The straight line

Category Archives: Small business Tax

Work Opportunity Tax Credit

The employer must hire designated community residents. A designated community resident is a new employee who is at least 18 and has not reached the age of 40, and who lives in a designated county. 30 counties in Iowa qualify and 35 counties in Nebraska qualify as a designated county - as well as many counties in surrounding states. Please note that it is the employee that must reside in a designated county. It is not relevant where the employer is located.

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Accounting Standards Codification

The Codification reorganizes the 1000’s of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) pronouncements into 90 accounting topics, and displays them all using a consistent structure. Pronouncements from multiple standard setters and related literature are covered. It is intended to reflect GAAP for non-governmental entities.

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Operating Leases Vs. Capital Leases

Based on questions that we have received lately, it appears that leasing is a favorable way of acquiring assets for some of our clients. The decision to lease is based on specifics such as: better financial terms, necessity, the lack of available financing, or just the desire to keep assets off the balance sheet. In any case, whether the lease is treated as an operating lease, the decision should be dependent upon the terms of each individual lease agreement.

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How Long Do You Need To Keep Records?

In general, you must keep records that support items shown on your individual tax return until the statute of limitations runs out -- generally three years from the due date of the return, or the date you filed, whichever is later. In most cases, the IRS can audit your return for three years. You can also file an amended return on Form 1040X during this time period if you missed a deduction, overlooked a credit or misreported income.

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IRS Ruling on Payroll Taxes and Retirees

The IRS says that a retiree who had been provided medical benefits by his prior employer owes FICA taxes on any cash payments received in lieu of continuing medical benefits. The payment is considered to be salary – and thus subject to payroll taxes because it relates to a benefit from a prior employment relationship.

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2008 Standard Mileage Rates

The new rate for business miles is up 2 cents from 2007 however, medical and moving miles are down 1 cent from last year. The rate for miles driven in the service of a charitable organization has remained the same.

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