Need to modify an existing irrevocable trust? Decant it
“Decanting” an irrevocable trust allows a trustee to use distribution powers to transfer assets from one trust into another with different, often more favorable, terms. While the original trust must be irrevocable, meaning its terms typically can’t be changed by the grantor, decanting offers a lawful method for trustees to update those terms under certain conditions. Contact SEK's estate planning advisors for details.
What tax records can you throw away?
After filing, you may want to do some spring cleaning and discard tax documents. But don’t throw away records you might need in the case of an IRS audit. Here are the rules. Contact our individual tax advisors with questions.
“Privacy, please” when your nonprofit stores sensitive data
A critical issue that’s neglected too often by not-for-profits is the protection of private data. Assess your organization’s risk and ensure your security procedures protect records. Make sure your nonprofit complies with all applicable privacy laws.
Tax Document Retention Guidelines for Small Businesses
You may have breathed a sigh of relief after filing your income tax return (or requesting an extension). But if your office is strewn with reams of paper consisting of years’ worth of tax returns, receipts, canceled checks and other financial records (or your computer desktop is filled with a multitude of digital tax-related files), you probably want to get rid of what you can. Follow these retention guidelines as you clean up.
Tax Record Retention Guidelines for Individuals
What tax records can you toss once you’ve filed your return? The answer is simple: none. You need to hold on to all of your tax records for now. But it’s the perfect time to go through old tax records and see what you can discard.
Tired of trying to tackle HR on your own?
For many small business owners, managing human resources (HR) can easily feel overwhelming. Between keeping up with employment laws, finding the right people, and handling day-to-day employee issues, managing HR without the right support can be stressful and risky.
Nonprofits: How to attract the best, most qualified interns
Internships are an excellent way to build a pipeline of future employees and leaders. Although students and recent graduates are often eager, but many also expect to be paid. This can be tough if your budget is already strained. Also, before you engage interns, make sure you know whether the positions are subject to FLSA regulations.
Sharing your estate plan’s details with family has pros and cons
When it comes to estate planning, one important decision many people struggle with is whether to share the details of their plans with family members. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer; it largely depends on your goals and your family dynamics. Contact our estate planning advisors for more information.
Deduct a loss from making a personal loan to a relative or friend
Suppose your adult child or friend needs to borrow money. You may want to help by making a personal loan. But there are tax implications that you should understand. That way, if the loan goes bad, you can claim a non-business bad debt deduction for the year the loan becomes worthless. Contact SEK's tax advisors if you have questions.
Small business alert: Watch out for the 100% penalty
Some tax sins are worse than others. But not paying income and employment taxes that have been withheld from employees’ paychecks is the worst. In these cases, the IRS can assess the trust fund recovery penalty. It’s called the 100% penalty because the entire unpaid tax amount can be assessed personally against a responsible person or several persons, including a shareholder, director, officer, partner or employee of a business. Contact our business tax advisors at SEK with payroll tax questions.