Keep up with wage laws

Keep up with wage laws

While the new federal overtime rules that were scheduled to take effect in 2016 have been put on hold, perhaps permanently, other wage laws are still around, including those that establish minimum pay levels. These minimum wage laws vary from state to state, and some have changed beginning January 1. In addition, you may be required to post notices or posters in your workplace, and maintain certain records. Contact us if you have questions.

Be aware of these three new tax filing deadlines

Be aware of these three new tax filing deadlines

As you begin preparing your final payroll tax returns for 2016, take into account earlier due dates for two common information reporting forms and one extended due date for health coverage reporting forms.

Forms W-2 for 2016 are due January 31. The January 31 deadline applies to forms given to employees, as well as those submitted to the Social Security Administration.

Forms 1099-MISC with non-employee compensation in Box 7 are due January 31, 2017. The January 31 due date applies to forms given to the payee, as well as paper and electronic copies filed with the IRS.

Forms 1095-B and 1095-C are due to recipients on March 2, 2017, instead of January 31. There is no change to the February 28 due date for filing paper forms with the IRS, nor the March 31 due date for filing electronically.

Update your mileage rate reimbursements for 2017

Update your mileage rate reimbursements for 2017

If you intend to use your vehicle for business, charitable activities, medical appointments, or moving during 2017, be aware that the optional standard mileage rates for computing the deductible costs have changed. Here are the rates to use to calculate reimbursements and deductions this year.

Business. Starting January 1, 2017, the rate is 53.5¢ per mile when you use your vehicle for business purposes.

Charitable. The standard per-mile rate for charitable service remains at 14¢.

Medical and moving. The rate for medical and moving mileage is 17¢ per mile.

Do you need to revise your final estimated payment?

Do you need to revise your final estimated payment?

The last installment of your 2016 estimated federal income tax is due January 17, 2017. As a general rule, to avoid penalties you need to pay in the lesser of 90% of your 2016 estimated tax liability or 100% of the tax shown on your 2015 return when your adjusted gross income (AGI) is less than $150,000. When your AGI is over $150,000, you're required to prepay the lesser of 90% of your 2016 estimated tax liability or 110% of your 2015 tax liability. What if you haven't paid in enough? Increase your last installment to make up for the underpayment. Contact us for help with the calculation.

Know when to sell

Know when to sell

Deciding when to buy a stock is often easier than determining when to sell. As you're reviewing your portfolio at year-end, consider these situations that may indicate the right time to sell.

When there are no tax consequences. If you hold stock in a retirement fund, you may want to reap gains with no tax impact.

To take money off the table. If a stock has had a nice run, you could sell a portion to recoup part of your investment. You can continue to invest in the stock but with locked-in gains.

A shift in fundamentals. Consider selling if the economy changes or an entire industry becomes vulnerable due to negative news.

When you've given up on a stock. If a stock has been declining or flat-lining for an extended period, selling low now can save you from having to sell even lower later on.

To take a contrarian position. If the market has gotten frothy and all the news is optimistic, choosing to harvest your gains could be a wise move.

When cash becomes attractive. A gloomy economic outlook could be reason to increase your cash reserves.

Having a disciplined selling strategy means giving as much thought to the sale of a stock as to the purchase. Contact us. We're here to help.

How social security benefits are taxed

How social security benefits are taxed

Are you wondering if your social security retirement, survivor, and disability benefits will be subject to federal income tax on your 2016 return? Generally, when these benefits are taxed is determined by your "provisional income."

Provisional income (PI) is the product of a formula used for no other purpose than figuring out the taxable percentage of social security benefits. To compute your provisional income, total your adjusted gross income, any tax-exempt interest or similar nontaxable revenue, and one-half of your social security retirement benefits for the year. How much of your benefits are taxed depends on this "base amount."

– Joint filers with PI below $32,000 ($25,000 for single filers) owe no tax on benefits.

– Joint filers with PI between $32,000 and $44,000 ($25,000 and $34,000 for single filers) are taxed on a sliding scale that tops out at 50% of benefits received.

– Joint filers with PI over $44,000 ($34,000 for single filers) are taxed on more than 50% and up to 85% of benefits.

Note that supplemental security income payments (SSI) are not taxable. For answers to questions about your benefits, contact us.

Avoid hiring mistakes in your start-up

Avoid hiring mistakes in your start-up

Staffing errors can spell disaster for your start-up. Here are three to watch out for.

1. Staffing the firm with friends and family. While this strategy may work in some circumstances, hiring pals and relatives often spells trouble. For one thing, friends and family members often expect – even subconsciously – to be treated differently from other employees. A double standard, whether real or perceived, can hurt morale and productivity. As a general rule, focus hiring decisions solely on the needs of your firm and applicant qualifications.

2. Trusting in a handshake. Spell out employee arrangements in writing. This can be as simple as drafting employee offer letters that cover compensation, rights to intellectual property, and bonus arrangements. Employee handbooks are also a good way to spell out the responsibilities of your firm and staff.

3. Bringing in a partner for the wrong reasons. Downside risks of bringing in a partner include surrendering a portion of your company and control over important management decisions to someone else. Before selling part of your company, ask yourself what the partner will contribute besides money. Can you find other ways to fill gaps in your team? Choosing wisely can help you avoid ending up in the business equivalent of divorce court.

For assistance with issues facing your start-up business, give us a call.