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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate continues to be historically low, ranging from 4.0% to 4.3% from May to November of 2024. With today’s hiring challenges, business owners should be aware that the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is available to employers that hire workers from targeted groups who face significant barriers to employment. The tax credit is generally worth as much as $2,400 for each eligible employee (higher for certain veterans and “long-term family assistance recipients”). It’s generally limited to eligible employees who begin working for the employer before January 1, 2026.

While many facets of the economy have improved this year, the rising cost of living and other economic factors have caused many businesses to close their doors. If this is your situation, we can help you, including taking care of various tax responsibilities.

It is generally a best practice for businesses to maximize current year depreciation write-offs for newly acquired assets. Two federal tax breaks can be a big help in achieving this goal—the first-year Section 179 depreciation deduction, and the first-year bonus depreciation deduction. These two deductions can potentially allow businesses to write off some or all of their qualifying asset expenses in Year 1. However, they’re moving targets due to annual inflation adjustments and tax law changes that phase out bonus depreciation. With that in mind, here’s how to coordinate these write-offs for optimal tax-saving results.

Let’s say you own highly appreciated land that’s now ripe for development. If you subdivide it, develop the resulting parcels and sell them off for a hefty profit, it could trigger a large tax bill.

Did you know that there is a tax advantage to taking money out of a C corporation as compensation rather than as dividends? A corporation can deduct the salaries and bonuses that it pays executives, but not dividend payments. If funds are paid as dividends, they’re taxed twice, once to the corporation and once to the recipient. Money paid out as compensation is only taxed once — to the employee who receives it. 

With the 2023 filing season deadline drawing near, be aware that the deadline for businesses to file information returns for hired workers is even closer.

Businesses shut down for many reasons. Some of the reasons that businesses shutter their doors:

You may be aware that certain employers are required to report information related to their employees’ health coverage. Does your business need to comply? If so, what must be done?

Business owners are aware that the price of gas is historically high, which has made their vehicle costs soar. The average nationwide price of a gallon of unleaded regular gas on June 17 was $5, compared with $3.08 a year earlier, according to the AAA Gas Prices website. A gallon of diesel averaged $5.78 a gallon, compared with $3.21 a year earlier.

The credit for increasing research activities, often referred to as the research and development (R&D) credit, is a valuable tax break available to eligible businesses. Claiming the credit involves complex calculations, which we can take care of for you. But in addition to the credit itself, be aware that the credit also has two features that are especially favorable to small businesses: