For decades, businesses have used bank lockbox services to speed up collections and reduce administrative work involved in processing customer checks. Today, the basic idea remains the same, but modern lockbox services can automate your accounts receivable processes. Automated clearing house (ACH), credit card and instant-payment services can also provide efficient collections. So the question
A higher education is expensive, and many parents spend years saving up. Others haven’t had the financial bandwidth to save or have hit unexpected financial roadblocks along the way. Regardless of your situation, current tax breaks may be available to you (or to your children or even their grandparents) once your child begins attending college
Have you already made contributions to charity this year? Are you considering making more between now and year end? If so, it’s important to be familiar with the tax rules for different types of donations so you can maximize your tax benefit — or at least avoid finding out at tax filing time that your
Are you selling your business, soliciting new investors, updating a buy-sell agreement, pursuing litigation or drafting an estate plan? An accurate business valuation prepared by a valuation professional is critical to the success of these and many other activities. Knowing some fundamentals about the process can help you understand your valuator’s conclusions, what drives business
It’s easy to focus on the excitement of a big win. But federal tax law generally treats lottery prizes, gambling winnings and other awards as taxable income. Knowing the basic rules can help you avoid surprises when you file your 2026 return next year. Lottery prizes Of course, the chances of winning big in the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that hiring has slowed in recent months. Even so, thousands of people continue to start new jobs, and every new hire represents a significant investment of time and money for organizations. With labor costs remaining a concern for many businesses, it’s more important than ever to help employees
Summer is a good time to see whether your income, deductions and investment activity are lining up as expected. Let’s take a look at a few areas that commonly provide tax-saving opportunities. Your tax bracket The legislation commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which was signed into law on July 4,
Last year, the new tax deduction for taxpayers 65 and older was sometimes referred to as “no tax on Social Security.” In actuality, this up-to-$6,000-per-individual deduction, also known as the “senior” deduction, is generally available whether or not someone receives Social Security benefits. (But other limits do apply, such as an income-based phaseout.) Of course,
Business owners today face no shortage of uncertainty. Persistent inflation, evolving trade policies, cybersecurity threats and ongoing geopolitical tensions have made planning challenging. Although it’s impossible to predict every disruption, you can better prepare by evaluating how your business would respond under adverse conditions. One proven approach is stress testing, which helps organizations identify vulnerabilities
Home values have risen significantly in many areas of the country over the last several years, leaving some homeowners with substantial gains when they sell. Of course a large profit is generally a good thing. But, depending on the amount of your gain, how long you’ve owned and resided in the home, and your income
