Masters & Jorgensen, Inc.

The President’s action to defer payroll taxes: What does it mean for your business?

September 18, 2020

On August 8, President Trump signed four executive actions, including a Presidential Memorandum to defer the employee’s portion of Social Security taxes for some people. These actions were taken in an effort to offer more relief due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The action only defers the taxes, which means they’ll have to be paid in the future. […]

The possible tax consequences of PPP loans

September 14, 2020

If your business was fortunate enough to get a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan taken out in connection with the COVID-19 crisis, you should be aware of the potential tax implications. PPP basics The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was enacted on March 27, 2020, is designed to provide financial assistance […]

File cash transaction reports for your business — on paper or electronically

September 11, 2020

Does your business receive large amounts of cash or cash equivalents? You may be required to submit forms to the IRS to report these transactions. Filing requirements Each person engaged in a trade or business who, in the course of operating, receives more than $10,000 in cash in one transaction, or in two or more […]

The IRS issues guidance on the executive action deferring payroll taxes

September 8, 2020

On August 28, the IRS issued guidance that provides some explanation of how employers can defer withholding and remitting an employee’s share of Social Security tax when wages are below a certain amount. The guidance in Notice 2020-65 was issued to implement President Trump’s executive action signed in early August. The guidance is brief, and […]

Why do partners sometimes report more income on tax returns than they receive in cash?

August 27, 2020

If you’re a partner in a business, you may have come across a situation that gave you pause. In a given year, you may be taxed on more partnership income than was distributed to you from the partnership in which you’re a partner. Why is this? The answer lies in the way partnerships and partners […]

Even if no money changes hands, bartering is a taxable transaction

August 24, 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many small businesses are strapped for cash. They may find it beneficial to barter for goods and services instead of paying cash for them. If your business gets involved in bartering, remember that the fair market value of goods that you receive in bartering is taxable income. And if you exchange […]

Businesses: Get ready for the new Form 1099-NEC

August 20, 2020

There’s a new IRS form for business taxpayers that pay or receive nonemployee compensation. Beginning with tax year 2020, payers must complete Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation, to report any payment of $600 or more to a payee. Why the new form? Prior to 2020, Form 1099-MISC was filed to report payments totaling at least $600 […]

What does the executive action deferring payroll taxes mean for employers and employees?

August 17, 2020

On August 8, 2020, President Trump signed an executive memorandum that defers an employee’s portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes from September 1 through December 31, 2020. At this point, the taxes are just deferred, meaning they’ll still have to be paid at a later date. However, the action directs U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven […]

Haven’t filed your 2019 business tax return yet? There may be ways to chip away at your bill

July 31, 2020

The extended federal income tax deadline is coming up fast. As you know, the IRS postponed until July 15 the payment and filing deadlines that otherwise would have fallen on or after April 1, 2020, and before July 15. Retroactive COVID-19 business relief The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which passed earlier […]