It’s crunch time for filing individual tax returns, which means tax-related identity theft is on the rise. Each year, more and more scammers plan to steal personal information of taxpayers to file a fraudulent return or claim a refund. The… Read More

The post Protect Yourself Against Tax-Related Identity Theft with a New Tool from the IRS appeared first on Anders CPAs.

The decision of South Dakota v. Wayfair is causing states to enforce economic nexus laws to collect sales tax from out-of-state sellers with a connection to the state. These laws affect online retailers and multi-state businesses who collect revenue up to the threshold amount in a state. To understand which states your business may be...

The post Economic Nexus by State Following South Dakota v. Wayfair appeared first on Anders CPA.

It’s been over a year since states across the country started implementing sales tax regulations. But how have businesses been impacted? The Anders State and Local Tax Services Group and Aegis Law are back with a recorded discussion on how the South Dakota v. Wayfair case has affected out of state retailers and multi-state businesses...

The post VIDEO – From Then to Now: The State of South Dakota v. Wayfair appeared first on Anders CPA.

GagliardiPhotography/Shutterstock

• As spring passes by under lockdown, many Americans are wondering if it's safe to visit their mom for Mother's Day this year. 
• Claudia Finkelstein, a doctor and associate professor of family medicine at Michigan State University, says that if either you or your parent have a chronic illness, are over the age of 65, or live in an urban area, it's unwise to plan an in-person visit.
• If you are able to visit your mother, however, try to meet outdoors and avoid physical contact — which may be challenging if you have children.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

As a physician, mother, daughter, and socially responsible human, I'm finding Mother's Day to be complicated for me this year, as it is for millions. Questions of whether and how to see my adult children and my own elderly mother present medical and ethical quandaries. As an associate professor of family medicine with a focus on wellness, as Mother's Day approaches, I'd like to share with you my thinking about this using some tools to aid discernment.

Wouldn't it be great if choosing time with parents or offspring were ever an easy decision to make? However, the answer is rarely that simple. This year, in the midst of a global pandemic and the need to continue to practice social distancing, the decision is even more complex than usual.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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• Scott Galloway: Amazon can and should offer all of its Prime members COVID-19 testing 'at a scale and efficiency that makes America feel like South Korea — competent'
• 14 countries that are paying their workers during quarantine — and how they compare to America's $1,200 stimulus checks
• This is the most common zodiac sign among the world's richest billionaires

SEE ALSO: 5 ways for parents to motivate their kids and avoid tantrums at home during the coronavirus, according to a parenting expert

READ MORE: There's such a thing as having a 'social allergy' to someone you dislike. Here's how to keep the peace, no matter what situation you're in.

Jorge Silva/Reuters

• As some countries have started to lift their lockdown measures, public places have been making changes to adapt to government-issued social distancing measures. 
• More public places are using tape, floor markers and plastic dividers to help people comply with social distancing guidelines. 
• Photos show how people are trying to adapt to a new way of life during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

As some countries begin to lift their coronavirus lockdown measures, public places have been getting creative to adjust to social distancing guidelines.

From waiters wearing personal protective equipment to schools using plastic dividers between children, these photos show the world is adjusting to life under the coronavirus pandemic.

As countries begin to slowly lift their lockdown measures, many changes have to be made to public life in an effort to prevent second waves of COVID-19.

One of the places that have to adapt the most is restaurants. Some have been coming up with creative ways to enforce social distancing measures, including putting up dividers on tables.

But in some places, a plastic divider is not enough. Diners in this Bangkok restaurant, for example, have been asked to sit diagonally from each other to maximize their distance.

See Also:

• Shanghai Disneyland cast members told to wear face masks and avoid guest contact ahead of next week's reopening as China emerges from pandemic
• A West Virginia worker told us what it was like living at his factory for 28 days to help make PPE, and says he would 'absolutely' do another 'lock-in' to help
• These photos show thousands flocking to New York's parks over the weekend after Mayor de Blasio said that good weather 'is very much a threat to us'

SEE ALSO: LA's skies are smog-free and peacocks are roaming the streets of Dubai. Photos show how nature has returned to cities shut down by the coronavirus pandemic.

Matthew DeBord/Insider

• I tested a roughly $33,000 Polaris Slingshot R, a three-wheeled "autocycle."
• The three-wheeler category includes vehicles from Can-Am and Harley-Davidson, offering a motorcycle experience in a less demanding package.
• My Slingshot R had a new, Polaris-developed, 203-horsepower engine and an automatic transmission.
• In all but three US states, no motorcycle license is required to operate the Slingshot (New York, Massachusetts, and Alaska continue to require the motorcycle certification).
• The Slingshot is insanely fun, with a modest learning curve — it's a great alternative to a two-wheeler, although the price is definitely steep for the Slingshot R.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Motorcycles are cool, but they aren't for everybody. Fortunately, there are some alternatives out there that offer an equally compelling, open-air experience.

One of the most popular is the the Polaris Slingshot, manufactured by the Minnesota-based powersports company. Until recently, Slingshots were available only with manual transmissions and GM-sourced engines, but for 2020, Polaris has updated the autocycle with an in-house motor and an automatic.

The automatic transmission in particular really broadens the Slingshot's potential. So I was excited to sample the machine, which I first saw about five years ago.

Polaris was kind enough to loan me a tester for a few weeks. Here's how it went:

The Polaris Slingshot is a three-wheeled autocycle/motorcycle that Polaris industries has produced since 2014. My 2020 Slingshot R tester cost about $33,000 and was outfitted in a menacing red-and-black paint job.

The cheapest Slingshot is about $20,000.

This wasn't my first crack at a Slingshot. Polaris brought the vehicle to Insider's New York offices when the vehicle first launched.

And I generally have a gander at the Slingshot when I visit the annual New York motorcycle show.

See Also:

• All the coolest features of every Tesla vehicle ever made or unveiled, ranked
• Here are 20 cars you can drive off the lot new for less than $20,000
• How Tesla's cargo capacity stacks up against other iconic front trunks in the car industry: From Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, and more

FOLLOW US: On Facebook for more car and transportation content!

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued interim enforcement guidance to help combat supply shortages of disposable N95 facepiece respirators (N95 FFRs). This is the latest step to ensure availability of respirators. More information at the USDOL website.

This Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG) is intended to help small businesses comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Respiratory Protection standard (63 FR 1152; January 8, 1998). OSHA’s goal for this document is to provide small entities with a comprehensive step-by-step guide complete with checklists and commonly asked questions that will aid both employees and employers in small businesses with a better understanding of OSHA’s respiratory protection standard.

NECA is pleased to report that the U.S. Treasury Department released new guidance on April 7, 2020, clarifying that companies with under 500 employees do qualify for loans under the new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This change comes after association staff raised concerns with Congressional leaders and officials at the Small Business Administration and the Department of Treasury.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced an interim enforcement response plan for the coronavirus pandemic. The response plan provides instructions and guidance to OSHA Area Offices and compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) for handling coronavirus-related complaints, referrals, and severe illness reports.

While tax-exempt not-for-profit organizations don’t typically have federal tax liability, most are still responsible for filing an annual information return with the IRS. The IRS Forms 990-EZ, and 990 are public documents that include information about the organization’s mission, programs… Read More

The post Using Form 990 to Market Your Not-for-Profit appeared first on Anders CPAs.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is changing the way organizations do business, including not-for-profit organizations. To help you prepare for the changes and take advantage of new benefits, the Anders Not-for-Profit Group has compiled a chart on the most… Read More

The post Tax Reform: Impact on Not-for-Profits appeared first on Anders CPAs.

No matter the size of the organization, if you’re serving on the board you want to feel confident that the organization has the right governance policies and practices in place. Those pesky Form 990 questions actually offer a fantastic checklist… Read More

The post Not-for-Profit Board Governance Best Practices to Implement appeared first on Anders CPAs.

Working within a tight budget can cause some not-for-profit organizations to neglect their financial reporting. Office managers may be assigned to do the bookkeeping, but don’t have the time or expertise to do the technical accounting. Having accounting and financial… Read More

The post How Not-for-Profits Can Focus on the Mission, Not the Financials appeared first on Anders CPAs.

Many not-for-profits organizations have been concerned about the taxability of parking and transportation benefits as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Fortunately, the IRS recently issued interim guidance around the treatment of these benefits incurred after December… Read More

The post How Not-for-Profits Can Take Advantage of New Guidance on Taxable Parking Benefits by March 31, 2019 appeared first on Anders CPAs.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) significantly changed the tax benefits of donating to your favorite charity starting in 2018. Now that we’ve seen a full year with the new provisions, not-for-profit organizations are taking a look at the… Read More

The post Charitable Giving is Down Following Tax Reform: How Not-for-Profits Should React appeared first on Anders CPAs.

Many not-for-profits organizations have been concerned about the taxability of parking and transportation benefits as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Fortunately, Congress recently moved to repeal the dreaded “parking tax” on fringe benefits, such as free… Read More

The post Unpopular Parking Tax on Not-for-Profits May Be Repealed appeared first on Anders CPAs.

As we continue to navigate unchartered waters, we know the impact this pandemic is having on the not-for-profit community. All of us in public accounting are passionate advocates for our clients. We genuinely want to help you create successful, thriving… Read More

The post A Message To Our Valued Not-for-Profit Friends in Response to the COVID-19 Crisis appeared first on Anders CPAs.

Before 1992, the easiest way to run the time off the clock in a soccer game was just to pass the ball to the goalkeeper, who could pick the ball up, and hold it for a few seconds before throwing it back into play. This was considered by some to be unsportsmanlike and bad for spectators. So in 1992, the International Football Association Board, the committee in charge of determining the rules of soccer, made a minor change to the laws of the game. From that season forward, in every league throughout the world, when a player passed the ball back to the goalkeeper, the goalkeeper could no longer use their hands. The backpass law didn’t seem like a huge change at the time, but it fundamentally changed soccer.

Unsure Footing

In times like these, we could all use a little historical perspective. In this new podcast from Radiotopia, Jody Avirgan, political historian Nicole Hemmer, and special guests rescue moments from U.S. history to map our journey through a tumultuous year.

On this episode of 99% Invisible, Jody talks with Roman about his new show and we play two short episodes of This Day in Esoteric Political History.

Subscribe to This Day in Esoteric Political History on Apple Podcasts

Tracking expenses is an important part of maximizing PPP loan forgiveness. Once you identify which expenses are eligible for PPP forgiveness, it’s time to start keeping track of these expenses and calculate your potential forgiveness amount. The Anders CARES Act Research and Response Team put together tracking tools you can use to make it easier...

The post Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Calculators appeared first on Anders CPA.

Amy Walter, National Editor of the Cook Political Report and former Political Director of ABC News, will be returning to speak at the NECA 2020 National Legislative Conference.

Top three in Government Affairs for the week of January 31.

NECA Government Affairs top three for the week of February 7, 2020.

1. New Joint Employer Rule Issued by the NLRB

On February 25, 2020, the National Labor Relations Board released the details of a new joint-employer liability rule. This new rule, which began the regulatory process almost two years ago, reverts the regulatory language back to its pre-2007 form, requiring companies to exercise direct control over workers to be considered their employer. The new joint-employer rule creates a much higher threshold for the employers to be held jointly liable for violations; benefiting organizations and corporations structured around franchising and third-party hiring.

NECA’s Look Ahead: This rule takes effect April 27, 2020. NECA will continue to monitor this rule change, assessing its impacts on jobsites.

2. The Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act Passes the House 

On February 25, 2020, H.R. 561, the Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act, passed the House by unanimous voice vote. This legislation will aid veteran-owned small businesses by directing the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs to contract with those businesses. Veteran-owed small businesses will be required to perform a majority of the work they are awarded on these government contracts with large subcontractors and will be restricted from performing the work set aside for these types of small businesses. 

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA applauds the House on the unanimous passage of this legislation and expects it to be received favorably in the Senate. We will continue to monitor this issue as it moves to the Senate and are confident in a positive outcome.

3. The Committee on Small Business Held Hearing to Discuss FY2021 Budget

On February 26, 2020, the House Committee on Small Business held a hearing to discuss the 2021 Budget with the Small Business Administrator. Recently appointed Administrator, Jovita Carranza, gave an overview of the administration’s budget requests and the committee was able to examine the potential opportunities and challenges that small businesses participating in the SBA’s programs will face. 

1. Administration Calls for Additional Funding for PPP

One of the most popular programs created in the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), has released over $70 billion to small businesses to help them remain viable during this pandemic. Due to the large demand, the Administration has requested additional funding for that program in a letter to Congressional leaders.

NECA’s look Ahead: Senate Democrats requested an additional $250 billion for hospitals and local governments in addition to funding for the PPP while Republican leaders argued that funding for the PPP is the only account that requires additional immediate funding at this time. The Senate adjourned on April 9, 2020 unable to pass additional funding for the PPP under unanimous consent.

2. Treasury Guidance Clarifies Qualifications for PPP Borrowers

With the passage of the CARES Act, many agencies have been scrambling to enact the reforms and programs developed in rapid time. One such program, the Paycheck Protection Program, which allows substantial loans to be granted under favorable terms by the Small Business Administration, came under scrutiny for potentially requiring businesses to meet both size and revenue requirements instead of just the size requirements (under 500 employees) originally required. While this scrutiny came from an over-cautious interpretation of an earlier guidance, the Treasury Department offered additional guidance to make it clear to borrowers that they may meet either the revenue standards listed under a given NAICS code or qualify by having less than 500 employees. 

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA worked with key leaders once the CARES Act was signed into law to attain greater clarity on this issue for our contractors. This new change will give NECA contractors the predictability they need to move forward with the new SBA loan program. We will continue to monitor the implementation of the CARES Act and continue to maintain in constant conversation with Congressional staff and agency officials to communicate the needs of our members. 

3. DOD Releases Rule on Payment to Small Business Contractors

Earlier this week the Department of Defense (DOD) released a final rule on the defining and implementation of accelerated payments to classified small businesses under DOD contracts. The rule (DFARS Case 2018–D068) which finalizes the implementation of a section from 2019’s National Defense Authorization Act urges the federal government to pay small business contractors within 15 days of the receipt of a proper invoice. While this is only a goal for the federal government and not a direct mandate, which NECA advocated for in the past, we view this final rule and its upcoming full implementation as a positive step forward.

NECA’s Look Ahead: We encourage NECA contractors to read the final rule and monitor its implementation on DOD contracts. With your feedback and on-the-ground experiences, we will be better able to make lawmakers and agency officials aware of its progress.

1. OSHA Issues Additional Guidance on COVID as Recordable Illness

On April 10, 2020, OSHA released updated enforcement guidance for recording cases of COVID-19. The guidance clarifies that OSHA’s recordkeeping requirement for COVID-19 as a recordable illness applies to those in the healthcare industry and emergency response organizations. OSHA will not enforce its recordkeeping requirements to employers outside of these sectors.

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA has been working with OSHA to make this clarification to ensure that NECA contractors are not responsible for recording COVID-19 on their OSHA 300 logs on the basis that it is impossible to prove COVID-19 was contracted on the jobsite.

2. GSA Issues Order Allowing Electronic Signatures for Bonding

NECA Government Affairs has worked with allied groups in the construction industry to push the General Services Administration (GSA) to issue an order allowing bonding vendors and sureties to use electronic signatures instead of the typically required ‘wet’ signatures. By doing so, our contractors can receive bonding, necessary on a majority of jobs, sooner and with less unnecessary contact during these challenging times.  We are pleased to announce that this reform was recently issued. While this strictly applies to only GSA contracts, NECA government affairs, along with others, is working to spread this reform to the entirety of the federal government.

NECA’s Look Ahead: Our contractors commend the GSA for their prompt response and reasonable revision. NECA will continue to work with the GSA and other construction industry groups to push for responsible reform and the removing of barriers to our industry’s reinvigoration.

3. NECA Calls for Additional Funding for Paycheck Protection Program

NECA and many of its Chapters joined over two hundred trade associations in sending a letter to Congress to urge emergency funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The PPP has been very successful and widely utilized by the construction industry according to the Small Business Administration. The program ran out of funding on April 16, 2020.

NECA’s Look Ahead: With both the House and the Senate officially out of session until May, it  seems unlikely that Congress will be able to agree to and pass by unanimous consent, NECA remains committed to urging Congress to continue to fund this important program and return to Washington D.C. to start critical negotiations for Phase IV COVID-19 legislation. 

Blue Frog Robotics has launched its adorable companion Buddy robot on Indiegogo. The robot has many features. It can be a personal assistant, playmate or security robot.

Read more on howtoweb.com

Valorant executive producer Anna Donlon offers a refreshing take on how toxicity needs to be dealt with in online games, and explores why a perfect solution is so difficult to create. ...

Tracking expenses is an important part of maximizing PPP loan forgiveness. Once you identify which expenses are eligible for PPP forgiveness, it’s time to start keeping track of these expenses and calculate your potential forgiveness amount. The Anders CARES Act… Read More

The post Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Calculator appeared first on Anders CPAs.

Small businesses should have better access to PPP funding after new protections put in place by Treasury Sec. Steve Mnuchin.

Hospitality technology fuels hotel chain growth

Investments in new technologies help Equifax protect sensitive data?

New program offers licenses, consultation hours to help support remote work strategies

Think about many of the technologies we now take for granted, like the smartphone. Think about how significantly the smartphone has changed the way we live and work. Think about how your business life was a mere 10-12 years ago.… Read More

The post Blockchain: A Quiet Revolution? A Disruptor? Both? appeared first on Anders CPAs.

Valorant executive producer Anna Donlon offers a refreshing take on how toxicity needs to be dealt with in online games, and explores why a perfect solution is so difficult to create. ...

Indians aren’t generous tippers. When restaurants started adding service charge to the bill, it solved the problem of stingy tipping to some extent.

The Enterprise Viewer enables users to view all types of content (documents, images, audio and video) and collaborate using powerful editing tools and chat windows

Delivers unprecedented scale for large enterprises, advanced security and IP protection, and real-time access to Panzura's global cloud file system from any device

Paycheck Protection Program Helping Contractors aconstanza Mon, 05/04/2020 - 12:47

Each t-shirt saves approximately 27 litres of water, uses 50% less energy to produce and reduces carbon emission by over 54%.

A co-founders’ agreement outlines the rights and responsibilities of the co-founder that can help in avoiding any conflict that might arise among co-founders in future.

With businesses all over the world taking action to help combat the spread of COVID-19, many organizations are moving towards remote working.

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