New revenue, donor concentration, and expense allocation: Form 990 issues to watch
Changes in revenue, expense allocations, and donor concentration can create Form 990 complications that aren’t always visible in the financial statements alone. This article walks nonprofit leaders through three key areas to review before year-end: supporting expense classifications across program, management, and fundraising functions; evaluating whether new income-producing activities trigger unrelated business income tax; and monitoring public-support calculations when donor concentration is rising. Addressing these issues early keeps year-end surprises to a minimum and helps protect your organization’s tax-exempt status.
Indirect cost allocation for federal government contractors: building rates you can explain and support
Federal government contractors who bill on cost-reimbursable contracts must allocate indirect costs across contracts using structured rates for fringe, overhead, and G&A. This article explains how those rates are calculated, why they shift over time, and how inaccurate rate assumptions can affect proposal pricing, contract margins, and interim billing. Whether you are building a rate structure for the first time or questioning whether your current one still fits your business, this guide walks through the key mechanics and what to watch for.
A new federal tax credit could help fund K-12 scholarships starting in 2027
Starting in 2027, a new federal tax credit will allow eligible taxpayers to reduce their tax liability dollar for dollar by making cash contributions to qualifying Scholarship Granting Organizations that fund K-12 education. Unlike a charitable deduction, this credit directly offsets what you owe, with individual credits of up to $1,700 per year and up to $3,400 for married couples filing jointly. If you support education-focused giving, now is the time to understand how this new credit interacts with existing state programs and your overall charitable strategy.
The pro-rata rule: the backdoor Roth IRA mistake that can create an unexpected tax bill
The backdoor Roth IRA strategy can trigger an unexpected tax bill if you overlook the pro-rata rule, which requires the IRS to treat all of your traditional IRA balances together when calculating how much of a conversion is taxable. A separate account, a prior 401(k) rollover, or even a year-end IRA balance you didn’t have at the time of conversion can all affect the result. Before contributing or converting, review your full IRA picture to avoid a costly surprise at tax time.
Why higher hotel occupancy doesn’t always mean higher profit
High occupancy is an encouraging sign, but it does not guarantee stronger profit. Hotel owners and finance leaders need to look beyond room counts to understand how demand translates into operating profit and cash flow. This article walks through the key metrics, from ADR and RevPAR to GOPPAR, flow-through, and debt-service coverage, that give a more complete picture of hotel financial performance.
How much cash should your business actually keep?
How much cash should your business keep on hand? The answer depends on more than a simple rule of thumb. This article breaks down a practical framework for separating your cash into layers, covering operating needs, committed funds, and contingency reserves, so you can make smarter decisions about liquidity, capital allocation, and when cash truly becomes excess.
Q4 tax planning: what needs to happen, and when?
Q4 tax planning is not a single deadline; it’s a series of decisions that each have their own timing. Some strategies require lead time to execute, others depend on an updated year-end forecast, and some work can legitimately carry into the new year. Knowing which category each decision falls into is what separates effective fourth quarter planning from a last-minute scramble in December.
The IRS has a new mobile app. Here’s what taxpayers can do with it.
The IRS has launched a new mobile app that replaces IRS2Go, giving taxpayers quick access to refund status, payment history, tax records, IRS notices, and Identity Protection PINs. This article walks through what the app can do and how to use it safely. If something in your IRS account raises questions, a tax professional can help you make sense of it.
Compensation, conflicts, and related parties: what your nonprofit needs to know
Nonprofit boards regularly decide on compensation, vendors, and relationships with affiliated organizations. But when someone with influence stands to benefit, those decisions deserve a closer look. Our latest article walks through the key questions every nonprofit should ask before approving a transaction.
New IRS per diem rates in effect as of October 1
The IRS has released its 2026-2027 special per diem rates for business travel, and the changes took effect October 1st. If your company reimburses employees for travel expenses, now is the time to update your rates, review your reimbursement policy, and ensure your expense systems reflect the latest IRS guidance before outdated rates create compliance problems. Read our latest article to learn what changed, what it means for your business, and what your finance team should do right now.