Easy ways to promote employee wellness
Nearly three-quarters of companies in the most recent Society for Human Resource Management’s employee benefits survey said they offer some type of wellness program or plan. It’s easy to see why: Research shows a strong link between wellness initiatives and lower health care costs, greater productivity and employee satisfaction. Employees participating in wellness programs, for […]
Trying to get more done each day? There’s an app for that!
Are you trying to find ways to be more productive and do a better job keeping track of important dates and appointments and how much you’re accomplishing? A quality task management app can help you do just that. Here are three great ones. Todoist. Todoist is probably the most well-known productivity app, designed to help people […]
Insurance premiums and tax deductions
Did you know that if you have a home-based business, you may be able to deduct some of your home and auto insurance premiums from your 2017 taxes? To deduct an insurance premium from your taxes, you’ll have to use the long form 1040 rather than the simpler 1040A or the 1040EZ. You’ll also need […]
How does refinancing a home mortgage affect your income taxes?
Everyone is looking to save as much money as possible, and this can include refinancing your home mortgage for a lower interest rate if the opportunity arises. You may wonder how this will affect your income taxes, since mortgage interest may be deductible if you itemize your deductions on your tax return. The truth is […]
Are your employees putting your business at risk for a cyber attack?
Cyber attacks are becoming increasingly common at small- and medium-size businesses. The source of many of these attacks? Employees. In many instances, employees unknowingly grant hackers access to their company’s system. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your employees understand their responsibilities to help keep your computer system safe and secure. Start the process by: […]
The role of a quality accounting firm in the franchising process
It’s estimated that on average, one new franchise concept is being created each day this year. That’s hundreds of new franchise concepts annually, which could lead to thousands of new business locations nationwide. And it’s not just food-related enterprises — businesses in all industries are electing to grow via franchising instead of opening their own […]
How storytelling can help your business grow and succeed
Who’s the greatest storyteller you’ve ever met? Maybe it was your grandfather telling you stories from long ago or maybe you’ve been at a party and watched a natural storyteller in his or her element control the mood of the room. Either way, good stories have a way of immediately commanding our attention, leading us […]
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 […]