Assets with sentimental value may require more thoughtful planning than those with greater monetary value
As a formal estate planning term, “tangible personal property” likely won’t elicit much emotion from you or your loved ones. However, the items that make up tangible personal property, such as jewelry and antiques, may be the most difficult to plan for because of their significant sentimental value. Without special planning, squabbling among your loved ones over these items may lead to emotionally charged disputes and even litigation. Contact the CPAs and financial planning advisors at SEK for estate planning tips.
Nonprofits: Act thoroughly on audit findings
External audits can help assure your nonprofit’s stakeholders of your financial stability and help prevent fraud losses. Often, audit reports recommend actions organizations need to take. If you fail to make changes that respond to a report’s concerns, it could threaten your nonprofit’s future. Contact the CPAs and business advisors at SEK to answer your nonprofit audit questions.
A three-step strategy to save tax when selling appreciated vacant land
Let’s say you own one or more vacant lots and that property has appreciated greatly and you're ready to sell. Or maybe you have a parcel of appreciated land that you want to subdivide into lots, develop them and sell them off for a big profit. Either way, you’ll incur a tax bill. There’s a strategy to consider that allows favorable long-term capital gain tax treatment for all the pre-development appreciation in the value of your land. Contact the CPAs and tax advisors at SEK for tax assistance and to avoid potential pitfalls.
Tax tips when buying the assets of a business
If you’re buying a business, you want the best results possible AFTER taxes. You can potentially structure a purchase in two ways: 1) Buy the business assets. 2) Buy the seller’s entity ownership interest. Contact the CPAs and business tax advisors at SEK for answers to your tax questions.
New survey reveals top audit committee concerns
Audit committees act as gatekeepers over financial reporting. A recent study identified the following five priorities for audit committee members over the next 12 months: 1) cybersecurity, 2) enterprise risk management, 3) finance and internal audit talent, 4) compliance with laws and regulations, and 5) finance transformation. Contact the CPAs and business advisors at SEK with your audit questions.
Making will revisions by hand is rarely a good idea
To avoid the time and expense associated with formally updating your will, it may be tempting to simply make the change by hand and initial it. But this is almost always a bad idea. For one thing, handwritten changes are highly susceptible to a challenge. Even worse, depending on the law in your state, handwritten changes may not be binding.
Combatting negative public perceptions of your nonprofit
Although Americans trust philanthropic organizations more than government and businesses, almost a third believe not-for-profits are on the “wrong track,” according to a 2023 survey. But there are ways to manage public perception to help your nonprofit weather unexpected crises.
When do valuable gifts to charity require an appraisal?
If you donate valuable items to charity and you itemize deductions on your tax return, you may be required to get an appraisal. The IRS requires donors and charities to supply certain information to prove their right to deduct contributions. Questions? Contact the CPAs and tax advisors at SEK for more information.
Daryl Staley Named 2024 Young Leader Award Winner
The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) has selected Daryl Staley, CPA, MBA, Member of the Firm at SEK, CPAs & Advisors as a Young Leader
What’s the difference between a calculation of value and a conclusion of value?
Valuing a business takes time and money. Sometimes a limited-scope “calculation of value” may be appropriate. But taking shortcuts can be costly in other situations. A full-blown “conclusion of value” is generally more credible, so it’s advisable for litigation purposes and often required for tax filings and valuations prepared for Small Business Administration programs. Contact the CPAs and business advisors at SEK to determine what’s appropriate for your situation, based on the intended uses of the valuation, access to the company’s financial records, and time and resource constraints.