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Per-Diem Rates for Post-9/30/20 Business Travel
IRS issued Notice 2020-71 which contains the special per-diem rates for taxpayers to use, after 9/30/2020, to substantiate ordinary and necessary business travel expenses. Background An employer may pay a per-diem amount to an employee on business-travel status instead of reimbursing actual substantiated expenses for away-from-home lodging, meal and incidental expenses (M&IE). If the rate paid [...]
Is Your Business Inadvertently Paying a Shell Company?
Not all shell companies are dishonest. Despite their often-sinister reputation, these paper-only companies may be used legitimately to hold another business’s assets. Or they may be the “empty container” left after a company downsizes or is acquired. That said, some fraud perpetrators use shell companies to embezzle funds, evade taxes, dodge debts and commit other [...]
What Tax Records Can You Throw Away?
October 15 was the deadline for individual taxpayers who extended their 2019 tax returns. (The original April 15 filing deadline was extended this year to July 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.) Now that you’re finally done filing last year’s return, you might wonder: Which tax records can you toss once you’re done? Now is [...]
Understanding the Passive Activity Rules
Are you having difficulties understanding the passive activity rules? Are you wondering if the passive activity loss rules affect business ventures you’re engaged in — or might engage in? If the ventures are passive activities, the passive activity loss rules prevent you from deducting expenses that are generated by them in excess of their income. [...]
Innocent Spouse Tax Liability Relief
If you file a joint tax return with your spouse, you should be aware of your individual liability. And if you’re getting divorced, you should know that there may be relief available if the IRS comes after you for certain past-due taxes . . . so-called innocent spouse tax liability relief. What’s “joint and several” [...]
How to Survive an IRS Audit
IRS audit rates are historically low, according to the latest data, but that’s little consolation if your return is among those selected to be examined. But with proper preparation and planning, you should fare well. Here's how to survive an IRS audit. In fiscal year 2019, the IRS audited approximately 0.4% of individuals. Businesses, large [...]
5 Medical Practice Fraud Controls
The COVID-19 pandemic has put enormous pressure on medical practices and healthcare workers. The last thing they need right now is to worry about financial losses and other negative repercussions of occupational fraud. So that physicians and their employees can focus on patient care, they should take a little time now to ensure strong internal [...]
Income Tax Planning as Part of Your Estate Plan
As a result of the current estate tax exemption amount ($11.58 million in 2020), many estates no longer need to be concerned with federal estate tax. Before 2011, a much smaller amount resulted in estate plans attempting to avoid it. Now, because many estates won’t be subject to estate tax, more planning can be devoted [...]
Working with a First-Time Auto Dealer
(Run Time: 1 min, 40 sec) Working with a first-time auto dealer is an important job. One reason is because everything is new. Everything must be set up from scratch. I always say that it’s easier to do something right the first time than to have to fix it later. But you have to let [...]
Working with an Existing Auto Dealer for the First Time
(Run Time 1 min, 44 sec) When working with an existing dealer for the first time, the first step is to break everything down to the lowest common denominator, so-to-say. Each entity, and how these related companies interact with each other. Consider whether the interactions are arranged in a tax-wise manner. This has become even [...]
Tax Rules for Deducting Software
Do you buy or lease computer software to use in your business? Do you develop computer software for use in your business, or for sale or lease to others? Then you should be aware of the complex rules that apply to determine the tax rules for deducting software, whether you're buying, leasing or developing. Purchased [...]
Synthetic Identity Theft is Growing Fast
Management consulting company McKinsey reports that synthetic identity theft is growing fast. In fact, it's the fastest growing financial crime in the United States. And a LexisNexis Risk Solutions study has found that 20% of ID theft losses by banks can be attributed to synthetic versions of the scheme. If you’re unfamiliar with synthetic ID [...]
How Technology Disruption Will Affect the Automotive Industry
As posted to the Tony Seba YouTube Channel on 10/30/2019 (Run Time 31 min, 17 sec) Based on Tony Seba's #1 Amazon bestselling book "Clean Disruption of Energy and Transportation" and "Rethinking Transportation 2020-2030", this presentation lays out the key technologies (batteries, electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles), business model innovations (ride-hailing, transportation-as-a-service), how the technology disruption [...]
Deductibility of Portfolio Management and Related Expenses
In some cases, investors have significant related expenses, such as the cost of subscriptions to financial periodicals and clerical expenses. Are they tax deductible? Under the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, these expenses aren’t deductible through 2025 if they’re considered expenses for the production of income. But they are deductible if they’re considered trade or [...]
The Past, Present, and Future of EVs
As posted to the Munro Live YouTube Channel on 10/9/2020 (Run Time 22 min, 38 sec) This video is an "abridged" version of a presentation given by legendary automotive engineer Sandy Munro in September, 2020. On Testa's growing lead in technology, Sandy comments, "It is not the big that eat the small, but rather the [...]
Disclaimer
This blog is designed to provide competent and reliable information regarding the subject matter covered. However, it is being provided with the understanding that the blogmaster is not engaged in rendering investment advice. Laws and practices often vary from state to state and if investment assistance is required, the services of a licensed investment professional should be sought. The blogmaster resolutely encourages the reader/viewer to do their own research and due diligence before acting on any information contained herein. As such, Roger Rossmeisl specifically disclaims any liability that is incurred from the use or application of the contents of this blog. It should also be noted that the views contained in this blog are not necessarily representative of the opinions/beliefs of the other owners, management and/or employees of Kho & Patel CPAs.
