Posts Tagged ‘Tax Stimulus’

Federal Stimulus Spending – Real Job Creation or Government Smoke & Mirrors?

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

Last week the Administration announced their revised figure for jobs “created” and “saved” as a result of the $787 billion federal stimulus package approved earlier this year.

As reflected in the New York Times article linked below, over half of the 640,000 saved or created jobs cited by the government have been in the education sector.   Only 80,000 jobs are tied to construction – which was originally the centerpiece of the stimulus package – but that portion of the spending was ultimately whittled down to only about 15% of the total package – so the job output is in that same range.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/31/us/31stimulus.html

 

The ongoing controversy is how the government is defining and measuring  “saved” and “created” jobs.  From the point in time that the Administration promised that the stimulus plan would save or create 3 million jobs, taxpayers and economists have asked for details as to how this will be measured.  For now it is a moving target with vague explanations.

California, New York and Washington had the highest number of jobs created or saved.  For additional details regarding the state-by-state and sector-by-sector job results thus far, check out the government website below:

http://www.recovery.gov/Pages/home.aspx

 

On Monday November 2nd, President Obama attempted to temper the expectations regarding job growth by stating that job losses will continue for the next weeks and months and pressed the public and private sectors to become more creative to increase hiring.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Obama-Private-public-sectors-apf-1954366305.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=5&asset=&ccode=

Stay tuned……

State and Federal Tax Audit Activity Increases With Falling Economy

Friday, September 25th, 2009

With state and local tax revenues falling by the largest percentage in 50 years, state and local agencies are stepping up their income, sales/ use and property tax audit activities to close at least part of the tax gap.

Please click on the link below to read how 42 states have experienced drops in their tax revenue – and the current fiscal year looks equally bleak.

In light of increased audits and possible legislative tax increases, taxpayers should review the variety of ways to reduce their state and local tax bite and make sure that they only pay their statutory fair share

http://www.cpa2biz.com/AST/AICPA_CPA2BiZ_Nav/Top/Browse/Newsletters.jsp

 

Also read about proposed IRS collection procedures to close the $350 billion federal tax gap.

http://www.cpa2biz.com/Content/media/PRODUCER_CONTENT/Newsletters/Articles_2009/CorpTax/Federal_Tax_Gap.jsp

Tax Stimulus – March 31st Small Business Administration Presentation Handouts

Monday, March 30th, 2009

For those attendees of the Long Beach SBDC Economic Stimulus Seminar, attached are the various handouts from my tax presentation:

Download SBDC Presentation 3.31.09 ppt

Download LB Magazine April Article

Download LBACC Advocate Spring column Blake Christian

Download Socially Responsible YEP Article

Download CA Tax Rates article 12.2007

 Download CA Reduce Emissions article 12.2007

Additional articles, videos, etc. are available below and in the "Library" section of this site.

Tea Party – Develop Your Own Tax Stimulus Package – Significant State and Federal Tax Credits Available Now

Saturday, March 7th, 2009

No need take any extreme measures when it comes to your taxes.

 

Even if you have already filed your 2008 business or personal tax return it is not too late to get some of your prior taxes back.   If you have extended your 2008 returns – read on and make sure you are not overpaying your state and federal taxes – since most taxpayers do.

 

Please scan through this entire blog and the "Library" Section of this site to find hundreds of tax refund opportunities for businesses as well as individuals.

 

With tax developments at both the federal and state level, it is time to make sure that you pay no more than your fair share of the growing tax burden.   I'm sure you can put your hard earned dollars to more effective use than the government – so get educated on all the existing, legitimate tax breaks available to you and your business.

 

Nationally, over 20 percent of businesses have one or more locations that fall within a Location Based Investment Credit (LBIC) zone and of this eligible pool of businesses, less than 10 percent of these qualifying companies actually claim the benefits they are entitled to. As a result, CPAs, CFOs and tax directors have an excellent opportunity to dramatically increase shareholder value by taking advantage of the valuable tax incentives. Since the federal programs allow up to three years of amended return refunds and many states also allow retroactive benefit claims, immediate tax advantages can be secured along with favorable EPS impact.

 

These benefits range from $500 to $15,000 per employee, depending on the specific state and federal program.

 

In addition to these location-based credit programs, there are a number of federal programs which apply to virtually any business.  These programs include the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) and the Welfare-to-Work (WtW) programs which can generate federal hiring credits ranging from $2,400 to $8,500 per qualified employees.  The 2009 federal Stimulus Package and California Budget Package expanded these programs even further.

 

These programs apply to a fairly wide range of employees, including many veterans, laid off/ unemployed candidates and those individuals with economic or medical challenges.

 

These programs are seldom accessed by taxpayers due to their unfamiliarity with the program specifics.   The significant tax reductions (including refunds) available under these programs should encourage every employer to start utilizing these state and federal programs immediately.

 

In addition to saving taxes, by hiring these economically challenged individuals, employers are contributing to their community.   Download Focusing on Unemployment 12.2008

 

 

Click here for my various 2009 CNN News Reports on the Stimulus Package, Tax and Economic Issues:      http://www.hcvt.com/media.aspx

 

 

 

Download 2009 AICPA Top 10 Tips for Tax Planning

 

 

 

 

Click below to see our proprietary tax credit software and save taxes in any state:

http://tax.cchgroup.com/FlashDemos/tzl/main.htm

See a video of our slick software that will tell you the hidden tax benefits for any address in the U.S.

Below are a number of links and articles that explain the state and federal program benefits:

http://www.cpa2biz.com/Content/media/PRODUCER_CONTENT/Newsletters/Articles_2008/CorpTax/EZstreet.jsp

Steering Tax Life on 'EZ' Street

With combined federal and state burdens often in the 40 percent range, a material reduction in a company's tax rate can produce significant savings.

http://www.cpa2biz.com/Content/media/PRODUCER_CONTENT/Newsletters/Articles_2008/CorpTax/Tax_Burden.jsp

State Tax Burden

More taxing than you might think. SALT in the wound?

Download Urban Success Mag Tax Break article

Urban Success Magazine Article (No Urban Legend Here – Tax Benefits are Real)

Download Hire a Hero 19May08

Hire a Veteran – Save Taxes While Changing a Life

Download 2009 AICPA Top 10 Tips for Tax Planning