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The AB&P journal

Useful answers for the decisions owners make every week.

Clear guidance on the financial, payroll, and people questions that tend to become urgent when no one explains them early.

Sales tax · 4 min read ·

New CA Sales Tax Rate Effective January 2017

An unusual occurrence is about to take place on January 1, 2017. The state-wide sales tax rate is going to DECREASE. Due to the expiration of an increase passed in 2012, the rate will drop .25% in all jurisdictions fr…

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Payroll · 3 min read ·

2016 FUTA Credit Reduction Rates

For 2016 three states and one jurisdiction faced a potential FUTA credit reduction. Two of those states repaid their outstanding advances before Nov. 10th thereby eliminating any FUTA credit reduction. The remaining o…

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Taxes · 4 min read ·

Tax Deduction Guidelines for Charitable Giving

It's close to year-end, and the time that people and businesses make final contributions to organizations. It is important to keep in mind some key tax provisions that apply to these donations, especially contribution…

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Business · 3 min read ·

10 Year-End Tax-Planning Tips for Individuals

As the end of the year quickly approaches, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to reduce income tax on your 2016 return. Below are 10 ideas shared by Grant Thornton in Accounting Today. Accelerate Ded…

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Business · 3 min read ·

How Secured Business Loans Work

Are you a business owner looking for funding? You may have seen the term secured business loan. Financial institutions want to know that they will be repaid by the borrower for the amount that they financed. There are…

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Business · 3 min read ·

Tips on Establishing a Business Budget

Planning is needed for every size business, whether large or small. When determining a budget, allow yourself some room to maneuver for unexpected costs. Look for these 8 things to help clarify and fine-tune your fina…

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Business · 2 min read ·

Improvements in the IRS's Offer in Compromise Procedures

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is improving the offer in compromise process internally and externally, but more can be done, says a report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). An Off…

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Payroll · 2 min read ·

New Federal Overtime Rules Overruled

Federal overtime rules to go into effect have been put on hold. Recently I wrote a blog about the change for minimum wage to be paid to employees in order for them to be exempt from overtime which was to take effect o…

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Business · 3 min read ·

Deadlines shortened, Penalties raised on Forms W-2 and 1099

Have you issued 1099s late because you realized that you would not likely pay a penalty? Those days are over. In the future, deadlines will have a shorter window for compliance. The good news is that you can prepare n…

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Bookkeeping · 2 min read ·

Managing Bills/Paperwork for Someone You Care About

Do you or someone you know have the responsibility to manage a family member or friend's bills and/or important papers? Do you review the information to make sure everything being paid is needed? Last week I assisted…

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Business · 3 min read ·

Are You Getting Maximum Effectiveness from your Public Record Checks?

Are you in an industry where background checks are required, or you choose to use them once a hiring decision has been made? Do you know what you are getting when paying for a background check? One element of the back…

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Business · 3 min read ·

Relief for Deadlocked LLC Members

Are you a member of a California LLC? Are you aware there is a new law taking effect in January that will make dissolving the entity much easier than in the past? DeAnn Chase of Chase Law Group explains the new law an…

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