Posts Tagged ‘West Palm Beach’

Tax Tip Tuesday! Depreciation Update For 2012

If you bought business assets in the past few years, you probably noticed more than one change to the immediate expensing depreciation rules. While the trend has been toward higher deductions, opportunities for writing off the cost of assets under federal rules presently in effect for 2012 are less generous.

Here are the new limits.

  • Bonus depreciation. The enhanced deduction — up to 100% of qualified assets — expired at the end of 2011. The maximum bonus depreciation allowance for most qualified property placed in service in 2012 is 50% of the cost of the property.Bonus depreciation is generally available for new assets that have a useful life of 20 years or less.
  • Section 179. The expanded $500,000 Section 179 write-off that has been available for the past two years ended December 31, 2011. For 2012, you can elect to expense up to $139,000 of qualified assets you purchase during the year.To receive the full benefit of the Section 179 deduction, the total cost of all qualifying assets purchased in 2012 must be $560,000 or less. Your deduction may also be limited by the amount of your business income.

    Both new and used assets qualify for Section 179.

If you’re thinking of purchasing assets for your business this year, please give us a call. We’ll keep you up to date with the latest depreciation developments.

How To Be “Audit Ready”

No one likes to see a policeman’s flashing lights in the rearview mirror, and no one likes to receive a phone call or letter from the dreaded auditor. But if you operate a business or your organization receives federal or state grants, at some point you may find auditors making that contact. (more…)

Reducing Marketing Costs While Gaining Exposure

For many business owners it can be a difficult exercise to identify the most effective marketing strategies that gains exposure while minimizing the required investment. (more…)

Don’t Overlook Deductions For Charitable Work

Many taxpayers give much more than just cash to their favorite charity. Many also provide their time, travel, meals, and other “out of pocket” expenses in order to assist the charity in doing good work. And while you can’t take a charitable deduction for your time, you are allowed to deduct other expenses incurred in support of a charity, such as vet bills for your local humane society, or wood and nails for a “habitat” charity. (more…)

Make Your Company A Good Place To Work

Studies have consistently shown that employee compensation, although important, is not the primary factor that makes workers stay at a company. It’s not all about the money. In fact, some firms that provide stellar compensation packages suffer high turnover, low morale, and dwindling market share. (more…)

New Year Email Resolutions

 

Someone once said “An Inbox is as personal a space as an underwear drawer — we all have one and are all embarrassed by both its organization and contents.” Start 2012 off by applying some simple and effective methods to maintaining an organized and less overwhelming (or embarrassing!) Inbox. (more…)

What’s New: Last-Minute 2011 Deal Reached On Payroll Tax Cut

On December 23, 2011, Congress finally approved a two-month extension of the payroll tax cut for American workers. The agreement was reached after weeks of partisan bickering. Though both Democrats and Republicans wanted a one-year extension of the tax cut, they could not agree on how to pay for a year-long extension and settled on a paid-for two-month extension. (more…)

Managing Your Sales Leads

The measure of the successful pursuit of a lead is based on whether the lead, in time, turns into a sale. The key to this transition lies in both speed and perseverance. A systematic organization and management of these leads can also help secure their progress through the stages of prospect to hot lead to profitable sale. (more…)

New Business: IRS Announces Business Mileage Rate For 2012

The IRS recently announced that the mileage rate for business driving in 2012 will be 55.5¢ a mile. The rate can be used for cars, vans, pickups, and panel trucks. (more…)