Worried about the next financial crisis? Reacquaint yourself with two important allies: the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). The FDIC. The FDIC is an independent agency of the U.S. government and provides up to $250,000 in protection for qualified bank accounts in case of a bank failure. The [...]
Raising funds in small amounts from a large pool of people, also known as crowdfunding, has become a popular way for budding entrepreneurs to drum up the working capital for pet projects. It seems like everyone from twenty-somethings to stay-at-home parents to retirees are getting in on the act. Here's how the process works. Let's [...]
Change happens. That's especially true in the business world, where changes may be mandated by tax or regulatory requirements, increased competition, shifts in customer needs, or technological advances. Whatever your reason for making a change in your business, managing the process effectively is the best way to succeed. Here are suggestions for handling change. Clarify [...]
Basic estate planning begins with completing documents that allow your last wishes to be carried out as you choose. But are you familiar with the documents you'll need? Here's a list of common estate planning documents and their purpose. Advance Directive. Your instructions for end-of-life and quality of life wishes regarding medical treatments. Share your [...]
It's a mobile world, and your employees may be asking to work from a location other than your office. Adapting to this request can allow you to keep quality talent and accommodate workers who may have health or other issues that make working in a traditional office difficult. But managing employees from a distance can [...]
Remember the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, which was passed in 2014 and authorized tax-favored savings accounts for people with disabilities? Proposed regulations issued in 2015 provided a blueprint for creating these ABLE accounts and authorized the IRS to develop forms needed for reporting purposes. Another law passed in December 2015 eliminated certain [...]
Employee fraud can cost your business real money — perhaps more than you may realize. A 2016 study of occupational fraud published by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners found that small businesses accounted for approximately 30% of fraud incidents, with a median loss of $150,000. Implementing a system of policies and procedures known as [...]
No matter your plans for your life after college graduation, the high cost of living, limited job opportunities, and considerable debt can become significant barriers to your success in achieving your goals. Other circumstances, such as a divorce or job loss, can make living independently a challenge. As a result, you may find yourself in [...]
A new overtime rule takes effect on December 1, 2016, and the Department of Labor estimates that over 4 million workers will become entitled to overtime in the first year of the change. If your employees are included in that number, now is the time to begin preparing. Here's what you need to know. The [...]
The old adage "close only counts in horseshoes" is an accurate reflection of the new IRS information reporting rules. Beginning with 2016 returns, due dates for Forms W-2 and certain Forms 1099 have been moved up, and the penalties for late or inaccurate forms have substantially increased. Here are the new filing deadlines for 2016 [...]
