer need to be concerned with federal estate tax. Before 2011, a much smaller amount resulted in estate plans attempting to avoid it. Now, because many estates won’t be subject to estate tax, more planning can be devoted to saving income taxes for your heirs. Note: The federal [...]

Good news for those who use a vehicle for business purposes and are frustrated by the sky-high cost of gas! Starting July 1, 2022, the IRS is increasing the standard mileage rate for business use to 62.5 cents (from 58.5 cents for Jan. 1 – June 30, 2022) per mile. The rate for medical use and moving will rise to 22 cents (from 18 cents), [...]

Businesses should be aware that they may be responsible for issuing more information reporting forms for 2022 because more workers may fall into the required range of income to be reported. Beginning this year, the threshold has dropped significantly for the filing of Form 1099-K, “Payment Card and Third-Party Network Transactions.” Businesses and workers in certain industries may receive more of these forms and some [...]

Employers that withhold taxes from employees but don’t pay them over to the IRS may face harsh penalties. The Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP) equals 100% of the unpaid tax. The TFRP can be assessed personally against responsible parties and may include prison time. One taxpayer who operated an ammunition manufacturing and sales business withheld federal taxes from his employees’ paychecks. A U.S. Dept. of [...]

The IRS recently announced that it’ll increase the standard mileage rate for qualified business driving for the second half of 2022. The adjustment reflects the soaring cost of gasoline this year. In fact, as of June 13, the nationwide average price of regular unleaded gas was $5.01 a gallon, according to the AAA Gas Prices website. This is compared with $3.08 a gallon a year [...]

Chief financial officers (CFOs) of some major U.S. companies are seeking help from U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. In a letter, they said the final foreign tax credit (FTC) regs issued on Dec. 28, 2021, are a “radical departure from well-established law.” The final regs, they added, put U.S companies at a “competitive disadvantage” with foreign companies. For over a century, foreign income tax paid [...]

How often does your company generate a full set of financial statements? It’s common for smaller businesses to issue only year-end financials, but interim reporting can be helpful, particularly in times of uncertainty. Given today’s geopolitical risks, mounting inflation and rising costs, it’s wise to perform a midyear check-in to monitor your year-to-date performance. Based on the results, you can then pivot to take advantage [...]

The IRS often can’t attempt to collect debt from taxpayers whose debt has been discharged in bankruptcy. A U.S. Bankruptcy Court in West Virginia recently ruled against the IRS after the agency sent multiple collection notices to a debtor who had a discharge order. The IRS excused its actions by saying they were inadvertent and that the notices were sent via an automated system. But [...]