If you have a life insurance policy, you may want to ensure that the benefits your family will receive after your death won’t be included in your estate. That way, the benefits won’t be subject to federal estate tax. Current exemption amounts For 2021, the federal estate and gift tax exemption is $11.7 million ($23.4 […]
Category: Insurance
COBRA Provisions Play Critical Role In COVID-19 Relief Law
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees and their families have lost group health plan coverage because of layoffs or reduced hours. If your business has had to take such steps, and it’s required to offer continuing health care coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), the recently passed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) […]
On-Site – Winter
Health Savings Accounts For Your Small Business
Small business owners are well aware of the increasing cost of employee health care benefits. As a result, your business may be interested in providing some of these benefits through an employer-sponsored Health Savings Account (HSA). Or perhaps you already have an HSA. It’s a good time to review how these accounts work since the […]
How Much Insurance Does Your Nonprofit Need To Mitigate Risk?
A warning if your not-for-profit organization is looking for expenses to cut: Don’t skimp on insurance. Should your nonprofit experience a fire, major theft or other calamity, you’ll be glad you have the coverage. Of course, you may also be required by your state, certain funders, lenders and your own bylaws to carry adequate insurance. […]
Disability Income: How Is It Taxed?
Many Americans receive disability income. You may wonder if — and how — it’s taxed. As is often the case with tax questions, the answer is … it depends. The key factor is who paid for the benefit. If the income is paid directly to you by your employer, it’s taxable to you as ordinary […]
More Time: FASB Delays Long-Term Insurance Standard … Again
On September 30, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) finalized a rule to defer the effective date of the updated long-term insurance standard for a second time. The deferral will give insurers more time to properly implement the changes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Need for change After 12 years of work, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update […]
The Tax Implications Of Employer-Provided Life Insurance
Does your employer provide you with group term life insurance? If so, and if the coverage is higher than $50,000, this employee benefit may create undesirable income tax consequences for you. “Phantom income” The first $50,000 of group term life insurance coverage that your employer provides is excluded from taxable income and doesn’t add anything […]
No accident: Identifying the five biggest safety risks to your workers
Forgive the pun, but a culture of safety doesn’t happen by accident. Planning is key to minimizing the hazards and practices that lead to mishaps and disasters. To help categorize the most widely occurring — and lethal — risks on any construction site, let’s focus on what OSHA calls the “fatal four” and then add […]
How to make workers’ comp costs less costly
Employers usually have no choice: You’re required to pay workers’ compensation insurance for W-2 employees. But no one says you can’t look for ways to reduce the cost of coverage. The key is to lower your company’s risk. To that end: Commit to safety. Communicate and enforce safe work rules and establish a task force […]