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Two tax credits may apply to your tax situation if you have children, and one of those will potentially increase if pending tax legislation passes in time for your 2023 return. Child Tax Credit The Child Tax Credit applies if you had a child in 2023 that meets these criteria: Has a Social Security number…

We don’t usually comment on pending legislation because of the uncertainty of its passage. However, a tax bill is being fast-tracked through Congress that includes retroactive provisions that could affect your 2023 tax bill . . . if it passes both Houses of Congress quickly enough. The bill enjoys a rare commodity – broad bipartisan…

The rules regarding required minimum distributions (RMDs) have been somewhat flexible over the past few years due to the pandemic as well as SECURE Act 2.0 which passed at the end of 2022. Here’s some recent guidance and clarification from the IRS that affects account owners whose first RMD was in 2023: First, some background…

To download a handy chart of 2024 dollar limits for employee benefit plans and various tax items, click on the link below: 2024 Dollar Limits Flyer

As the end of 2023 quickly approaches, it’s time for businesses to start gathering data that needs to be reported on Forms W-2. Here’s a list of things to be aware of: Personal Use of Company Vehicles – If your employees drive a company-owned or leased vehicle and use it for personal reasons, you’ll need…

If you watch TV commercials, you may have noticed a lot of recent ads promoting payroll tax refunds available to employers through the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). The ERC was part of pandemic relief programs available to businesses who were shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic or had a significant decline in gross receipts…

It’s no secret that the government observes different holidays than many of us. Furthermore, the IRS observes holidays applicable to the District of Columbia, which can also throw a curveball. Here’s the list of legal holidays observed by the IRS in 2023: January 2—New Year’s Day (observed) January 16—Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. February…

These days, it seems like everyone has an online presence. Whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or just plain old websites, everybody has a story to tell and a product to sell. Financial “experts” are everywhere! But name recognition does not necessarily result in accurate information. In the midst of all those voices –…

We recently met with our friends at Stephens Real Estate. We enjoyed fielding questions and providing information on several topics. Some of these had accompanying resources we have linked below. These are, of course, general resources. Contact your tax professional for guidance associated with your specific circumstances. Small Business Expensing under Code Section 179 Business…

In this article, we’ll cover non-payroll issues to be aware of as you navigate year-end. Forms 1099 There’s a veritable alphabet soup of Forms 1099, so it’s important to use the right form for the right reason. Here’s the list in alphabetical order (click on each one for the specific instructions): 1099-B, Proceeds from Broker…

Different types of contributions require different types of recordkeeping. If you want to deduct charitable contributions, you need to substantiate those deductions with good records. Here are the requirements for different types of contributions: Cash Contributions This includes donations made using all forms of cash and cash equivalents – cash, checks, electronic transfer, online payments,…

Year-end brings lots of payroll considerations to the forefront. Regardless of whether Kindred CPA processes your payrolls or you do it in-house, if you provide any of the following benefits, you’ll need to gather this information to properly account for taxable income on W-2’s: Group Term Life Insurance If you pay group term life insurance…

To download a handy chart of 2023 dollar limits for employee benefit plans and various tax items, click on the link below:   2023 Dollar Limits Flyer

The first rule of running a business is to keep your personal and business finances completely separate from each other. Your business is a distinctly separate entity and needs to be treated accordingly. If you don’t follow this rule, your personal finances could be in jeopardy. How to Keep Finances Separate This includes keeping separate…

Every good movie has a sequel. In this case, the “movie” is SECURE Act 2.0 – a sweeping piece of legislation that if passed, will affect both individual and company-sponsored retirement plans. The Back Story In 2019, Congress passed the SECURE Act, which affected many aspects of retirement plans. One of its most memorable scenes…

It’s time to replace your Form 941 with a new one. Just in time before the end of Q2, the IRS has now issued a new version of Form 941 and its related schedules. If you have a March 2022 version sitting around, it can only be used for first quarter 2022 reporting. The new…

You’ve probably seen or heard the phrase ‘student loan crisis’ in the news recently, along with a lot of discussion about whether all or a portion of federal student loans should be forgiven. It’s no surprise student loans have become a popular topic, as the total amount owed by the American public has soared in…

You may have noticed that gas prices are climbing. And climbing. And climbing. And where they’ll stop, nobody knows . . . ? Our friends at the IRS are paying attention. They’ve increased the standard mileage rates for the rest of 2022. These mileage rates can be used to value deductible expenses when you drive…

When you start your business, you determine whether you’ll recognize expenses when they occur – cash basis – or in the period to which they belong – accrual basis. Let’s say you pay your May rent bill in April. If you use the cash basis of accounting, this expense will be recognized in April. That’s…

Here’s a list of resources for small business owners, whether you’re just starting out or have been around for a while. Got a business idea? Check out these “10 Steps to Start Your Business”. It can help you research your target market, find financing, and write your business plan. It also includes a guide to…

You can find federal tax due dates by clicking here, and Kansas deadlines by clicking here. Remember that employment tax deposits due dates vary based on your filing status – see Payroll Tax Requirements. Bank holidays for each year can be found by clicking here. When payday is scheduled for a bank holiday, normally it…

IRS Publication 15, Employer’s Tax Guide (also known as Circular E), provides a wealth of knowledge for employers. It includes instructions on how to withhold and deposit taxes, how to withhold for supplemental wages (such as periodic bonuses), and filing responsibilities. We’ve put together a quick overview of employer responsibilities taken from Circular E, which…

If your CPA tells you that your return needs to be extended, it’s because additional time is needed to prepare your return so that it’s complete and accurate. You’ll still need to pay any anticipated taxes at the time your return would normally be due (April 18, 2022 for 2021 returns), but your finished return…

If you’d like your own PDF copy of the chart below, please email Sonya and we’ll be happy to send one to you!

In this article, we’ll cover non-payroll issues to be aware of as you navigate year-end. Forms 1099 There’s a veritable alphabet soup of Forms 1099, so it’s important to use the right form for the right reason. Here’s the list in alphabetical order (click on each one for the specific instructions): 1099-B, Proceeds from Broker…

The annual deadline for unclaimed property remittance and reporting for both Kansas and Missouri is November 1. If your business holds unclaimed property such as uncashed payroll or vendor checks, security deposits, refunds, customer/patient overpayments, accounts receivable credit balances, or insurance proceeds, you’re subject to unclaimed property reporting. The November 1 deadline reports unclaimed property…

Year-end brings lots of payroll considerations to the forefront. Regardless of whether Kindred CPA processes your payrolls or you do it in-house, if you provide any of the following benefits, you’ll need to gather this information to properly account for taxable income on W-2’s: Group Term Life Insurance If you pay group term life insurance…

The CARES Act provides four temporary options for tax-deductible charitable giving in 2021. Here’s a list of strategies you might want to consider in your year-end tax planning: If you take the standard deduction, normally you would not be allowed to claim a deduction for your charitable contributions, but in 2021, individuals can claim a…

Do you have children or grandchildren who plan to attend college in the future? Do you have a dependent in college now? Are you considering going back to college to finish a degree or start a graduate degree program? As the cost of a college education continues to increase, understanding the tax implications of saving…

Taxpayers may access the Child Tax Credit Update Portal with either an ID.me Account or an IRS Online Services Account through Secure Access. An IRS Online Services Account also provides a variety of other accessibility options related to the taxpayer’s individual tax account which are not accessible with an ID.me Account. The following is a…

If your company has a 401(k) plan, you know it’s a great benefit for your employees. Payroll deduction is an easy way to save for retirement, and can provide a tax-advantaged way to grow that important nest egg. But you also know that 401(k) plans come with some critical compliance issues. Both the IRS and…

The combination of low interest rates and rising property values may be leading you to consider refinancing your home. Whether you should do so depends on several factors. Why Refinance? Here are four benefits to refinancing: 1. Lowering Your Interest Rate and/or Your Monthly Payment Reducing your interest rate can provide significant long-term savings, especially…

With the March 11, 2021 passage of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), two long-standing tax credits for taxpayers with minor children received significant enhancements. Child Tax Credit Background: The Child Tax Credit (CTC) previously provided up to a $2,000 credit per qualifying child. This credit began to phase out for taxpayers with adjusted gross…

If you have employees who are eligible for COBRA coverage because of job changes outside of their control, here’s good news. They may be eligible to have their premiums fully paid between April 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021. This provision of the recent American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) applies to employees in these situations:…

It’s a question we hear frequently – how long do you need to keep all those documents? Our records retention guidelines can help – click below for a handy one page guide! Records Retention for Individuals    

Did you receive a Form 1099-G for unemployment compensation . . . but you didn’t receive unemployment in 2020? Don’t ignore it – it means you’ve probably been the victim of identity theft, and if you do nothing, those amounts will be reported to the IRS as taxable income to you. Report a bogus Form…

The coronavirus relief legislation passed at the end of 2020 included an enhancement to the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) that makes it available to more businesses. What is the Employee Retention Credit? The ERC provides for a refundable tax credit for companies that continue to pay their employees, even if the business is closed or…

Friday, January 15, 2021 Pay the final installment of your 2020 estimated tax using Form 1040-ES Deposit payroll tax for December 2020 if the monthly deposit rule applies Kansas Withholding Tax Deposit Report (Form KW-5), monthly filers, December Monday, January 25, 2021 Kansas Consumers’ Compensating Use Tax Return (Form CT-10U) – annual filers, previous year…

We first told you about fraudulent unemployment claims a couple of months ago, and their prevalence has increased since then. The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) reports they have stopped more than 100,000 fraudulent claims to date, with more pouring in. As you can imagine, the demand for unemployment payments has skyrocketed during the pandemic…

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) extends some key provisions of earlier legislation, including additional loans under a new Paycheck Protection Program and an additional $300/week unemployment compensation payment (because the previous $600/week allotment expired last July). It also extends a variety of tax provisions set to expire at the end of 2020, including an…

Recently, we gave you a list of payroll considerations for year-end. If you missed it, you can read all about it here on our blog. In this article, we’ll cover non-payroll issues to be aware of as you navigate year-end. Businesses Let’s start with changes to Form 1099 for 2020 If you make payments to…

Confused about which form to use for PPP forgiveness? Here’s a handy chart:

Year-end brings lots of payroll considerations to the forefront. Regardless of whether Kindred CPA processes your payrolls or you do it in-house, if you provide any of the following benefits, you’ll need to gather this information to properly account for taxable income on W-2’s: Group Term Life Insurance If you pay group term life insurance…

Here’s a handy table with the rest of the updated numbers you need to know:

Tax + FICA + Medicare Payroll taxes consist of three components: Federal income tax withheld from employee paychecks FICA tax withheld from employee paychecks (6.2% up to the Social Security Taxable Wage Base, which is $137,700 in 2020 and $142,800 in 2021) plus the same amount as the employer contribution to FICA Medicare tax withheld…

Background In October, the SBA rolled out loan forgiveness applications for the PPP, with a simplified application for loans of $50,000 or less. Businesses have either 8 or 24 weeks to use the loan proceeds, and 10 months after that to apply for forgiveness before loan payments begin. PPP loans were issued between April 3…

Friday, 10/2/2020 Deposit payroll tax for payments on Sep 26-29 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies. Wednesday, 10/7/2020 Deposit payroll tax for payments on Sep 30 – Oct 2 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies. Friday, 10/9/2020 Deposit payroll tax for payments on Oct 3-6 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies. Monday, 10/12/20  Kansas Withholding…

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) generally eliminated the deduction for business expenses considered to be entertainment, amusement, or recreation. However, under the new law, taxpayers can continue to deduct 50% of the cost of business meals as long as those expenses meet these criteria: The expense is an ordinary and necessary expense paid…

The Kansas Small Business Development Center’s COVID-19 webpage offers information for navigating business success during the pandemic. From free webinars to loan resources to state and federal grant opportunities, it’s worth checking out!

As you’re no doubt aware, in early August President Trump signed a memorandum allowing employees to defer their share of Social Security taxes between September 1 and December 31, 2020. This was intended as a measure to provide individuals with extra income during this time, but merely delays the payment of these taxes and doesn’t…

The CARES Act made some significant changes to tax strategies for charitable contributions in 2020 that all taxpayers should be aware of. With everything that’s happening, these CARES Act provisions provide a way to benefit worthy organizations in need of assistance while meeting your own giving and financial planning goals. Charitable donors sometimes have to…

Each year, the dollar limits for many employee benefits and tax-related items are updated for inflation. Usually that happens in November for the next calendar year, but the update for HSAs occurs earlier in the year, and here they are: Health Savings Account (HSA) Contributions for 2021 An individual with self-only coverage under a high…

The first of the long-awaited guidance on PPP loan forgiveness has now been released by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The PPP Forgiveness Application provides step by step instructions to walk you through the process. There aren’t any surprises in this document, but there is some welcome clarification: Payroll Period One of the most frequent…

Paycheck Protection Program Well, it’s been more than 6 weeks since the CARES Act was signed, issuing in a new set of acronyms we’re now all familiar with. If you hear “PPP” now, you automatically know it’s the Paycheck Protection Program, right? And attempting to comply with the PPP is probably top of mind for…

Whoever said, “May you live in interesting times” is getting their wish! Many of us are juggling work, schooling our children, and managing the stress of the pandemic all within the confines of our homes. Here are some tips for managing all those new aspects of our interesting times. Making the transition to work from…

The Paycheck Protection Program is the most talked about business provision of all the recent COVID-19 legislation. Many small businesses have applied and received loan proceeds intended to keep people employed during this economic downturn. It’s a great program – but be sure you follow the rules, because there’s a warning attached. The SBA issued…

There are three different types of leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), each with a different duration, pay rate and eligibility criteria. The FFCRA’s paid leave provisions are effective April 1, 2020 and apply to leave taken between April 1 and December 31, 2020. Only businesses with fewer than 500 employees within…

As you probably know, the due date for filing 2019 federal and state income tax returns (for Kansas and Missouri, at least) has been postponed from April 15 to July 15, 2020. The due date for federal estimated tax payments (as well as Missouri) has been postponed to July 15, 2020. The Kansas due date…

We have good news and bad news. The good news is that the US government is actively working to provide relief to individuals and businesses in these uncertain times. The bad news is that there are so many relief programs that it’s hard to make sense of all of them! So we’re going to use…

On Friday, March 27, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which includes provisions for both businesses and individuals. The purpose of this post is to provide you with a high level overview of this legislation, explain how it integrates with previous COVID-19 legislation, and to direct you to links…

This page was last updated 4/8/20 at 2:30 p.m. and will be updated as new information becomes available. DOL Notice and Reference Guides Affected employers should also post this notice about the new paid leave provisions in a place where employees are likely to see it. Normally this would be in the same spot as…

This page is intended to be a “one stop shop” for payroll and tax resources that businesses need in order to stay on top of emerging legislation and guidance. Many governmental entities have established COVID-19 web pages listed below. Each heading is a clickable link that will take you to the appropriate page. We will…

As expected, the President has now signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which passed the House last week and the Senate late yesterday. It’s anticipated that there will be additional legislation providing guidance and relief as we navigate these unprecedented times. Tax Payment Due Dates First, additional information about what we told you yesterday. The IRS…

President Trump and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin held a press conference today (3/17/20) with a proposal to extend the tax deadline. While there’s a lot of talking going on, right now nothing has changed and individual federal income tax returns are still due April 15. We’re closely watching this story and will let you know…

Monday, March 2 Large food or beverage establishments: file Form 8027, Employer’s Annual Information Return of Tip Income and Allocated Tips. File Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return and pay the tax for vehicles first used in January. Farmers and fishermen: File Form 1040, Individual Income Tax Return and pay any tax due. However,…

Are you hiring an employee or an independent contractor? Your answer to this question will make a big different on your business taxes. You need to know the different types of business relationships and what they mean for you as a small-business owner. The Fast Answer In terms of taxes, the difference between an employee…

Whether it’s for the independence, flexible schedules, or the opportunity to do what you love, many of us have gone out on our own as part of the new “gig economy.” We often think of freelancers as people who are writers, graphic designers, or software coders who work from the local coffee shop. But in…

Late in December, the IRS issued a new Form W-4, which can be found on the IRS website by clicking here. You’re probably already familiar with the W-4 as the form your new hires complete to designate the amount of federal tax withholding that shows up on their paychecks. The new Form W-4 is intended…

It’s Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week. Do you know how to protect yourself? Imagine these scenarios: You’ve finally finished your tax return and your e-file doesn’t go through because your return has already been filed. Huh? How did that happen? You get a letter from the IRS about a return that you didn’t file. You…

All US employers must have new hires complete Form I-9 to authorize their eligibility to work in the US. The newest version of the I-9 was revised on October 21, 2019, and all employers should now be using the current form. For more information, visit the US Citizenship and Immigration Services I-9 page by clicking…

Yep, it’s that time again. The IRS officially began accepting and processing 2019 tax returns on Monday, January 27, 2020. Since you should always start with the end in mind, the deadline for filing your 2019 tax return and paying any taxes you owe is Wednesday, April 15, 2020. That’s great, but when will I…

If your small business is considering starting a new retirement plan in 2020, the recently-passed SECURE Act has good news for you! Startup Tax Credit Leaps from $500 to $5,000 Effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2019, small businesses that adopt a new qualified retirement plan, SIMPLE IRA plan, or SEP can now obtain an…

Each year, the IRS updates numbers based on inflation that affect payroll, retirement plans, and employee benefits. Here are some key figures for 2020: Payroll Social Security Taxable Wage Base – $137,700 Social Security Withholding Percentage – 6.2% Medicare Taxable Wage Base – unlimited Medicare Withholding Percentage up to earnings of $200,000 – 1.45% Medicare…