coronavirus - Linkenheimer LLP CPAs & Advisors

Tax Responsibilities If Your Business Is Closing Amid The Pandemic

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many businesses to shut down. If this is your situation, we’re here to assist you in any way we can, including taking care of the various tax obligations that must be met.

Of course, a business must file a final income tax return and some other related forms for the year it closes. The type of return to be filed depends on the type of business you have. Here’s a rundown of the basic requirements.

Sole Proprietorships. You’ll need to file the usual Schedule C, “Profit or Loss from Business,” with your individual return for the year you close the business. You may also need to report self-employment tax.

Partnerships. A partnership must file Form 1065, “U.S. Return of Partnership Income,” for the year it closes. You also must report capital gains and losses on Schedule D. Indicate that this is the final return and […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-11-05T17:49:44+00:00November 5th, 2020|business, disaster, employer, New Tax Laws, small business|0 Comments

Reviewing Your Disaster Plan In A Tumultuous Year

It’s been a year like no other. The sudden impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in March forced every business owner — ready or not — to execute his or her disaster response plan.

So, how did yours do? Although it may still be a little early to do a complete assessment of what went right and wrong during the crisis, you can take a quick look back right now while the experience is still fresh in your mind.

Get specific

When devising a disaster response plan, brainstorm as many scenarios as possible that could affect your company. What weather-related, environmental and socio-political threats do you face? Obviously, you can now add “pandemic” to the list.

The operative word, however, is “your.” Every company faces distinctive threats related to its industry, size, location(s), and products or services. Identify these as specifically as possible, based on what you’ve learned.

There are some constants for nearly every plan. Seek out alternative suppliers who could fill in for your current ones if necessary. Fortify your IT assets and functionality with enhanced recovery and security capabilities.

Communicate optimally

Another critical factor during and after a crisis is communication, both internal and external. Review whether […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-10-29T22:04:51+00:00October 29th, 2020|disaster, liability, small business|0 Comments

Reopening Concepts: What Business Owners Should Consider

A widely circulated article about the COVID-19 pandemic, written by author Tomas Pueyo in March, described efforts to cope with the crisis as “the hammer and the dance.” The hammer was the abrupt shutdown of most businesses and institutions; the dance is the slow reopening of them — figuratively tiptoeing out to see whether day-to-day life can return to some semblance of normality without a dangerous uptick in infections.

Many business owners are now engaged in the dance. “Reopening” a company, even if it was never completely closed, involves grappling with a variety of concepts. This is a new kind of strategic planning that will test your patience and savvy but may also lead to a safer, leaner and better-informed business.

When to move forward

The first question, of course, is when. That is, what are the circumstances and criteria that will determine when you can safely reopen or further reopen your business. Most experts agree that you should base this decision on scientific data and official guidance from agencies such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:02:11+00:00July 22nd, 2020|business, california, New Tax Laws|0 Comments

California Tax Updates for July 2nd

Post 1:

Businesses that hold unclaimed property in California get extra time to file reports. Due to COVID-19, the CA State Controller (SCO) has postponed the due date for holders of such property, including unclaimed wages, to submit their Remit Reports and Remittances for properties reported on their 2019 Notice Reports. Regarding the June 1-15 period for holders to submit their reports and remittances for properties reported on 2019 Notice Reports is extended from June 1, 2020, to August 15, 2020. Holders or agents of holders who are able to submit their Remit Reports and remittances during the original reporting period are encouraged to do so. Contact your Linkenheimer CPA with questions.

Post 2:

As Tax Day approaches, the Franchise Tax Board offers tips to help Californians prepare to file by the July 15 deadline. Among other things, the tips include the following: COVID-19 relief […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:02:21+00:00July 2nd, 2020|california, tax deadlines|0 Comments

What Qualifies As A “Coronavirus-Related Distribution” From A Retirement Plan?

As you may have heard, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act allows “qualified” people to take certain “coronavirus-related distributions” from their retirement plans without paying tax.

So how do you qualify? In other words, what’s a coronavirus-related distribution?

Early distribution basics

In general, if you withdraw money from an IRA or eligible retirement plan before you reach age 59½, you must pay a 10% early withdrawal tax. This is in addition to any tax you may owe on the income from the withdrawal. There are several exceptions to the general rule. For example, you don’t owe the additional 10% tax if you become totally and permanently disabled or if you use the money to pay qualified higher education costs or medical expenses

New exception

Under the CARES Act, you can take up to $100,000 in coronavirus-related distributions made from an eligible retirement plan between January 1 and December 30, 2020. These coronavirus-related distributions aren’t subject to the 10% additional tax that otherwise generally applies to distributions made before you reach age 59½.

What’s more, a coronavirus-related distribution can be included in income in installments over a three-year period, and you have three years to […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:02:25+00:00June 23rd, 2020|ira, New Tax Laws, retirement, roth ira|0 Comments