Blog posts from: 2011

Have you evaluated your business’ healthcare costs?

Healthcare costs for a business can be significant and should be evaluated regularly.  This article from Crain’s Detroit Business gives some great tips on how to evaluate your business’ healthcare costs and also poses some considerations to take into account...

SR Glossary: Basis

  • October 18, 2011
  • Steve Wisinski, CPA, MAFF

What’s your basis in your business? When you own an interest in a partnership or S corporation you may run into issues from time to time regarding “basis”, or simply, how much money you have in the business.  Basis can...

From the Minutia File: Tax deductions that straddle the New Year

Our clients give generously to charitable organizations throughout the year, but not suprisingly a looming tax year-end deadline sends many pens flying to checkbooks in late December.  Straddling the tax years presents some question of in which year a deduction...

Use tax planning to help pay for college

Planning for college is rarely an easy task.  Although many parents begin funding dedicated college savings vehicles in advance, sometimes a tuition-paying strategy is developed only when the kids are already choosing schools.  Fortunately, there are options for late-stage college...

Client Question: Should I convert my home to a rental property?

For various reasons, including a significantly depressed real estate market, homeowners can consider converting their personal home to rental property. The process for making this decision should include an analysis of economic factors, such as the homeowners’ marginal tax rate...

Client Question: Are insurance proceeds I receive from a fire loss taxable?

As almost always, the answer is "it depends".  In general, there is taxable income if the amount received from the insurance policy is more than the cost of what was lost.  However, there are also exceptions to this rule.  For...

SR Glossary: Business Valuation

Every year, thousands of small businesses are bought / sold, and as a small business owner, maybe you have wondered "How much is my business worth?  Can I sell it for $xxx,xxx?  When is the right time to sell my...

Embezzlement can happen to every company

Here's an article in the Detroit Free Press regarding an embezzlement case in northern Michigan.  This shows what a breakdown in control and blind trust in an employee can lead to disasterous concequences.  It is also important to note that...

Private Company Financial Reporting – Will we finally see a change?

Since 1972, the need for a different set of standards for private companies has been an ongoing topic for debate.  Hopefully, with the issuance of the Blue-ribbon Panel on Standard Setting for Private Companies Report (“BRP Report”) to the Financial...

Seven Tax Tips for Recently Married Taxpayers

With the summer wedding season in full swing, the Internal Revenue Service advises the soon-to-be married and the just-married to review their changing tax status. If you recently got married or are planning a wedding, the last thing on your...