Many American families are struggling to make ends meet and save for their future needs, according to a report from the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board), but those with a financial plan do better...
MKR Blog
New Accounting Standards for Pension Costs
The true cost of public employee pensions will become clearer under changes approved June 25 by the accounting standards-setter for state and local governments ? the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). The GASB has approved two new standards that mark a...
IRS Posts Draft Revised Withholding Forms Conforming to FATCA
In response to the new requirements imposed by the Foreign Account Taxpayer Compliance Act (FATCA) and the proposed regulations promulgated thereunder, the IRS has prepared two new withholding certificates: Form W-8BEN, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial...
Money Management Is Possible – Even in Today’s Economy
Most businesses these days are looking to cut spending. Accounting firms are in a unique position to not only help their small business clients trim the fat and manage their money, but to do the same for themselves. Before any company can delve into strategic ways to...
Making Taxes Less Taxing
Gina Noy offers her clients stress-free tax preparation. It's not often you find "stress-free" and "tax" in the same sentence, especially during busy season, but for Noy, it's a philosophy that carries through her Manhattan-based CPA firm. Noy, who offers tax...
IRS Discourages Tax Return Drop-offs at Taxpayer Assistance Centers
Beginning this year, IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TAC) generally will not accept bulk returns for processing and mailing, particularly when it affects taxpayer services. The IRS hopes to eliminate the practice of taxpayer representatives dropping off completed...
IRS Discloses Favorite Tax Scams of 2012
The IRS has issued its annual Dirty Dozen ranking of tax scams, reminding taxpayers to use caution during tax season to protect themselves against a wide range of schemes ranging from identity theft to return preparer fraud. The Dirty Dozen listing, compiled by the...
Is the IRS Being Mean to Lindsay Lohan?
Lindsay Lohan has found herself in compromising positions before, and now she’s landed in another one. A report has surfaced that the twenty-five-year-old actress, who rocketed to fame in the 2004 film Mean Girls, is on the hook for almost $100,000 in back taxes owed...
Wrangling Continues over the Payroll Tax Cut
By AccountingWEB Staff Time is running out before the payroll tax rate automatically increases in two weeks, and the dispute over how to fund it continues. The tax measure at issue would maintain the payroll tax rate at 4.2 percent for the year 2012 instead of...
Intuit’s New QuickBooks Online Accountant Brings the Cloud – and Its Benefits – to Accountants
By David H. Ringstrom, CPA QuickBooks Online, a cloud-based accounting solution for small businesses, has experienced 40 percent growth over the past year; it now has 280,000 users. More and more small business owners are reaping the benefits of anytime, anywhere...
How Coordinating 401(k)s Can Help Couples Maximize Retirement Savings
Key Takeaways Not coordinating 401(k)s can cost couples real money. Research suggests couples who don't prioritize the highest employer match may lose an average of $14,000 in retirement wealth over their lifetime — not from saving too little, but from saving in the...
How AI is Helping Americans Make Smarter Money Decisions
Key Takeaways AI can automate the basics of money management. From tracking spending patterns to suggesting realistic budgets and automating transfers to savings, AI-powered financial apps help people manage cash flow without the guesswork of manual tracking. AI is a...
How To Avoid the 10-Year Tax Trap With an Inherited IRA
Inheriting an IRA might feel like a financial win, but the rules today are different than they were just a few years ago. If you’re not up to date, an unexpected tax bill could catch you off guard. Here’s what changed, and how to plan around it. Changes Made by the...
Top Trends Shaping the Retail Industry in 2026
The retail landscape has been reshaping since the pandemic, and what seemed like temporary changes have now solidified into permanent shifts in how consumers shop and what they expect from retailers. Here are the key trends shaping retail this year. Value-Oriented...
Will the IRS Take Your Tax Refund If You Owe Back Taxes? Here’s What to Expect
If you owe back taxes and you’re expecting a refund this year, you might be wondering if the IRS will keep it. In some cases, yes. In others, no. Whether the refund reaches your bank account depends on several factors. If you have unpaid federal tax debt, the IRS can...
What Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Means for Your Tax Return
President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) could change your tax return in real ways. The bill offers potential relief for parents raising kids, workers earning tips or overtime, and seniors on fixed incomes. There are a few key areas to pay attention to. Here’s...
Top Veterinary Technology Trends for 2026 Every Practice Should Know
Running a veterinary clinic means juggling patient care, staff needs, and business operations. Technology can help ease that load, and in 2026, several trends are beginning to emerge for better efficiency, security, and staff and client support. Here are the...
More Americans Can Now Use HSAs
Health savings accounts (HSAs) are one of the best tools for saving on healthcare costs. And beginning this year, more Americans than ever will qualify for HSAs, thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), which was passed last July. Read on to learn what’s changing,...
Should You Leave Your 401(k) in Your Employer Plan After Retirement?
When you retire, you don’t have to move your 401(k) right away, and for many retirees, leaving it where it is could be a smart move. Employers are increasingly adding features that make staying in the plan more appealing. Why? Partly because when employees with large...
Construction Outlook 2026: Key Risks and Growth Opportunities for Business Owners
The construction industry enters 2026 facing both persistent headwinds and emerging opportunities. Rising material costs, ongoing labor shortages, and policy uncertainty continue to challenge business owners. But at the same time, there’s an undercurrent of guarded...