How to Avoid Probate
The death of a close family member is a traumatic experience. Legal and accounting necessities that come with it, especially probate, can make it worse. What are some basic techniques for avoiding probate?
News
Sales Tax in the Post-Wayfair World
The Supreme Court’s decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair applies to you if your business operates in two or more taxing jurisdictions. Learn the basics of collecting and reporting sales tax.
Wallace Plese + Dreher Announces Partners
Wallace Plese + Dreher named Leslie Prichard, CPA and Allison Lynn Dozbaba, CPA as partners, bringing the total number of Firm partners to 15. In 2016, Leslie joined the Firm as an Audit Manager and Allison as a Tax Manager. In 2017, both were promoted to senior managers.
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.
Future Impact of New Tax Law
The majority of the new tax law changes expire at the end of 2025. With the right strategies and planning, business owners can maximize opportunities offered by the new tax law.
New Leasing Standards | Private Companies
As of January 1, 2020, all leases, including short-term leases, must be recorded on a company’s balance sheet. What does the new Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) standard mean for your business?
Taxes and Finances | Car Leasing
Other than a home, a car is typically the biggest purchase you will make. Many car owners do not consider the financial implications. What are the benefits and disadvantages of buying and leasing a car?
Sara B. Nance, CPA – Most Influential Women in Arizona 2019
Congratulations to Sara Nance on her recognition as one of the Most Influential Women in Arizona 2019. Chosen from more than 2,000 women, Sara and 49 other talented women were selected for impacting their organizations and business community.
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.
Wallace, Plese + Dreher Announces Promotions
Wallace, Plese + Dreher (WP+D) congratulates our professionals on their well-deserved promotions. Our people have diverse backgrounds, speak a variety of languages, and possess a wide-range of technical skills. Promotions reflect our workplace culture that encourages continuous learning and career development.
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.
Arizona Accounting Support for Health Care and Medical Practices
Accounting is not a skill you cultivate throughout medical school. When it comes to understanding your medical practice’s accounting and finance needs, you need the right level of accounting support.
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.
New Partner Announcement | Christopher T. Coots, CPA, PFS™, J.D.
Effective January 1, 2019, Christopher T. Coots, CPA, PFS™, J.D. was promoted to Partner, Scottsdale, AZ, bringing Wallace Plese + Dreher’s (WP+D) total number of partners to 13.
With over 20 years of professional accounting experience, Chris provides comprehensive tax planning and consulting services to individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates and trusts. He serves clients in a variety of industries, including technology, health care, manufacturing, and real estate. Working with privately-held businesses and their owners, he develops tax plans maximizing cash flow and minimizing tax liabilities. His hands-on collaborative approach effectively and efficiently guides clients on diverse business matters.
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.