As we enter 2014, a number of changes take place, including those made by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA), signed into law on January 2, 2013, and the provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA), scheduled to take effect in 2013 and 2014.

Tax Increment Financing is something almost every municipality is dealing with. Created by Chapter 403 of the Code of Iowa, tax increment financing allows counties and cities to capture the increment (increased) taxes generated from the construction or expansion of buildings and infrastructure.

Now would be an excellent time to review your policy regarding W-9 forms. To be fully compliant with IRS regulations, a W-9 form should be on file for any non-employee who receives a check from the cooperative. This form should be legible such that the name, address, EIN, and SSN can be easily read. It should also be signed.

The “Fiscal Cliff” deal extends beneficial key cost recovery provisions. Bonus depreciation, which was set to expire December 31, 2012, was extended to qualified properties acquired and placed in service prior to January 1, 2014.

1. Does the person who handles incoming cash receipts also record transactions? 2. Is a cash register used in the business? 3. Is a bank lockbox used for processing customer payments? 4. Are deposits made daily and secured prior to depositing in a safe?

Occupational fraud is a scheme in which an employee abuses the trust placed in him or her by an employer for personal gain. Its formal definition is: The use of one’s occupation for personal enrichment through the deliberate misuse or misapplication of the employing organization’s resources or assets.