09.17.13

Energy-Related Tax Incentives Available for Manufacturers in 2013

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 has made significant tax savings available to businesses in the United States this year, including multiple credits for converting vehicles to natural gas power and subsidies for the use of biofuels. This article looks at these and other energy-related incentives that can help manufacturers and distributors.

09.06.13

Happy Days Are Here Again
Kenneth Tornheim

With industry data showing that the upward trend of American manufacturing output seems sustainable for the foreseeable future, manufacturers should reassess their business strategies. This article discusses renegotiating loans and leases, reinvesting in human resources and facilities, and retooling pricing, marketing and public relations.

08.29.13

The Challenges of Functional Expense Allocation

Not-for-profits are required to report expenses by the functional classifications of program services and supporting services on the financial statements because it is required by GAAP. Additionally, they are required to report expenses by the functional classifications of program services, management and general, and fundraising on Form 990 because it is required by the IRS.

08.29.13

An Opportunity Hiding in Plain Sight

Conventional wisdom holds that it’s dangerous to tie too much of your personal wealth to your employer’s fortunes. Why? Because if your company falls on hard times, any shares of company stock you own will take a hit and, to make matters worse, you could have your salary cut or lose your job.

08.23.13

Self-Rental is an Exception to the Passive Loss Rules
Thomas Kosinski

If you rent property to one of your own businesses, you may accidentally catch the eye of the IRS. Although rental real estate properties are generally treated as passive activities, the self-rental rules may recharacterize the rental income as nonpassive in some cases. That is exactly what happened to one investor who leased property to his wholly-owned S corporation.

08.12.13

Nurturing a Sustainable Institutional Identity

Many not-for-profit organizations are founded by the will and impetus of a single – and singular – motivator. Dance companies, for example, are often formed to showcase and promote the unique talents of a particular choreographer. Other not-for-profit organizations, especially in the germination stage, are often conceived, built and run by a strong and determined leader.

08.09.13

Opening a New Restaurant? We’ve Got Some Info For You
Robert Swenson

So you have decided to go boldly where many others have gone before: You are opening a new bar or restaurant. Now that you have the concept and the staff structure in mind, what financial and legal expertise do you need to succeed?

07.31.13

Giving Real Estate To Charity
Kadir P. Sunardio

Several options are available for giving real estate to charity. Each option can produce a charitable tax deduction and help avoid taxes. Some options could even leave the donor with an income stream for a period of time. This article takes a look at outright gifts, bequests, charitable remainder trusts and “bargain sales.”

07.23.13

Best Practices: Cash Flow Forecasting
Danielle M. Winkle

Capital is the lifeblood of any manufacturing business. Each week, expenses must be met, even though customers might not pay on time — or in full. This article offers best practices to help eliminate much of the heartburn associated with managing a manufacturing facility’s day-to-day capital.

07.10.13

Diversity on Not-For-Profit Boards
Kenneth Tornheim

Board members are a not-for-profit organization’s ambassadors to the constituencies it serves. But a lack of diversity — whether physical, societal or economic — can signal an underlying problem: a disconnect from the community. A not-for-profit can improve its funding and program effectiveness when it reflects the population it serves, as well as the community in which it operates. This article offers suggestions for improving diversity, while a sidebar shows there are ways to mix it up beyond just the board of directors.