Not only is April 15 the deadline to file a 2023 income tax return and pay any taxes due, it’s also the deadline to file a gift tax return. If you made substantial gifts of wealth to family members in 2023, you may have to file a gift tax return. It’s due by April 15 of the year after you make the …
What businesses can expect from a green lease
With events related to climate change continuing to rock the news cycle, many business owners are looking for ways to lessen their companies’ negative environmental impact. One move you may want to consider, quite literally, is relocating to a commercial property with a “green lease.” Increasing …
An art collection is a special asset to account for in an estate plan
Some assets pose more of a challenge than others when it comes to valuing and accounting for them in an estate plan. Take, for instance, an art collection. If you possess paintings, sculptures or other pieces of art, they may represent a significant portion of your estate. Here are a few options …
An art collection is a special asset to account for in an estate planRead More
Business owners: Think carefully about fringe benefits related to smartphones
You’d be hard-pressed to find many employees these days who don’t use smartphones for some aspect of their jobs. Even someone who works behind a point-of-sale device may use a phone to interact with a supervisor or log work hours. For business owners, this situation creates both problems and …
Business owners: Think carefully about fringe benefits related to smartphonesRead More
Reasons why naming a family member your executor might not be a good idea
The executor’s role is critical to the administration of your estate and the achievement of your estate planning objectives. So your first instinct may be to name a trusted family member as executor. However, that might not be the best choice. Duties of an executor Your executor has a variety …
Reasons why naming a family member your executor might not be a good ideaRead More
Could value-based sales boost your company’s bottom line?
If your company sells products or services to other businesses, you’re probably familiar with the challenge of growing your sales numbers. At times, you might even struggle to maintain them. One way to put yourself in a better position to succeed is to diversify your approaches, so you’re not …
Could value-based sales boost your company’s bottom line?Read More
5 tips for more easily obtaining cyberinsurance
Every business should dedicate time and resources to cybersecurity. Hackers are out there, in many cases far across the globe, and they’re on the prowl for vulnerable companies. These criminals typically strike at random — doing damage to not only a business’s ability to operate, but also its …
Yes, you still need an estate plan even if you’re single, without children
There’s a common misconception that only married couples with children need estate plans. In fact, estate planning may be even more important for single people without children. Why? Because for married couples, the law makes certain assumptions about who should make financial or medical decisions …
Yes, you still need an estate plan even if you’re single, without childrenRead More
Should your business add a PTO buying feature to its cafeteria plan?
With the pandemic behind us and a red-hot summer in full swing, many of your company’s employees may be finally rediscovering the uninhibited joys of vacation. Your workers might be having so much fun, in fact, that they might highly value being able to buy even more paid time off (PTO) as an …
Should your business add a PTO buying feature to its cafeteria plan?Read More
How can an estate plan be kept vital after death?
When a loved one passes away, you might think that the options for his or her estate plan have also been laid to rest. But that isn’t necessarily the case. Indeed, there may be postmortem tactics the deceased’s executor (or personal representative), spouse or beneficiaries can employ to help keep …
Consider adverse media screening to vet vendors, customers and others
Whether you know it or not, if your business has ever applied for a commercial loan, you’ve likely been subject to “adverse media screening.” Under this commonly used practice, a prospective borrower is “screened against” various media sources to determine whether the person or entity has been a …
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Avoid succession drama with a buy-sell agreement
Recently, the critically acclaimed television show “Succession” aired its final episode. If the series accomplished anything, it was depicting the chaos and uncertainty that can take place if a long-time business owner fails to establish a clearly written and communicated succession plan. While …
What should you consider when choosing a guardian?
What’s arguably the most common reason people put off estate planning? It’s naming a guardian for their minor children. No doubt this is a difficult decision for parents to make. However, if you and your spouse don’t name a guardian for your minor children and you both die unexpectedly, a court will …
Why businesses may want to consider ESG in strategic planning
When engaging in strategic planning, business owners and their leadership teams must consider various factors. These commonly include the state of your industry, the national and local economies, the company’s financial position and cash flow, and opportunities in the marketplace. However, in …
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In financial planning, forecasts and projections aren’t the same
Businesses are rightly encouraged to regularly generate professionally prepared financial statements. Doing so is important for both understanding your own financial position and providing accurate, comprehensive information to stakeholders such as investors, lenders and advisors. However, keep …
In financial planning, forecasts and projections aren’t the sameRead More
If your family owns a vacation home, address it carefully in your estate plan
For many people, the disposition of a family home is an emotionally charged estate planning issue. And emotions may run even higher with vacation homes, which often evoke even fonder memories. So, it’s important to address your vacation home carefully in your estate plan. Keeping the …
If your family owns a vacation home, address it carefully in your estate planRead More
Business owners: Now’s the time to revisit buy-sell agreements
If you own an interest in a closely held business, a buy-sell agreement should be a critical component of your estate and succession plans. These agreements provide for the orderly disposition of each owner’s interest after a “triggering event,” such as death, disability, divorce or withdrawal from …
Business owners: Now’s the time to revisit buy-sell agreementsRead More
Provide your heirs the option of creating an inheritor’s trust
Even though it may not be top of mind when you’re developing or revising your estate plan, it’s important to consider how bequeathing assets to your family might affect them. Why? Because when your heirs receive their inheritance, it becomes part of their own taxable estates. Giving a loved one …
Provide your heirs the option of creating an inheritor’s trustRead More
Sailing a steady ship in today’s interesting economy
Business owners: If you’re having trouble reading the U.S. economy, you’re not alone. On the one hand, the January 2023 jobs report revealed that the unemployment rate had fallen to 3.4%, its lowest level in 54 years. And inflation, while still a concern, has moderated in most sectors — staving off …
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Enacting a spendthrift trust can be beneficial to your loved ones
Are you concerned that some of your beneficiaries might squander their inheritances or simply aren’t equipped to handle the financial responsibilities that come with large sums of money? You don’t have to hold on to your assets until the day you die with the hope that your …
Enacting a spendthrift trust can be beneficial to your loved onesRead More
5 valuation terms that every business owner should know
As a business owner, you’ll likely need to have your company appraised at some point. An appraisal is essential in the event of a business sale, merger or acquisition. It’s also important when creating or updating a buy-sell agreement or doing estate planning. You can even use a business valuation …
5 valuation terms that every business owner should knowRead More
Strengthen strategic planning with competitive intelligence
Business owners and their leadership teams are rightly urged to engage in regular strategic planning to move their companies, thoughtfully and consciously, in a positive direction. However, no matter how sound a set of strategic objectives might be, it’s always important to bear in mind …
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Businesses, be prepared to champion the advantages of an HSA
With concerns about inflation in the news for months now, most business owners are keeping a close eye on costs. Although it can be difficult to control costs related to mission-critical functions such as overhead and materials, you might find some budge room in employee benefits. Many …
Businesses, be prepared to champion the advantages of an HSARead More
Annual gift tax exclusion amount increases for 2023
Did you know that one of the most effective estate-tax-saving techniques is also one of the simplest and most convenient? By making maximum use of the annual gift tax exclusion, you can pass substantial amounts of assets to loved ones during your lifetime without any gift tax. For 2022, the amount …
Annual gift tax exclusion amount increases for 2023Read More
How should your marketing strategy change next year?
The current calendar year is winding down and a fresh 12 months lies ahead. That makes now a good time to think about how you should present yourself to customers and prospects next year. The U.S. economy has undergone notable change in 2022. Namely, rising inflation and persistent supply chain …
How should your marketing strategy change next year?Read More
Estate planning vocab 101: Executor and trustee
Among the many decisions you’ll have to make as your estate plan is being drafted is who you will appoint as the executor of your estate and the trustee of your trusts. These are important appointments, and, in fact, both roles can be filled by the same person. Let’s take a closer look at the duties …