Articles From Lumsden McCormick

SEP and SIMPLE plans are retirement options designed for small businesses to simplify administration and reduce financial burdens. SEP plans allow employers to make discretionary contributions to employees' SEP-IRAs, while SIMPLE plans involve employer matching contributions based on employee salary reductions. Both plans offer unique advantages, including tax benefits and minimal IRS filing requirements.

The GST tax is a federal tax that applies to transfers of assets to grandchildren or other skip persons, ensuring that large estates cannot bypass a round of taxation. Careful estate planning, including the use of trusts, is essential to allocate the GST tax exemption effectively and ensure tax-efficient transfers to younger generations.

A nonprofit board governance policy provides a framework for decision-making that aligns with the organization's mission. It outlines directors' fiduciary responsibilities, including the duty of care and loyalty, and emphasizes the importance of professional support and compliance with governing documents.

Decanting an irrevocable trust explains the concept of decanting, which involves transferring assets from one trust to another with different terms. This process allows trustees to update or adjust the terms of an irrevocable trust under certain conditions, making it a strategic way to modernize an inflexible trust and better serve long-term goals and beneficiaries.

There is a critical need for nonprofits to safeguard the privacy of donors, staff, clients, and volunteers to avoid legal and reputational risks. This article highlights that implementing strict data protection policies can foster trust among stakeholders, prevent operational disruptions, and maintain the integrity of the organization's mission.

Reshoring involves bringing manufacturing operations back to the United States from abroad, driven by factors such as President Trump's tariff plans, federal and state tax incentives, and the need for supply chain stability. Manufacturers must carefully assess location selection, skilled labor availability, and equipment decisions to ensure the success of reshoring efforts.

Failing to comply with employment tax obligations can lead to severe consequences, including the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP). This penalty imposes personal liability and financial hardship on business owners and responsible parties who willfully fail to collect, account for, and pay over employment taxes.

This article discusses the dilemma of whether to disclose estate planning details to family members, highlighting that the best approach depends on individual goals and family dynamics. It outlines the advantages, such as explaining wishes and streamlining estate administration, as well as the disadvantages, including strained relationships and encouragement of irresponsible behavior. 

Understanding whether you qualify as a tax-favored real estate professional can significantly impact your ability to deduct rental losses. Here we explain the general rules, exceptions, and criteria that define this status, including the eligibility criteria and material participation tests. We also highlight other exceptions for non-professionals and emphasizes the importance of utilizing available tax breaks to maximize deductions and minimize tax liability.

Facing budget cuts? Learn practical, cost-saving strategies to help government agencies maintain essential services and maximize efficiency amid federal funding uncertainties.