The straight line

Yes, there’s still time to make a 2014 IRA contribution!

The deadline for 2014 IRA contributions is April 15, 2015. The limit for total contributions to all IRAs generally is $5,500 ($6,500 if you were age 50 or older on Dec. 31, 2014). If you haven’t already maxed out your 2014 limit, consider making one of these types of contributions by April 15: Deductible traditional....

keep reading

Uncle Sam Wants to WARN Employers About a Layoff Law

If your business finds that it must lay off a large number of employees, make sure you are in compliance with a federal law that requires some employers to provide advance notification. This little-known law is called the Federal Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act (WARN). Under the law, employers who are covered must give 60...

keep reading

Business Interruption Claims Require Professional Help

Smart company owners and executives obtain business interruption insurance — and possibly contingent business income coverage if the operation relies heavily on outsourcing or a particular supplier. The idea is that the policy will compensate the company for lost earnings if a devastating event forces it to temporarily close down. But the calculations and coverage of...

keep reading

Coming Soon: ABLE Accounts for Disabled Individuals

On December 19, 2014, the President signed into law the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014. This legislation included the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014 (ABLE Act), which provides for a new type of tax-advantaged account for disabled persons called an ABLE account. New Type of 529 Plan The tax laws have long encouraged Americans...

keep reading

Do you need to file a 2014 gift tax return by April 15?

Generally, you’ll need to file a gift tax return for 2014 if, during the tax year, you made gifts: That exceeded the $14,000-per-recipient gift tax annual exclusion (other than to your U.S. citizen spouse), That you wish to split with your spouse to take advantage of your combined $28,000 annual exclusions, or Of future interests...

keep reading