New Arizona Travel ID
The deadline for obtaining a voluntary Arizona Travel ID is May 3, 2023. The Arizona Motor Vehicle Department (DVD) urges everyone to act soon to obtain the new Arizona Travel ID.
Category: News
Latest News on Vaccine Mandates
COVID-19 and its variants continue to disrupt the way we live, work, and play. The population disagrees on whether to wear masks or be vaccinated. One of the most pressing issues is whether businesses can — or should — issue a vaccine mandate for their employees.
Arizona CPA Firm Great Upward Mobility
At WP+D, employees and clients both benefit from working with an Arizona CPA firm versus a regional or national one. At larger firms, one may never meet or interact with a partner until they are a manager. This is not the case at WP+D, where the culture is centered around approachability and accessibility.
Employee Retention Credit
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) urges employers to take advantage of the newly-extended Employee Retention Credit (ERC), designed to make it easier for businesses that, despite challenges posed by COVID-19, choose to keep their employees on the payroll. The ERC is one of the more popular relief items for businesses and recent legislation has made it even more attractive.
Overview of the New PPP2
The new round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP2) loans is available to both new and second-time borrowers. Who gets the money and what are the rules?
Interpreting Financial Reports
Your financial statements can tell you what is happening in your business today and expectations for the future. Knowing how to interpret financial reports gives you insight into your business.
Arizona and Federal Taxes Due July 15, 2020
In March 2020, due to COVID-19, the IRS automatically extended the filing deadline for tax returns from April 15 to July 15, 2020. The extension applied to all individual returns, trusts, and corporations. The Arizona tax filing deadline was also extended to July 15, 2020.
Home Office Tax Deduction Rules
With many people working from home, you may think you can take a home office tax deduction. The Internal Revenue Code is complex and sets certain conditions on claiming a tax deduction. What deduction is allowable and under which circumstance?
COVID-19 Understanding Sales Tax Thresholds
COVID-19 caused many brick-and-mortar entities to strengthen or create their online presence, forcing them to address sales tax complexities they did not have to contend with when sales were local.
COVID-19 Impact on Social Security
According to retirement professionals and researchers, the pandemic will affect Social Security benefits for those born in 1960, due to the complicated formula the Social Security Administration uses to calculate benefits.
COVID-19 Work From Home State Tax Agreements
COVID-19 may have created tax complications for companies with employees working from home in another state. To prevent tax surprises for you and your employees, understanding how to classify wages will avoid penalties and amending tax filings.
Tax Planning and Good Financial Health
Good tax planning is a year-round activity requiring collaboration with your accountant to evaluate current circumstances and discuss any changes that may impact minimizing taxes. Circumstances change. Even if you used the standard deduction in the past, it may no longer be the right option for you.
IRS Issues Draft of New W-4
The IRS published a draft of a revised Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate. The agency emphasizes this is a preliminary version, and until further notice, everyone should use the current version. However, human resources departments and payroll managers should become familiar with it now since the final version will be similar.
Tax and Estate Planning | Blended Families | Second Marriages
Blended families can create complex tax and estate planning issues. With more children living in blended families, parents need to plan for short and long-term tax and estate matters. According to a Marketwatch survey, approximately 63% of women are in a remarriage, which can create financial complications when it comes to tax liabilities. One challenge for couples is agreeing on inheritances for first and second marriage children.
Status | Arizona Tax Conformity
As of May 6, 2019, the Arizona Legislature continues working towards a State budget with ongoing discussions regarding various budget proposals. Recent comments from the Legislature addressed the question of Arizona’s conformity with federal tax law. While conformity is still to be determined, it seems Arizona will conform.
Marriage Penalty | Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
The marriage penalty refers to two people that may pay more in taxes as a married couple than they would filing two single returns. Does this penalty really exist? See how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) may affect couples and taxes.
Arizona Socially Responsible Investing
When investing, do you care about anything beyond generating returns? Many Arizona investors would like their money to grow and help the world at the same time. Socially responsible investing (SRI) is dedicated to environmental sustainability, alternative energy, and clean technology. How can you help the world with your investing?
Managing Your Company’s Cash Flow
No owner of a business would argue the truth behind the saying, “Cash is king.” Cash is the underlying driver of any business regardless of industry. Ironically, many owners and managers fail to incorporate that essential fact into their management philosophy.
Arizona Tax Deadline April 15, 2019
The Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) reminds individuals that April 15, 2019 is the tax deadline for filing their individual return. ADOR recommends electronic filing since it is more secure, efficient, and faster than paper returns. With e-filed returns, average refund processing times are currently six days compared to 12 days for paper returns.
Worried About Serving as a Trustee?
Have you been named trustee or successor trustee for someone’s trust? Do you know your responsibilities as a trustee? Initially, you act only when the person, called the grantor, is unable to manage their financial affairs.
Accountants and Auditors | Highest Paying Jobs of the Future
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 10 percent through 2026, faster than average for all occupations. Accountants and auditors are also ranked as the fifth highest paying job through 2026.
Beware of Ghost Tax Return Preparers
The Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) advises taxpayers they should avoid “ghost” tax return preparers. A ghost preparer is paid to prepare a tax return, but does not sign it or include necessary information. ADOR warns taxpayers to be aware they may be a part of a scam if a preparer will not place their name on the tax return.
2019 Annual Spelling Bee
Wallace Plese + Dreher conducted its second annual Spelling Bee contests in Scottsdale and Chandler. Employees took a break from numbers to demonstrate their vocabulary skills.
Understanding Revenue Recognition
If you enter into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services either domestically or internationally, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has provided clarification about revenue recognition.
REAL ID Act | Arizona
Driver’s licenses, issued by states, have been the de facto national ID card. However, the federal government has now set higher security standards. On October 1, 2020, standard Arizona driver’s licenses will not be accepted at airports and federal-building security checkpoints. Why? This is when the REAL ID Act takes effect and your driver’s license will no longer serve as a comprehensive ID.
Overtime Rule Revisited by DOL
On March 7, 2019, the Department of Labor (DOL) released a proposed rule that would raise the salary-level threshold from $23,600 to $35,308 for white-collar exemptions. Meaning, the vast majority of employees earning under the threshold would be paid overtime. The change would impact approximately 1 million workers and companies would need to classify them as nonexempt and pay overtime, unless they are given raises placing them above the threshold.
Claiming AZ Tax Credits | Public Schools | QCOs | QFCOs
The Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) reminds taxpayers there is a new process for claiming credits for public schools, qualified charitable organizations (QCOs), and qualified foster care organizations (QFCOs) this tax filing season.
Guidance on Sec. 199A Deductions
The new Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction, created by the 2017 tax reform law known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), allows many statutory employees, owners of sole proprietorships, partnerships, S corporations, trusts, or estates to deduct up to 20 percent of their qualified business income. Eligible taxpayers can also deduct up to 20 percent of their qualified real estate investment trust (REIT) dividends and publicly-traded partnership income.
Padding Tax Deductions | Gambling with the IRS
Consequences of padding tax deductions is serious and you are gambling with the IRS. Benjamin Franklin said, “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” With that in mind, it is best to be prepared, at least financially, for taxes and tax season each year.
2018 Medical and Dental Expenses | Deductions | Arizona
Deducting medical and dental expenses is complicated. Your deductions must exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income and need to fall into an IRS-approved category. Deductible medical expenses may include, but are not limited to, doctors, dentists, surgeons, chiropractors, insulin, prescription medications, acupuncture, and transportation to qualified medical care.
2018 Cubicle and Office Decorations Contest
During the week of December 19, 2018, WP+D held its first annual Christmas and Seasonal cubicle and office decorations competition. All employees were invited to tastefully create and display a theme of their choice in our Chandler and Scottsdale offices.
Retirement Planning | Savings Rules | Scottsdale | Chandler | Arizona
Tax-saving opportunities continue for retirement planning due to availability of traditional and Roth IRAs and other retirement savings incentives. Opportunities include traditional IRAs, rollovers, and conversions.
2018 Arizona Tax Credits
Arizona provides two separate nonrefundable tax credits for individuals who make contributions to charitable organizations: Qualifying Charitable Organizations (QCO) and Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organizations (QFCO). Individuals making cash donations to these charities may claim donations as tax credits up to the allowable amount on their Arizona individual tax returns. Below is a summary of the 2018 Arizona tax credits.
Retirement Planning | Agriculture | Farming | Arizona
You have devoted a lot of time in managing and operating your agriculture business. When you no longer want to operate your business or reach a retirement stage, are you prepared?
ACA Affordability Threshold to Rise in 2019
One main requirement of the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate is that health coverage must be affordable, based on annual standards set by the IRS. This article discusses the percentage increase for 2019.
Surviving a Tax Audit
A tax audit is the fear of every taxpayer and subject of comedians, TV shows, and social media posts. If you are well-prepared, you can make it go smoothly and increase the odds of a good outcome.
Business News | Preparing for New Accounting Challenges
What accounting issue does every business leader need to be aware of heading into 2019? A big change in lease accounting, due in January 2019, will affect every public and private Arizona company. See more from Randy G. Brammer, CPA, CCIFP, Audit Partner, and Michelle L. Flynn, CPA, Tax Partner, as featured in Az Business.
House in a Trust | Pros | Cons
Trusts can solve a lot of estate planning problems, and you can even put your residence into one. There are many advantages to this powerful estate planning technique, but you need to know the details.
Future of Bitcoin?
The digital currency, bitcoin, has frequently been in the news. What is this controversial financial product and how does it work? Is it something you should invest in? Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency known as a cryptocurrency. Essentially, it is a form of money that exists only as computer code and is not overseen by any central bank. The IRS considers bitcoin a real thing and it is taxable.
Home Equity Loans May Still Be Deductible
According to the IRS, interest on home equity loans and similar products still can be deducted under the new tax law, even though early readings of the law suggested otherwise.
Scott T. Wallace, CPA | FASB New Lease Accounting | Guidance | Planning
On May 18, 2018, Scott T. Wallace, CPA presented to the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA) on new lease accounting and revenue recognition standards. Scott provided details about upcoming changes and offered guidance for planning. According to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), the new standard will require organizations that lease assets, referred to as “lessees,” to recognize on the balance sheet assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases.
Charity as a Part of Your Legacy
How do you effectively make charity a part of your legacy? You want to donate with your head as well as your heart, making sure a charity is legitimate, well-run and aligns with your values. This article discusses evaluating charity legitimacy, performing smart research, and tax planning.
Did You Receive an Audit Notification?
Every audit notification may not be legitimate and it is important to make sure it is official. The IRS will notify you either by letter or phone. The IRS does not notify taxpayers about audits through email. If you received an email stating you have been selected for an audit, it is probably fraudulent. If you determine that you are definitely getting audited, your next step is to learn what is involved.
Fraud Alert | Synthetic Identities
The most common identify theft is synthetic. By combining some factual stolen information with completely fake information, thieves convince banks and credit monitoring companies that a fake identity is real. The “bad guy” is not pretending to be the person whose information was stolen or acquired; rather, the data is being used to create a brand-new identity. Thus, synthetic identity theft is born.
Managing 529 Plans in 2018
The cost of college continues to increase and saving takes planning. This article offers insights into saving for higher education and methods aligning with the new tax law.
WP+D Official Spelling Bee | March 30, 2018
On March 30, 2018, WP+D held its first official Spelling Bee at both offices in Chandler and Scottsdale. The top spellers and champions were Christina Henning and Danielle Jennings.
Estimated Taxes
You may need to pay estimated taxes if you are self-employed or have income other than a salary. This article explains estimated tax payments that are due every quarter.
International Tax Provisions | Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
All U.S. owners, who own 10% or more of a foreign company, must include their pro-rata share of the accumulated earnings of the foreign company as income in 2017. This is effectively requiring the U.S. owner to pay a transition tax on the untaxed foreign earnings.
Ballot Measure to Amend Arizona Constitution Prohibiting Taxation of Services
A ballot measure was filed with the Secretary of State to amend Arizona’s Constitution to protect taxpayers from sales tax on services. The measure is supported by the Citizens for Fair Tax Policy, Arizona Retailers Association, and Arizona Association of Realtors. For the proposition to make it to the November ballot, at least 225,963 signatures are required by July 5, 2018.
Voted No. 1 Accounting Firm | 2018 | Ranking Arizona
Wallace, Plese + Dreher (WP+D) proudly announces its recognition as the No. 1 Accounting Firm by Ranking Arizona.