12.06.23
Five Strategies to Cut your Company’s 2023 Tax Bill
As another year ends with interest rates and markets in flux, one thing remains certain: Reducing your company’s tax bill can improve your cash flow and your bottom line. This Client Alert covers five strategies — some tried-and-true and others particularly timely — that you can execute before the turn of the new year to minimize your company’s tax liability.

11.22.23
The 2024 Cost-Of-Living Adjustment Numbers Have Been Released: How Do They Affect Your Year-End Tax Planning?
The IRS recently issued its 2024 cost-of-living adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions. With inflation moderating slightly this year over last, many amounts will increase over 2023 amounts but not as much as in the previous year. For instance, the Social Security wage base is increasing from $160,200 to $168,600, which is a lesser increase than the $13,200 increase that occurred from 2022 to 2023. As you implement 2023 year-end tax planning strategies, be sure to take these 2024 adjustments into account.

11.15.23
Take Action Now to Reduce Your 2023 Income Tax Bill and Your Taxable Estate
A number of factors are making 2023 a confounding tax planning year for many people. They include turbulent markets, stabilizing—but still high—interest rates and significant changes to the rules regarding retirement planning. While much uncertainty remains, the good news is that you still have time to implement year-end tax planning strategies that may reduce your income tax bill for the year. Here are some steps to consider as 2023 comes to a close.

10.27.23
IRS Offers a Withdrawal Option to Businesses That Claimed Employee Retention Tax Credits
Recent IRS warnings and announcements regarding the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERC) have raised some businesses’ concerns about the validity of their claims for this valuable, but complex, pandemic-related credit — and the potential consequences of an invalid claim. In response, the IRS has rolled out a new process that certain employers can use to withdraw their claims.

10.11.23
State Law May Require Paid Leave, Retirement Benefits
Surveys have long indicated that paid leave and retirement plans are among the most coveted of employee benefits, and their value has only increased as employers continue to face a tight labor market. Increasingly, though, some employers have a reason beyond recruitment and retention to offer such benefits—they now are legally required to do so under state law.

10.10.23
Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) – What is That?!
In 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The update changes the way an entity measures its credit losses (bad debts) for most financial assets, including trade accounts receivable. This Client Alert provides an overview of the new credit loss standard with a focus on the key provisions that will be common to most entities.

10.06.23
Chicago to Phase Out Subminimum Wage for Tipped Workers
Chicago has joined several states and Washington, D.C. in eliminating the lower minimum wage for tipped workers, sometimes referred to as the “subminimum” wage. The One Fair Wage ordinance, passed by the Chicago City Council on October 6, gradually increases the minimum wage for tipped workers, eventually requiring tipped workers receive the same minimum wage as non-tipped workers.

10.05.23
Illinois Office of the Attorney General Clarifies Revised Reporting Requirements
The Illinois Office of the Attorney General has provided additional information on recent amendments to the Solicitation for Charity Act that will be effective January 1, 2024. According to the Office, the new requirements will apply to annual reports that have an initial due date after the January 1, 2024 effective date.

09.20.23
IRS suspends processing of ERC claims
In the face of a flood of illegitimate claims for the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERC), the IRS has imposed an immediate moratorium through at least the end of 2023 on processing new claims for the credit. The reason the IRS cites for the move is the risk of honest small business owners being scammed by unscrupulous promoters who submit questionable claims on their behalf.

09.19.23
IRS Issues Guidance on New Retirement Catch-Up Contribution Rules
In December 2022, President Biden signed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) 2.0 Act. Among other things, the sweeping new law made some significant changes to so-called catch-up contributions, with implications for both employers and employees.