Motivated employees typically perform at a higher level than employees who are disengaged from their work. They are willing to go beyond their job description to see a project through to completion. Very often, their enthusiasm inspires and pushes coworkers to excel. Certain strategies can help foster a culture of motivation and enthusiasm within the […]
7 Tax Credits for Your Small Business
Let’s talk about tax credits – what they are, how they differ from deductions, and which can benefit your small business. What are tax credits? A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of one’s tax liability, reducing the amount of tax owed. So, a tax credit of $300 lowers your bill by $300. Tax deductions […]
Choosing a Retirement Plan That Maximizes Benefits for Owners and Key Employees
With the various restrictions and limitations on retirement plan contributions and benefits, small business owners and professionals may wonder whether it is possible to fund adequate retirement benefits for themselves using a tax-qualified plan. In many cases, it is — if the most appropriate plan design is chosen. Why So Many Restrictions? Many of the […]
Is a Living Trust Right for You?
You may have seen advertisements touting the creation of a revocable living trust as a good way to avoid probate. And for some people it is. However, it may not be appropriate for everyone or for every situation. Probate is a court-supervised proceeding that can be time consuming and expensive. That’s why a big advantage […]
Refinancing a Mortgage — What Is Deductible?
Many homeowners are looking at the historically low interest rates on home mortgages and are refinancing their mortgages before rates start creeping back up. If you recently refinanced your mortgage or are considering doing so, you’ll want to understand the general tax rules for deducting the costs associated with refinancing. Interest Assuming you refinance debt […]
Charting a Long-Term Course
Stock market volatility can be a wild ride. If you follow the daily price movements of a stock market index, it’s enough to make you dizzy at times. If you watch the same index’s performance over longer periods, however, you may notice that things tend to smooth out. Unless you’re close to retiring and will […]