Income Tax

 Using Your Car for Business Purposes? Keep Good Records for the Tax Deduction

September 1, 2014 

Using Your Car for Business Purposes? Keep Good Records for the Tax Deduction

What often sets business taxpayers apart from individuals is the potential for deducting expenses relating to business driving. For virtually everyone else, the cost associated with operating a car or other vehicle is a nondeductible personal expense. However, if you use your own vehicle for business trips, you’re usually entitled to deductions on your federal…

Ken Berry, JD

 6 Tips for Small Business Owners To Reduce Effect of Minimum Wage Increases

September 1, 2014 

6 Tips for Small Business Owners To Reduce Effect of Minimum Wage Increases

Recent legislation in thirteen states to raise the minimum wage, various increases in some cities across the country, and news that an executive order may soon mandate an increase on federal contracts, means small business owners will face yet another challenge to build, sustain and grow their business in a difficult economic environment.

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August 28, 2014 

5 Ways to Spot Fake IRS Phone Calls

The Internal Revenue Service continues to warn taxpayers across the country of a series of scam phone calls from people pretending to be IRS officials in order to get sensitive personal information. On Thursday, the agency issued a new consumer alert to provide taxpayers with additional tips to protect themselves.

Isaac M. O'Bannon

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August 27, 2014 

Clever Financial Strategy For Reporting Interest Earned On U.S. Savings Bonds

Currently over 50 million individuals own nearly $178 billion worth of U.S. Savings Bonds. Many don’t realize that savings bonds are subject to federal income taxes when they are either cashed in or reach final maturity, whichever comes first. The difference between the purchase price and the cash-in value is considered reportable interest. When savings…

 New Idaho Tax Break Gets First Business Applicant

August 26, 2014 

New Idaho Tax Break Gets First Business Applicant

An airline is looking into coming to Idaho to set up a maintenance facility in Boise that would create 100 new jobs with salaries of close to $50,000 a year, Idaho's state commerce chief says, in part because of a new tax incentive law.

 Traveling Abroad for Business? Keep These Deduction Tips in Mind

August 26, 2014 

Traveling Abroad for Business? Keep These Deduction Tips in Mind

As with domestic travel (i.e., travel within the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia), you can deduct all of your travel expenses if the trip is entirely for business purposes. Otherwise, you’re entitled to travel deductions only if the primary purpose of the trip is business-related. Again, the days spent on business versus…

Ken Berry, JD

 Business Expenses: Map Out Deductions for Travel in the U.S.

August 25, 2014 

Business Expenses: Map Out Deductions for Travel in the U.S.

It is well-known in tax circles that taxpayers can deduct the cost of traveling “away from home” on business. For this purpose, your tax home is usually your principal place of business. As an example, if you live and work in New York and fly to L.A. for a two-day whirlwind of business negotiations, the…

Ken Berry, JD