Since early March, the COVID-19 pandemic has been making a substantial financial impact on millions of people across the country. With 22 million jobless claims in just one month and a slowly moving economy, many homeowners are left wondering if their properties will...
MKR Blog
COVID-19 Stimulus Checks: Who Qualifies and What to Expect
The U.S. Government has already started sending stimulus payments to Americans from the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed into law on March 27, 2020. But there is still some...
The CARES Act and Small Business Loan Assistance
On March 27 the CARES Act was signed into law in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is an overview of the types of assistance available to small businesses in an effort to lessen some of the economic impact. Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan This is a $350...
Smart Moves to Make with Your Tax Refund
Whether you’re working with a robust tax refund, a work bonus, or an inheritance of some kind, here’s a list of positive moves to make with that windfall. Evaluate Your Debt There’s “bad” debt and “good” debt. Good debt is an investment that will grow in value or...
How Could New FICO Scoring Affect You?
A new scoring model from Fair Isaac Corp., the company behind the FICO score, is set to be implemented later this year by Equifax and other major credit bureaus. The popular score is commonly used by lenders to determine your eligibility and interest rate for certain...
Taxes You Could Face in Retirement
As an American worker, relinquishing part of your income to taxes is standard practice, but once you move out of the workforce, much of your retirement income is subject to taxes as well. Below are some possible taxes you could face in retirement. Social Security...
What to Do If You Owe Taxes to the IRS
What happens when you file your taxes and discover that you owe money to the IRS? What are your options? What about when the amount owed is greater than you can afford at the moment? Luckily, there are several options for both scenarios. Before we get into the...
Clarifying the 199A Deduction
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released a new document clarifying the new rules related to section 199A. If you're unfamiliar with 199A, this section is a part of the tax code that references a new deduction of up to 20 percent of qualified domestic...
AICPA Extends Comment Deadlines
Two committees of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) - the Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) and the Accounting and Review Services Committee (ARSC) - have extended deadlines on exposure drafts of proposed revisions of existing requirements for...
343,020 Reasons CPAs Should Talk Up Their Tax Expertise Now
Nearly three years ago, the IRS launched the tax return preparer oversight program and seeds were planted in the landscape of tax return preparation services. Today, those seeds are starting to sprout. In June, the IRS estimated there are 717,161 PTIN holders, many of...
Smart Business Strategies to Prepare for Economic Downturns
Economies always run in cycles, which means that, at some point, inevitably, there will be a downturn. And the best time to prepare for an economic downturn is before things start to take a tumble. In this article, we’ll go over strategies you can use to keep your...
Succession Planning for Professional Services Practices: Preparing to Sell, Merge, or Pass the Firm to the Next Generation
What happens when it’s time to step back from running your professional services firm? Is there a clear path for the future of your business? In this article, we’ll go over how to create a solid succession plan, whether you’re looking to sell, merge, or pass the firm...
How to Maximize the $40,000 SALT Deduction in 2025 Under Trump’s New Tax Law
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) signed by President Trump includes a federal cap on the state and local tax (SALT). Until 2024, SALT was capped at $10,000 under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), but the OBBB increased it to $40,000. The cap will rise by 1% each...
How Tariffs, Economic Uncertainty, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Are Impacting Small Business Earnings
Small businesses are finally seeing signs of life after a rocky few years. Since January, average earnings have climbed by 75%. That’s an encouraging statistic, yet monthly revenues still lag behind the record highs of the past two years. This signals that progress is...
Americans Spend Hours Thinking About Money: Financial Stress, Its Impact, and Practical Solutions to Ease Worries
Recent surveys reveal that Americans spend hours each week thinking about their finances. Rising prices, mounting debt, and uncertainty about the future all contribute to financial stress. Add in steep housing costs, concerns over tariffs raising the price of goods,...
How Small Retailers Can Use Local Partnerships to Drive Foot Traffic and Boost Sales
Small retailers have a rough go competing against big chains and e-commerce giants, but there’s one thing these smaller stores have that Amazon doesn’t: community. Local stores have the opportunity to build connections with their customers. Building partnerships...
Why 2025 Is the Perfect Time to Start or Buy an Independent Veterinary Practice
A noticeable trend in 2025 points to a resurgence in independent veterinary ownership. In an era dominated by corporate consolidation, 2025 is shaping up to be a turning point — especially for veterinarians ready to reclaim ownership, redefine care models, and build...
Why the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Could Be a Lifeline for Small Businesses Facing Tariffs and Inflation
As small business owners face continued inflation and rising tariffs, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) could provide critical financial relief for Main Street businesses. By extending key provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA), the legislation...
Understanding How Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Affects Social Security Benefits
President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” has been making headlines, particularly for what it could mean for older Americans collecting Social Security. While many headlines have suggested that the bill would eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits, that’s not...
How to Transfer an SBA Loan: Rules, Restrictions, and What’s Allowed
Transferring an SBA loan isn’t a straightforward process. Whether you’re selling your company or planning for a family succession, understanding how to transfer an SBA loan and what’s legally allowed is critical for staying compliant and protecting your finances. In...