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Preparing for an ERC audit
It’s the season for IRS ERC exams — are you or your client prepared?

The Employee Retention Credit: The latest scrutiny
With IRS backlog reduced, additional focus is now on supply chain qualifications, misleading ads and growing fraud risk

Don’t succumb to the ERC misinformation epidemic
There has been an increase in buzz around the Employee Retention Credit, including a lot of misinformation. Learn how to approach the ERC in a way that benefits your clients and ensures compliance.

A strategic approach to tax-advantaged charitable giving
Donor-advised funds and charitable remainder trusts are often viewed as mutually exclusive philanthropic strategies. While many debate the advantages of each, combining them offers leveraged tax deductions, income back to the donor and, in the end, a legacy gift to charitable organizations on your terms.

Opening the nexus chamber of secrets [MNCPA]
This article analyzes how Wayfair impacted state income tax and sales tax nexus and concludes with a decision roadmap that tax advisers and taxpayers can apply when approaching state tax nexus issues.

Legalized use of cannabis in Minnesota: What employers need to know
The increasing social acceptance and legalization of cannabis across multiple states the past decade has brought with it the need for employers to adjust to fit a new normal.

5 myths about cannabis and the accounting industry
Cannabis is expected to be a $100 billion market in the next few years, with hundreds of thousands of new companies needing accounting and tax help.

Talent pipeline is the issue of our day [MNCPA]
Get insight and news from MNCPA leadership about the organization and professional issues.

Empathy: A powerful business construct [MNCPA]
Dr. Shannon Rogers explains how she is eliciting loyalty with data-driven, empathetic user experiences.

Estate tax planning for uncertain times [MNCPA]
One matter is clear during these uncertain times: It’s the golden age of gifting. Advise clients to take advantage of these estate tax planning strategies before it’s too late.

179D and 45L technical update
The Inflation Reduction Act offers tax savings opportunities for real estate clients.

Boost your virtual networking power
Keep the foundational principles of networking in place and apply it to the virtual space.

5 tips to help you prune toxic clients [MNCPA]
At the end of the day, not every client is a great client. And having great clients at your firm keeps your firm profitable and your team happy.

Hanging your shingle [MNCPA]
Have you ever thought of running your own shop? Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit? Does the thought of risk not scare you? Then making this move can be awesome.

Gather client experience data through effective interviews
Ask enough people about their expectations, and you can identify some universal themes about why they choose you. However, surveys can only do so much.

5 ways CPAs can help their clients with bankruptcy
Recent economic challenges have caused a rise in bankruptcy cases. Besides lawyers, CPAs are also handling an increasing number of bankruptcy cases and have an important role in advising clients.

6 ways to show clients appreciation
Showing appreciation for others is a rare but powerful opportunity to build a relationship — and a brand.

Benchmarking as a service in CAAS practice
Benchmarking services empower our clients with the knowledge necessary to make strategic business decisions, and as their trusted advisers, we can help our clients achieve growth and improve profitability.

An overview of charitable contributions [MNCPA]
For tax advisers, it is important to be aware of the requirements and nuances that accompany donations.

Dealing with too many ‘quick questions?’ [MNCPA]
You might think interruptions are just a fact of life when you are an accountant, but for the sake of maximizing productively and maintaining your well-being, it’s important to set boundaries.

How to determine if a Recovery Startup Business qualifies for the Employee Retention Credit
It is recommended that a taxpayer who began carrying on a trade or business after Feb. 15, 2020 examine their gross receipts to see if they meet the requirements to be considered an RSB. The credit available for those who qualify as an RSB can be significant.

Your client is interested in an ESOP: Why do they need a feasibility study?
An ESOP can be a great way for a business owner to transition their business and give back to their employees, but it’s not ideal for everyone. Before you move forward, it’s wise to crunch some numbers to make sure it is a viable option.

Tax survey respondents share telltale signs of busy season [MNCPA]
Once again, we’re in the midst of busy season. For some, it’s as though it never ended.

Legacy and groceries:
After you retire, do you plan to eat or to buy groceries? If you answered yes, you may want to consider an ESOP.

Impact of pending reconciliation bill on Section 179D energy efficient commercial buildings
Companies should be making plans now in anticipation of these new provisions going into effect for buildings placed into service after Dec. 31, 2021.

ASC 842, GASB 87 implementation are here [MNCPA]
With the many new processes, controls and accounts needed to ensure proper oversight of lease accounting, entities should wait no longer to begin the adoption process.

Minnesota’s pass-through entity tax credit [MNCPA]
It’s time to determine whether eligible partnerships and S Corporations will elect to pay the state’s PTE tax for 2021.

Nuts and bolts of cryptocurrency taxation [MNCPA]
The inclusion of the virtual currency question on the front and center of Form 1040 have made cryptocurrency a subject that tax practitioners cannot afford to ignore anymore.

Best practices for digital ad campaigns
You can’t control how people search for your services, but using digital ads regularly can help you build brand awareness and a more detailed profile of qualified leads.

The status of SAS 134, 135, 136 and beyond
SAS 134–140 will take effect for audits of financial statements for periods ending on or after Dec. 15, 2021. Here’s what you need to know.

An overview of Medicare and its application to choice-of-entity planning considerations [MNCPA]
With new businesses forming in record numbers, the choice of entity decision-making process should consider Medicare in addition to all other factors.

What tax practitioners need to know about cybersecurity [MNCPA]
While leaders and security experts continue to evolve protective measures to lessen the threat of tax identity theft, tax preparers must take precautions to shield themselves and their clients.

Creditworthiness verifications and PPP loans
CPA firms receiving requests from lenders for creditworthiness verifications for clients who had requested Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans were often unsure of how to respond.

Recognizing the signs of elder abuse
It is important to know the warning signs of elder financial abuse and what you can do to act on behalf of your clients when necessary.

My client asked me about an ESOP; what do I need to know?
Employee stock ownership plans may be the right business succession tool for your clients who are nearing retirement. Hillary Hughes shares important facts about ESOPs.

Minnesota resident trust law update [MNCPA]
The Fielding result may influence a broader and more fact- and circumstances-based test in determining whether a trust is subject to Minnesota tax.

The new staff augmentation arrangements [MNCPA]
The PEEC has established a new ethics section to provide guidance on how services can be rendered and still maintain independence with regard to attest clients.

Why would I need a single audit now? [MNCPA]
New federal dollars allocated to many nonprofits might bring additional oversight not previously expected.

Client centricity leads to profitability
Becoming client centric requires an investment in training and retooling, but the return on your investment will be immediate and significant.

An underused business succession tool: The WOC
A worker-owned cooperative is a business enterprise jointly owned and controlled by its workers under a participative governance model, with each member having one vote.

The 10 biggest myths (missed opportunities) with the Employee Retention Credit
Many CPAs are not fully understanding the nuances and complexities of this expanded law.

It’s safe harbor season: Here’s what you (and your clients) should know
Now that tax season is behind you, you’re likely thinking of new ways to create efficiencies and minimize your clients’ tax burdens for next year.

How to leverage referrals in this virtual world
Thankfully, there are options that exist to bring in new business from behind your desk.

As organizations move back to work, what does ‘the new normal’ look like? [MNCPA]
The pandemic required employers to rethink office and work arrangements. Employers are also were faced with demographic, economic, cultural and technological changes.

Business Perspective: CPACharge [MNCPA]
CPAs and accountants are all too familiar with the fact that it costs money to move money within our financial systems. Credit cards are no exception to this rule.

Can we have the best of both worlds? [MNCPA]
Hybrid work may be a win-win for employees and employers.

Communications the key to our sustainable relationship [MNCPA]
Find out about key issues the MNCPA is monitoring at the Capitol. Stay current on legislative news and events with stories, tips and grassroots involvement.

The FAQs of an ESOP
An ESOP might be an appealing option for your business or for a client. Find out more.

We can never go back to before [MNCPA]
Now is the time to start thinking about a different normal in the workplace. The future of retaining — and recruiting — staff may depend on it.

Are the details killing your company?
What are you doing to ensure that every member of your team pays attention to the little details that send big messages about your organization?

Acknowledging the good in challenging times [MNCPA]
Get insight and news from MNCPA leadership about the organization and professional issues.

IRS launches Operation Hidden Treasure targeting unreported crypto for criminal, civil prosecution
Operation Hidden Treasure is the most recent and, by far, the most important for the IRS with their top priority on cryptocurrency tax and nonreporting by taxpayers.

3 ways to improve digital marketing campaigns
Now that more firms are exploring and launching digital marketing activities, let’s look at three ways to help CPAs get real digital leads.

The hidden gems of the new COVID-19 tax law [MNCPA]
It seems that with all new tax law, it boils down to some basic chunks of data: The headliner provisions (we’ve all heard and read about), the extenders, the esoteric provisions and everything else.

Business Perspective: Thomson Reuters [MNCPA]
While this can sound daunting, there are three key elements you’ll want to include in your conversation with clients when talking about advisory.

Preparing for busy season 2021 [MNCPA]
With 2020 nearly behind us, here are five scenarios you might find yourself in and tactics you can try to prepare for the upcoming busy season based on lessons learned in the past nine months.

Maintaining and enhancing client engagement now and in the future [MNCPA]
Thankfully, there are several actions you can take (that don’t require you to log into Zoom) to maintain a high level of client service from afar.

Business Perspective: Salo [MNCPA]
Crises are nothing new for career consultants. After all, organizations often bring in consultants when they have big, hairy, complicated problems to solve and little time to solve them.

Critical considerations for selecting and implementing an ERP platform [MNCPA]
As organizations seek to improve operations and increase efficiency, many are considering implementing or replacing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system — and for good reasons.

Dealing with return-to-work stress
As more workers transition back to the office, what can organizations do to plan for a safe, comfortable transition?

25 firm growth opportunities for 2020 and beyond
With the COVID-19 pandemic changing everything we do and how we do it, I thought it would be appropriate to share with you 25 growth ideas that are always timely no matter what the situation.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy became easier just in time for the COVID-19 fallout [MNCPA]
The Small Business Reorganization Act is a newly added subchapter of Chapter 11 bankruptcy that makes it feasible and beneficial for your small-business clients to benefit in new ways.

The value of neurodiversity
Neurodiversity is a term that recognizes certain individuals' brains function differently and includes people on the autism spectrum, as well as those with dyslexia or ADHD, among other conditions.

The future of business etiquette and communications
Whether for health reasons or due to multiple physical offices and markets, leaders must use new messaging to breach the physical divide and keep their relationships close.

Keep your pipeline alive now so you can thrive later [MNCPA]
With much of the world in disarray and businesses feeling like they are in limbo because of COVID-19, it may seem like the wrong time to focus attention on business development at your firm. It's not.

Nothing is status quo during the COVID-19 pandemic, including how you communicate
Do a communications gut check. Take five minutes to audit yourself and reflect on whether you’ve communicated with the audiences most important to you lately and, if so, how

CPAs are the peanut butter to taxpayers’ jelly [MNCPA]
We tried to capture the spirit of perfect pairings in the 10th annual Tax Campaign, which promotes the importance of CPAs and the profession to the public.

COVID-19 pandemic turns CPAs into emergency workers
Many people think that accountants are just rational unfeeling counting machines who operate completely on logic and reason.

The SECURE Act: How retirement planning has changed for every taxpayer [MNCPA]
While the recent appropriations law covers a wide array of changes, the SECURE Act focuses on retirement accounts, specifically for seniors.

Adapting your firm in a time of a pandemic
Here are 10 actions your firm can take in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Making teleworking work in a time of crisis
With the spread of COVID-19, which is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, many employers who have not previously implemented telecommuting/work from home (WFH) arrangements, are being forced to offer WFH arrangements.

COVID-19 (coronavirus) guidance for employers
How should your office leaders prepare for and respond to a potential pandemic affecting the workplace?

5 easy ways to increase new business during busy season
Your clients are right in front of you during busy season and at various times throughout the year. You can build marketing and business development into those conversations for cross-servicing and referrals.

Generation who cares? [MNCPA]
Do generational differences really matter? Consider these thoughts to address the situation in your office.

Client centricity creates a path to profitability
Many firms think they know what their clients want, but scarcely do. In short, most client-centric service strategies produce neither the “wow” factor nor the profits.

View from Revenue: Teaming up to help Minnesota businesses [MNCPA]
Find out about key issues the MNCPA is monitoring at the Capitol. Stay current on legislative news and events with stories, tips and grassroots involvement.

The lease standard is delayed: Next steps for CPA firms and their clients
With the likely delayed implementation of the new lease accounting standard for privately-held companies, many organizations have shifted their focus away from the new lease standard to other priorities.

Spousal relief: When your client needs relief from joint tax liability
Innocent spouse relief is an option to consider under certain circumstances.

MNCPA Perspectives blog posts

Common — and outrageous! — attempted tax deductions
Here are some themes behind commonly attempted deductibles shared in the annual MNCPA Tax Survey of members; some of these might look familiar to you, too!

Choice in auditors is good for Minnesota
It is imperative residents engage with local governments and there is spending oversight. Whether we are discussing private businesses, not-for-profit or governmental entities...

Check out live demonstrations of four automation software
Become an automation superhero on Oct. 31. Demo 1, 2, 3 or all 4 software showcases at this virtual event.

Understanding the new 1099-K rules in 2023
With changes from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the threshold for a Form 1009-K has been cut drastically both in terms of the number of transactions and the amount of revenue earned...

MNCPA members: What concerns us most about upcoming tax season
We asked our members as part of the annual MNCPA Tax Survey about what concerns them most about this upcoming tax season...

Don't let a single audit take you by surprise
When various federal funds funneled to this nonprofit as a result of COVID-related legislation, the organization, for the first time, hit the $750,000 threshold to trigger a single audit...

Promoting CPAs in a time of complexity, crisis
CPAs have been relied upon more than ever for their expert decision-making skills. As Donny Shimamoto put it, the pandemic turned CPAs into emergency workers helping families and business owners...

Time to shine

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