Filing a tax extension buys you time, but only if you use it wisely. From revisiting your April payment estimate to gathering missing documents and staying on top of current-year obligations, the months between now and October 15th are a valuable planning window. Read on to learn how to make the most of your extension and avoid a costly repeat of the same tax challenges next year.
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs have been reauthorized and extended through September 30, 2031. The reauthorization includes several notable changes, including higher funding ceilings, expanded agency participation, new foreign-entity security screening requirements, and a new large-award allocation for qualifying businesses. Small businesses engaged in applied research and development across a broad range of industries should take note of these programs as a potential source of non-dilutive grant funding.
Effective financial planning isn’t a one-time event, it’s an ongoing process that must adapt as your life, income, and goals change over time. From building early savings to navigating tax strategy in peak earning years to preparing a sustainable retirement income, each life stage brings new challenges and opportunities that a static plan simply can’t address. Read on to learn how a lifecycle-based approach to financial planning can help you make smarter, more coordinated decisions at every stage of the journey.
Getting married triggers significant tax changes that catch many couples off guard, from a new filing status that takes effect the moment you say “I do,” to withholding gaps that can result in an unexpected tax bill in April. Beyond filing and withholding, newlyweds also need to address name and address updates, healthcare coverage decisions, HSA eligibility changes, and dependent-related credits before year-end. Tackling these adjustments proactively, rather than waiting until tax season, helps couples avoid penalties, protect their refunds, and start their financial life together on solid footing.
For many businesses, customer growth is often viewed as the primary driver of revenue improvement. While attracting new customers is important, companies often short-change an important discipline: regularly evaluating existing customer performance and identifying opportunities to strengthen profitability through better customer analysis and targeted strategies. Reviewing your customer roster can provide valuable insight into additional revenue opportunities.
Businesses that fail to regularly evaluate their compensation and retention strategies risk losing valuable team members to competitors offering stronger incentives, more flexibility, and clearer growth opportunities. For business leaders, the seam between 1H and 2H is a fine time to review staff compensation and retention plans to ensure they remain competitive, sustainable, and aligned with long-term goals.
Summer may be arriving, but financial and tax planning continues year-round. This month’s issue brings together insights designed to help readers stay proactive, informed, and prepared, with guidance focused on timely decisions, evolving priorities, and opportunities worth exploring before the year moves further ahead.
Did tax season leave you staring down the remaining months of the year with trepidation? You may want to consider working with a CPA who can help you reset your stance, so you can tee up with renewed hope for the future of your business.
For many businesses, summer brings a welcome change of pace, but it can also introduce operational challenges. Employee vacations, shifting workloads, and the arrival of seasonal hires or interns can create both opportunities and strain. Organizations that plan ahead for summer staffing are far better positioned to maintain productivity and provide better continuity of customer service, despite seasonal staffing ebbs and flows. Here are a few practical ways to approach summer staffing and internship programs more strategically.
For many businesses, conferences and trade shows represent an essential marketing and sales activity. These events offer valuable opportunities to generate leads, build relationships, and increase brand visibility. However, without a clear follow-up strategy, even the most promising conversations can fail to convert into meaningful business opportunities. Here are some tips on how to approach follow-up in a more structured and results-driven way.