Archives for Newsletter and Updates

Why Gifting During an Economic Downturn May Be Right for You

Janelle Tokunaga, CPA, MST Tax Supervisor   While it may seem like there has been a shortage of good news lately, we wanted to bring your attention to a few bright spots that have come about during our current economic downturn.  With the extra time you have at  sheltering in place, it may be a good time to revisit your current estate and gift plan. To recap: the 2020 Federal lifetime exemption is $11.58 million per person, including inflation, and the 2020 annual Federal gift exclusion is $15,000 per donee and donor.  The current economic market is showing decreased values
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Categories: Newsletter and Updates.

Non-Deductibility of PPP Related Expenses to the Extent of Forgiven PPP Funds (IRS Notice 2020-32)

Janet Kim, CPA, MST Tax Director   The IRS released Notice 2020-32 on April 30, 2020, which provides guidance on the deductibility of expenses paid with Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan proceeds that are forgiven and excluded from the borrower’s income. The IRS has determined otherwise deductible expenses that are paid with PPP funds may not be deductible for federal income tax purposes to the extent the expenses were reimbursed by a PPP loan that was then forgiven. The PPP was created by Section 1106 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Under the PPP, the
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Categories: Industry News and Newsletter and Updates.

Business Transition Preparedness Post COVID-19

During the ongoing management of COVID-19 restrictions, we are all trying to determine and assess the short- and long-term damage on businesses, the economy, and the capital markets. While we don’t pretend to have answers better than others, we would like to share our thoughts on the impact of the virus on M&A transactions. First off, we don’t want to trivialize the health impact imposed by the pandemic nor the human element of lost jobs, life disruptions, and family separations. Our intent is to provide our strategic thoughts while we try to maintain a sense of normalcy. Prior to the
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Categories: Industry News and Newsletter and Updates.

Learn the Business Benefits of the CARES Act

Our WFY Tax Partner, Richard Huffman, has created a 15-minute video presentation to illustrate the benefits your business may qualify for under the CARES Act.  Included are the Paycheck Protection Program Loans, Employee Retention Credit and deferral and income tax benefits. Watch the video to learn which benefits apply to you. Please contact your WFY advisor to discuss how your business can benefit from these programs or you can contact us here.  
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Categories: Industry News and Newsletter and Updates.

IRS Launches Economic Impact Payment Direct Deposit Portal

Today, the IRS launched a portal specifically focusing around the Economic Impact Payment. The portal is designed for taxpayers to check the status of their stimulus payment, set up direct deposit, and more.  Click here to visit the Economic Impact Payment Direct Deposit portal. When clicking the “Get My Payment” button, taxpayers will be able to: Get their payment status Confirm their payment type (direct deposit or check) Other information if needed, such as their bank account information Taxpayers who want to accelerate the process of receiving their payment must add their bank account information and provide the following information:
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Categories: Industry News and Newsletter and Updates.

Disaster Relief Payment Tax Assistance to Employees Affected by COVID-19

Richard A. Huffman, CPA, MST Tax Partner   The national emergency declaration on March 13 triggered a tax benefit which allows employers to make non-taxable qualified disaster relief payments to employees for reasonable and necessary expenses resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. Reimbursable expenses excludable from employee taxable income are as follows: Unreimbursed medical expenses including co-pays, deductibles, vitamins and supplements Increased expenses associated with being quarantined at home (e.g., increased utilities and home office expenses) Home office expenses include expenses associated with setting up or maintaining a home office such as enhanced internet connections, computer monitors, laptops, printers, office supplies,
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Categories: Industry News and Newsletter and Updates.

Avoid Phishing in the Time of COVID-19

As the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic continues, scammers are using different ways to gather your information and use it for ransom. Some websites are offering information on COVID-19 relief programs in exchange for signing up through them as a subscription or requesting a fee. With this, the websites hold your basic information ransom and could possibly cause you problems in the near future. WFY wants to make sure there aren’t any more problems for our clients who are already going through an ambiguous period of time. Fraud will only increase as the coronavirus pandemic goes on. Therefore, we advise
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Categories: Newsletter and Updates.

Summary Analysis of Coronavirus Enacted Laws

Richard A. Huffman, CPA, MST Tax Partner   With the recently enacted laws to help companies with the current Coronavirus pandemic, there has been confusion regarding which benefit programs will apply to what companies. In our efforts to assist you in which benefits can help you and your company, WFY has created a breakdown summary spreadsheet and flowchart below.    
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Categories: Newsletter and Updates.

The Senate and House Passes CARES Act of 2020

Richard A. Huffman, CPA, MST Tax Partner   On March 27th, 2020, the House passed an amended version of the Senate’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act sending to the President to sign into law. The Act provides a wide sweeping infusion of cash into the economy helping individuals and businesses during these extraordinary times.  Below is a summarized version of the Act explaining all the key details for individuals and businesses including the various loan programs. Direct financial help to individuals: Rebates of up to $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for married couples.  People with children can
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Categories: Industry News and Newsletter and Updates.

Quarterly Update: CPA Exam Passed by WFY Employees

Wright Ford Young & Co. enjoys recognizing colleagues and clients on their achievements and success. WFY enjoys the same opportunity to also recognize our employees by spotlighting those professionals on the WFY team that have made great strides to accelerate their career. Passing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam is just one of those career enhancing accomplishments. We would like to congratulate the following WFY employees for recently passing all four parts of the CPA exam in the last three months: Manny Trelles – Tax Supervisor The California CPA exam is a rigorous licensing qualification to pass and has many
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Categories: Company News and Newsletter and Updates.