Morison Cogen LLP

Closing a business involves a number of tax responsibilities

Closing a business involves a number of tax responsibilities 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. To start with, a business must file a fi...

Be aware of the tax consequences of selling business property

Be aware of the tax consequences of selling business property If you’re selling property used in your trade or business, you should understand the tax implications. There are many complex rules that can potentially apply. To simplify this discussion, let’s assume that the property you want to sell is land or depreciable property used in your business, and ...

Consider borrowing from your corporation but structure the deal carefully

Consider borrowing from your corporation but structure the deal carefully If you own a closely held corporation, you can borrow funds from your business at rates that are lower than those charged by a bank. But it’s important to avoid certain risks and charge an adequate interest rate. Basics of this strategy Interest rates have increased over the last couple years. As ...

Cross-training initiatives can get your whole organization in shape

Cross-training initiatives can get your whole organization in shape Elite athletes train hard to perfect their performance in a particular discipline, but they also cross-train. For example, a sprinter might, in addition to running for hours, lift weights, swim and cycle. By strengthening all major muscle groups, athletes can reduce risk of injury and enhance perfor...

Even a lower-cost benefits menu can help you attract talent

Even a lower-cost benefits menu can help you attract talent Some job candidates assume that not-for-profit organizations offer lower compensation than for-profit companies do. If your nonprofit has open positions, this can be a difficult hurdle to overcome — particularly if you don’t have the budget to compete with for-profit businesses. However, you may...

Why private foundations need to avoid self-dealing

Why private foundations need to avoid self-dealing If you’re a leader of a private foundation, you’re probably aware of the prohibition against self-dealing transactions between foundations and “disqualified persons.” But what constitutes self-dealing? And who exactly counts as disqualified in this context? It’s important for you to know b...

Six tax issues to consider if you're getting divorced

Six tax issues to consider if you’re getting divorced Divorce entails difficult personal issues, and taxes are probably the farthest thing from your mind. However, several tax concerns may need to be addressed to ensure that taxes are kept to a minimum and that important tax-related decisions are properly made. Here are six issues to be aware of if you...

How are Series EE savings bonds taxed?

How are Series EE savings bonds taxed? Savings bonds are purchased by many Americans, often as a way to help fund college or show their patriotism. Series EE bonds, which replaced Series E bonds, were first issued in 1980. From 2001 to 2011, they were designated as “Patriot Bonds” as a way for Americans “to express support for

Nonprofit refresher course: Excess benefit transactions

Nonprofit refresher course: Excess benefit transactions Most not-for-profit leaders are familiar with the concept of excess benefit transactions and the need to avoid them. But a refresher course may be in order, particularly when you consider that 501(c)(3) organizations determined by the IRS to have violated the rules can be liable for penalties of 25%...

Planning your estate? Don't overlook income taxes

Planning your estate? Don’t overlook income taxes The current estate tax exemption amount ($13.61 million in 2024) has led many people to feel they no longer need to be concerned about federal estate tax. Before 2011, a much smaller exemption resulted in many people with more modest estates attempting to avoid it. But since many estates won’t cur...

Outsourcing HR tasks can help understaffed, overworked nonprofits

Outsourcing HR tasks can help understaffed, overworked nonprofits At one time, not-for-profit HR departments might have been responsible primarily for recruiting and hiring and occasionally for intervening in disciplinary or conflict resolution matters. Today, HR staffers usually also administer benefits, provide employee orientation and training, draft and update...

Certain charitable donations allow you to avoid taxable IRA withdrawals

Certain charitable donations allow you to avoid taxable IRA withdrawals If you’re a philanthropic individual who is also obligated to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from a traditional IRA, you may want to consider a tax-saving strategy. It involves making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). How it works To reap the possible tax advantages of a QCD, ...

IRS ramps up compliance enforcement against certain businesses

IRS ramps up compliance enforcement against certain businesses The Inflation Reduction Act provided the IRS with billions of dollars of additional funding to reduce the so-called “tax gap” between what taxpayers owe and what they actually pay. The tax agency has already launched numerous initiatives aimed at this goal, including several business-related com...

What might be ahead as many tax provisions are scheduled to expire?

What might be ahead as many tax provisions are scheduled to expire? Buckle up, America: Major tax changes are on the horizon. The reason has to do with tax law and the upcoming elections. Our current situation The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which generally took effect in 2018, made sweeping changes. Many of its provisions are set to expire on December 31, 2025. W...

Planning an event? Don't neglect sponsorships

Planning an event? Don’t neglect sponsorships There are many ways to evaluate the success of a not-for-profit event. But for most nonprofit leaders, financial success — how much did we raise? — is the metric that ultimately matters. To be financially fruitful, nonprofit events need sponsors (companies and individuals) to cover a portion of ...

Social Security tax update: How high can it go?

Social Security tax update: How high can it go? Employees, self-employed individuals and employers all pay Social Security tax, and the amounts can get bigger every year. And yet, many people don’t fully understand the Social Security tax they pay. If you’re an employee If you’re an employee, your wages are hit with the 12.4% Social Securit...

What are AUP engagements — and does your business need one?

What are AUP engagements — and does your business need one? In certain circumstances, businesses may need to hire CPAs to perform agreed-upon procedures (AUPs) instead of (or in addition to) a review or an audit. AUPs are a type of attestation engagement “in which a practitioner performs specific procedures on subject matter and reports the findings withou...

The tax consequences of selling mutual funds

The tax consequences of selling mutual funds Do you invest in mutual funds or are you interested in putting some money into them? If so, you’re part of a large group. According to the Investment Company Institute, 116 million individual U.S. investors owned mutual funds in 2023. But despite their widespread use, the tax rules involved in sel...

Why auditors monitor journal entries

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Paid FML Credit to expire

Paid FML Credit to expire In the U.S. House of Representatives, a bill was recently introduced that would extend and enhance the Paid Family and Medical Leave Credit (under IRC Section 45S). The bill proposes, among other things, to expand eligibility by reducing the minimum employment period for qualifying employees from on...

House rich but cash poor? Consider a reverse mortgage strategy

House rich but cash poor? Consider a reverse mortgage strategy Are you an older taxpayer who owns a house that has appreciated greatly? At the same time, you may need income. Thankfully, there could be a solution with a tax-saving bonus. It involves taking out a reverse mortgage. Reverse mortgage basics With a reverse mortgage, the borrower doesn’t make payme...

Bookkeeping provides a solid foundation for financial reporting

Bookkeeping provides a solid foundation for financial reporting There are currently more than 33 million small businesses in the United States, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. To succeed in today’s competitive markets, it’s essential for your business organization to have accurate books and records. Bookkeeping vs. accounting For starters, you sho...

Do not ignore your tax debt!

Do not ignore your tax debt! Ignoring the IRS doesn’t make it go away. While the tax agency is generally willing to work with taxpayers who dispute their tax bills or need more time to pay, cooperation is key. In one case, the owner of a boat and RV storage facility owed unpaid federal income and self-employment taxes, as wel...

You may be entitled to tax breaks if caring for an elderly relative

You may be entitled to tax breaks if caring for an elderly relative There are many rewards for taking care of an elderly relative. They may include feeling needed, making a difference in the person’s life and allowing the person to receive quality care. In addition, you could also be eligible for tax breaks. Here’s a rundown of four of them: 1. Medical expenses....

Auditing warehouse operations

Auditing warehouse operations When you hear the word “audit,” you might automatically associate it with financial reporting or the IRS. But auditing warehouse operations might also be beneficial for some businesses, such as manufacturers, distributors and retailers. Awkward or repetitive movements by employees, oversized pac...

Beware of SCAMS!

Beware of SCAMS! The IRS continues to warn the public about tax-related scams and myths making the rounds on social media. The scams involve the Fuel Tax Credit, a COVID-19-related employer credit for employees taking sick and family leave during the pandemic, household employment taxes and overstated withholding. T...

A three-step strategy to save tax when selling appreciated vacant land

A three-step strategy to save tax when selling appreciated vacant land Let’s say you own one or more vacant lots. The property has appreciated greatly and you’re ready to sell. Or maybe you have a parcel of appreciated land that you want to subdivide into lots, develop them and sell them off for a big profit. Either way, you’ll incur a tax

Best practices for expense reporting

Best practices for expense reporting When it comes to expense reporting, having rigorous financial controls is critical to operating a profitable business. You should monitor expenditures incurred by employees on behalf of the company. This enables your organization to track spending, control costs and maintain accurate financial recor...

End purchase order chaos with a structured approval process

End purchase order chaos with a structured approval process Whether hiring contractors, buying equipment or paying vendors, many businesses struggle with the procurement process. Here are some tips for streamlining your company’s purchase order (PO) approval process. Benefits of a formal workflow POs create legally binding agreements between buyers and ven...

Are you an “Innocent spouse”? IRS may not think so!

Are you an "Innocent spouse"? IRS may not think so! “Innocent spouse” relief may protect individuals from additional tax and penalties if they’ve filed joint tax returns with spouses or ex-spouses who underreported income without their knowledge. But as a recent U.S. Tax Court case showed, such relief isn’t available in every situation. After...