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The landscape of tax legislation in the United States has been marked by constant evolution, with changes often reflecting the broader economic and political priorities of the time. One area that has seen significant shifts, and consequent uncertainty, involves the treatment of research and development (R&D) expenses. Historically, businesses could immediately deduct R&D expenses in the y...

The tax code places limits on the amounts that individuals can gift to others (as money or property) without paying taxes. This is meant to keep an individual from using gifts to avoid the estate tax that is imposed upon the assets owned by the individual at their death. This can be a significant issue for family-operated businesses when the business owner dies; such businesses often must be sold...

The current American economy is characterized by inflation, rising credit card debt, and the looming threat of a recession. As a result, small to medium-sized business owners face many challenges. A recent report indicating a GDP growth of 1.6% in the first quarter of 2024 – well below the expected 2.5% – alongside predictions of a recession by mid-2024, indicates the urgency business owners ...

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced on Jan. 9, 2024, the issuance of its final rule regarding whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The new rule, which becomes effective March 11, 2024, rescinds the 2021 independent contractor rule issued under former President Donald Trump and replaces it with a six-fact...

In the realm of accounting firms, Bowman & Company CPA firm stands out for its workplace culture, earning back-to-back recognition from Accounting Today for being one of the top 50 midsize Best Firms to work for in 2022 and 2023. What distinguishes Bowman & Company is not just its expertise in financial management but its commitment to creating an environment where employees can thriv...

Initial ERC Claim Disallowance Letters Issued The IRS has taken a proactive stance by sending out disallowance letters to more than 20,000 businesses. These letters target claims made by businesses that either did not exist or lacked paid employees during the eligibility period (March 13, 2020, to December 31, 2021). This preemptive measure aims to identify ineligible claims before they are pa...

In the ever-evolving landscape of business regulations, the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), passed as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, introduces new reporting requirements for businesses in the United States, specifically focusing on beneficial ownership. The CTA aims to combat illicit activities such as money laundering, tax fraud, and terrorism financin...

It’s time again to prepare for year-end payroll processing. The following letter includes information intended to help you identify the topics you need to discuss with your tax advisor. Keep in mind, this letter is not a substitute for professional advice. CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR 2023 YEAR-END PAYROLL INFORMATION ...

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which was enacted by Congress in 2021 as part of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020, will establish a national database of Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) to crack down on financial crimes such as money laundering, terrorist financing, or concealment of assets in the US through shell companies. Starting January 1, 2024, the majority of US ...

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced a moratorium on new claims related to the pandemic-era Employee Retention Credit (ERC, also known as Employee Retention Tax Credit).  The pause on new claims goes into effect immediately and will last until at least 2024.   When claimed properly, the ERC is a refundable tax credit designed to help employers who continued to pay th...