June 24, 2019

The Uncertain Future of Illinois Income Taxes

Where we stand today – Income Taxes Individual, Trusts, and Estates Illinois maintains a flat income tax rate of 4.95% for individuals, trusts, and estates, regardless of how much or how little income is earned. Businesses Illinois C corporations are subject to an income tax rate of 7%. S corporations and partnerships (“pass-through entities”) are…

March 26, 2019

Q & A: Understanding Employee Benefit Plan Audits

Chris Bozarth is a partner at Weiss & Company LLP who oversees the firm’s Accounting & Advisory Services Department. He has more than 20 years of accounting, auditing and consulting experience and oversees the employee benefit plan audit practice of the firm. Chris sat down recently to discuss employee benefit plan audits, benefit plan audit…

March 26, 2019

The Argument for Using a CPA Firm to Handle Your Taxes

“Why should I use a CPA firm for my taxes?” We hear that question a lot this time of year, especially this year, in the wake of all the changes triggered by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. We hear it from taxpayers of all ages, at every income level. But the truth is, there’s…

March 12, 2019

Eight Tax Planning Opportunities For Businesses In 2019

More than a year after sweeping federal and state tax reform were enacted, businesses of all sizes are still working to understand the changes. Though additional guidance and regulations have been issued nearly every month, it seems change is the new normal. Strategic tax planning now is key to lowering businesses’ total tax liability. At…

March 4, 2019

Does your Business Need a 401(k) Plan Audit?

It’s important for businesses to be familiar with the 401(k) audit compliance rules before it’s time to file. Understanding the guidelines will prevent a situation in which a business only realizes a 401(k) audit is needed after its Form 5500 (annual report of employee benefit plan) is rejected. Check the number of eligible employees The…

January 30, 2019

Important Tax Related Filing Dates for 2019

Depending on what tax related documents you need to file, here are several key tax dates to pay attention to over the course of 2019. If you care for additional detail, visit the IRS Federal Tax Calendar or give our tax team a call (Jim Hamilton – 847.441.8800). We would be happy to walk you…

January 30, 2019

New Tax Rules: Using Your Car for Business

Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, several new rules went into effect regarding the Section 179 expense deduction that improve your opportunity to take a more immediate and or larger deduction on cars used for business purposes. Below are five rules you should know. For further information and guidance on these rules,…

January 30, 2019

Understanding the New 20 Percent Deduction for Pass-through Businesses

The IRS recently issued its final regulations on the new 20 percent deduction for Qualified Business Income (QBI) for pass-through businesses (Section 199A). This new deduction was added as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The final regulations are 247 pages long, and because this is a new deduction, there are…

January 29, 2019

Tax Reform Q and A with Jim Hamilton

Jim L. Hamilton, CPA, has spent 21 years with Weiss & Company LLP as a tax partner who leads the firm’s Tax Planning & Compliance Department, he has seen his share of tax reform laws over the years and is working with his staff to help his clients interpret the new rules. He sat down…

January 29, 2019

Speaking Your Language: Multilingual Weiss staff connect with clients

Sometimes speaking English alone isn’t enough to make complex business and tax topics clear to clients. That’s why Weiss & Company LLP offers bilingual services in several languages, including Spanish, Polish, Hebrew, Hindi, Korean, Russian, Romanian, Turkish and Kyrgyz. In fact, over a dozen of its staff members are bilingual. “We don’t make clients fit…

January 23, 2019

Three Tax Implications of the Federal Government Shutdown

The federal government is in partial shutdown, but what does that mean as we begin the tax season? First, taxpayers should keep in mind that due dates have not changed as a result of the shutdown. But while the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is working with a staff of excepted employees, many IRS employees are…

October 22, 2018

Bookkeeping vs. Accounting: What’s the Difference?

If you think that question hits a nerve with accounting professionals, well, you’re right. But we’re not being overly sensitive. The truth is, there are significant differences between bookkeeping and accounting that all too many businesspeople simply don’t understand, and can cost their companies money in both the short and long term. Let’s consider a…