In preparing for this edition, we came across some of Dan Gardiner’s files and reports, finding one that summarized the results of his clients from May 1964 to May 1965 closes. We thought you might enjoy reading what the averages were of what he was seeing in his audits. Here are excerpts and stats from that analysis.

If your coop engages in the sale of petroleum products, the following items may be necessary: Retail Diesel Fuel Pump Stickers; Acceptable payment methods for tax exempt fuel; Federal Fuel Exemptions; Form 637 – Application for Registration (For Certain Excise Tax Activities).

As we all know, the 50% bonus depreciation for qualifying assets ended December 31, 2013 and the higher expensing limits under section 179 sunset with your 2013 tax year. It is now possible that lawmakers will approve a retroactive application of bonus depreciation back to January 1, 2014 and that the higher limits of section 179 will be reinstated as well. A leading publication expressed the opinion that firms are safe making their remaining asset acquisition plans for 2014 based on these assumptions. So at this point it is not certain if this will be passed but this info is the latest available.

By definition, an involuntary conversion is a mandatory liquidation of assets (such as a loss due to fire, wind, flooding, or tornado). The lost property is normally replaced by another asset, such as cash from insurance proceeds. According to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the difference between the value of the asset lost (property) and the value of the asset received (cash) is recognized in financial statements as a gain or loss. An involuntary conversion, and the resulting gain or loss, is considered to have occurred even if an entity reinvests the monetary assets with non monetary replacement assets.

As we start into 2014, it looks like the current climate is one where we are going to start to see merger conversations ramp up. There appears to be several reasons why these mergers are happening (or why discussions are ensuing). Amongst them are:

In honor of our 50th year in business, GT would like to reflect on the past and the client relationships we have been fortunate to have created. In this article we would like to place a spotlight on two of the longest standing managers we have had the pleasure of working with; Brad Davis of Gold-Eagle Cooperative in Goldfield, Iowa and Michael Whittie of Federal Employees Credit Union in Des Moines, Iowa.