How To Choose A CPA

Sure, some small business owners in the U.S. prepare their own taxes, but many entrepreneurs wouldn’t even consider handling this aspect of their operations. If your business is looking to hire a tax accountant this season, there are several things to keep in mind.
First, understand that some firms are accepting new tax clients for 2016, while others are not. If your business hasn’t had an accountant before or in several years, be prepared to contact several firms and perhaps ask the accountant to file an extension request with the IRS for 2015 taxes. Of course, the IRS doesn’t require a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or even an accountant to prepare a business’s taxes. There are other professional tax preparers available, and the IRS provides a guide to choosing a tax professional on its website.

What do Americans think their privacy is worth? (part 2) [Infographic]

When Americans were asked to share private information, in exchange for something of value, they often answered “it depends”. Whether it was fear of spam or scammers it was clear that Americans understood a lot about trading their private information. The details are in the infographic below.

Why J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Is Spending A Half Billion Dollars On Cybersecurity

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.'s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report -- which was filed on August 3, 2015 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission -- provides a partial explanation as to why the firm is planning to spend a half billion dollars on cybersecurity. That number is twice the $250 million which the financial services giant previously had budgeted for protecting its information technology systems and networks.

Report Illuminates Wealth-Creation Gap Among Small Business Owners

A growing number of self-reliant Americans have started one-person businesses in recent years to make a living. But minority and women business owners who opt for self-employment aren't faring as well as they might be, when it comes to building the value of their businesses, according to a new report by the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED), a national nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. that is dedicated to expanding economic opportunity for low-income families and communities. The report, CFED's "Assets & Opportunity Scorecard," looks at a number of factors affecting the economic picture for low-income families.

Stopping The Security Incident Power Grab

In the world of IT, I think it is time for us to think about what the apocryphal verse “Security, security, you shall pursue” might mean in practical terms and how a proper understanding can stop the misuse of the idea of perfect security in a power grab.

Freelancers: Get Ready To Stand Up And Be Counted

Freelancers' needs have pretty much been ignored in a society where most institutions are organized around the lifestyles of Americans with traditional jobs. But with a recent study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office showing that 40.4% of U.S. workers now do contingent jobs--such as freelancing, contract work and part-time work--it appears that leaders in Washington are finally getting interested in this fast-growing segment of the population.

Tax Foundation Analysis Of Sanders Plan Only Shows Downside

The Tax Foundation has scored the Bernie Sanders tax plan. As you might expect, it is not a pretty picture. I think that there is something of a flaw in the Tax Foundation's model in looking at whether the plan is good public policy, but let's dig into the details a bit first.