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What’s Your Business’s Fallback Plan?

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Plan B, alternative solution or business strategy plan to have secondary for emergency case, fallback option or business choice, confidence businessman leader present Plan B while standing on old A.

Like many small business owners, you may plan on working until you are ready to retire. And, once you reach that point, you may expect to sell your business and live off the proceeds. Or, you may have partners or children who can keep the business operating once you are ready to step away.

However, smart business owners plan for all eventualities. They plan for success but they have a fallback plan in case their efforts don’t bear fruit. As a business owner whose business is probably by far your biggest asset, it makes sense to think about those things that could go wrong and take steps to protect yourself now.

What steps should you consider taking that can protect your future financial security? Consider these contingency strategies:

Put a Retirement Plan in Place

The only constant in business is change. And many changes can harm a business’s financial viability. What would happen to your retirement dreams if your business experienced a serious setback? New technologies come along and make some businesses obsolete. New competitors erase older, established firms and economic downturns impact consumer and business spending. Natural disasters can seriously damage a business’s operations and cause widespread financial loss.

Funding a retirement plan during your working years can help protect your future financial well-being. Additionally, a retirement plan can provide important tax benefits. For example, your contributions to your retirement plan are typically tax deductible while earnings on investments in your retirement plan account grow tax deferred until you begin taking distributions.

As a small business owner, you can choose from a variety of tax-advantaged retirement plans. Each option has distinct advantages and disadvantages when it comes to costs and the burden involved in plan administration. The input from your financial professional can be helpful when reviewing the appropriateness of a particular retirement plan with regard to your business’s specific situation.

Establish a Buy-Sell Agreement

If you have one or more partners or co-owners, it makes sense to have a buy-sell agreement. A buy-sell agreement helps ensure that you (or your beneficiaries) will receive fair compensation for your ownership interest. The agreement also facilitates the orderly transfer of ownership and management. A buy-sell agreement can be drafted among shareholders of an S corporation, partners of a partnership or an LLC, or even between an owner and a key employee.

When carefully crafted, a buy-sell agreement can:

  • Help provide a smooth transition of control, management, and ownership to those who wish to continue running the business
  • Spell out the financial aspects of the transition
  • Establish a fair and reasonable price
  • Help ensure the financial security of your family and other beneficiaries in the event of your unexpected death
  • Create a built-in buyer for your interest in the business
  • Establish, under certain circumstances, an estate tax value for the stock.

There are two basic types of buy-sell agreements: cross purchase and entity purchase (stock redemption). With a cross purchase agreement, the remaining owners agree to buy the departing owner’s interest in the business individually. With an entity purchase agreement, the business itself agrees to buy the selling partner’s ownership interest.

Life insurance is a common way of funding a buy-sell agreement. The proceeds of the policy are used to buy out the departing owner’s interest in the business.

Develop a Disaster Plan

No matter where your business is located, it is a wise precaution to assume that a natural disaster will impact it at some point. Adequate preparation can minimize damage to your systems, your equipment, and your physical plant, and may even protect you and your employees from harm. A key component in preparing for a natural disaster is a disaster plan.

Your disaster plan should include sections on personnel safety, management succession, and data preservation. It should outline the steps employees and managers must take in the event of a disaster.

Retirement Savings Tips for Millennials

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Portrait of african american woman with crossed arms wearing apron standing in botanical store. Smiling young woman in botany store standing between plants looking at camera. Happy small business owner working at flower shop standing surrounded by plants.If you’re a millennial, retirement may barely register in your consciousness. Between paying down student loans, trying to take that first step on the housing ladder, or other financial priorities, you may have little time to think much about your life 35 years from now.

However, you shouldn’t wait until later to start planning for retirement. Retirement success can depend greatly on getting an early start on saving for your future. Here are some basic tips that can help put you on the path to retirement security.

Live Within Your Means

Tip number one is to spend less than you make. That way, you will have some money left over from your paychecks for other purposes, such as saving and investing.

Be a Disciplined Saver

Save as much as you can as early as possible. Give yourself a savings target and stick to it. Decide, for example, to save 3% of your income for retirement and increase that percentage every year. It won’t be long before you are contributing the maximum allowed for an employer-provided retirement plan. Set aside some or all of any tax refunds, bonuses, and pay raises for an emergency fund and your retirement savings account.

Understand the Time Value of Money

Compounding is the magic ingredient when it comes to building your retirement nest egg. It is simply the process of earning money on your savings and then earning money on your earnings as well as your savings. The longer your money is invested, the greater the potential benefit from compounding.

Learn About Investments and Investing

Knowledge is power when it comes to investing. If you feel you lack the patience to study investing, see if your employer’s plan has a target date retirement fund you can consider.

Focus on Your Goal

Remember, saving and investing for retirement is a long-term goal. Have a plan and stick with it. Stay focused on your long-term goal of retirement security and don’t let short-term market changes knock you off course.

The Money Market: The Basics You Need to Know

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Young finance market analyst in eyeglasses working at sunny office on laptop while sitting at wooden table.Businessman analyze document in his hands.Graphs and diagramm on notebook screen.BlurredInvestors should consider the advantages and potential risks before investing in money market mutual funds.

If you’re looking for a place to park money temporarily or if you’re simply trying to maintain a cash cushion, a money market mutual fund may be an investment to consider.1

Money market mutual funds typically invest in high-quality, short-term securities, such as U.S. Treasury securities, certificates of deposit, federal agency notes, and commercial paper. Tax-exempt money market funds invest in municipal securities issued by state and local governments. They generally pay dividends that are exempt from federal and/or state income taxes.

The ease with which you can buy and sell shares may make money market mutual funds an appropriate place for assets you’ll need in the short term. Funds frequently offer limited checkwriting privileges, making withdrawals simple.

Breaking the buck. Money market mutual funds are structured to maintain a stable net asset value (NAV) of $1 per share. A fund “breaks the buck” when its NAV falls below this amount. Breaking the buck is rare. But since money market mutual funds are not FDIC insured, investors will lose some of their original investment when this happens.

Understand the risks. Low risk doesn’t mean no risk. Potential risks for investors include interest-rate shifts, unanticipated redemptions, major credit downgrades for firms represented in the fund, and loss of purchasing power should returns fail to keep pace with inflation. Before you invest, review the fund’s holdings. Keep in mind that the fund offering the highest return generally presents the most risk.

A different investment. A money market account (MMA) is not the same as a money market mutual fund. MMAs are deposit accounts that pay interest at a rate that’s typically higher than the rate earned in a savings account. Money market accounts generally are FDIC insured, may require a minimum balance, and often limit transactions.

Ask your financial professional if money market mutual funds are a good option for your portfolio.

Source/Disclaimer:
1An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund. You should consider the fund’s investment objectives, charges, expenses, and risks carefully before you invest. The fund’s prospectus, which can be obtained from your financial representative, contains this and other information about the fund. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. Shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

Business Owners: Keep That Shield Intact

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LLC (Limited Liability Company) - acronym on wooden cubes on the background of a cactus and banknotes. Business conceptYou face plenty of challenges as a small business owner. Finding ways to protect yourself against lawsuits is a major one. You may be able to add protection by structuring your business as a corporation or limited liability company (LLC). Both these entities may shield the owners’ or members’ personal assets from the company’s debts and liabilities.

The protection isn’t bulletproof, however. Requirements must be met, and the separation between the owners or LLC members and the business must be clearly established. Evidence to the contrary could spell trouble.

The Corporate Veil

In the face of a legal challenge, if you’re not following proper protocol, a court may decide your business isn’t being operated as a separate entity from the owner(s) — despite the existence of a corporation or LLC. That could lead to a legal decision to “pierce the corporate veil,” a term that means the owners’/members’ personal assets can be used to satisfy business debts and liabilities.

Follow Formalities

Corporations must meet strict state requirements regarding bylaws, director and shareholder meetings, issuing stock and recording transfers, fulfilling annual state filing requirements, and paying corporate taxes. There are fewer requirements for LLCs, but members would be wise to follow the guidelines for corporations.

Document Diligently

The best way to show that your business is operating properly is to document everything. Keep minutes of all major management meetings and record all business activities and decisions. Keep these records with your other formal business documents (including contracts your company is party to) for a minimum of seven years.

Capitalize but Don’t Commingle

It takes money to run a business. There are several ways to capitalize your business: You and the other owners or members might fund it, you might take out a loan, or you might find new partners who are willing to fund you. Regardless of what method you choose, be sure to document all important financial transactions.

Never commingle your personal assets with business assets. Establish separate bank accounts and credit cards for your business, keep property and equipment separate, and file separate income tax returns.

4 Tips on How Small Businesses Can Reduce Taxes

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woman using calculator calculating monthly home expenses, taxes, bank account balance and credit card bills payment, concept saving money.As a small business owner, tax liability is the money you owe the government when your business generates income. With changing laws and gray areas regarding deductions, exemptions, and credits, it’s no wonder small business owners rank taxes at the top of the list of the most stress-inducing aspect of business ownership. To reduce that stress, taxes shouldn’t be something to focus on only at year’s end. Use these tips on reducing your business tax year-round and see your taxes and stress level decrease!

1. Business structure

Your company’s business structure is how it is organized – it answers questions like who is in charge, how are profits distributed, and who is responsible for business debt. The most common business structures are:

  • Sole proprietorships have one owner who takes all profits as personal income. The owner is personally liable for any business debts.
  • Partnerships are structured like sole proprietorships but can have an unlimited number of owners.
  • C corporations have unlimited shareholders who each own part of the company. Profits are distributed as dividends between them. Owners are not personally liable for business debts.
  • S corporations are structured like C corporations, but the number of shareholders is capped at 100.

In addition to affecting how a business operates, business structure impacts how much a company pays in taxes. The U.S. tax code is complex and includes four main tax categories:

  • Income tax – paid on profits
  • Employment tax – employee Social Security and Medicare contributions
  • Self-employment tax – Social Security and Medicare contributions for self-employed individuals
  • Excise tax – special taxes for specific goods and services like tobacco, alcohol, etc.

IA sole proprietorship or partnership is a good idea for businesses wanting tax simplicity. For those with less than 100 owners, an S corporation might be the right fit and best tax option. Again, business structure and tax laws are complex and are best determined by a qualified, experienced accountant.

2. Net Earnings

Net earnings (i.e., net income or profit) is the gross business income minus business expenses. Regardless of the business, it begins with gross income (the income received directly by an individual, before any withholding, deductions, or taxes), and allowable expenses are deducted to arrive at net income. How this figure is calculated is dependent upon business structure.

Net earnings are used to calculate business income taxes. Again, the calculation process differs slightly for different business structures. It is best to seek a professional to help with net earnings calculations for the proper calculation and maximum legal deductions.

3. Employ a Family Member

One of the best ways for small business owners to reduce taxes is hiring a family member. The (IRS allows a variety of options for tax sheltering. For example, suppose you hire your child, as a small business owner. In that case, you will pay a lower marginal rate or eliminate the tax on the income paid to your child. Sole proprietorships are not required to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on a child’s wages. They can also avoid Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) tax. Consult a trusted accounting professional for details about the benefits of hiring your children or even your spouse.

4. Retirement contributions

Employee retirement plans benefit employees, but they can also be good for your small business. Employer contributions to an employee retirement plan are tax-deductible. They can also carry an employer tax credit for setting up an employee retirement plan. Again, this is a task an accountant can handle for you. They can guide you on retirement plan choices based on your business’s situation, employees, and other factors.

As a small business owner, you can deduct contributions to a tax-qualified retirement account from your income taxes (except for Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s). Sole proprietors, members of a partnership, or LLC members can deduct from their personal income contributions to their retirement account.

As with any tax situation, consulting your trusted accounting professional is always best. They are up to date on the latest tax laws, information, and allowable deductions. By being aware of ways your small business can reduce taxes, you can bring these topics up with your accountant, discuss the best options for you, and be prepared long before tax time rolls around.

Contact our tax professionals to learn more about how you can control tax exposure for your small business.

Take the Pulse of Your Tax Health

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Smiling young 30s woman in eyewear looking at smartphone screen, feeling satisfied with fast secure online service, paying household bills taxes or insurance, managing budget, calculating expenses.Regular financial checkups give you an opportunity to identify where you can improve your overall tax situation. They also help identify areas of concern that may require more detailed attention. In a similar fashion, regularly reviewing your tax situation with a financial professional can identify opportunities to improve your tax picture and can often shed light on areas where you may be paying too much in taxes. Simple strategies that range from adjusting your withholding to timing the sales of securities can be employed to potentially reduce your tax bill.

Adjust Your Withholding

This is a simple and basic move. If you had too little tax withheld last year, you ended up paying the IRS what you owed when you filed your return and may incur a penalty. If you had too much tax withheld, you received a tax refund. You may regard a large tax refund as a plus — but the reality is that a large tax refund is simply an interest-free loan of your money to the government. It may make more sense to have less tax withheld up front and receive more in your paycheck. That way, you can save or invest the money and potentially earn interest, dividends, or perhaps enjoy a capital gain on your investments.

Time the Sale of Securities

How long you own a profitable asset before you sell it can impact how much income tax you pay on your gain. Holding on to an appreciated asset for more than one year before you sell it results in long-term capital gain. The tax rate on long-term capital gains is 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your taxable income and filing status. For example, if you are married and filing jointly in 2021, the long-term capital gains rate is 0% with income of up to $80,800, 15% with income between $80,801 and $501,600, and 20% with income over $501,600. In contrast, short-term capital gains are taxed at higher ordinary income tax rates.

If you have capital losses, look into selling investments in your taxable accounts to generate capital gains that can be offset by the losses. You could also potentially reduce taxes by investing in municipal bonds. Interest on municipal bonds is generally exempt from federal income taxes and might be exempt from state and local income taxes as well. Of course, credit ratings should be analyzed before purchase.

Add to Your Retirement Plan

You could potentially lower your income tax liability by increasing the amount you contribute to your tax-favored retirement plan (limits apply). If you’re age 50 or older, and your plan permits, you may be able to add to your retirement account by making catch-up contributions in addition to your regular plan contributions.

Consider a Health Savings Account

A health savings account (HSA) can also be a good tax saving option. You can contribute pretax income to an employer-sponsored HSA or make deductible contributions to an HSA you open on your own provided you are covered by a qualified high-deductible health plan. You can invest in an HSA and have it grow in a tax-deferred manner similar to an individual retirement account. And HSA withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax free. You can also carry over a balance from year to year, allowing the account to grow.