Arizona Technology Council Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Awards
As a partner sponsor, Wallace Plese + Dreher exhibited at the Arizona Technology Council Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Awards on October 24, 2019.
News
Employee Bowling Party
The Firm hosted a bowling party at Bowlmor in Scottsdale. Employees enjoyed beverages, food, and unlimited bowling. Pictured: Suzanne LaCross, Ankita Trivedi, Angie Larson, and Stephanie King.
Supporting Arizona’s International Business Community
As Director of the Firm’s tax department and leader of the international team, Steve Rodis serves on multiple international boards such as the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations (PCFR).
Estate Planning for Those Under 40
You are never too young to start planning for your estate. Also, you should not put off estate planning until you are ready to retire. The earlier you start, the better off your family will be if something unforeseen happens. Learn why you are never too young for estate planning.
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?
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 New 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.
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.
Have You Outgrown Your Accounting Firm?
Collaboration with your Arizona accounting firm should be part of your process when making business decisions. You should feel your accounting firm listens and helps you make strategic moves to grow your company. Your firm should have insights into expanding your business and guidance for avoiding obstacles. Only an accounting firm with experience directing other growing companies can help your company.
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.
IRS Clarification on State and Local Taxes
In wake of tax reform, the IRS issued clarification allowing some business owners to bypass the new $10,000 cap on the state and local tax deduction. Now, business owners may want to consider claiming deductions for charitable contributions as ordinary, deductible business expenses.
GoFundMe | IRS Rules
GoFundMe is an online platform that anyone can create to raise money for a family member’s cancer treatments, college tuition, new church building, or other cause. Anyone who makes a donation can obtain an official-looking receipt for tax purposes. Are these donations eligible for a charitable deduction?
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.
Supporting Our Community and Arizona Military
Wallace, Plese + Dreher (WP+D) believes in supporting our military and recognizes their sacrifices in protecting and defending the U.S. As one of the Firm’s community projects, we organized a drive to collect school supplies for Military Assistance Mission (MAM). With increased Arizona deployments, military children face many challenges and adjustments when family members are deployed.
Wallace, Plese + Dreher (WP+D) Announces Promotions
Wallace, Plese + Dreher (WP+D) announces numerous 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, career development, and opportunities for advancement.
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.
What Every Employer Should Know About State Unemployment Tax
Most employers in the United States must pay state unemployment tax, the collection of which is authorized by the State Unemployment Tax Act (SUTA). Although most wages are subject to SUTA tax, certain wages may be exempt. In addition to paying and withholding applicable state unemployment tax, employers also must file wage reports with the state unemployment agency, usually on a quarterly basis. How you handle these requirements can influence your federal unemployment tax rate.
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.