Tax Facts about the Affordable Care Act for Individuals

You and each dependent on your return need to have minimum essential health insurance coverage.     If you or any of your dependents do not have health insurance and do not qualify for an exemption, you will be required to make a ‘Shared Responsibility Payment’ for each uninsured individual on your return when you file your […]

Retirement Contributions for 2014 and 2015

Below is a table of retirement contributions for 2014 and 2015.  It may not be too late to contribute for 2014 as you can contribute up to the due date of your tax return (i.e. April 15, 2015 for 2013 1040) for certain retirement plans.  You may also be eligible for the retirement savers tax […]

2015 Mileage Rate

The Internal Revenue Service has now issued the 2015 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2015, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be: 57.5 cents […]

GASB 67 and GASB 68

The Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has issued new reporting requirements that will affect the reporting requirements for audits of Pension Plans (Fire Relief Associations) and audits of employers with Pension Plans (the City).  GASB 67 is the statement that affects the Pension Plan.  GASB 68 is the statement that affects the accounting for the […]

August 1, 2014 Minimum Wage Increase

Effective August 1, 2014 through July 31, 2015 the following increase in minimum wage will affect many employers in Minnesota. Large Employer (gross sales over $500,000) – $8.00/hour Small Employer (gross sales under $500,000) – $6.50/hour Training Wage (Employees under 20 years of age for first 90 days) – $6.50/hour Youth Wage (employees under 18 years of […]

Get Ready to File Your 2013 Taxes

Paying taxes is an annual event that we cannot avoid.  As the end of the year draws near we all start to get a little stressed about how to save as much as we legally can. The first plan of attack is to set an appointment with one of our tax professionals.  Research shows that […]

Retirement Contributions for 2013 and 2014

Below is a table of retirement contributions for 2013 and 2014.  It may not be too late to contribute for 2013 as you can contribute up to the due date of your tax return (i.e. April 15, 2014 for 2013 1040) for certain retirement plans.  You may also be eligible for the retirement savers tax […]

2014 Standard Mileage Rate

The Internal Revenue Service has now issued the 2014 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2014, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be: 56 cents […]

Sales Tax Update

Local Government Exemption – Effective January 1, 2014, cities and counties are exempt from sales and use tax on purchases used to provide certain government services.  The Minnesota Department of Revenue has issued Fact Sheet 176  for additional information.  The Form ST-3 has been updated to add “Local Government” under B-specific government exemption.  All cities and […]

Governmental Entities Sales Tax Changes

Effective January 1, 2014 cities, townships and counties are exempt from Minnesota Sales and Use Tax for purchases made to provide certain governmental services.  The three criteria purchases must meet to qualify for Minnesota Sales Tax Exempt include: Input used to provide government services Not used as inputs to provide service that is generally proided by […]