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TAX PITFALL TO AVOID: WASH SALES

September 13, 2021 by Reynolds & Rowella Leave a Comment

By: Ryan J. Wisniewski

When selling and purchasing stocks or other securities, it is important that taxpayers keep in mind Wash Sale Rules per Internal Revenue Code Section 1091.  Wash Sale Rules exist to discourage taxpayers from selling securities at a loss simply for the tax benefit.

A taxpayer cannot sell a security at a loss, and then turn around and repurchase that same, or substantially identical, security within 30 days, before or after the sale date.  If this occurs, the loss will be disallowed, and will instead be added to the cost basis of the new security purchased.  There will be no tax benefit to the taxpayer until a subsequent sale of that security in the future, assuming that the Wash Sale Rules are not again triggered.  That newly purchased security will take the holding period of the prior security that was sold for determination of future short-term or long-term capital gain/loss treatment.  (Note: Wash Sale Rules do not affect those that are in the business as a dealer in securities.)

Your broker will provide you with a Form 1099-B to assist in preparing your personal income tax returns for the year.  That form will typically report disallowed losses generated during the year due to Wash Sale Rules.  However, it is important to note that selling ABC Stock for a loss in one brokerage account, and then repurchasing ABC Stock within 30 days from a different brokerage account, will still trigger a Wash Sale, except this time you will need to manually keep track of this information.

If you would like to generate tax losses from the sale of securities in a particular year (also known as “tax loss harvesting”), but still maintain substantially the same level of involvement in the securities market, you can simply sell your security and immediately purchase a “similar”, but not “substantially identical” security (typically involves securities in the same corporation).  An example of this practice could include selling stock in Pepsi for a loss, and then immediately purchasing stock in Coca-Cola.  This will not trigger Wash Sale Rule limitations but maintain similar level of involvement in the securities market.

Please consult your R+R tax advisor for more information.

Reynolds + Rowella is a regional accounting and consulting firm known for a team approach to financial problem solving. As Certified Public Accountants, our partners foster a personal touch with our clients. As members of DFK International/USA, an association of accountants and advisors, our professional network is international, yet many of our clients have known us for years through the local communities we serve.

Our mission is to operate as a financial services firm of outstanding quality. Our efforts are directed at serving our clients in the most efficient and responsive manner possible, delivering services that exceed the expectations of those we serve. The firm has offices at 90 Grove St., Ridgefield, Conn., and 51 Locust Ave., New Canaan, Conn. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Bresnan at 203.438.0161 or email.

Filed Under: Stocks Tagged With: Best Accounting Firms Fairfield County CT, Financial Planning Fairfield County CT, Reynolds and Rowella, TAX YIP TUESDAY

Just Married? Financial Chores to Complete when You Tie the Knot

June 23, 2021 by Reynolds & Rowella Leave a Comment

Wedding season typically peaks in late summer and early fall, according to wedding website TheKnot.com. This year, that peak may be even more noticeable due to pent-up demand for wedding festivities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

HERE”S SOME USEFUL FINANCIAL ADVICE FOR COUPLES WHO TIE THE KNOT IN 2021

How Much Does It Cost to Tie the Knot?

The average cost of a wedding —excluding the engagement ring and honeymoon — was about $19,000 in 2020, down significantly from the average of $28,000 in 2019, according to The Real Weddings Study 2020 [COVID-19 Edition]. The pandemic has temporarily reduced the average cost, largely because the average number of guests fell dramatically last year.

The drop in average wedding cost seems to be only temporary, according to the survey. The average cost for a wedding reception in 2021 is expected to be roughly $22,500.

Costs vary significantly by geographic location, however. The most expensive state to get married is New Jersey, where couples spend an average of $53,400 for a wedding and reception. The least expensive state is Utah, where the average cost is only $19,700.

Housekeeping Chores

Whether you’re planning a wedding celebration now or later, it’s important to remember the administrative tasks to address when you say, “I do.” Many of these tasks relate to name changes. Some people choose to take on their spouse’s last name or use a hyphenated (or blended) version of both last names.

The tradition of changing names is becoming less common. Many newlyweds, including some same-sex married couples and people over 35 with established careers, are sticking with their original surnames.

If you do decide to change your name, here’s the protocol after you’re legally wed:

Visit Your Local SSA Office. Notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) after you’re married to protect Social Security benefits and credit ratings. To get a new Social Security card, you need to complete an application (available online) and provide proof of identification with your old and new names, such as a driver’s license and a marriage certificate. If you were born outside the United States, you’ll also need proof that you’re a citizen or legally in the country.

Update IRS Records. The SSA informs the IRS about name changes, and the tax agency’s records are generally updated 10 days later. If you don’t notify the SSA and file a tax return with your new married name, IRS computers won’t be able to match the new name with the Social Security number.

Spread the Word. Once your name is officially changed with the SSA, newlyweds need to share the good news with everyone else. In addition to filling out the proper forms with your employer’s human resource department, here are some other records to update to avoid confusion:

  • Driver’s license,
  • Passport,
  • State and local tax records,
  • Voter registration,
  • Vehicle registration,
  • Property titles,
  • Utility records, such as phone, cell phone, electric, gas, water and trash removal,
  • Bank, credit card and brokerage accounts,
  • Pension and retirement plans,
  • Insurance policies and beneficiaries,
  • Medical, dental and pharmacy records, and
  • Email addresses and social media accounts.

When you return to work after the honeymoon, consult your company’s human resource department to evaluate how your change in marital status affects your benefits options. You might save money by eliminating duplicate health care or life insurance coverage, for example. And don’t forget to change beneficiary designations on retirement plans and insurance policies.

Combining Your Finances

Financial matters are a leading cause of conflict for married couples, especially when you’re trying to blend two established households into one. So, it’s important to consult a R+R tax advisors to get a handle on your financial, tax and estate planning strategies as a joint household.

Newlyweds need to candidly discuss such issues as how much savings and debt each partner brings to the table. Each partner’s credit rating should be disclosed to identify potential problems early in the relationship.

You’ll also need to decide whether to combine your savings, checking and credit card accounts. Even if you decide to maintain separate accounts, it’s often helpful to have at least one joint account to pay for shared expenses, such as the costs of a mortgage or car, rent, household expenses and childcare.

A joint account can also help avoid trouble in case one spouse dies. When a spouse or common law partner dies and there are separate accounts, the survivor will be excluded from the other separate account if the estate goes into probate.

In addition, R+R often help newlyweds establish joint financial goals, including annual budgets and contingency plans in case a spouse gets laid off or becomes disabled. Once your short-term goals are set, look to the future: What age do you expect to retire? Where would you like to live when you retire? What activities — such as hobbies, travel, part-time work and volunteerism — do you envision participating in during your golden years? Are your current retirement account savings and contributions sufficient to achieve those goals?

Don’t let administrative chores prevent you from living happily ever after. R+R tax advisors are here to help address critical housekeeping chores head-on – Contact us today.

About Reynolds + Rowella

Reynolds + Rowella is a regional accounting and consulting firm known for a team approach to financial problem solving. As Certified Public Accountants, our partners foster a personal touch with our clients. As members of DFK International/USA, an association of accountants and advisors, our professional network is international, yet many of our clients have known us for years through the local communities we serve.

Our mission is to operate as a financial services firm of outstanding quality. Our efforts are directed at serving our clients in the most efficient and responsive manner possible, delivering services that exceed the expectations of those we serve. The firm has offices at 90 Grove St., Ridgefield, Conn., and 51 Locust Ave., New Canaan, Conn. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Bresnan at 203.438.0161 or email.

Filed Under: Financial Planning Tagged With: Accounting Services Fairfield County CT, Financial Responsibilities Getting Married, Getting Married, Reynolds and Rowella

7 Valuable Deductions for Self-Employed Individuals

June 17, 2021 by Reynolds & Rowella Leave a Comment

Being your own boss gives you access to tax incentives not available to other workers. These include self-employment tax deductions for a home office, vehicle expenses and health insurance.

To help stretch your resources, we’ve rounded up seven tax deductions that may provide sizable benefits for people who are self employed.

Uncle Sam encourages entrepreneurship by offering various federal income tax breaks for self-employed individuals.

1. Health Insurance

Years ago, self-employed individuals could not deduct the full amount of their health insurance premiums, like corporate entities could. But the playing field has been leveled.

For 2021, you might be able to write off all your health insurance premiums if the business generates ample profit. This deduction is claimed “above the line” on your personal tax return. So, it reduces your adjusted gross income for other tax purposes. It applies to premiums for health, dental and long-term care insurance incurred for yourself, your spouse and dependents under age 27.

2. Retirement Plan Contributions

Not only can self-employed individuals accumulate retirement assets on a tax-deferred basis, they can also write off current contributions within generous limits. As with health insurance premiums, retirement plan contributions made by self-employed individuals are deductible “above the line.”

Your retirement plan options range from easy-to-administer plans — such as Simplified Employee Pension (SEPs) or Savings Incentive Match Plans for Employees (SIMPLEs) — to more-complicated solo 401(k) plans and Keogh plans specifically designed for self-employed individuals. Generally, the limits are the same as they are for comparable employer-sponsored plans.

3. Home Office Deductions

Currently, you can’t deduct home office expenses if you’re a corporate employee, but self-employed individuals may be eligible for a significant deduction. This represents a clear advantage for self-employed people.

To qualify, you must use the home regularly and exclusively as your principal place of a business or a place to meet or deal with clients, customers or patients in the normal course of business. If you have no fixed place of business, you may qualify if you do administrative work at home.

The deduction is based on the business-use percentage. For example, if you use 10% of your home’s square footage for business, you can deduct 10% of your indirect expenses — such as utilities, repairs and insurance — plus 100% of your direct expenses, such as painting the office or installing window coverings. In addition, you can claim a generous depreciation allowance under IRS tables.

There’s also a simplified method that’s allowed under the tax law: You can deduct $5 for each square foot of home office space, up to a maximum total of $1,500. Be aware that you may switch between the traditional and simplified methods from year to year. Once you pick, you aren’t locked into either method for future tax years.

Do you drive your personal vehicle for business purposes? Even though you may also use the same vehicle for personal driving, you can deduct vehicle costs attributable to business travel, based on the percentage of business use.

4. Business Vehicles

For example, suppose you use your car 80% for business driving in 2021. That means you can deduct 80% of your vehicle costs — such as gas, repairs and insurance — plus a generous depreciation allowance, subject to certain limits for “luxury cars.” And, if you buy the car in 2021, you may also qualify for a Section 179 deduction and 100% bonus depreciation.

Be aware that the IRS is a stickler for documentation. Briefly stated, you must keep a contemporaneous log listing every business trip and proof of your expenses. Alternatively, you can cut down the expense recordkeeping by using the standard mileage rate of 56 cents per business mile (plus business-related tolls and parking fees) in 2021.

As pandemic-related restrictions loosen, you may start taking long-distance trips for business reasons. Self-employed people can deduct travel expenses, including round-trip airfare, hotel costs, meals and other incidentals (such as tips and cab fares).

5. Business Travel

The primary purpose of your trip must be business-related. So, you can spend a little time on personal pursuits while you’re away, but this can’t be a disguised vacation. As with business vehicle expenses, the IRS imposes strict recordkeeping rules.

6. Business Meals

You can generally deduct the cost of your meals while you’re traveling away from home on business. But recent legislative changes have affected deductions for meals.

Normally, deductions for business meals were limited to 50% of the cost. However, under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the deduction for business entertainment expenses, including certain meals, was repealed, beginning in 2018. The IRS subsequently established that 50% the cost of qualified business meals incurred in connection with entertainment — such as food and beverages bought for a client at a sporting event — remains deductible if charged separately from the entertainment.

For 2021 and 2022 only, the Consolidated Appropriations Act increases the deduction for qualified business meals to 100%. This temporary change applies only to food and beverages provided by a restaurant.

7. Self-Employment Tax

A self-employed individual is responsible for paying self-employment tax, the equivalent of the federal payroll taxes for employees. As with employees, the Social Security portion of self-employment tax is imposed on amounts up to an annual threshold ($142,800 for 2021).

But self-employed people must pay both the employer’s and employee’s share of federal payroll taxes. That means the 15.3% tax rate for self-employment tax is double the 7.65% rate for employees. But you can deduct half of the self-employment tax on your personal return. This deduction is claimed “above the line.”

These are just a handful of valuable tax breaks that are available to self-employed individuals. As tax rules are complex and changing, consider engaging an R+R tax advisor to help ensure you are taking advantage of all the tax breaks for self-employed individuals and plan for the 2021 tax year.

About Reynolds + Rowella

Reynolds + Rowella is a regional accounting and consulting firm known for a team approach to financial problem solving. As Certified Public Accountants, our partners foster a personal touch with our clients. As members of DFK International/USA, an association of accountants and advisors, our professional network is international, yet many of our clients have known us for years through the local communities we serve.

Our mission is to operate as a financial services firm of outstanding quality. Our efforts are directed at serving our clients in the most efficient and responsive manner possible, delivering services that exceed the expectations of those we serve. The firm has offices at 90 Grove St., Ridgefield, Conn., and 51 Locust Ave., New Canaan, Conn. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Bresnan at 203.438.0161 or email.

Filed Under: Self Employed Tax Tagged With: IRS and tax deductions, Reynolds and Rowella, Self Employment Tax, Self-Employed Deductions 2021, Self-Employed Individuals

Choosing The Right CPA Firm To Audit Your Employee Benefit Plan

May 13, 2021 by Reynolds & Rowella Leave a Comment

Employee benefit plan audit services are designed to protect the financial integrity and assets contained in your plan and provide valuable information to plan administrators—not to mention legal and financial advantages from an EBP audit.

If your organization needs an EBP audit, one of the most important decisions of your plan administrator is selecting a qualified, independent auditor to perform the audit.

Three Factors to Consider When Choosing a Benefit Plan Auditor
1. Plan auditor qualifications

Federal law requires an employee benefit plan auditor responsible for signing the audit report to be licensed or certified as a public accountant by a State regulatory authority.  In addition, the auditor must be independent and not have any financial interests in the plan or the plan sponsor.

2. Auditor experience and firm peer review results

One of the most common reasons for deficient audit reports is the failure of the auditor to perform tests in areas unique to benefit plans. The more training and experience an auditor has with employee benefit plan audits, the more familiar the auditor will be with specialized benefit plan auditing standards.  In addition, firms performing benefit plan audits should have the audits subjected to their triannual peer review and annual internal inspection process.  Peer review is an external inspection process performed by an external independent auditor.  Peer review examines the audit firm’s adherence to their quality controls standards including “tone at the top”, hiring process and compliance with regulations to include; continuing professional education, compliance with auditing standards and the application of generally accepted accounting principles.

3. Association memberships

The Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center (EBPAQC) is a voluntary membership center of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to help audit firms meet the challenges of performing audits of employee benefit plans.  Being a member firm requires the audit firm to comply with a higher set of standards and practices specific to plan audits than non-member firms. In addition, the AICPA and EBPAQC requires its members to have their audit practice reviewed by internal and external qualified auditors.

Employee benefit plan audits have increasingly become the subject of examination by the DOL and IRS, so it is imperative to select a qualified employee benefit plan auditor.  For a full list of EBPAQC member firms, click here.

To ensure you have an experienced auditor, you may want to discuss their work with other employee benefit plan clients to ensure they are well versed in your plan type. Some key questions to ask when considering a benefit plan auditor are: 

  • Are you a CPA? 
  • How many employee benefit plan audits do you perform each year?
  • Are the auditors in your firm performing benefit plan audits required to have specialized employee benefit plan audit training? 
  • Are your benefit plan audits subjected to peer review?
  • What were the results of your most recent peer review? 
  • Are you a member firm of the AICPA’s Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center?

Choosing a benefit plan auditor can be overwhelming and the selection of an experienced and reliable auditor is very important. R+R can help you and your plan administrators comply with key ERISA, DOL and IRS requirements. Our audit experience includes single and multi-employer defined benefit, profit sharing, 401(k) and ESOP benefit plans. Contact Dan Harris for more information.

About Reynolds + Rowella

Reynolds + Rowella is a regional accounting and consulting firm known for a team approach to financial problem solving. As Certified Public Accountants, our partners foster a personal touch with our clients. As members of DFK International/USA, an association of accountants and advisors, our professional network is international, yet many of our clients have known us for years through the local communities we serve.

Our mission is to operate as a financial services firm of outstanding quality. Our efforts are directed at serving our clients in the most efficient and responsive manner possible, delivering services that exceed the expectations of those we serve. The firm has offices at 90 Grove St., Ridgefield, Conn., and 51 Locust Ave., New Canaan, Conn. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Bresnan at 203.438.0161 or email.

Filed Under: Benefit Plans Tagged With: Benefits Plan Connecticut, Best Accounting Firms Fairfield County CT, Reynolds and Rowella

5 Key Points about Bonus Depreciation

September 11, 2020 by Reynolds & Rowella Leave a Comment

You’re probably aware of the 100% bonus depreciation tax break that’s available for a wide range of qualifying property. Here are five important points to be aware of when it comes to this powerful tax-saving tool.

1. Bonus depreciation is scheduled to phase out

Under current law, 100% bonus depreciation will be phased out in steps for property placed in service in calendar years 2023 through 2027; 80% rate will apply to property placed in service in 2023, 60% in 2024, 40% in 2025, and 20% in 2026, and a 0% rate will apply in 2027 and later years.

For certain property with a long production period, the phaseout is scheduled to take place a year later, from 2024 to 2028.

Of course, Congress could pass legislation to extend or revise the above rules.

2. Bonus depreciation is available for new and most used property

In the past, used property didn’t qualify. It currently qualifies unless: 

  • The taxpayer previously used the property and
  • The property was acquired in certain forbidden transactions (generally acquisitions that are tax free or from a related person or entity).
3. Taxpayers should sometimes make the election to turn down bonus depreciation 

Taxpayers can elect to reject bonus depreciation for one or more classes of property. The election out may be useful for sole proprietorships, and business entities taxed under the rules for partnerships and S corporations, that want to prevent “wasting” depreciation deductions by applying them against lower-bracket income in the year property was placed in service — instead of against anticipated higher bracket income in later years.

Note that business entities taxed as “regular” corporations (in other words, non-S corporations) are taxed at a flat rate.

4. Bonus depreciation is available for certain building improvements

Before the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), bonus depreciation was available for two types of real property: 

  • Land improvements other than buildings, for example fencing and parking lots, and
  • “Qualified improvement property,” a broad category of internal improvements made to non-residential buildings after the buildings are placed in service.

The TCJA inadvertently eliminated bonus depreciation for qualified improvement property.

However, the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) made a retroactive technical correction to the TCJA. The correction makes qualified improvement property placed in service after December 31, 2017, eligible for bonus depreciation.

5. 100% bonus depreciation has reduced the importance of “Section 179 expensing”

If you own a smaller business, you’ve likely benefited from Sec. 179 expensing. This is an elective benefit that — subject to dollar limits — allows an immediate deduction of the cost of equipment, machinery, off-the-shelf computer software and some building improvements. Sec. 179 has been enhanced by the TCJA, but the availability of 100% bonus depreciation is economically equivalent and has greatly reduced the cases in which Sec. 179 expensing is useful.

We can help

The above discussion touches only on some major aspects of bonus depreciation. This is a complex area with tax implications for transactions other than simple asset acquisitions. Please reach out to your R+R financial professional or complete the contact us form if you have any questions about how to proceed in your situation.

REYNOLDS & ROWELLA | ACCOUNTING AND CONSULTING

Reynolds + Rowella is a regional accounting firm known for a team approach to financial problem solving. As Certified Public Accountants, our partners foster a personal touch with our clients. As members of DFK International/USA, an association of accountants and advisors, our professional network is international, yet many of our clients have known us for years through the local communities we serve.

The firm has offices at 90 Grove St., Ridgefield, Conn., and 51 Locust Ave., New Canaan, Conn. For more information, give us a call at 203.438.0161 or email us.

Filed Under: Depreciation Tagged With: 5 Key Points about Bonus Depreciation, Best Accounting Firms Fairfield County CT, Bonus Depreciation, Financial Investments, Reynolds and Rowella

The SBA Releases Advice On Avoiding Stimulus Program-Related Fraud

April 13, 2020 by Reynolds & Rowella Leave a Comment

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has warned the public to be on the lookout for scams related to the stimulus programs offered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The SBA has identified grant fraud, loan fraud and phishing schemes related to the stimulus program:

Grants

  • SBA does not initiate contact on either 7a or Disaster loans or grants.  If you are proactively contacted by someone claiming to be from the SBA, suspect fraud.

Loans

  • If you are contacted by someone promising to get approval of an SBA loan, but requires any payment up front or offers a high interest bridge loan in the interim, suspect fraud.
  • SBA limits the fees a broker can charge a borrower to 3% for loans $50,000 or less and 2% for loans $50,000 to $1,000,000 with an additional ¼% on amounts over $1,000,000.  Any attempt to charge more than these fees is inappropriate.
  • If you have a question about getting a SBA disaster loan, call 800-659-2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
  • If you have questions about other SBA lending products, call SBA’s Answer Desk at 800-827-5722 or send an email to answerdesk@sba.gov.

Phishing

  • If you are in the process of applying for an SBA loan and receive email correspondence asking for personally identifiable information (PII), ensure that the referenced application number is consistent with the actual application number.
  • Look out for phishing attacks/scams utilizing the SBA logo.  These may be attempts to obtain your PII, to obtain personal banking access, or to install ransomware/malware on your computer.
  • Any email communication from SBA will come from accounts ending with sba.gov.
  • The presence of an SBA logo on a webpage does not guaranty the information is accurate or endorsed by SBA.  Please cross-reference any information you receive with information available at www.sba.gov.

All questions related to your Paycheck Protection Program loan, should be directed to the bank processing your loan application.

Report any suspected fraud to OIG’s Hotline at 800-767-0385 or online at www.sba.gov/about-sba/oversight-advocacy/office-inspector-general/office-inspector-general-hotline.

Click here for tips from the Better Business Bureau on spotting small business loan scams.

REYNOLDS & ROWELLA | ACCOUNTING AND CONSULTING

Reynolds + Rowella is a regional accounting firm known for a team approach to financial problem solving. As Certified Public Accountants, our partners foster a personal touch with our clients. As members of DFK International/USA, an association of accountants and advisors, our professional network is international, yet many of our clients have known us for years through the local communities we serve.

The firm has offices at 90 Grove St., Ridgefield, Conn., and 51 Locust Ave., New Canaan, Conn. For more information, give us a call at 203.438.0161 or email us.

Filed Under: COVID-19 Tagged With: Best Accounting Firms Fairfield County CT, COVID-19 Connecticut, Grants, Loans, Phishing, Reynolds and Rowella, SBA, Stimulus Program-Related Fraud

Legislation Impacting Your Business (Action Requested)

March 27, 2020 by Reynolds & Rowella Leave a Comment

On Wednesday, March 25th the Senate passed an updated version of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The bill builds upon earlier versions of the CARES Act. This legislation has the potential to directly impact your business in a significant way. While there are many facets of this bill that seek to provide economic relief in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, there are three that are most likely to be of immediate concern to you:

BUSINESS RETENTION LOANS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

SBA loans will be issued for an amount equal to approximately 8 weeks of payroll and qualifying overhead. If conditions are met (retaining employees, etc…) the loan will convert to a grant and will be forgiven. Every FDIC insured financial institution will be eligible to make these loans and funds can be disbursed the same day the application is filed. The Treasury will be issuing further guidance in the coming days and the program is expected to be operational in approximately 3 weeks.

EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT

This provision provides a refundable payroll tax credit for 50 percent of wages paid by employers to employees during the COVID-19 crisis. The credit is available to employers whose (1) operations were fully or partially suspended, due to a COVID-19-related shutdown order, or (2) gross receipts declined by more than 50 percent when compared to the same quarter in the prior year.

The credit is based on qualified wages paid to the employee. For employers with greater than 100 full-time employees, qualified wages are wages paid to employees when they are not providing services due to the COVID-19-related circumstances described above. For eligible employers with 100 or fewer full-time employees, all employee wages qualify for the credit, whether the employer is open for business or subject to a shut-down order. The credit is provided for the first $10,000 of compensation, including health benefits, paid to an eligible employee. The credit is provided for wages paid or incurred from March 13 through December 31, 2020.

PROVISIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS

For individuals the package provides direct payments of $1,200 per adult and $500 for each child to lower and middle-income Americans. Phaseouts begin at $75K for individuals and $150K for married couples. Checks are anticipated in mid-May. Additionally, unemployment insurance will be extended to four months and the benefits bolstered by $600 weekly with eligibility being expanded to cover more workers.

Again, these are just three of the major provisions addressed in the CARES Act. CLICK HERE TO FIND AN OUTLINE OF ALL OF THE KEY PROVISIONS.

Reynolds + Rowella wants to make sure you were fully aware of this legislation and encourage you to take early action on it. We anticipate there will be significant demand for the forgivable SBA loans so it makes sense to reach out to your lenders now. In the event that you would like a referral to a local bank that will be supporting this program please let us know and we will be happy to provide an introduction.

During this extraordinary event, we want to make sure our firm is supporting you to the best of our ability. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if we can provide any immediate assistance. You can also expect a R+R team member to contact you during the weeks ahead to check in and provide you with information on additional new regulations and legislation that might apply to you and your business.

REYNOLDS & ROWELLA | ACCOUNTING AND CONSULTING

Reynolds + Rowella is a regional accounting firm known for a team approach to financial problem solving. As Certified Public Accountants, our partners foster a personal touch with our clients. As members of DFK International/USA, an association of accountants and advisors, our professional network is international, yet many of our clients have known us for years through the local communities we serve.

The firm has offices at 90 Grove St., Ridgefield, Conn., and 51 Locust Ave., New Canaan, Conn. For more information, give us a call at 203.438.0161 or email us.

Filed Under: COVID-19 Tagged With: Best Accounting Firms Fairfield County CT, BUSINESS RETENTION LOANS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, CoronaVirus, Employee Retention Credit, legislation Impacting Your Business, Reynolds and Rowella

COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) Federal Tax Filing UPDATE

March 20, 2020 by Reynolds & Rowella Leave a Comment

Office Operation Update:

Following national guidelines, Reynolds + Rowella will temporarily close our offices as of close of business Friday, March 20th.  Our firm’s technology infrastructure and proactive business continuity plan will help to ensure that we can continue our work seamlessly to support our clients from out-of-the-office locations.

IRS Tax Filing Update:

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced Friday that the IRS is extending the federal income tax filing deadline to July 15. The deadline extension gives Americans three months longer to file their individual and business income tax returns for the 2019 tax year, without incurring interest or penalties.     

The coronavirus outbreak is a critical, developing situation. The health and safety of our clients and team is always a top priority. Based on the rapidly changing conditions and to help reduce the stress on our staff and their families, we will be working our traditional office hours from remote locations. R+R is committed to continuing to work on client returns and will file as soon as possible. If you have any special time constraints, please contact a member of the team so that we can meet your requirements. 

Please be assured that R+R is focused on our commitments to you and that we will continue to provide the high-quality service to which you are accustomed. Thank you for your understanding in these very challenging times

We are available to answer any questions you have. Please contact us via email or call us by using the dial by name directory at 203-438-0161.

REYNOLDS & ROWELLA | ACCOUNTING AND CONSULTING FAIRFIELD COUNTY CT

Reynolds + Rowella is a regional accounting firm known for a team approach to financial problem solving. As Certified Public Accountants, our partners foster a personal touch with our clients. As members of DFK International/USA, an association of accountants and advisors, our professional network is international, yet many of our clients have known us for years through the local communities we serve.

Our mission is to operate as a financial services firm of outstanding quality. Our efforts are directed at serving our clients in the most efficient and responsive manner possible, delivering services that exceed the expectations of those we serve.

The firm has offices at 90 Grove St., Ridgefield, Conn., and 51 Locust Ave., New Canaan, Conn. For more information, give us a call at 203.438.0161 or email us.

Filed Under: COVID-19 Tagged With: CoronaVirus, Filing Tax Return, IRS Filing Delays, IRS Tax Filing Updates, Reynolds and Rowella, Tax Returns Fairfield County CT

2019 Walk To End Alzheimer’s – Fairfield County, CT

October 14, 2019 by Reynolds & Rowella Leave a Comment

October 13, 2019

Reynolds + Rowella and the Rowella family (pictured) both support and participated in the Norwalk/Fairfield County Walk to End Alzheimer’s on October 13, 2019.

Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease!

REYNOLDS & ROWELLA | ACCOUNTING AND CONSULTING FAIRFIELD COUNTY CT

Reynolds + Rowella is a regional accounting firm known for a team approach to financial problem solving. As Certified Public Accountants, our partners foster a personal touch with our clients. As members of DFK International/USA, an association of accountants and advisors, our professional network is international, yet many of our clients have known us for years through the local communities we serve.
Our mission is to operate as a financial services firm of outstanding quality. Our efforts are directed at serving our clients in the most efficient and responsive manner possible, delivering services that exceed the expectations of those we serve. The firm has offices at 90 Grove St., Ridgefield, Conn., and 51 Locust Ave., New Canaan, Conn. For more information, give us a call at 203.438.0161 or email us.

Filed Under: Charities Tagged With: Alzheimer's Walk Fairfield, Best Accounting Firms Fairfield County CT, Financial planning Disability Insurance, Reynolds and Rowella

Collene Torres of Reynolds + Rowella joins over 300 swimmers for Swim Across America

June 25, 2019 by Reynolds & Rowella Leave a Comment

Collene Torres of Team Wave Riders joined more than 300 swimmers and volunteers in the 13th annual Swim Across America Fairfield County on June 22, 2019.   Team Wave Riders raised more than $8,500 for this event!  Collene says the team is already talking about expanding and have set their goal for 2020 at $20,020!

Swim Across America is the inspired sequel to a triumphant Run Across America completed by the two founders of SAA, Jeff Keith and Matt Vossler in 1985. The eight-month journey spanned the country from Boston to Los Angeles and raised over $1 million for cancer research. Jeff Keith, one of the determined runners, a 22-year-old from Fairfield, CT, had lost his right leg to cancer a decade before. Following college graduation, these two childhood buddies embarked on their mission, making history in the process. Together, they instilled hope in all who fight this disease and heightened consciousness about overcoming this frightening diagnosis.

It was in 1987 that Keith and Vossler decided to bring their cause back home and transitioned from running to swimming for a cure. With a focus on raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment, Swim Across America was chartered as a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

Since 1987, SAA has granted over $80 million through 20 experiential open water swimming fundraising events and over 100 pool swim fundraisers.

REYNOLDS & ROWELLA | ACCOUNTING AND CONSULTING FAIRFIELD COUNTY CT

Reynolds + Rowella is a regional accounting firm known for a team approach to financial problem solving. As Certified Public Accountants, our partners foster a personal touch with our clients. As members of DFK International/USA, an association of accountants and advisors, our professional network is international, yet many of our clients have known us for years through the local communities we serve.
Our mission is to operate as a financial services firm of outstanding quality. Our efforts are directed at serving our clients in the most efficient and responsive manner possible, delivering services that exceed the expectations of those we serve. The firm has offices at 90 Grove St., Ridgefield, Conn., and 51 Locust Ave., New Canaan, Conn. For more information, give us a call at 203.438.0161 or email us.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Accounting Services Fairfield County CT, Best Accounting Firms Fairfield County CT, Financial Investments, In the Community, Reynolds and Rowella, Swim Across America

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