When asked recently if he knew how algorithms worked, a friend replied, “I don’t need to know how something works. I just need to know it works.” Of course, algorithms “work” for us every single day.
India has recently cut its corporate tax rates in a bid to revive its stagnant economy. The move has widely been seen as a positive and much needed one and sees the rates cut as follows: Companies that don’t seek exemptions will see their tax rate cut from 30% to 22% before surcharge and cess.
There will be a time when your client's customers will go through a rough patch and have the need to file for bankruptcy protection. Before filing, one of these customers may, out of loyalty or with an eye to the future, pay this client. But if your client receives this sum less than 90 days prior to the debtor's bankruptcy filing, this payment could be deemed a "preferential payment," meaning your client may be required to return this sum for inclusion in a bankruptcy estate for equitable distribution among the debtor's creditors.
While organisations often overlook tax-compliance requirements related to business travel, the days of simply traveling to and working in a different state or country for business without a thought to tax liabilities are coming to an end. Looking for additional tax revenue, US state taxing authorities are becoming stricter and more vigilant in monitoring business travel. Extensive time spent on business travel in a country outside the US, or even a different state within the US, could create a PE exposure for the employing entity.
Relinquishing one's US citizenship can mitigate an individual's estate and gift tax obligations, but a "Covered Expatriate"* should plan carefully when disposing of assets. Internal Revenue Code Section 2801 imposes a tax on US citizens or residents who receive certain gifts or bequests from Covered Expatriates (CEs). Even if the property is non-US-situs property, all of it is subject to the 2801 taxing regime.
As long as greed exists, so does corruption. To combat corruption, the US enacted the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Its provisions prohibit offering, authorizing, or making payments of money or anything of value to influence the decision making of foreign government officials to obtain or retain business.
On 21 June 2018, the US Supreme Court passed a landmark decision that transformed the landscape of sales tax in the US. The South Dakota vs Wayfair decision effectively permitted states to create new rules for sales tax collection requirements based on the dollar or transactions amount of sales - otherwise known as economic nexus. Previously, companies were only required to collect sales tax based on a physical presence test.
The business world is rapidly evolving. Industries across the globe are experiencing increased competition, aging workforces, and regulatory shifts that are leading to consolidation. Many of these consolidations occur through mergers and acquisitions.
Over the past few years, cryptocurrency and its underlying technology, blockchain, have started to evolve from being misunderstood concepts into a mainstream means to conduct digital transactions. Cryptocurrency is a digital form of currency used as a medium of exchange for conducting internet-based sales and financial transactions. Unlike paper bills or coins, cryptocurrency lacks physical properties and is stored in virtual wallets rather than bank accounts.
Originally published by Long Island Business News Profit. When we hear the word profit, we think of Wall Street, shareholders, stocks, global conglomerates, and billionaire CEOs; we don’t conjure up the image of a not-for-profit organization helping provide services to the community.
