Surviving a Debt Euroclydon (Segment II)

Preface: And the rains came and winds blew and beat upon that business, yet it  stood firm, because it was built on the rock.

Surviving a Debt Euroclydon  (Segment II)

Credit: Donald J. Sauder, CPA | CVA

To double the financial impact of the business quicksands, the new project pipeline had nearly evaporated, while profitability from costs on the signature project was 25% above the bid. Instead of immediately decreasing overhead risks, Paul drew on his new line of credit to finance payroll and equipment loan amortizations. Paul was having an out of money experience. But he was a successful entrepreneur, and he had confidence he’d work it out.

The banker began to stop in at regular intervals to discuss the work-out possibilities on the loans. What steps could be taken to make sure Paul could make his monthly loan payments? The banker continually reassured Paul that calling the loan was only a last step, even if all the loan covenants designed to maintain prudent financial ratios created repayment risk. Paul had the hunting cabin listed for sale at a steep discount to raise cash fast. Selling that was painful enough, but the fact it turned into a capital loss, doubly pained him. Placing the proceeds from that sale as contributed capital into the business, the accumulated accounts payable made only a slight decline with the cash infusion. Paul’s wife began to become concerned too about the business predicament and liquidated her IRA account to help.

His team also began to become increasingly concerned about the financial woes and began to explore safer and more secure paychecks. Keeping optimism on the team, resulted in a plateau of lackluster operational performance in the field. The financial pressure was now stressing Paul to the point that Sundays were a day of stress, instead of a day of rest. Would he get that next bid? What if he had an unexpected business expense such as a truck engine overhaul? What is couldn’t make payroll next month? What if the economy turned south? What if the bank would not renew his line of credit in a few months?

As the weeks elapsed, the business work-out possibilities diminished. Paul began to reduce business overhead out of necessity, and with that, his opportunity for larger project bids because of the team experience required. The banker continued to hunt for optimism among the financial atrophy. Paul began to liquidate excess assets, the extra truck, the loader, etc. for working capital.

Then the week arrived to renew the line of credit with the bank. Paul talked with other financiers about an additional cash infusion. The banker had warned him that they were losing confidence in Paul’s ability to find a solution. The worries turned into fear when the bank denied the line of credit renewal. Paul began to have some serious doubts; doubts about his expert business acumen, and more precisely his ability to make effective business decisions.

But all was not lost. Paul’s Uncle George has just sold his investment real estate in town. He had an inkling Paul needed help. Paul’s phone rang. It was Uncle George “Your business is going to recover nephew, stop in for your check.”

A little wiser, and little more experienced, Paul had assembled a team of advisors, including a trusted business leader, accountant, and business consultant. As the team worked to help Paul out of his predicament, they noticed some unusual gaps in cash flow. Upon further accounting review, it became apparent that Paul’s bookkeeper had embezzled more than $85,000 in cash, in just the prior year, from his business.

And so, goes the story of how Entrepreneur Paul survived another day as an entrepreneur. The day the phone rang with Uncle George on the line, Paul understood for the first time, the definition of “experienced businessman.” That hypothetical story is just that, a typical distressed business story. How do entrepreneurs survive a Debt Euroclydon where the business problem is an economic snafu that pressures entire industries?

 

Surviving a Debt Euroclydon (Segment I)

Preface: “I’ve seen successful squirrels, and successful entrepreneurs can learn a lot from such continuous future planning, diligence and focus.” Quote from a Canadian entrepreneur.

Surviving a Debt Euroclydon 

Credit: Donald J. Sauder, CPA | CVA

 

“The economy depends about as much on economists as the weather does on weather forecasters.” Jean-Paul Kauffmann. Experienced entrepreneurs know more about their marketplace than most economists or experts. Why? They have a vested interest in the market activities; they have chips in the game. Entrepreneurs communicate. They talk to customers, they talk to friends, or hear rumors, and read news and industry publications, and from all these information sources they develop and construct a narrative of data for an understanding that helps them form an accurate opinion on the best course of actions. Most importantly, they know more about their small business marketplace because of their year of actual in the field experience. Some economists do have more experience than entrepreneurs, and hence, sometimes we need to listen carefully and closely when they talk.

Let’s begin with an exploration of the hypothetical story of Entrepreneur Paul to learn and gain insight from hypothetical business history. Entrepreneur Paul was a capable craftsman when he started his new entrepreneurial business. Although it was a challenging economic environment in the early years, his ambition and diligence with his developing enterprise, mitigated the low-risk business landscape.

Navigating through the new enterprise’s terrain, Paul rapidly built confidence and credibility in his industry. Soon he had a team of six employees. As his business grew, he needed to acquire additional trucks, equipment, and tools. Of course, the bank was happy to lend him the necessary money for these new assets. Paul’s first business debt from the bank was a truck loan. The terms and ease of the loan, along with the marketplace opportunity for his craft, boosted Paul’s confidence that he was beginning to be an expert businessman.

Within less than a decade, Paul had a crew of fourteen employees, along with ample equipment, and trucks for nearly any opportunity inside his businesses service area of expertise. With $450,000 of approximate debt, Paul was earning a nice profit each year on his growing enterprise, and the economy continued to boom. There was always some extra money for the new cabin, the church building fund, and the hunting trip. Financial calibration was not on Paul’s mind, although he talked to his accountant about tax reduction strategies and effectively maximizing depreciation deductions when necessary.

Then one day, Paul received the big opportunity to bid his enterprises largest signature project in his business history. He won. Commencing the work required two more employees, and another truck, plus some additional equipment. The project required all of Paul’s key employees’ attention too with; it’s signature visibility. There was minimal time to bid on new projects to keep the work backlog fueled. As the signature project, neared completion, the customer began to express discontent with trivial features of the project craftsmanship and began to withhold payment. With thirty percent of the payout remaining, Paul had a challenging decision. The decision, for better or worse, completion was necessary with the projects community visibility. After many meetings and tense communication, Paul never received the remaining payments on the project.

To be continued.

Entrepreneurial Financial Planning

Preface: Always plan ahead, it wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark — Richard Cushing

Entrepreneurial Financial Planning

Credit: Michael Whiteman

When I think of entrepreneurs, I think of folks who build things. Not necessarily brick and mortar building, but more figurative building. They build businesses, they build organizations, they build communities. When I do think of building in a more literal sense, I think of my time when I worked in home construction.

Despite the differences, there are significant similarities between the two.

My construction years taught me that the best of buildings start with a strong foundation. In the same light, successful entrepreneurs are wise to have a strong foundation for their financial lives. Among the building blocks that pave the way for innovation are:

Cash Flow Planning – Having a command on money that comes in and goes out is crucial to any budget, being family or business. Skillful cash flow planning reduces stress and worry and allows entrepreneurs to focus on building and innovating.

Protection Planning – What happens when “life happens?” Insurance is something nobody likes to talk about and certainly nobody likes to buy but provides crucial protection for assets and resources when challenges arrive.

Investment Planning – Successful entrepreneurs always have an eye on the future. Investment planning encourages you to look ahead is also another opportunity to integrate values into your financial planning.

Retirement Planning – Many of the entrepreneurs I know don’t “turn off” the creativity and building mindset when they reach retirement age; they just restart. Good retirement planning takes the labor out the retirement, and allows you enjoy and savor this time of life.

Tax Planning – What are the tax consequences of your success? How are those consequences best managed?

Estate Planning – What is your legacy? How is your hard work transitioned to someone who will carry the ball even further? How do you bless your loved ones?

Now, the six tools listed above are standard within the Financial Planning Community. At Everence we’ve added another tool:

Charitable Planning – How do you give back after your hard work has resulted in financial blessings?

Now, my time in construction gave me some “skills” that I have used around my home. When I’ve planned extensive projects, I didn’t fool around. I brought in experts to do the job right. As we build our financial legacies, isn’t it wise to do the same?

An Everence Financial planner can help you reach financial peace and allow you to focus your skills and efforts on your passions in life.

Mike Whiteman is a Financial Advisor for Everence Financial Advisors. He can be reached at 717-394-0769 and michael.whiteman@everence.com. Michael Whiteman is not affiliated with Sauder and Stoltzfus LLC.

Advisory services offered through Everence Trust Company and Investment Advisors, a division of ProEquities Inc., Registered Investment Advisors. Securities offered through ProEquities Inc., a registered broker-dealer, member FINRA and SIPC. Investments are not NCUA or otherwise federally insured, may involve loss of principal, and have no credit union guarantee.  Everence entities are independent from ProEquities, Inc. Mike Whiteman is licensed to discuss with and/or offer financial services and/or products to residents of PA, CO, FL, MA, MD, MS, NY, WA, VA and NJ.

Taxes and Equipment Purchases (Segment III)

Preface: If your business generates significant tax liabilities, and if you are purchasing significant amounts of equipment or other capital assets, considering discussing with your tax advisor what an “in-service asset” is for IRS purposes

Taxes and Equipment Purchases (Segment III)

Credit: Jacob M. Dietz, CPA

If the asset was purchased by year end, and fully functional and used by the business by year end, then the asset is likely in service. However, in some cases, the asset can be in service even if not used.

Here is an example found in IRS Publication 946

“Example 1. Donald Steep bought a machine for his business. The machine was delivered last year. However, it was not installed and operational until this year. It is considered placed in service this year. If the machine had been ready and available for use when it was delivered, it would be considered placed in service last year even if it was not actually used until this year.”

In the Donald Steep example, it is interesting to note that just because the equipment was on the company property did not mean that it was in service for depreciation. This could particularly apply to a manufacturing company, where the equipment purchased may not be something that can be plugged in and operated immediately.

On the other hand, it is interesting to note that the Donald Steep example indicated that it did not actually have to be used for it to be in service, if it was “ready and available for use.”

Guidelines on all the complexities of placing fixed assets in service is beyond the scope of this article. If your business is purchasing new assets, and there is a question as to when it is in service, talk to your accountant about the specific facts and circumstances of your situation.

Proper Planning

If your business generates significant tax liabilities, and if you are purchasing significant amounts of equipment or other capital assets, considering discussing with your tax advisor before the year ends. If possible, talk to them early enough that there is time to alter the facts and circumstances to achieve a more favorable outcome if that would be beneficial. When considering and discussing these matters before year end, it can be hard to know exactly what the income will be for the year. Waiting until after the year ends, however, may make it harder for taxpayers to change the facts and circumstances to get the desired results.

For example, assume that Donald Steep had met with his accountant, and the accountant told Donald in October that having his machine in service would benefit him. Perhaps Donald would then have made sure that the machine was “installed and operational” by December.

Alternatively, suppose that Donald Steep already had enough deductions in the current year, and wanted to wait until next year to depreciate the machine. Then he could have made sure that it was not installed and in service.

Service

If a large piece of machinery comes rolling into your business, what thoughts will be running through your mind? Perhaps you will be thinking “I can hardly wait to operate this piece.” Perhaps you will be thinking “This machinery will not be in service until about two weeks from now.” Whatever you are thinking, enjoy the pleasure of being in service to your customers.

Taxes and Equipment Purchases (Segment II)

Preface: Without going into all the tax complexities, in the past sometimes the IRS and tax courts have varying historic stances on the tax implications of when an asset is placed in service. Here’s how it works.

Taxes and Equipment Purchases (Segment II)

Credit: Jacob M. Dietz, CPA

Many business owners dislike rendering taxes to Caesar, so getting a tax break in the current year seems beneficial.

Sometimes, however, a business may choose to wait to place assets in service. Why would you wait to take a tax break? The federal tax system uses different rates for different amounts of income, and certain tax benefits phase out at higher income levels. A taxpayer may aim to have income within certain ranges to take advantage of more favorable tax rates or benefits.

The details of the tax system can be quite complex, but without getting into all the details the tax rates range from 10% to 37%. One important thing to note is that the higher brackets only apply to the higher income. Therefore, if someone had enough income to be taxed at the 37% income bracket, not all their income would be taxed at 37%. For example, some would be taxed at 10%. Taxpayers do not need to worry that if they bump up into a higher bracket that suddenly all their income will be taxed at the higher percentage. Nevertheless, if they bump into a higher bracket, they will need to pay the higher percentage on the income that is in that bracket.

Suppose a business placed many assets in service in the current year, but they do not need all the deductions in the current year. The business owners may fear getting pushed into higher tax brackets in the next year.

What can be done to generate deductions next year? The business could avoid immediately deducting all the equipment in the current year. Instead they could depreciate it over the recovery period. That defers some of the depreciation to next year. If the taxpayer does not take all the expense in one year, then it must be taken over a certain number of years. Exactly how many years is beyond the scope of this article, but the government provides guidance. If it is not all taken in year one, expect it to take multiple years to get the deduction. The remainder is not all deducted in year 2. But what if the taxpayer wants to take it all in year 2? Generally, the taxpayer is not permitted to do this unless the asset is placed in service in year 2.

Therefore, if a business has enough deductions in year 1, and not enough in year 2, they may want to wait until year 2 to place the asset in service, if they can wait that long without significantly hindering operations. If all the conditions are met, they may be able to fully deduct the equipment in year 2 if placed in service in year 2.

When is the Asset in Service

It can make a significant difference in your taxes depending on when the asset is placed in service. When is it placed in service? That answer can get complex. One of the regulations states that “Property is first placed in service when first placed in a condition or state of readiness and availability for a specifically assigned function.” Without going into all the complexities, in the past sometimes the IRS and courts have sometimes taken a looser and sometimes a stricter stance on when an asset is in service.

Taxes and Equipment Purchases (Segment I of III)

Preface: Purchasing equipment for a business has far broader implications than how much it saves you in taxes. This blog provides understandable and concise narrative on the appropriate tax process to purchasing equipment. 

Taxes and Equipment Purchases

Credit: Jacob M. Dietz, CPA

Did you make a large equipment purchase recently? If so, what thoughts scampered through your mind? Thoughts could range widely, from “operating this is a lot of fun” to “how will I pay this off” to “this will help with my taxes.” Often, business owners think of the tax benefits when purchasing new capital assets, such as a forklift. This article examines how the date in service affects the deduction.

Depreciation

First, let’s examine how deprecation works. Companies deduct certain expenditures immediately as business expenses. Examples can include maintenance, office supplies, etc.

Other expenditures, however, the company capitalizes as an asset. The expense then comes through depreciation or 179 expense. Generally, the full cost of the capitalized asset does get written-off by a business, but sometimes it is over many years. For example, wood product manufacturing equipment can have a 7 year recovery period. In 2019, there are two options, bonus depreciation and 179 expense, that can allow the business to take the full expense of certain assets, such as a forklift, in the first year in service.

Date in Service Matters

The date in service matters because it determines when depreciation starts, and when bonus depreciation and 179 expense can be taken, if applicable. If a business buys a $100,000 piece of equipment and takes 100% bonus depreciation on it, it can make a significant difference if that equipment was placed in service December 31st or January 1st. The difference in expense for the year could be $100,000. If it was placed in service January 1st, however, the deduction is not lost. it is just deferred into the future. A taxpayer generally receives the same amount of write-off for the capitalized asset, but the year and way in which it is taken may be different.

So how does a taxpayer decide when to put an asset in service? There are multiple considerations.

First, when does the taxpayer need the asset? If the asset, a forklift for example, will not be needed for another 3 years because the current forklift is still working fine, then the taxpayer likely should keep using the older forklift instead of replacing it with a new one just to put a new asset in service and get a tax break. Tax breaks and benefits are great, but the tax pros and cons should not be the only factor in the decision.

On the other hand, assume that the business decides that they need a new forklift no later than February. In that situation, if the business wants the tax break earlier, they may speed up the process and purchase the forklift and place it in service in December, rather than waiting until February. Unless cash is too tight, a small adjustment in the schedule could be beneficial because of a quicker tax break.

Another consideration is when does a business want a tax break? Generally, but not always, a business will want the tax break sooner rather than later. The time value of money can contribute to this desire.

Conclusion of Segment I