Safe harbor 401(k)s offer businesses a simpler route to a retirement plan

Safe harbor 401(k)s offer businesses a simpler route to a retirement plan

When many small to midsize businesses are ready to sponsor a qualified retirement plan, they encounter a common obstacle: complex administrative requirements. As a business owner, you no doubt already have a lot on your plate. Do you really want to deal with, say, IRS-mandated testing that could cause considerable hassles and expense?

Is college financial aid taxable? A crash course for families

Is college financial aid taxable? A crash course for families

College can be expensive. According to the College Board, the average sticker price for tuition and fees at private colleges was $43,350 for the 2024–2025 school year. The average cost for tuition and fees for out-of-state students at public colleges was $30,780. For in-state students, the cost was $11,610. Of course, there are additional costs for housing, food, books, supplies, transportation and incidentals that can add thousands to the total.

Understanding spousal IRAs: A smart retirement strategy for couples

Understanding spousal IRAs: A smart retirement strategy for couples

Retirement planning is essential for all families, but it can be especially critical for couples where one spouse earns little to no income. In such cases, a spousal IRA can be an effective and often overlooked tool to help build retirement savings for both partners — even if only one spouse is employed. It’s worth taking a closer look at how these accounts work and what the contribution limits are.

The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act extends many business-friendly tax provisions

The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act extends many business-friendly tax provisions

The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) includes numerous provisions affecting the tax liability of U.S. businesses. For many businesses, the favorable provisions outweigh the unfavorable, but both kinds are likely to impact your tax planning. Here are several provisions included in the new law that may influence your business’s tax liability.

Mission and vision statements help businesses rise above the din

Mission and vision statements help businesses rise above the din

Many of today’s businesses operate in a cacophonous marketplace. Everyone is out blasting emails, pushing notifications and proclaiming their presence on social media. Where does it all leave your customers and prospects? Quite possibly searching for a clear perception of your company.

One way — well, two ways — to rise above the din is to craft a mission statement and a vision statement. Although they may seem like superfluous marketing exercises to some, these two statements can help clarify your identity to customers and prospects. They can also matter to lenders, investors, the news media and job candidates.