IRS agrees to let California couple deduct full mortgage interest
Unmarried taxpayers who co-own a home received a gift from the IRS recently when it acquiesced in the Ninth Circuit’s decision, concluding that the mortgage interest limitation applies on a “per-taxpayer” basis, rather than on a “per-residence” basis. Typically, the maximum mortgage amount you can claim interest on is $1 million on first or second […]
Helping reduce stress in the workplace
It’s estimated that on-the-job stress costs U.S. companies more than $300 billion annually in increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, increased healthcare costs, and employee turnover. Stress, however, is a very individualized phenomenon — what causes stress in one person may not cause stress in another. The good news is that research has identified a number of stressors […]
Tax credits help save money on a college education
College is expensive, but several education credits can help ease the financial blow. These credits can be claimed for qualified education expenses, including tuition and fees required for enrollment at eligible post-secondary educational institutions. American Opportunity Credit The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) is available for eligible students during the first four years of higher […]
A top source of business failures: Lack of online presence
For decades, the top reasons businesses fail have been fairly constant. Research tells us that businesses often fail due to a lack of capital, too much debt, poor leadership or when they expand too fast. Yet in today’s high-tech and connected world, there is a surprising new reason why companies don’t make it: Lack of […]
Is there an ideal office temperature?
What is the temperature in your office? In workplaces nationwide, there is an ongoing debate over where to set the thermostat. Research shows that office temperature can affect mood, productivity and even how well employees get along. Simply put, if employees feel comfortable with the temperature, they do better work. Cornell University researchers, for example, discovered […]
Scam alert! Fake IRS notices claim you owe additional taxes
It seems like every week scammers come up with a new ploy to trick honest taxpayers into giving up more of their hard-earned money. The latest involves fraudulent CP2000 notices for the tax year 2015. In case you are unfamiliar with the CP2000, the IRS sends these notices to taxpayers when there is a discrepancy […]
The smart way to do some heavy (and not so heavy) lifting
Back injuries are one of the most common on-the-job injuries. But you work in an office at a computer. You don’t have to worry about hurting your back, right? Wrong. Even if you are picking up fairly light objects occasionally, lifting can put great strain on your back. Lifting from the floor can be particularly […]
Planning to make charitable donations on behalf of your business?
Every day, small business owners share their success by donating a portion of their revenues to charity. A study from Alignable, a social network for small businesses, shows that 95% of U.S. small business owners plan to make charitable donations this year. The majority (81%) plan to give cash, 75% will provide goods and services and 67% […]
What successful business owners and managers have in common
It’s not always easy keeping a business alive. In fact, the U.S. Small Business Administration says only two-thirds of new businesses make it past two years, half make it at least four years, and only 40 percent survive for six years or more. How do companies that survive succeed? Much of a company’s longevity has […]
Common bookkeeping errors to avoid
Businesses large and small rely on financial data to plan for the future and make significant business decisions. However, your books are only useful if they are well maintained. Errors can be costly, whether they result in bad decisions made with poor information or unexpected tax liabilities. To make sure your bookkeeping isn’t causing harm, […]
