Bonds remain stable investment amid 1Q decline
The first quarter of 2021 was positive for U.S. stocks, but bonds declined amid the rise in interest rates. With the dramatic spike in interest rates discussed here, bonds performed poorly in the first quarter of the year. The Barclay’s Aggregate Bond index was down more than 3% in the first quarter, a large loss […]
The long and short of succession planning
For many business owners, putting together a succession plan may seem like an overwhelming task. It might even seem unnecessary for those who are relatively young and have no intention of giving up ownership anytime soon. But if the past year or so has taught us anything, it is that anything can happen. Owners who […]
Credential scam with a clever twist
Online hackers are always on the prowl for new victims. Sometimes they can be large-scale, like the Colonial Pipeline, but most often, scammers aim to prey on individuals and small- to medium-size businesses. Awareness is the best defense. KnowBe4.com is a world leader in security awareness training. They recently highlighted an emerging cybersecurity scam with […]
Patience is in order if awaiting tax refund this year
If you are expecting a tax refund this year, you may have to wait a bit longer than usual. Between staff shortages, a backlog of returns from the 2020 filing season, processing Recovery Rebate Credits, validating income for the Earned Income Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit – not to mention applying changes in […]
More states enact SALT workarounds
New York and Georgia have now added to the growing number states enacting measures to work around the cap on state and local tax deductions. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act placed a $10,000 cap on the deduction, which was a blow to residents in high tax states. Since TCJA was enacted, various states […]
Will U.S. stocks continue to fare well amid reopening economy?
As most investors know, equity markets continued to achieve record highs during the first quarter of 2021. The story of the second quarter is still unfolding, as it is impacted by economic reopening amid the vaccine rollout, as well as concerns of rising interest rates and the prospects for inflation. While U.S. stocks have fared […]
COBRA subsidy details: Notification deadline approaching
As part of the American Rescue Plan Act signed into law in March, employers can receive a 100% subsidy for extended COBRA coverage for employees who were terminated or who lost coverage because their hours were involuntarily reduced or they were involuntarily terminated, making them eligible for COBRA. While employers must bear the cost of […]
Mark Kashgegian, CPA, named Lead Partner of Antares Group
Antares Group, Inc. is proud to announce that Mark Kashgegian, CPA, has been elected to serve as Leading Partner of the firm, effective May 1, 2021. Antares Group is a CPA and advisory firm with offices in Georgia and Massachusetts that has focused on serving independent and franchised restaurant owners for nearly 40 years. “It […]
Deadline extended to pay restaurant sales tax in Arkansas
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the state of Arkansas has delayed the payment of restaurant sales tax. Taxpayers in Arkansas may delay remitting restaurant sales tax and filing returns as follows: Sales tax remittances and reports for sales tax collected in March, April and May 2021 are not due until June 30, 2021; sales tax remittances […]
‘Tug-of-war’ developing between economic reopening and inflation concerns
The first quarter of 2021 has gotten off to great start with equity markets continuing to achieve record highs. As we begin the second quarter, a tug-of-war is developing as investors weigh the prospects of economic reopening amid the vaccine rollout against concerns of rising interest rates and the prospects for inflation. As the first […]