The National Conference of CPA Practitioners (NCCPAP) is urging Congress to automatically forgive smaller loans under the Paycheck Protection Program, and to make business expenses paid for with forgiven PPP funds are deductible. In a letter written to Congress by the NCCPAP it states that businesses with loans under $150,000 were often those hit hardest by the pandemic, and at … Read More
Planning Beyond COVID-19: the Main Street Lending Program
Small-to-midsized companies in need of capital need to leave no stone unturned. Now that the Federal Reserve Bank is buying Main Street Loans, should you or your clients consider applying for loans through the Main Street Lending Program (MSLP)? With each interim financial statement release, accountants gain greater visibility into the COVID-19 impact on company balance sheets and the need … Read More
6 productivity hacks for remote CPAs
As the brick-and-mortar economy flirts with reopening, working from home is becoming the new normal. CPAs have no need to return to crowded offices, especially not in states where COVID-19 is having a second wind. Even if CPAs could resume their usual office rituals, their clients (or colleagues), may not be eager to meet in person. It seems that accounting … Read More
Big Jumps seen in Tax Prep Fees
The average fee nationwide to prepare a non-itemized 1040 and a state return jumped almost 26 percent in the last two years, according to a recent survey. That represents a rise of $45. Responses showed that the average cost to prepare an itemized 1040 and a state return rose almost 11 percent from 2018. The average nationwide price for doing … Read More
Many Firms Commit to Permanently Working from Home, Including Ferrone and Associates CPAs
According to a new study, two-thirds of accounting firm leaders reported a drop in staff productivity during the coronavirus pandemic, but they’re still committed to allowing employees to work from home even after they reopen their offices. Accountants at firms of all sizes across the U.S., as well as leaders from a range of financial services and professional services companies, … Read More
Tax-related COVID-19 News You May Not Have Heard
Here’s a COVID -19 retirement-related easing that hasn’t got much attention: the 10% fine on pre-age-59 ½ payouts from retirement accounts is waived on up to 4100,000 of coronavirus-related distributions in 2020 from 401(k)s, 403(b)s and IRAs. A coronavirus-related distribution is defined as a payout to an individual who experiences financial difficulties from being diagnosed with COVID-19; who has a … Read More
Good News for Small Business Owners Regarding the PPP
On Friday, June 5, the new Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 was signed. This new legislation amends the Small Business Act and the CARES Act. The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility provides PPP borrowers with more flexibility on PPP loan forgiveness. Here are some of the highlights: Gives borrowers the option to extend the “covered period” for loan forgiveness from … Read More
When to Expect your Paper Stimulus Check
Some people expecting paper stimulus checks may have to wait months before seeing the payment in their mailbox. IRS is sending paper checks to individuals who qualify for the economic impact payment but didn’t get it directly deposited into their bank accounts. Some checks have already been mailed out to taxpayers. For the rest, the Service will send out approximately … Read More
Tax Rebates and Stimulus Checks
Dead people are not eligible to receive an economic impact payment. The IRS says that if you got a stimulus payment for someone who died, you must return it. If the payment was made to joint filers and one spouse is still alive, you need to return only the decedent’s portion and can keep the remainder. See www.kiplinger.com/linke/deceased on how … Read More
Multiple Cash Flow Scenario That Helps Adjust for Uncertainty
COVID-19 and the associated shelter-in-place orders around the country have impacted business leaders enormously. Everyone is waiting for the dust to settle to see how deeply the economic downturn may go. The crucible of the post-COVID marketplace will ramp up urgency; business owners need to understand and respond with increasingly accurate and effective strategies. COVID-19 has not changed the reality … Read More