Time to plan for the future is NOW

Many business owners have seen financial success in the past year and, upon review, realize that the value of their assets and businesses are at an all-time high. This makes now the prime time to understand your net worth, get your estate documents in order, take advantage of the lowest exemption amounts, and develop the best plan for your circumstances.

On an individual basis, our hectic lives often get in the way of planning for the future.  As busy individuals we tend to put this off thinking we have plenty of time or it’s not a pressing issue.  Planning for the future is something that we all should make a point to do, regardless of our age, health condition or family dynamics. Age and health conditions do speed up the necessity of getting this done, but the reality is, if you have minor children and/or assets that you would like to protect, planning for the future is now.

Look for gift taxes to increase

The lifetime gift exemption for 2021 is $11.7 million.  With the Biden tax plan working its way through the legislative process, it is still uncertain as to how much will be allowed as lifetime gifts.  Without any legislation, the exemption falls to $6 million in 2026.  Should the Biden plan get passed, the exclusion will most definitely drop before 2026.

With that possibility on the horizon, we recommend that you take some time now, before the end of 2021, to consider what you would like to transfer (i.e., protect) during 2021 while the exemption is at $11.7 million.  For a married couple, each spouse can gift up to the limit of $11.7 million.

Gifts to trust

This can be done with outright gifts and gifts to trust. One strategy that we have seen used more often in the past year is gifts to a Spousal Limited Access Trust (SLAT). This is a grantor trust that allows one spouse to put money or assets in the trust for the other spouse for life.  This is an irrevocable trust; however, the gifting spouse has access to the funds as needed. Even better, the second spouse can do the same and make a gift to a second SLAT. Dynasty trusts have similar benefits and allow distributions at the discretion of the trustee.

Outright gifts

If outright gifts are preferable, gifts to individuals of $15,000 per donee ($30,000 per couple) is a simple strategy, along with payments of medical and educational expenses which are exempt from gift tax if paid directly. Popular charitable gifting strategies during your lifetime (vs. Testamentary Donation/Bequest at death) include Donor-Advised Funds and Charitable Lead Trusts. Donor-Advised Funds allow charitable deductions in the year of contribution, with payments to charities any time in any year from the invested funds. Charitable Lead Trusts allow a charitable deduction at the net present value for future periodic payments, leaving the remaining balance to beneficiaries at the end of the trust term. Below is an example of the tax benefits of a Lifetime versus Testamentary Donation:

Review your estate plan

If you already have an estate plan, this would be a very good time to get with your attorney to review the plan to see if any changes should be made prior to the end of 2021.

If your assets include excess cash and you need help with investing, we have resources to help with that as well.  This will help to grow your cash for yourself and your loved ones.

Planning for the future is unique for everyone and circumstances can change suddenly.  Make an appointment before November, if at all possible, with your attorney and Antares Group advisors to help work through your estate and gift planning.  Together, they can help you identify what assets and individuals you would like to plan for and outline ways to accomplish your goals.

If you do not have an attorney, contact us here at Antares Group and we will make recommendations for an attorney who will be able to help.

We are here to help you. As your trusted advisor, we can work with your estate planning attorneys and wealth managers to make sure your assets are protected for your heirs. We can refer you to several attorneys we work with on a regular basis if you need, and our Antares Wealth Management team is available if you are looking for more individualized and targeted investment advice.

Again, we would stress the importance of planning for the future.  This is regardless of your age, health conditions or family dynamics.  If we have learned anything from the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s that no one is guaranteed tomorrow.  Contact us as soon as possible because planning for the future is NOW.

Tamra Newman, CPA, CVA, is a Senior Manager with our Business and Tax Advisory Group. She can be reached at thn@antarescpas.com. Carolyn Allen, CPA, is a Manager with our Business and Tax Advisory Group. She can be reached at cja@antarescpas.com.

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Succession & Transition Strategies

Creating a successful succession plan is about protecting the future of a business and/or brand and ensuring there is a strategy in place to ensure your business continues to thrive.

After years of investing time, money and other resources, it’s imperative to prepare for this next stage in business and life. Poor planning can increase risks for stakeholders and tarnish legacies. Let’s make sure the next generation is well-equipped and ready to take your life’s work and family legacy to an even greater level of success.

Each situation is unique because the needs of each one involved are unique. We carefully review each opportunity to determine how best to structure a transition while meeting your goals, complying with any brand licensing polices and minimizing the tax implications of the transfer.

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Antares Group’s technology team provides convenient hardware and software support, along with comprehensive cloud accounting services with 24/7 access to up-to-date financial information exactly the way you want it, on any connected device, with a customizable dashboard interface. We use best-in class cloud accounting platforms and software including Sage Intacct, Bill.com and robot process automation (RPA) with integration capabilities with some of the leading point-of-sale, payroll, and business operations management software programs.

Cloud accounting is just the beginning; Antares Group’s experienced technology team also performs system evaluations and makes recommendations for products and services that will help your business run more efficiently, as well as protecting your information and infrastructure with robust security options. Using the right technology for automation will simplify your life and keep your valuable data safe..

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Business Planning & Valuation

An accurate understanding of your company’s current value and financial viability is vital for achieving business success and the launch pad to boundless possibilities in the years to come. Realistic valuations are essential for long-term strategic plans, business successions and expansions, gift and estate planning, and a lucrative retirement package. Planning for where you want to go in the future is what our business and tax advisors do best. Whatever your goals, we are here to provide you with the right plan and insightful guidance to achieve it.

  • Trend reporting and analysis and business valuation
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Back Office Solutions

In such a fast-moving business environment, business owners need every advantage to succeed. Improving efficiency should be an ongoing part of your strategy for financial success, empowering you to make continuous improvements.

Whether your business is a single location seeking to grow effectively and sustainably, an established franchise brand adding new locations, or something in between, Antares Group provides a suite of back office services and the financial expertise to help business owners and managers achieve their operational and financial goals. In the process of supporting your essential back office operations with practical solutions, we analyze the function and effectiveness, looking for inefficiencies and potential liabilities, offering valuable insights for owners and managers.

  • Daily deposit verification and online banking monitoring
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Tax Advisory

Minimizing your tax burden is a year-round strategy; planning for and preparing complex business and individual tax returns is where Antares Group excels. Beyond simply helping you fulfill basic tax obligations, you can rely on our tax advisory team to keep you informed of ever-changing regulations and keep you in compliance. We conduct regular reviews to make sure all methods of reducing your tax liabilities are being used. We routinely assess your personal income tax situation and cash flow to guard against the unexpected. This ongoing strategic analysis empowers you to maximize tax savings and capitalize on new opportunities.

In addition, we provide advisory services for new business startups, acquisitions, and dispositions. Through careful analysis, we help clients determine the best structure and make the process as seamless as possible.

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Cloud Accounting

Whether you run a small closely held business or a large franchise operation, maintaining a firm grasp of accounting and bookkeeping can be challenging. Between managing staff and overseeing daily operations, there is not enough time to dig into the books and make sense of the financials. You need to know the facts and the implications. – having precise, up-to-date information at hand means you always know your financial position so you can make informed decisions that keep your business moving forward.

The financial experts at Antares can create a custom menu of accounting and tax services perfectly catered to your business needs, including accurate and timely financial statements and reports, so you are always prepared to respond quickly to changing and challenging circumstances. Along the way, we provide clear feedback and financial guidance to help you predict trends and recognize issues, then make the necessary adjustments to sustain cash flow throughout the year.

  • Timely preparation of financial statements based on your particular needs
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  • Meticulous monthly bank and credit card reconciliations

Antares Cloud Accounting services uses industry leading Sage Intacct managment software to provide the precise, up-to-date information you need to always know your financial position, so you can make well-informed decisions.

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