As you scramble to get up-to-date on changes to the federal tax rules under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, there also will be major changes to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Here’s an overview of the major accounting rules that will change over the next few years. These changes are likely to require updates...

Many business owners fail to follow the strict tax rules for substantiating vehicle expenses. But if your business is audited, the IRS will most likely ask for mileage logs if you deducted vehicle expenses — and it tends to be especially critical of the amount deducted if you’re self employed or you employ relatives. While the...

The IRS is always skeptical when individual taxpayers claim deductions for bad debt losses. Why? Losses from purported loan transactions often fail to meet the tax-law requirements for bad debt loss deductions. For example, a taxpayer might try to write off a capital contribution to a business entity that underperformed. Or a taxpayer might have advanced...

It’s not too late! You can still take steps to significantly reduce your business’s 2017 income tax bill and possibly lay the groundwork for tax savings in future years. Here are five year-end tax-saving ideas to consider, along with proposed tax reforms that might affect your tax planning strategies. Juggle Income and Deductible Expenditures If you...

If you’re headed back in the classroom, or thinking about it, you might be wondering if the tuition expenses are tax deductible. To be considered work-related education for business deduction purposes, the training must meet one or both of the following standards: Standard No. 1: The education is expressly required by applicable law or regulations in order...

The Work Opportunity tax credit (WOTC) is a federal income tax credit that’s available to businesses that hire members of certain “targeted” groups. Here’s how your business may be able to benefit from this potentially lucrative tax break. The Basics The WOTC encourages businesses to hire from certain categories of workers who face significant barriers to...