Good Reasons to File Extensions for 2017 Returns
This year, the deadline for filing your 2017 individual income tax return this year is Tuesday, April 17, 2018, and the countdown to Tax Day has begun! Currently, many taxpayers are scrambling to wrap things up. But there’s an easy fix if you're among the...
Tax Court Valuation of Public Utility Gets Mixed Marks From State High Court
Minn. Energy Res. Corp. v. Commissioner of Revenue, 2016 Minn. LEXIS 715 (Nov. 9, 2016) The Minnesota Supreme Court reviewed a tax court valuation involving a public utility company. The court’s opinion delves into bread-and-butter valuation issues such as how best to...
Go Green, Save Green: Tax Breaks for Saving Energy
April 22 was Earth Day. It’s a great reminder to consider implementing changes to help reduce the amount of energy we consume. But "going green" isn't just good for the Earth — certain energy-saving expenditures also may qualify for generous tax breaks that are good...
Expert’s Best-Effort Medical Practice Valuation Holds Up on Appeal
Ramundo v. Ramundo, 2017 N.J. Super. Unpub. LEXIS 443 (Feb. 24, 2017) A New Jersey divorce case revolving around the valuation of a chiropractic practice is a good example of how a skilled valuation expert may produce a credible, if incomplete, appraisal when denied...
Save or Shred? Follow These Recordkeeping Guidelines
Does your business hold on to all of its paper records? Many individuals and businesses hold onto paper and digital records indefinitely — just in case. But it can become burdensome to securely store years of financial records. Here's some guidance to help minimize...
Take Advantage of Expanded Tax Breaks for Business Vehicles
The first-year depreciation deductions for vehicles used more than 50% for business purposes has been expanded by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Here's what Maine small business owners need to know to take advantage. Depreciation Allowances for Passenger Vehicles...
Chancery Says Solid Sales Process Lends Credibility to Deal Price
Merion Capital L.P. v. Lender Processing Servs., 2016 Del. Ch. LEXIS 189 (Dec. 16, 2016) The adage is that the Delaware Court of Chancery has a bias toward the discounted cash flow analysis when determining fair value in statutory appraisal actions. Yet, in the past...
Valuation Issues to Address in a Buy-Sell Agreement
Buy-sell agreements protect businesses with multiple owners in the event that one of the owners dies, becomes disabled, or voluntarily decides to leave the company. The agreement should dictate who can buy the departing owner's interest, when, how and for how...
Should Your Business Be a C Corporation or a Pass-Through Entity?
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) introduced a flat 21% federal income tax rate for C corporations for the 2018 tax years and beyond. Previously, profitable C corporations paid up to 35%. This news has caused many business owners in Maine and elsewhere to ask: What is...
Capital Gains Rates Before and After the New Tax Law
You are not alone if you have been confused about the federal income tax rates on capital gains and dividends under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Here's what you should know if you plan to sell long-term investments or expect to receive dividend payments from your...