Resources For Employers
COVID-19 RESOURCE CENTER
President Biden’s proposed budget includes notable tax provisions
President Biden has released his proposed budget for the federal government for the 2024 fiscal year. The budget, which aims to cut the deficit by nearly $3 trillion over 10 years, includes numerous provisions that would affect the tax bills of both individuals and...
U.S. Supreme Court rules against the IRS on critical FBAR issue
The U.S. Supreme Court recently weighed in on an issue regarding a provision of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) that has split two federal courts of appeal. Its 5-4 ruling in Bittner v. U.S. is welcome news for U.S. residents who “non-willfully” violate the law’s...
Many tax limits affecting businesses have increased for 2023
An array of tax-related limits that affect businesses are indexed annually, and due to high inflation,many have increased more than usual for 2023. Here are some that may be important to you and yourbusiness. Social Security tax The amount of employees’ earnings that...
Employers should be wary of ERC claims that are too good to be true
The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) was a valuable tax credit that helped employers that kept workers on staff during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the credit is no longer available, eligible employers that haven’t yet claimed it might still be able to do...
ALERT for businesses organized as a limited partnership in Pennsylvania
If you are a domestic or foreign limited partnership and recently received a postcard from the PA Department of State (DOS) indicating a need to file a Certificate of Annual Registration (CAR) and pay a fee by April 15, 2023, the PA DOS has indicated you may have...
What’s “quiet quitting” and why is everyone talking about it?
They say it came from TikTok. If you’ve heard or read the term “quiet quitting” recently, you might have wondered what it means and why everyone seems to be talking about it. Simply defined, quiet quitting is when employees show up for work but basically stop trying....
3 ways your business can uncover cost cuts
Every business wants to find them, but they sure don’t make it easy. We’re talking about cost cuts: clear and substantial ways to lower expenses, thereby strengthening cash flow and giving you a better shot at strong profitability. Obvious places to slash costs — such...
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 tackles retirement planning, conservation easements
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 includes two important new laws that could affect your financial planning: the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) 2.0 Act (also known as SECURE 2.0) and the Conservation Easement Program Integrity...
2023 Tax Calendar
To help you make sure you don’t miss any important 2023 deadlines, we’ve provided this summary of when various tax-related forms, payments and other actions are due. Please review the calendar and let us know if you have any questions about the deadlines or would like...
Businesses: Act now to make the most out of bonus depreciation
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) significantly boosted the potential value of bonus depreciation for taxpayers — but only for a limited duration. The amount of first-year depreciation available as a so-called bonus will begin to drop from 100% after 2022, and...
IRS offers penalty relief for 2019, 2020 tax years
A recently announced federal relief program will provide more than $1.2 billion in tax refunds or credits. Specifically, IRS Notice 2022-36 extends penalty relief to both individuals and businesses who missed the filing deadlines for certain 2019 and/or 2020 tax and...
The Inflation Reduction Act includes wide-ranging tax provisions
On August 16, 2022 the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law. The IRA includes significant provisions related to climate change, health care, and, of course, taxes. Although the IRA falls far short of Biden’s originally proposed $2 trillion Build Back...
CHIPS Act poised to boost U.S. businesses
The Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act (CHIPS Act) was recently signed into law as part of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. Among other things, the $52 billion package provides generous tax incentives to increase domestic...
Dodge the tumult with a buy-sell agreement
Businesses with multiple owners generally benefit from a variety of viewpoints, diverse experience and strategic areas of specialization. However, there’s a major risk: the company can be thrown into tumult if one of the owners decides, or is compelled by...
Standard business mileage rate will increase for the second half of 2022
The IRS recently announced that it will increase the standard mileage rate for qualified business driving for the second half of 2022. The adjustment reflects the soaring cost of gasoline this year. In fact, as of June 13, the nationwide average price of regular...
The fringe benefit implications of employer-provided cell phones
With so many more employees working remotely over the last couple of years, many employers have had to grapple with whether to provide workers with cell phones or allow them to use personal phones for business purposes. From a fringe benefits perspective, two...
Are pretax HSA contributions allowed without a cafeteria plan?
By now, many employers have chosen to offer employees a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) along with a Health Savings Account (HSA). One interesting issue that’s arisen is, at some organizations, employees have asked whether they can make pretax HSA contributions....
EBSA increases penalties for ERISA violations
Any employer that sponsors a pension plan or a qualified retirement plan, such as a 401(k), is undoubtedly familiar with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The law also applies to employer-sponsored health maintenance organization plans, Flexible...
Congress eyes further retirement savings enhancements
In 2019, the bipartisan Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act) — the first significant legislation related to retirement savings since 2006 — became law. Now Congress appears ready to build on that law to further increase Americans’...
Fully deduct business meals this year
The federal government is helping to pick up the tab for certain business meals. Under a provision that’s part of one of the COVID-19 relief laws, the usual deduction for 50% of the cost of business meals is doubled to 100% for food and beverages provided by...
Should your business address retirement plan leakage?
Under just about any circumstances, the word “leakage” has negative connotations. And so it follows that this indeed holds true for retirement planning as well. In this context, leakage refers to early, pre-retirement withdrawals from an account. Now, as a business...
IRS urges people to stay alert to ongoing scams and schemes
From the IRS: The Internal Revenue Service urges people to stay resolute against ongoing scams and schemes by properly securing computers, tablets and phones. Solid cybersecurity protection and scam recognition is vital to reduce the threat of identity theft inside...
IRS eases Schedules K-2 and K-3 filing requirements for 2021
Executive Summary Two new forms may be required for entities filing Form 1065 or Form 1120-S and U.S. persons filing Form 8865: Schedule K-2, Partners’ Distributive Share Items – International or Shareholders' Pro Rata Share Items – International; and Schedule K-3,...
How to look for missing 401(k) plan participants
It’s a common problem every year. Employers discover that, when their 401(k) plans must make required minimum distributions, the addresses on file for some distributees have become invalid. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the IRS have both offered guidance...
New tax reporting requirements for payment apps could affect you
If you run a business and accept payments through third-party networks such as Zelle, Venmo, Square or PayPal, you could be affected by new tax reporting requirements that take effect for 2022. They don’t alter your tax liability, but they could add to your...
2022 Tax Calendar
To help you make sure you don’t miss any important 2022 deadlines, we’ve provided this summary of when various tax-related forms, payments and other actions are due. Date Deadline for January 31 Individuals: Filing a 2021 income tax return (Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR)...
Numerous tax limits affecting businesses have increased for 2022
Many tax limits that affect businesses are annually indexed for inflation, and a number of them have increased for 2022. Here’s a rundown of those that may be important to you and your business. Social Security tax The amount of an employee’s earnings that is subject...
Businesses must navigate year-end tax planning with new tax laws potentially on the horizon
The end of the tax year is fast approaching for many businesses, but their ability to engage in traditional year-end planning may be hampered by the specter of looming tax legislation. The budget reconciliation bill, dubbed the Build Back Better Act (BBBA), is likely...
U.S. House passes the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) sending bill to Senate for further debate
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a crucial part of President Biden’s agenda by a vote of 220-213 on November 19. The Build Back Better Act (BBBA) includes numerous provisions related to areas ranging from health care, climate change and immigration to...
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes tax-related provisions you’ll want to know about
Almost three months after it passed the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), better known as the bipartisan infrastructure bill. While the bulk of the law is directed toward massive investment in...
Links to Government Resources
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program Loans FAQs
U.S. Small Business Administration Three-Step Process: SBA Disaster Loans
PA Department of Labor Form UC-1921W Refusal of Suitable Work Notification
PA Employer UC & COVID-19 FAQs
PA Department of Community and Economic Development
US Department of Labor (DOL) Poster for Employers
US Department of Labor (DOL) Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions & Answers
PA Industry Operation Guidance
(Life-Sustaining Businesses)
Bucks Back to Work Small Business Grant
Montgomery County MontCo Strong Small Business Grant Program: Eligible small businesses in Montgomery County can apply for up to $25,000 to help with making rent or mortgage payments, meeting payroll expenses, and covering utility bills.