Interest in not-for-profits’ governance practices from lawmakers, watchdog groups and the general public has been growing in recent years. If your board hasn’t reviewed its roles and responsibilities recently, now is a good time.
Olsen Thielen Advisor Blog
- July 19, 2017
A fringe benefit is “a form of pay (including property, services, cash or cash equivalent), in addition to stated pay, for the performance of services. But the tax treatment of a fringe benefit can vary dramatically based on the type of benefit.
- July 18, 2017
Not-for-profits that ignore the IRS’s private benefit and private inurement provisions do so at their own peril. These rules prohibit an individual inside or outside a nonprofit from reaping an excess benefit from the organization’s transactions. Violation of such rules can have devastating consequences.
- June 26, 2017
Information is power. And regularly supplying information to your not-for-profit’s board of directors is the key to the board properly fulfilling its duties. This doesn’t mean you have to share every internal email or phone message. Board members should, however, receive and understand information that will help them work together
Offering employees an equity interest in your business can be a powerful tool for attracting, retaining and motivating quality talent. If your business is organized as a partnership, however, there are some tax traps you should watch out for.
- June 12, 2017
It’s common for closely held businesses to transfer money into and out of the company, often in the form of a loan. However, the IRS looks closely at such transactions: Are they truly loans, or actually compensation, distributions or contributions to equity?
- June 8, 2017
Debt is an integral part of many for-profit companies’ strategic plans, yet it has traditionally carried a stigma in the not-for-profit world. That view is changing, as more organizations borrow money for major capital purchases, new program funding and other reasons. But before your nonprofit borrows, it’s important to understand
- June 7, 2017
Every not-for-profit organization needs a comprehensive succession plan to ensure smooth leadership transitions. When a nonprofit organization loses its executive director or other leaders, it risks declining contributions, lowered employee morale and program disruption.
If your employees incur work-related travel expenses, it is critical that you comply with IRS rules to secure tax-advantaged treatment for your business and your employees.
- May 31, 2017
Many not-for-profit youth sports leagues are at risk for fraud and don’t even know it. Because cash transactions are common and leagues usually are managed by volunteers with little oversight, it’s easy for crooked individuals to take advantage of the situation. Unfortunately, sports league fraud is usually committed by board
Don’t let an IRS audit interrupt your day-to-day responsibilities. By taking a meticulous, proactive approach to how you track, document and file your company’s tax-related information, you’ll make an audit much less painful and even decrease the chances that one happens in the first place.
- May 16, 2017
With the ease and popularity of e-commerce, as well as the incredible efficiency of many supply chains, companies of all sorts are finding it easier than ever to widen their markets. Doing so has become so much more feasible that many businesses quickly find themselves crossing state lines.
- May 10, 2017
Do you ever feel like you just never seem to have any cash on hand? Is your cash leaving the business as quickly as it comes in? Take a few minutes to get a better understanding of your cash flow and review the controls you have in place over cash.
- May 9, 2017
How management monitors employee expenses whether using reimbursement method or company credit cards is a key internal control of the business. There are some pros and cons for both options and they have slightly different nuances when it comes to monitoring the controls over these expenditures.
Many businesses use a calendar year as their company’s tax year. It’s intuitive and aligns with most owners’ personal returns, making it about as simple as anything involving taxes can be. But for some businesses, choosing a fiscal tax year can make more sense.