LGT's Profit Sense

As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and beginning in 2018, the new Internal Revenue Code Section 163(j) will limit the ability of a business to deduct its business interest expense if the taxpayer has average gross receipts over $25 million.  This limitation could lead to higher taxes for companies in capital-intensive industries.

In part one of this series Maria explained the relationsip between contracts and ASC 606 you can read it here.

In the wake of the new tax law and other developments, many not-for-profits are looking for ways to solidify their financial footing—including the possibility of merging with another organization. However, a merger isn’t something into which any organization should enter lightly.  It’s a big step that requires careful planning and consideration.

With the national unemployment rate dropping to the lowest levels in more than a decade, many dealerships are looking for new ways to attract and retain talented employees. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) may offer such an opportunity through the introduction of a new tax credit. By voluntarily offering paid family and medical leave to employees, this tax break could provide benefits that, in turn, could make it easier to hire and retain employees in a competitive hiring market.

The deduction is allowed for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026. This pass-through deduction is for sole proprietorships, S corporation, and partnerships; C corporations are not eligible.

Already with more than one quarter of 2019 in the books, CEOs of small- to medium-size business (SMBs) remain cautious but optimistic about the remaining portion of the year. In a recent polling of SMB CEOs, executed by Vistage Research, CEOs said that they are are optimistic about the potential for growth in 2019 but are uncertain about their ability to realize that potential. The majority of SMB CEOs are expecting an increase in revenues and profitability, but less than 15% of them believe that the economy will improve in 2019. A critical factor here is that the brief rush of economic boom from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was negated by the unpredictable tariff price increases. Most SMB CEOs felt no impact from the TCJA, and a little less than half have been negatively impacted by tariffs. Wholesale trade, manufacturing and distribution, and construction, key underpinning sectors of the economy, report having some of the highest negative impacts of tariffs. This economic uncertainty presents a dilemma for CEOs on how to maintain growth while being cautious of a potential economic slowdown.

The most significant change the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) brought to like-kind exchanges is that it is limited to only real property held for productive use in a trade or business or held for investment. Personal property is no longer eligible for gain deferral under Section 1031.

I am Lee Ann Collins, Managing Partner at Lane Gorman Trubitt, and recently I found myself awake instead of peacefully sleeping. The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France was burning, and I watched the news feeds while praying with the rest of the world. The amazing emergency service teams in Paris were able to put out the fire, saving many lives and the rose window. It had me thinking about how buildings and monuments like the cathedral are a mark of those that came before us. They take a community of people to build and maintain.  Long after the architect, builder, and owner are gone, the testament to their vision and dedication remains.

The changes in revenue recognition present two major issues. In this month's article, Maria will address the first issue. Next month she will complete this two part series.

No organization today, nonprofit or otherwise, can afford to ignore the possibility of a natural or manmade threat that cripples operations. From hurricanes and wildfires, active shooters and cyberattacks, to things as seemingly minor as a burst pipe, your operations are vulnerable. While some disasters are unpreventable, you nonetheless can reduce the repercussions by preparing now.