Understanding and controlling the unemployment tax costs of your business
As an employer, you must pay federal unemployment (FUTA) tax on amounts up to $7,000 paid to each employee as wages during the calendar year. The rate of tax imposed is 6% but can be reduced by a credit (described below). Most employers end up paying an effective FUTA tax rate of 0.6%. An employer […]
Jamison Graduates from AICPA Leadership Academy
Jamison Graduates from AICPA Leadership Academy Jamison is among 36 Emerging Leaders in the Accounting Profession NEW YORK (October 14, 2019) – Michael Jamison, President of OnTarget CPA, was one of 36 leaders to graduate from the American Institute of CPAs’ (AICPA) 2019 AICPA Leadership Academy, a rigorous program to inspire, nurture and empower the next generation of […]
6 ways to ensure your marketing plan drives sales
Love and marriage,” goes the old song: “…You can’t have one without the other.” This also holds true for sales and marketing. Even the best of sales staffs will struggle if not supported by a well-researched and carefully executed marketing plan. Here are six ways to ensure your marketing plan is likely to drive strong […]
The chances of an IRS audit are low, but business owners should be prepared
Many business owners ask: How can I avoid an IRS audit? The good news is that the odds against being audited are in your favor. In fiscal year 2018, the IRS audited approximately 0.6% of individuals. Businesses, large corporations and high-income individuals are more likely to be audited but, overall, audit rates are historically low. […]
How to research a business customer’s creditworthiness
Extending credit to business customers can be an effective way to build goodwill and nurture long-term buyers. But if you extend customer credit, it also brings sizable financial risk to your business, as cash flow could grind to a halt if these customers don’t make their payments. Even worse, they could declare bankruptcy and bow […]
Does your team know the profitability game plan?
Autumn brings falling leaves and … the gridiron. Football teams — from high school to pro — are trying to put as many wins on the board as possible to make this season a special one. For business owners, sports can highlight important lessons about profitability. One in particular is that you and your coaches […]
Take advantage of the gift tax exclusion rules
As we head toward the gift-giving season, you may be considering giving gifts of cash or securities to your loved ones. Taxpayers can transfer substantial amounts free of gift taxes to their children and others each year through the use of the annual federal gift tax exclusion. The amount is adjusted for inflation annually. For […]
How to treat your business website costs for tax purposes
These days, most businesses need a website to remain competitive. It’s an easy decision to set one up and maintain it. But determining the proper tax treatment for the costs involved in developing a website isn’t so easy. That’s because the IRS hasn’t released any official guidance on these costs yet. Consequently, you must apply […]
5 ways to withdraw cash from your corporation while avoiding dividend treatment
Do you want to withdraw cash from your closely held corporation at a low tax cost? The easiest way is to distribute cash as a dividend. However, a dividend distribution isn’t tax-efficient, since it’s taxable to you to the extent of your corporation’s “earnings and profits.” But it’s not deductible by the corporation. Different approaches […]
Do you need to file gift tax returns?
As the combined gift and estate tax exemption continues to increase, fewer families will be subject to federal gift taxes. If a person’s wealth is well within the exemption amount, does that mean he or she doesn’t need to file a gift tax return? This article examines situations in which it’s necessary (and desirable) to […]
