October 14, 2019 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter, Tax
We all know the cost of college is expensive. The latest figures from the College Board show that the average annual cost of tuition and fees was $10,230 for in-state students at public four-year universities — and $35,830 for students at private not-for-profit four-year institutions. These amounts don’t include room and board, books, supplies, transportation […]
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3 key traits of every successful salesperson
November 14, 2019 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter
Take a mental snapshot of your sales staff. Do only a few of its members consistently bring in high volumes of good margin sales? An old rule of thumb says that about 20% of salespeople will make 80% of sales; in other words, everyone’s not going to be a superstar. However, you can create […]
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Using your 401(k) plan to save this year and next
November 14, 2019 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter
You can reduce taxes and save for retirement by contributing to a tax-advantaged retirement plan. If your employer offers a 401(k) or Roth 401(k) plan, contributing to it is a taxwise way to build a nest egg. If you’re not already contributing the maximum allowed, consider increasing your contribution rate between now and year end. […]
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Small businesses: Stay clear of a severe payroll tax penalty
November 6, 2019 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter, Tax
One of the most laborious tasks for small businesses is managing payroll. But it’s critical that you not only withhold the right amount of taxes from employees’ paychecks but also that you pay them over to the federal government on time. If you willfully fail to do so, you could personally be hit with the […]
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What to do if your business receives a “no-match” letter
October 28, 2019 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter
In the past few months, many businesses and employers nationwide have received “no-match” letters from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The purpose of these letters is to alert employers if there’s a discrepancy between the agency’s files and data reported on W-2 forms, which are given to employees and filed with the IRS. Specifically, they […]
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6 ways to ensure your marketing plan drives sales
October 16, 2019 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter, Uncategorized
“Love and marriage,” goes the old song: “…You can’t have one without the other.” This also holds true for sales and marketing. Even the best of sales staffs will struggle if not supported by a well-researched and carefully executed marketing plan. Here are six ways to ensure your marketing plan is likely to drive strong […]
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When is tax due on Series EE savings bonds?
October 16, 2019 / by Brett Hess / Tax
You may have Series EE savings bonds that were bought many years ago. Perhaps you store them in a file cabinet or safe deposit box and rarely think about them. You may wonder how the interest you earn on EE bonds is taxed. And if they reach final maturity, you may need to take action […]
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Take advantage of the gift tax exclusion rules
October 16, 2019 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter, Tax
As we head toward the gift-giving season, you may be considering giving gifts of cash or securities to your loved ones. Taxpayers can transfer substantial amounts free of gift taxes to their children and others each year through the use of the annual federal gift tax exclusion. The amount is adjusted for inflation annually. For […]
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Capital gains tax can take a bite out of your investments.
October 16, 2019 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter, Tax
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Uncle Sam may provide relief from college costs on your tax return
October 14, 2019 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter, Tax
We all know the cost of college is expensive. The latest figures from the College Board show that the average annual cost of tuition and fees was $10,230 for in-state students at public four-year universities — and $35,830 for students at private not-for-profit four-year institutions. These amounts don’t include room and board, books, supplies, transportation […]
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Putting together the succession planning and retirement planning puzzle
October 7, 2019 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter
Everyone needs to plan for retirement. But as a business owner, you face a distinctive challenge in that you must save for your golden years while also creating, updating and eventually executing a succession plan. This is no easy task, but you can put the puzzle pieces together by answering some fundamental questions: When […]
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