Superior Results. Delivered.
Blog
Crime Has Adapted to COVID-19
Unlike some legitimate businesses, organized crime enterprises can be expected to weather the current COVID-19 crisis. In fact, with millions of Americans now working from home, organized crime-related cyber fraud — including phishing schemes and ransomware attacks — has grown exponentially. Organized crime has adapted to COVID-19. If you haven’t done so recently, it’s important [...]
Make Sure Your Withholding is Adequate
Did you recently file your federal tax return and were surprised to find you owed money? Make sure your withholding is adequate so that this doesn’t happen next year. You might even want to do that if you got a big refund. Receiving a tax refund essentially means you’re giving the government an interest-free loan. [...]
Possible Tax Consequences of PPP Loans
If your business was fortunate enough to have applied for, and received a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in connection with the COVID-19 crisis, you should be aware of the possible tax consequences of PPP loans. PPP basics The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was enacted on March 27, [...]
What the Payroll Tax Deferral Means for Your Business
On August 8, 2020, President Trump signed four executive actions, including a Presidential Memorandum to defer the employee’s portion of Social Security taxes for some people. These actions were taken in an effort to offer more relief due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The action only defers the taxes, which means they’ll have to be paid in [...]
IRS Issues Fact Sheet on Reportable >$10,000 Cash Transactions
(Image copyright belongs to Serge Averbukh) In Fact Sheet 2020-11, the IRS has presented a series of examples where a person might have to file Form 8300, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received in a Trade or Business. Background Generally, any person in a trade or business who receives more than $10,000 in cash [...]
New FAQs Address PPP Loan Forgiveness Issues
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, released guidance on 8/4/2020 answering 23 frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the forgiveness of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The PPP Loan Forgiveness FAQs, published in a new 10-page document, are divided into the following four sections addressing different aspects of [...]
IRS Reveals the “Dirty Dozen” Tax Scams for 2020
(As posted to IRS.gov on 7/16/20) Via IR-2020-160, the Internal Revenue Service today announced its annual "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams for 2020 with a special emphasis on aggressive and evolving schemes related to coronavirus tax relief, including Economic Impact Payments. This year, the Dirty Dozen focuses on scams that target taxpayers. The criminals [...]
How Some “Reputable” Professionals Enable Illegal Opioid Distribution
With COVID-19 still raging in much of the country, the opioid crisis may not be the top public health challenge on most Americans’ minds. But according to the American Medical Association, the pandemic has led to an increased number of opioid-related deaths in 35 states. It’s not just drug dealers, street gang members and habitual criminals [...]
Skimming Losses Can Be Significant
Skimming isn’t the biggest fraud threat for most businesses. The theft of cash receipts represents only 11% of asset appropriation schemes, according to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ 2020 Report to the Nations. But with a median loss of $47,000, your business will likely feel the pain if it becomes a victim of skimming. [...]
Avoiding the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty
If you own or manage a business with employees, you may be at risk for a severe tax penalty. It’s called the “Trust Fund Recovery Penalty” because it applies to the Social Security and income taxes required to be withheld by a business from its employees’ wages. Because the taxes are considered property of the [...]
1099-NEC Debuts in 2020
There’s a new IRS form for business taxpayers that pay or receive nonemployee compensation. IRS Form 1099-NEC debuts in 2020 and payers must use it to report any payment of $600 or more to a payee. Why the new form? Prior to 2020, Form 1099-MISC was filed to report payments totaling at least $600 in a [...]
Rickards and Schiff on Deflation vs Inflation
As Posted to the Kitco News YouTube Channel on 8/3/2020 Part 3 of 3 (Run Time 7:19) Quantitative easing by the Federal Reserve has undoubtedly expanded the Fed balance sheet to record levels, but the outcome on consumer and asset prices is yet to be seen according to best-selling author Jim Rickards and Peter Schiff, [...]
Rickards and Schiff Discuss Coming Monetary Collapse
As Posted to the Kitco News YouTube Channel on 7/31/2020 Part 2 of 3 (Run Time 9:15) The Federal Reserve has gone past the point of no return and is unlikely to be able to unwind their balance sheet in the foreseeable future, according to best-selling author Jim Rickards and Peter Schiff, CEO of Euro [...]
Rickards and Schiff Give Gold Forecasts
As Posted to the Kitco News YouTube Channel on 7/30/2020 Part 1 of 3 (Run Time 14:35) Gold prices have hit all-time highs, but in this Kitco News interview, industry heavyweights Jim Rickards, best-selling author, and Peter Schiff, CEO of Euro Pacific Capital, both think that the rally is far from over. Rickards’ analysis gives [...]
Why You Don’t Need High Tech Tools to Find Fraud
New technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, increasingly are being applied to the old problem of occupational fraud. But in most circumstances, common accounting tools — “variance analysis” and “contribution margin” — remain effective in uncovering possible evidence of theft. Gaps and absences After your organization finalizes its annual budget, you may perform a [...]
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.
