Riding the tax break train: Maximizing employee transportation fringe benefits
If your employer offers tax-favored transportation fringe benefits, you should probably take advantage of them. Here’s a quick summary of the current federal tax treatment of transportation-related benefits. Contact our tax advisors with questions.
What happens if you and your siblings inherit your parents’ home?
When estate planning, it’s common for parents to leave their primary residence or a vacation home to their children. Typically, you and your siblings will receive equal shares in the property. But what if you can’t agree on what to do with the home? Here are some considerations. Contact our estate planning advisors with questions.
SEK Named a 2025 Regional Leader by Accounting Today
SEK, CPAs & Advisors has been named a 2025 Regional Leader by Accounting Today, ranking #9 among the top 20 firms in the Capital Region. The annual recognition highlights the most successful public accounting firms nationwide based on revenue and growth.
Your nonprofit’s board needs to know these financial warning signs
If you’re on the board of directors for an organization whose finances aren’t in good shape, you and the rest of the board play a vital role in keeping your nonprofit in fighting shape. So keep your eyes open for these warning signs. Contact SEK's nonprofit advisors to review your financial statements and budget to assess your organization’s resilience.
Is an S corporation the best choice of entity for your business?
If you’re starting a business with some partners and wondering what type of entity to form, an S corporation may be the most suitable form of business for your new venture. Here are some of the reasons why. Contact the business advisors at SEK with questions.
It may be in your best interest to file a gift tax return
Generally, the IRS has three years to challenge the value of a transaction for gift tax purposes or to assert that a nongift was, in fact, a partial gift. But unless the transaction is adequately disclosed, the IRS can collect unpaid gift taxes (plus penalties and interest) years later. Filing a return creates a paper trail, reducing the risk of IRS disputes later. Contact the estate planning advisors and tax advisors at SEK for more information.
How to cut costs instead of your nonprofit’s staff
Due to federal funding reductions, some nonprofits may be tempted to conduct layoffs. Before you take this step, look for other ways to cut costs. Here are seven tips. Contact our nonprofit advisors with questions.
To file or not to file a gift tax return, that is the question
If you made substantial gifts of wealth to family members in 2024, you may have to file a gift tax return. The return is due by April 15 of the year after you make the gift, so the deadline for 2024 gifts is coming up soon. Contact the CPAs and tax advisors at SEK for more details.
Ways to manage the limit on the business interest expense deduction
Current tax law generally limits deductions of business interest, with certain exceptions. Unless your company is exempt, your maximum business interest deduction for the tax year equals the sum of 1) 30% of your company’s adjusted taxable income (ATI), 2) your company’s business interest income, if any, and 3) your company’s floor plan financing interest, if any. If your company is affected by the business interest deduction limitation, contact our business tax advisors to see if you can avoid it or reduce the impact.
Can I itemize deductions on my tax return?
With the 2024 tax deadline approaching you may wonder if you can itemize deductions. You can if the total of your allowable itemized write-offs for the year exceeds your standard deduction allowance for the year. The basic standard deduction allowances for 2024 are: $14,600 for single taxpayers, $29,200 for married joint filers and $21,900 for heads of households. Itemized deductions include charitable contributions, mortgage interest, state and local taxes, and medical expenses. Other rules and limits apply. Contact the tax advisors at SEK with questions.