Deducting Pass-Through Business Losses

Many business ventures generate tax losses, especially in the first few years of operation or under adverse conditions. When can losses be deducted — and how much can you deduct in any given year? This article explains current limitations on the ability of individual taxpayers to deduct losses from pass-through business entities, including sole proprietorships, limited…

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Working Capital: A Potential Valuation Sleeper

Working capital is sometimes overlooked in determining the value of a business. But it can have a material effect on value, so it’s important to remember. A business’s working capital equals the difference between its current assets and current liabilities.  When the value of a business is determined under either the income or the market approach,…

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Protecting Your Privacy from Trigger Leads

Applying for a residential mortgage loan can be time-consuming and stressful. And nowadays, home buyers have another stress to contend with when applying for financing: They may be bombarded with unsolicited “trigger leads” from competing lenders — or scammers may try to access an applicant’s personal data.  As a lender evaluates your loan application, it accesses…

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Manage Risks When Terminating an Employee

Terminating or disciplining an employee is fraught with legal, compliance and safety issues. In the worst case scenario, violence can occur. Red Flags from the FBIThe FBI has published a handbook entitled Workplace Violence.In that publication, the agency notes that when employee violence occurs, there is a “chance that some warning sign will have reached the employer in…

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How To Get More from Your Business Valuation

When owners and managers receive business valuations, the first thing they typically do is flip to the conclusion to see what it’s worth. Often, little attention is given to the analyses underlying the final number, especially if the report was prepared for internal planning or financial reporting purposes. But it’s always a smart idea for the…

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Social Security Tax Update: How High Can It Go?

Employees, self-employed individuals and employers all pay the Social Security tax, and the bite the Social Security tax takes gets bigger every year. Here’s what you should know — and why you should be concerned.  Projected Social Security Tax CeilingsThe Social Security tax hit on your income is expected to get much worse in future years, according…

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Use Overtime Prudently or You’ll Incur Major Risks

When companies depend on overtime to meet productivity goals, they can’t ignore or minimize the stress and disruptions it causes in their workers’ lives. The risks — especially now that so many employees have made it clear that they’ll voluntarily leave their jobs — are too great.What’s more, if a business becomes overly dependent on overtime,…

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