Tax Preparation Blog

Inventory and expenses

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Inventory is usually the largest current asset of a business that sells products. If the inventory account is greater at the end of the period than at the start of the reporting period, the amount the business actually paid in cash for that inventory is more than what the business recorded as its cost of good sold expense.  When that occurs, the accountant deducts the inventory increase from net income for determining cash flow from profit.

the prepaid expenses asset account works in much the same way as the change in inventory and accounts receivable accounts. However, changes in prepaid expenses are usually much smaller than changes in those other two asset accounts.

The beginning balance of prepaid expenses is charged to expense in the current year, but the cash was actually paid out last year. this period, the business pays cash for next period's prepaid expenses, which affects this period's cash flow, but doesn't affect net income until the next period. Simple, right?

As a business grows, it needs to increase its prepaid expenses for such things as fire insurance premiums, which have to be paid in advance of the insurance coverage, and its stocks of office supplies. Increases in accounts receivable, inventory and prepaid expenses are the cash flow price a business has to pay for growth. Rarely do you find a business that can increase its sales revenue without increasing these assets.

The lagging behind effect of cash flow is the price of business growth. Managers and investors need to understand that increasing sales without increasing accounts receivable isn't a realistic scenario for growth. In the real business world, you generally can't enjoy growth in revenue without incurring additional expenses.

 

Gains and Losses

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It would probably be ideal if business and life were as simple as producing goods, selling them and recording the profits. But there are often circumstances that disrupt the cycle, and it's part of the accountants job to report these as well. Changes in the business climate, or cost of goods or any number of things can lead to exceptional or extraordinary gains and losses in a business.  Some things that can alter the income statement can include downsizing or restructuring the business. This used to be a rare thing in the business environment, but is now fairly commonplace. Usually it's done to offset losses in other areas and to decrease the cost of employees' salaries and benefits. However, there are costs involved with this as well, such as severance pay, outplacement services, and retirement costs. 

In other circumstances, a business might decide to discontinue certain product lines. Western Union, for example, recently delivered its very last telegram. The nature of communication has changed so drastically, with email, cell phones and other forms, that telegrams have been rendered obsolete. When you no longer sell enough of a product at a high enough profit to make the costs of manufacturing it worthwhile, then it's time to change your product mix. 

Lawsuits and other legal actions can cause extraordinary losses or gains as well. If you win damages in a lawsuit against others, then you've incurred an extraordinary gain. Likewise if your own legal fees and damages or fines are excessive, then these can significantly impact the income statement. 

Occasionally a business will change accounting methods or need to correct any errors that had been made in previous financial reports. Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP) require that businesses make any one-time losses or gains very visible in their income statement. 

Top Ten Terms for Loans

Everyone knows that you should never sign on the dotted line without reading the contract.  This same term applies to loans.  Signing a loan without knowing the terms and what everything means can be detrimental to your finances, credit and future investments.  Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure that you know these terms and how they will apply to you.  

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1.  Interest rate.  The interest rate is the percentage of your loan that is added on every month.  The percentage will vary according to the economy and will make a difference in your payments.  

2.  Fixed Rate.  A fixed rate will be an interest rate that stays at the same percentage throughout the entire period of your loan.  

3.  Variable Rate.  A variable rate will change according to the economy and the charts that are stating what the rates should be for interest.  A variable rate usually changes every year and adjusts according to a specific given range of percentages.  

4.  Principal.  The principal is what you will be paying on your actual house.  Whatever you pay on your principal is what you will see in the end as your investment.  

5.  Escrow.  This is similar to a savings account of your loan.  Whatever you put in escrow will accumulate without paying directly into the loan.  At the end of the term you can use it to finish paying off the loan or to invest in another loan.  

6.  Title.  A title will be what you get to your home after it is officially yours, stating that the property belongs to you.  

7.  Deed.  A deed will most often be used as a title for a commercial area.  Instead of giving ownership it shows that the property is leased to the one who is using it as a business.  

8.  Home Equity.  This is a loan or line of credit that you can get for your home.  It will finance up to eight percent of your other loan and get paid back later.  This helps if you want to consolidate loans or invest more into the property.  

9.  Appraisal.  After an inspection of the home is made, an appraisal will be made.  This will be an estimated value of what the home is worth.  

10.  Equity.  This will be the actual amount of the property that you own.  Most likely, it is what is being paid off of your principal amount.  

Once you know some of these basic terms, you will be able to expand on your knowledge and find the exact loan that will fit your needs.  These basic definitions will help you in making the right decision for the type of loan that you want.  

Title: 

Understanding Title Insurance

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463

Summary:

Title to a property is a record detailing the owners of the property and rights associated with the ownership. Title typically shows a progression of ownership from the first owner to the current one. Title is a fairly simple concept, but when it goes wrong it is a nightmare. That is where title insurance comes in.

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Article Body:

Title to a property is a record detailing the owners of the property and rights associated with the ownership. Title typically shows a progression of ownership from the first owner to the current one. Title is a fairly simple concept, but when it goes wrong it is a nightmare. That is where title insurance comes in.

Title Insurance

Title insurance guarantees that the title on a property is marketable when you purchase the home, condo, land, etc. You should always pay for title insurance. It typically costs a few hundred dollars and will save you a bundle if problems arise.

When you buy title insurance, a title insurance company researches the title for the property. The insurance company will look to see if the title is clear. ìClearî simply means that the seller is truly transferring title to you and no other person can claim ownership. While this sounds fairly simple, rest assured that title problems arise all of the time.

Title Problems

You might be wondering how you could possibly have title problems. Here are a few examples:

1. Divorcing Couples - Divorce is unpleasant and sometime very ugly. In particularly nasty situations, one spouse may attempt to sell a home without telling the other. To gain clear title, you need both spouses to sign off on the sale. If you do not, you are going to become a party of the divorce proceedings. Now, would not that be fun?

2. Estate Sales - If you are purchasing a house as part of an estate sale, there can be real problems. The heirs may not be getting along and in an effort to ‘get what’s mine’, may try to sell the residence without including all the heirs in the transaction. If you buy this home, you could end up involved in a lawsuit filed by an heir left out of the transaction.

3. Ingress and Egress Issues - Title to a property can have technical issues related to egress and ingress. Occasionally, one finds title to a property that is so messed up that the owner does not have the right to enter or leave the land because to do so would require crossing another person’s property. In short, the property is landlocked and something must be worked out with the neighbors. Typically, a solution comes in the form of hard, cold cash - lots of it.

These are just a few issues that can arise with title. With real estate, unique issues can arise all the time.

If you buy title insurance, you do not have to worry about problems with title. If a problem arises, you calmly pick up the phone and call the title insurance company. The insurance company will come up with a solution, even if it means paying you for bad title.

Title: 

Your Well Being And Taxes. Try to stay #Thankful for what you have this #Thanksgiving!

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616

Summary:

Few things threaten your well-being like the harassment and anxiety of persistent tax problems. Most people make 3 mistakes that get them in trouble with the IRS. They procrastinate. They attempt to represent themselves. They hire sub-par representation and now are in MORE need of help than ever before.

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Article Body:

Few things threaten your well-being like the harassment and anxiety of persistent tax problems. Most people make 3 mistakes that get them in trouble with the IRS. They procrastinate. They attempt to represent themselves. They hire sub-par representation and now are in MORE need of help than ever before.

These are the kind of services a Tax Attorney can provide: Offer in Compromise Cases, Penalty Abatement Petitions, Full Audit Representations Business Strategy Sessions. Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns. Settle taxes for Pennies on the Dollar owed, Stop IRS wage and bank levies (garnishments), Have property liens lifted, get affordable installment agreements, File bankruptcy against the IRS, Have penalties and interest forgiven, Reduce taxes by running out the IRS' time to collect. Offer in Compromise: Settle your taxes for Pennies on the Dollar owed Professional law offices can help get you a favorable settlement with an experienced IRS tax attorney. The IRS' Offer in Compromise program allows taxpayers to settle their tax debt.

What is an IRS offer in compromise?

It settles your tax liability for less than the full amount owed, providing you can prove you don't have the ability to pay. Depending on how much you can afford, you really can pay "Pennies on the Dollar Owed" in taxes. If it is done correctly - this option could save you an enormous amount of money, and is the best strategy for most taxpayers. You should take extreme caution. You should hire a professional with knowledge of the IRS' procedures. This professional should determine the least amount that the IRS will accept from you. If the Offer is not submitted correctly it will be rejected, or you may be required to pay more than is necessary.

An Offer in Compromise may save you a LARGE amount of money. Do you know that the IRS only has a limited time to collect your back taxes? Let a Professional Tax Attorney determine when the IRS' time limit to collect taxes runs out. In most cases the IRS has only a limited time to collect the unpaid taxes. You must CAREFULLY evaluate exactly when that time period will run out. Your troubles may be solved. and moreover: If the IRS' time has run out, or if it will run out soon, your troubles may be over.

Delaying tactics may be used to stall the IRS while their time runs out. Once the IRS is out of time, they MUST stop ALL collection action against you.

The IRS MUST release all property liens

TAX RETURNS - FAILURE TO FILE

Many people fail to file Individual Income Tax Returns for a variety of reasons. Some reasons are innocent, although the most common is the fact that people can't afford to pay the taxes.

When this happens it becomes difficult to get back into the system. "I filed for 1998. I couldn't pay for 2000, so I did not file. Then I was afraid to file for 2001. I haven't filed since then. What can I do now?"

If you do not file Income Tax Returns you commit a criminal offense. However, no one who has voluntarily filed back returns before being caught has ever been criminally prosecuted. That is the first key: filing BEFORE they catch you.

IRS Penalties

Some IRS penalties can be as high as 100% to 150% of the original taxes owed. Even if you could pay the taxes owed, the extra penalties will make it impossible to pay off the entire balance.

The IRS imposes penalties to punish taxpayers and keep them in line. The IRS does forgive penalties. Before you pay the IRS any penalty amounts, you may want to consider requesting the IRS to not punish you because it wasn't your fault.