March/April, 2010 Newsletter
Highlights of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act of 2010
Written by Ryan Kelly, CPA on April 13, 2010
The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act (HIRE) of 2010 was signed into law by the President on March 18, 2010. Some of the key provisions of this new law include the following:
- “Payroll Tax Holiday” for hiring workers in 2010.
- $1,000 credit available for workers retained more than one year.
- One-year extension of the increased Section 179 limitations allowing for immediate expensing of eligible business assets.
- New foreign account compliance rules.
These are significant changes that provide businesses with many opportunities for the remainder of 2010. The following is an overview of the key tax changes of the HIRE Act of 2010. Read the rest of this entry »
Do You Need an HR Audit?
Written by Alan Holz, Human Resources Manager on April 13, 2010
Have you updated your employee handbook in the last 12-18 months?
Does payroll have all employees classified correctly as exempt or non-exempt?
Do you know when to pay non-exempt employees for on-call or travel time?
Do you conduct exit interviews for all terminating employees?
Have you trained your managers, supervisors and employees on harassment and discrimination?
Do you understand the differences and follow the rules regarding classifying employees vs. independent contractors?
Do your performance evaluations give the necessary information to make defensible promotion and termination decisions? Read the rest of this entry »
What Healthcare Reform Means For You And Your Business
Written by Mike Bromelkamp, CPA, MBA, CIA on April 13, 2010
The sweeping healthcare reform that was passed by Congress and signed by President Obama promises major changes in the way that business owners purchase and provide health insurance for themselves and their employees. There are many tax changes that will affect businesses and individual taxpayers. Among the new tax provisions are the following: Read the rest of this entry »
Paying Individual Estimated Taxes
Written by Allison Boyd, CPA. MBT on April 13, 2010
The federal and state income tax systems are “pay as you go” systems. In general, you’re required to pay tax over the course of the year rather than waiting until April 15. If you do not meet the tax withholding requirements listed below, you will need to make quarterly payments of estimated tax or adjust your withholding allowances.
To avoid underpayment penalties the general rule is you must make estimated tax payments if your withholding doesn’t cover 90% of your 2010 tax liability, with the following exceptions: Read the rest of this entry »
Pet Facts
Written by Newsletter Editor on April 13, 2010
- Cats can spend up to 18 hours a day sleeping.
- Some experts think that a dog’s sense of smell is one million times greater than a human’s.
- The oldest dog on record was named Bluey, an Australian cattle dog. He lived to be 29 years 5 months.
- The average hamster, if provided a wheel, will run up to eight miles per night.
- The lifespan of the common goldfish is more than 20 years.
- The heaviest cat on record was from Queensland, Australia. He weighed 21.3 kg which is 46.9 lb.
- Many domesticated dogs are capable of running at speeds around 30 MPH. Greyhounds, however, may reach 70 MPH.
Food Facts
Written by Newsletter Editor on April 13, 2010
- A raisin dropped in a glass of fresh champagne will bounce up and down continually from the bottom of the glass to the top.
- Cabbage is 91 percent water.
- The Swedes drink more coffee than any other people in the world.
- Potato chips were invented by a chef in Louisiana in 1865.
- Goat’s milk is used more widely throughout the world than cow’s milk.
- Vintage port takes forty years to reach maturity.
- Milk is heavier than cream.
- The herring is the most widely eaten fish in the world. Nutritionally its fuel value equals beefsteak.
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March/April, 2010 Newsletter
