One of the newest commodities that people are trading these days is digital assets. Digital assets may be images, videos, documents, cryptocurrency, software and more. Due to the digital nature of these assets, they can be a challenge to manage and track. Here are some best practices to keep your digital assets safe, organized and in compliance with the law.
Use a Digital Asset Management System
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There’s a long-standing tradition of businesses giving Christmas bonuses to loyal employees. Each year, employees eagerly await these bonuses, trying to guess how much they will be, when they’ll be handed out and fantasizing about how they’ll spend it. Whether it’s a large corporation, a medium-sized company or a small business, at this point, it’s almost expected that Christmas bonuses will be given. It’s so commonplace that movies have been made around the premise, the most well-known being “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” with Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid.
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Starting and running a business is both an exhilarating and demanding endeavor. It involves not only your professional aspirations but also your financial investments. For many small business owners, the business itself becomes an integral part of their lives. Many entrepreneurs initially start by themselves, with no special plan to take on a business partner in the future. But as time passes, it often becomes preferable or even necessary to consider bringing in another professional to help run or grow the business.
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As the seasons change, so do the fortunes of many businesses. Whether it's a cozy winter wonderland attracting skiers, a vibrant summer resort beckoning beachgoers, or a bustling holiday season for retailers, seasonal businesses face unique challenges and opportunities. It takes a lot of planning and experience to navigate the waters of seasonal business trends. Here are some tips for preparing for the busy months.
Harnessing Customer Insights for Personalization
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Cash bonuses have traditionally been used to reward employee performance, communicate the value of an employee, recognize, support employee loyalty and more. But many business owners—particularly small ones—may not have the cash needed to hand out bonus checks. Given the complexities of business operations, combined with the challenging economic climate, cash bonuses may simply not be a viable option. If you’re a business owner starting to look ahead at ways to reward employees, here are some creative alternatives to cash bonuses to consider.
Flexible Working Arrangements
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Decluttering has become popular, based in part on the now famous teachings of Marie Kondo, and in part on the minimalist lifestyle movement. But you don’t need to be part of a cultural trend to want to get rid of things you no longer use. People have been selling unused items in one form or another since civilization began. In your lifetime, you may have driven past untold numbers of garage sales and flea markets. Online selling is an iteration of those platforms, where people can sell unused items and put a little cash in their pockets.
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Caring for a loved one with dementia is a profound emotional experience. The gradual loss of memory, personality changes, and the increasing need for constant care can be overwhelming. It's a time of sorrow, frustration, and often, financial strain. The emotional toll is heavy, and the financial implications can add to the burden. But understanding the available support, both emotional and financial, can make this journey a little easier.
Financial Challenges and Tax Considerations
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Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, are specialized accounts designed to help individuals save money for medical expenses. These accounts offer unique tax benefits and are frequently linked to high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). They offer a unique blend of tax benefits, investment opportunities, and spending flexibility, all tailored to healthcare needs. The concept of HSAs transcends traditional savings accounts, providing a multifaceted approach to healthcare financing.
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Every day, scammers are concocting new ways of trying to separate you from your money. It seems with every new security measure, a new way of getting around it is invented. Since nearly everyone is online these days, the vulnerability risk is high. Take a look at five of the latest money scams, and you’ll get a sense of how incredibly sneaky they can be.
1. Charitable Giving Scams
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The average American has about $65,000 in savings, according to a recent poll. But if that’s the average, that means that a great number of people have much less; maybe more in the neighborhood of a few thousand or even less than that. The recent pandemic certainly wreaked havoc with people’s savings, of course.
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If you’re a business or self-employed, you have to deal with estimated tax payments. These are used to pay alternative minimum tax, income tax and self-employment tax. Many people find estimated tax payments to be a nuisance, and they wonder if they are mandatory. The fact is, the IRS is within its rights to penalize taxpayers who miss estimated tax payments, so it’s worth the time to fully understand what estimated tax payments are, and your obligations for payment.
What Are Estimated Tax Payments?
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Whether you’re launching a startup or already managing a small business, understanding how to build business credit is a crucial aspect of your company's financial health. A robust business credit profile can open doors to various financing options, better loan terms, and advantageous relationships with suppliers. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of building business credit.
Understanding Business Credit
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Running a small business often means wearing multiple hats. One moment you're a manager, the next you're a marketer, then a customer service representative. While juggling these roles, small business owners are prone to making mistakes, particularly in the area of finance. Here are the ten most common financial mistakes small business owners make and how to avoid them.
1. Not Having a Detailed Business Plan
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More than ever, taxpayers are engaging in hobbies that bring in extra income to the household. There’s no limit to the creativity of humans, and hobbies run the gamut from painting, ceramics, baking, photography, weaving, blogging, coin collecting and more. The IRS classifies hobby activities differently, particularly when it comes to tax liabilities. If you have hobby income, it’s crucial to understand the potential tax implications. The best idea is to consult with your CPA for advice about your hobby income. In the meantime, here’s what you should know.
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If you’re a business or self-employed, you have to deal with estimated tax payments. These are used to pay alternative minimum tax, income tax and self-employment tax. Many people find estimated tax payments to be a nuisance, and they wonder if they are mandatory. The fact is, the IRS is within its rights to penalize taxpayers who miss estimated tax payments, so it’s worth the time to fully understand what estimated tax payments are, and your obligations for payment.
What Are Estimated Tax Payments?
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Relocating can be an exciting adventure, filled with the anticipation of new experiences and better opportunities. But proper financial planning ahead of time is crucial to ensure that your move goes as smoothly and stress-free as possible. From understanding your current financial situation to budgeting for your new cost of living, there are several key things to consider.
Review Your Current Financial Situation
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Everyone deserves a chance to take a break from the day to day and take a vacation. Vacations are a time to relax, maybe explore a new place and enjoy some of the things that life has to offer with your discretionary income. You shouldn’t have to worry about keeping your money safe while on vacation, but unfortunately, that’s just a fact of life. Today, there are more ways than ever for things to get out of control while you’re on vacation. Here are some tips to keep your money safe while on vacation.
Notify Your Bank And Credit Card Companies
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Receiving a tax refund can be a nice financial boost. Technically though, if you’re doing things well, you shouldn’t be getting a tax refund. You can make sure you don’t pay the government too much during the year with the help of a CPA. But for now, if you do find yourself anticipating a gas return, there are some ways that you can maximize the potential of this so-called windfall. A large tax refund can make a big difference in your life if you use it strategically. It could even help support financial well-being in the future. Here are some smart ways to use your tax refund.
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The 1031 Exchange, also known as the like-kind exchange, is a powerful tool in the arsenal of savvy real estate investors. In its essence, this provision, under the IRS code, allows investors to defer paying capital gains taxes on an investment property when it's sold, as long as another "like-kind property" is purchased with the profit gained by the sale of the first property.
What is a 1031 Exchange?
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In an era where traditional compensation packages are evolving, accepting stock options instead of a bonus or a raise is becoming a common practice, especially in the startup and tech industries. Companies often use this approach to conserve cash, motivate employees towards the company's success, and save on payroll taxes. However, this shift from immediate financial gain to a more complex, potentially lucrative reward system presents both opportunities and challenges for employees.
What Are Stock Options?
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In an economy where uncertainty has become the only constant, protecting yourself against a recession is of utmost importance. It's an unavoidable fact that economies go through cycles. Periods of growth are often followed by slowdowns or recessions. While predicting the exact timing of a recession is impossible, there are proactive steps you can take to shield yourself financially when one occurs. Remember, a proactive approach and timely consultation with a trusted CPA can ensure that you weather the storm without compromising your financial health.
Build an Emergency Fund
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At some time or another, almost every small business owner has considered hiring their children to work in the family business. It's an attractive idea. The concept of passing down a business to the next generation is as old as the days of settling the Old West in this country. But things are more complicated now than they were back then. Even if you're simply contemplating hiring your son or daughter for the summer, there are lots of things to think about first.
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Financial knowledge is a critical skill that, unfortunately, isn't typically taught in schools. By teaching your children how to save money from a young age, you're setting them up for a lifetime of responsible money management. However, as most parents know, kids often aren’t receptive to straight-out lectures about money from their parents. In fairness, it can feel a lot like more school after they’ve already spent all day in a classroom. Consider taking some more subtle and creative approaches to teaching your children how to save.
Set a Savings Goal Together
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As prices have soared on groceries, automobiles, and everything in between, you may think putting away some money to increase your savings account is out of the question. While it's true this task may be hard, it is not a mission impossible. To make sure you can save up for retirement as well as a rainy-day fund, here are some simple tips you can use to get excellent results.
Track Your Expenses
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When you think of a startup business and a small business, you may assume they are one and the same. However, once you learn more about these two types of businesses, you'll discover important differences. If you’re considering going into business for yourself, here are some facts to keep in mind regarding a startup and a small business.
What is a Startup Business?
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If you are trying to buy a home, obtain a car loan, rent an apartment, or even apply for a job, the information contained in your credit report will be a big factor in determining your success or failure. While in most cases your credit report will be accurate, many people find negative items on their reports that they didn't even know existed. While there are plenty of companies that offer to help remove these items, they don't do anything you can't do yourself.
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Embarking on the journey to financial success can be overwhelming, particularly when faced with multiple goals and competing priorities. But taking the time to prioritize financial goals and then following through with them can reap tremendous and long-lasting benefits. CPAs see firsthand the benefits of establishing a clear and well-organized financial plan. Here is a step-by-step process to prioritize your financial goals and create a roadmap to achieve them. By the end of the journey, you'll be better equipped to tackle your financial aspirations head-on.
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Despite the best of intentions, many people find themselves living paycheck to paycheck, unable to put away any significant savings. This lifestyle can lead to financial stress and prevent individuals from achieving their long-term financial goals. In this article, we will explore some of the most common reasons why people struggle to save money and provide practical advice for overcoming these obstacles.
Lack of Budgeting and Financial Planning
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Managing personal finances can be challenging, but reigning in family spending often proves to be a more significant challenge. When different family members have diverse spending habits, it becomes essential to find ways to bring harmony to the household's financial situation. This article will explore various methods that can help families take control of their spending, ensuring everyone works together to achieve financial stability and peace of mind.
Leverage Communication and Transparency
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In the world of finance and business, there are a few people who stand out for their incredible wealth and success. These individuals have built multi-billion dollar companies, made smart investments, and have mastered the art of accumulating wealth. While there are many strategies and philosophies when it comes to managing money, we can learn a lot from these experts. Here is what some of the world’s most successful people have to say about wealth.
Warren Buffet: “Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget rule No. 1.”
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