December

Major Tax Deadlines
* December 15 - Fourth estimated tax payment is due for calendar-year corporations.<

Lean-burn vehicle credit
The IRS recently announced that certain advanced lean-burn technology vehicles will qualify for the alternative motor vehicle tax credit.

Will your gifts bring a tax surprise?
When it comes to gift giving, surprises are part of the pleasure.

IRS releases new per diem travel rates
If you're in business, you probably know expenses for business travel, meals, and entertainment must meet strict tests in order to be deductible.

Employee embezzlement: Are you taking steps to prevent theft in your business?
Employee embezzlement and other forms of theft often follow a predictable pattern.

November

Major Tax Deadlines
During November: It's wise to estimate your 2008 income tax liability and review your options for minimizing your 2008 taxes.

New rescue plan extends expired tax breaks
President Bush signed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 into law on October 3, hoping this plan would bring stability to the financial markets.

Act fast to identify ways to reduce your 2008 tax bill
Year-end is fast approaching, but it's not too late to reduce your 2008 taxes.

FUTA surtax extended for a year
The Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) imposes a 6.2

Low-cost benefits can boost employee morale
Fringe benefits are important to your employees.

October

Major Tax Deadlines
* October 15 - Deadline for filing 2007 individual tax returns on automatic extension of the April 15 filing deadline.

Year-end tax planning is essential this year
As Congress works to settle the financial markets, its attention is diverted from tax issues.

You may qualify for a tax break when you sell vacant land
You probably know that you can exclude up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for most joint filers) when you sell your principal residence.

Partnership filing extensions shortened next year
Partnerships are "pass-through" entities that file Form 1065 reporting partnership income but paying no income tax.

S corporations are now facing increased scrutiny from the IRS
According to the Journal of Accountancy, the S corporation is the most popular form of business ownership in the country, swelling to around four million entities.

September

Major Tax Deadlines
September 15 - Due date for individuals to pay third quarter installment of 2008 estimated tax.<

Stimulus payment deadline approaching
The IRS has issued billions of dollars in tax rebate checks as authorized by the Economic Stimulus Act passed in February of this year.<

Lending money to family members could be a taxing situation
Lending to family members probably dates back to the invention of money.

The clock is ticking on this tax break
Don't let time slip away and lose out on a big 2008 tax break for your business.<

How to spot problem accounts early
If you extend credit to your customers, some losses are inevitable.

August

Major Tax Deadlines
NOTE: Businesses are required to make federal tax deposits on dates determined by various factors that differ from business to business.

Tax changes in three new laws
Congress has passed three laws that contain some tax provisions.

Summer is a good time for retirement tax planning
When it comes to your retirement, three areas are hot for summertime tax planning: establishing a plan, making contributions to existing plans, and taking distributions.<

Tax changes in three new laws
Congress has passed three laws that contain some tax provisions.

Federal minimum wage increases again
The federal minimum wage increased from $5.8

IRS audit focus is on worker classification
One of the biggest headaches for business owners is the classification of their workers.

July

Major Tax Deadlines
* July 31 - Due date for filing retirement or employee benefit plan returns (5500 series) for plans on a calendar year.<

Summer tax moves
* Your vacation home.

IRS raises mileage rates
With gas prices soaring, the IRS has responded to numerous requests to increase the standard mileage deduction for business driving.

Turn a complaint into an opportunity
Nobody in business wants an unhappy customer, but when a customer complains, think of it as three opportunities in one.<

June

Major Tax Deadlines
* June 16 - Second quarter 2008 individual estimated tax is due.

IRS issues political activity reminder to tax-exempts
Every presidential election year, the IRS issues a reminder to tax-exempt organizations, such as churches and charities, not to engage in prohibited political activities.<

Vacation home planning can save your tax deduction
You can enjoy a vacation home and cut your taxes - with some careful planning and a little discipline.<

It's time for midyear business planning
It's time to do a midyear review of your business tax planning.

Customer Service: Does your business just say it or do it?
Many companies know how to SAY customer service; they just don't know how to DO customer service.

May

Major Tax Deadlines
* May 15 - Deadline for calendar-year exempt organizations to file 2007 information returns.

Tax scam warnings
The Justice Department's Tax Division recently announced the creation of a national "tax defier" initiative to "investigate, pursue, and, where appropriate, prosecute those who take concrete action to defy and deny the fundamental validity of the tax laws.&

You may be able to find tax-saving options in new 2008 rules
The tax law seems to change year-to-year.

Vehicle depreciation limits
The IRS has issued the depreciation limits for business vehicles first placed in service in 2008.

What should you do to help your child get started in business?
Perhaps you're thinking of helping one of your children get started in business.

April

Major Tax Deadlines
April 1 - Deadline for taking your first required IRA distribution if you turned 70-1/2 in 2007.

Filing a 2007 tax return is required to get rebate check
Next month, the IRS will begin sending out the tax rebate checks authorized by the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008.

Act fast or you'll lose your refund
If you didn't file a tax return for the year 2004, you're not necessarily in trouble.

Sleepy workers are a business problem
The nonprofit National Sleep Foundation recently conducted a survey that reveals many American workers suffer from lack of sleep.

Turn employees into productive team players
Do you wish your employees were more motivated and focused on driving productivity and profits for your company? Are there ways to improve participation and tap into the unused creativity and drive of your team? Here are a few suggestions that might help in that process.<

March

Major Tax Deadlines
* March 3 - Farmers and fishermen who did not make 2007 estimated tax payments must file 2007 tax returns and pay taxes in full.

New economic stimulus law passes
In an attempt to boost the economy, Congress hammered out a new economic stimulus package in mid-February.

Tax recordkeeping: Some tips to make it easier
Are you sometimes overwhelmed and intimidated by the prospect of keeping records for federal tax purposes? Well, you are not alone.

Cost of health insurance a major concern for businesses
The cost of health insurance is a major concern, both for employees and employers.

Know the tax rules for selling online
Selling items on eBay and other online auction Web sites has become a very popular way to get rid of unwanted household stuff, as well as a way to turn a little profit.

February

Major Tax Deadlines
For February 2008

* February 28 - Payers must file 2007 information returns (such as 1099s) with the IRS.

Last-minute laws provide relief for taxpayers
Congress passed two new tax laws in a flurry of year-end 2007 activity.

Reminders for filing your 2007 tax return
* Gather the tax documents needed for filing your 2007 tax return - the W-2s, 1099s, and other information forms you receive from your employer, broker, bank, etc.

Is it time to purchase business equipment?
As 2008 gets underway, you may be analyzing your company's need for new equipment.

Turn your hobby into a business for a lower tax bill
Turning your hobby into a business could lower your tax bill.

January

Major Tax Deadlines
* January 15 - Final 2007 individual estimated tax payment is due, unless 2007 tax return is filed and taxes are paid in full by January 31, 2008.<

IRS has $110 million in undeliverable refunds
Are you still waiting for your tax refund? If so, you may be one of the 115,478 taxpayers to whom the IRS has been unable to deliver a refund check.

Include taxes in your New Year's resolutions
Expand your list of New Year resolutions to include the following:

1.

New mileage rates issued for 2008
The IRS has issued the 2008 standard mileage rate that businesses can use to calculate the deductible costs of driving an automobile for business.<

How to prevent a partnership failure
Just as marriages don’t always work out, there is no guarantee that a business partnership will be successful.