Willis and Jurasek, P.C. - CPA and Accountants in Jackson, MI

Newsletter: April 2010

Willis & Jurasek Expands to Grand Rapids

We are excited to announce that we have opened an office in Grand Rapids by acquiring the existing Grand Rapids firm of VandenToorn & Associates LLC.

Newsletter: April 2010

Roth IRA Conversions

by: Michael R. Bannasch, CPA, MST

Google the words "2010 Roth IRA Conversion" and you'll see tens of thousands of web pages, in addition to current news articles by just about every...

Newsletter: May 2010

Hire an Unemployed Worker and Save Taxes

by: Sarah J. Pastoor, CPA

In the state with the highest unemployment rate in the nation, it is often just a matter of time before a Michigan business hires an unemployed worker....

Newsletter: May 2010

Does the Red Flags Rule Affect You?

by David N. Benson, CPA

Newsletter: May 2010

Building Value for Vermeulen's Furniture

Building lasting professional relationships has proven successful at Willis & Jurasek, P.C. The firm has built a steady stream of relationships to create a reputable and highly recognized name in the State of Michigan. "We want to be the...

Newsletter: July 2010

Now Health Care and Taxes are Certain

by: Michele M. Lauer, CPA

Newsletter: July 2010

A Cautionary Tale for Charitable Organizations

by: Christine E. Ward, CPA/ABV

News from the Web

Obama tax hikes would affect companies, wealthy taxpayers

Big companies face bigger taxes under President Barack Obama's proposed $3.834 trillion budget. -More-

The number of houses put under contract but not yet sold in December was up 1% from the previous month's figure, the National -More-

Homeowners are most likely to begin contemplating walking away from a mortgage when a house's value falls 75% below the value -More- Live...

Consumers were more likely to pay their credit card bills than their mortgage in the third quarter, according to a TransUnion -More-

The Treasury Department is looking into altering its "net present value" test, which is used to determine whether modifying a -More-

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A closer look at common XBRL missteps

Companies made a wide variety of errors in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) submissions during the Securities an -More-

A new generation of executives is showing that they're more comfortable with data collection and analytics to improve busines -More-

The IRS has issued a notice, clarifying that gift tax can apply to transfers of property to a wholly owned grantor trust desp -More-...

Senate banking committee Chairman Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., said he was in favor of the idea of limiting proprietary trading -More-

The AICPA, the Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy recently ann -More-

CPAs have an extraordinary commitment to the public interest. -More-

Don't be yourself -- be someone a little nicer. -More-

U.K. -More-

Last week, political dynamics changed when Democrats lost a Massachusetts Senate seat. -More-

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Traders are discussing the possibility that a market correction might be coming as investors become increasingly concerned ab -More-

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board issued new guidelines on accounting and disclosure rules of financ -More-

Developing and emerging nations are calling for the adoption of international accounting standards for small businesses, acco -More-

Questioning the low mortgage default rate

While the foreclosure rate has risen steadily, the mortgage default rate has remained relatively low, Richard H. -More-

In two months, the U.S.

-More- SEC Quarterly Update Webcast Series Q1 2010 March 2010: In this information-packed webcast series, you will get "plugged-in" to...

How to attract aspiring CPAs

Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA, who leads Oracle's Health and Human Services Practice, discusses what accountants need to do to -More-

A Supreme Court ruling issued Thursday would allow companies to spend unlimited amounts of money on political campaigns. -More-

The Obama administration is pushing to get the Senate votes needed to confirm Ben Bernanke for a second term as chairman of t -More-

Benjamin Franklin, inventor, statesman

Employ thy time well if thou meanest to gain leisure. -More-

The IRS has issued a notice designating the recent Haiti earthquake as a "qualified disaster" for federal tax purposes. -More-

The AICPA Tax area's Tom Ochsenschlager, CPA, and Ed Karl, CPA, discuss recent rulings and regulations on disclosure of taxpa -More-

On Friday, the Internal Revenue Service started accepting e-filed 2009 tax returns, kicking off tax season. -More-

The Internal Revenue Service has released the 2010 maximum allowable values under the cents-per-mile and fleet-average valuat -More-

As tax season gets under way, practitioners should be aware of a number of 2009 developments affecting corporations and their -More-

The Internal Revenue Service has released the 2010 maximum allowable values under the cents-per-mile and fleet-average valuat -More-

David Crowe, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders, is predicting a recovery for the sector in 2010, -More-

There seems to be little hope of escape from a truly jobless recovery, given the dismal rate of job creation in the country, -More-

The most recent Bank of America Merrill Lynch survey of fund managers shows that investors' risk appetite is growing. -More-

Responding to charges that the Federal Reserve tried to hide details of the U.S. -More-

Massachusetts voters elected Republican Scott Brown to the Senate, adding pressure on Democrats to approve legislation to ove -More-

Senate aides said Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., could clear the way for a Senate vote on Ben Bernanke's confirmation fo -More-

The AICPA Personal Financial Planning Section has the resources CPAs need to ensure that clients turn to them when considerin -More-

The International Accounting Standards Committee Foundation has published the first of its comprehensive set of training mate -More-

So if you think your life is complete confusion because your neighbor's got it made, just remember that it's a grand illusion -More-

Fed may have overpaid on AIG settlements:

French banks received 100 cents on the dollar in a November 2008 deal with the Federal Reserve to settle trades with American -More- The...

By Colleen DeBaise Adapted from THE WALL STREET JOURNAL COMPLETE SMALL BUSINESS GUIDEBOOK (Three Rivers Press). Running a business...

Weather dependent industries -- which make up a thrid of all business in the U.S., according to the Commerce Department -- ar -More-...

A right delayed is a right denied. -More-

In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board established the Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee to serve as a sta -More-

Governments and all types of businesses have to be proactive to combat fraud, waste and abuse. -More-

On Friday, the Internal Revenue Service started accepting e-filed 2009 tax returns, kicking off tax season. -More- IFRS Quarterly Webcast...

Advocates of women- and minority-owned small businesses are releasing the first studies that track the flow of federal stimul -More-

President Barack Obama this weekend defended his proposal to subject as many as 50 financial institutions to a levy to recoup -More-

Bankers and analysts interviewed for this article say a tax on big banks proposed by the Obama administration is unlikely to -More-

Although delinquency rates are slowing down, losses related to souring credit card loans are still high. -More-

Inflation-adjusted weekly wages in the U.S. declined 1.6% last year, the largest drop since 1990. -More-

A new Securities and Exchange Commission auditing standard is aimed at strengthening rules for concurring reviews of auditing -More-

Seven tips for seeking a private letter ruling

Applying to the IRS for a private letter ruling (PLR) can provide greater clarity concerning a transaction or relief for a di -More-

Federal Reserve officials will meet Jan. 26 and 27 to discuss the economic recovery and their policy. -More-

How CPAs should prepare to serve aging clients

When a client begins to suffer from diminished mental capacity, it can interfere with the CPA/client relationship. -More-

The Internal Revenue Service shelved a proposal for new rules on taxing employer-provided cell phones. -More-

Removal of the adjusted gross income limit and the ability to defer taxes make converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA esp -More-

Filing season essentials for CPAs to know

Tax season is just around the corner, and 2009 featured a number of important changes affecting individuals' tax returns. -More-

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Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will host finance chiefs and central bankers from the Group of Seven nations Feb. -More-

Labor leaders, the Obama administration and Democratic leaders in Congress said they have arrived at a compromise over a prop -More-

Without further action by Congress to stimulate hiring, the U.S. -More-

U.S. -More-

Sallie Krawcheck, president of global wealth and investment management at Bank of America, said there were a few surprises in -More-

The economic recovery may be threatened once government support dries up, as evidenced by unexpectedly low December retail sa -More-

A Wall Street Journal analysis found that executives, investment bankers, traders, money managers and other employees at 38 o -More-

Are you ready for XBRL?

Most U.S. -More-

Overseeing financial institutions helps the Federal Reserve set monetary policy and will help it withdraw stimulus support fo -More-

AICPA chairman: Get involved and start young

In his January Chair's Corner column, AICPA Chairman Robert R. -More-

Sheila Bair, chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., told the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission that the Federal R -More- 2009...

When disaster strikes, such as the recent earthquake in Haiti, CPAs may be looked to for assistance to those in need. -More-

The King of the Streets Moves Indoors

By Katy McLaughlin Los Angeles Chef Roy Choi is standing in front of the restaurant space he closed on a day...

Firms Reflect and Look Ahead

By Emily Maltby The holiday season is typically a time for rest and reflection. But it is also a boon for small-business...

Niche Clothiers' Ranks Shrink

By Douglas Belkin CHICAGO -- There was a time Gary Anders would approach short men wearing sport coats hanging to their knees and hand...

Boring Meetings? Get Out the Water Guns

By Emily Maltby Heather Logrippo says her employees didn't seem too enthusiastic at first when she handed out construction paper and...

Small Business Economic Indicators

By Diana Ransom When you're a small-business owner, issues like whether you can afford to give your assistant manager a...

By Grace L. Williams Who: Brett and Derek Satterfield What: HardToFindItems.com, a Web site that sells unique or unusual items Where...

Mogul Applied Franchising to Real Estate

By Stephen Miller Art Bartlett wasn't the first to apply to home sales a franchise model more often associated with selling hamburgers,...

More Workers Set Up Shop at Home

By Colleen DeBaise Adapted from THE WALL STREET JOURNAL COMPLETE SMALL BUSINESS GUIDEBOOK (Three Rivers Press). So maybe 2010 will...

Firms Fight Banks Over Frozen Notes

By Liz Rappaport Hundreds of businesses are fighting to recover billions of dollars tied up in frozen auction-rate securities, a year...

Chrysler Dealers Fight Closings

By Emily Maltby In May, Randy Painter and his nine siblings were taken aback to learn their 65-year-old family business—two...

Businesses Seek Revisions to Health Bill

By Neil King Jr. WASHINGTON -- Businesses are set to push for modifications to the Senate-approved health bill, while urging lawmakers...

By Colleen DeBaise In 1985, after a grueling trial ended in a hung jury, criminal-defense lawyers Larry Flax and Rick...

Limiting BlackBerry Interference on Vacation

By Colleen DeBaise Adapted from the upcoming book THE WALL STREET JOURNAL COMPLETE SMALL BUSINESS GUIDEBOOK (Three Rivers Press, Dec....

With Scant Jobs, Grads Make Their Own

By Toddi Gutner Andrew Levine knew he wouldn't find a job in investment banking when he graduated with an M.B.A. from the...

A Fir-Trader Family Reunites

By Kevin Helliker Last spring, John Brussock quit a corporate job to launch a start-up called DeliverMyChristmasTree.Com to...

By Willa Plank What happens when your sweaters or electronics aren't sold before the Christmas holiday? Instead of...

Start-Ups Set to Get Cash in '10

By Pui-Wing Tam After a dismal 2009, venture capitalists are preparing to ramp up their investments, injecting much-needed...

Community Bankers Meet With Obama

By Damian Paletta WASHINGTON—Community bankers got their first exclusive meeting Tuesday with President Barack Obama amid an...

How to Resolve the Morale Issue at Work

Effective Ways to be a Master Networker

By Diana Ransom What comes after the fall?As the still-feeble U.S. economy stumbles to its feet, some entrepreneurs are...

Cash Prizes for Good Ideas

By Teri Evans When Andrew Schuman bought Hammond's Candies in 2007, the nearly 90-year-old candy company was operating in...

Stimulus Relief Extended for SBA Loans

By Emily Maltby The Senate voted this weekend to temporarily extend funding for two popular stimulus provisions that reduced...

Another Chance for Small Business Loans?

By Diana Ransom When President Barack Obama met with banking CEOs earlier this week, he urged them to "take a third and...

Entrepreneurs Struggle With Estate Tax

By Emily Maltby Whatever the outcome of the federal estate-tax debate in Congress, many family-owned businesses likely will...

By Aleksandra Todorova Shortly after Byron Hebert started his business, Daytona Limos, in 2007, he applied for and received...

Three Best Ways to Use Social Media

By Willa Plank How else can we say it: Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard of Twitter, Facebook...

Small Firms Yield to Energy Giants

By Ben Casselman Exxon Mobil Corp.'s acquisition of XTO Energy Inc. is the latest sign of a changing of the guard in the U.S. oil patch...

DOE Becomes Venture Capital Force

By Neil King Jr. When tiny Fisker Automotive Inc. hit a financing glitch last year, threatening its plan to build a fancy...

Gas Stations Fume Over New Practice

By Richard Gibson Big Oil is having trouble with some of its little guys.Dozens of gas-station dealers are lodging...

By Bill Bischoff Attention, small-business owners: it's not too late to make some smart moves and slash your business' 2009...

Three Best Ways to Build an iPhone App

By Riva Richmond If you've got regular customers with shiny new smartphones, then building a mobile application might be...

White House Jobs Proposal Draws Weak Praise

By Diana Ransom President Barack Obama's latest plan to spur job growth among small businesses is drawing lukewarm praise...

Firms Aren't Sold on Jobs Tax Credit

By Gary Fields and Kris Maher An Obama administration plan to give small-business owners tax credits to hire new employees likely won't...

Car Dealers Seek Reprieve

By Emily Maltby Congress may give relief soon to car dealers who lost franchises as part of the government-funded bankruptcy...

Apps Created for Small Business

By Riva Richmond Barbara Heinrich says she isn't computer-savvy, but last month the owner of Local Motion, a clothing...

Uptick Catches Entrepreneurs by Surprise

By Emily Maltby Blake White anticipated that his order-fulfillment company would ride out the recession by streamlining operations and...

Three Benefits of Hiring Someone Overqualified

Tepid Times for Seasonal Shops

By Diana Ransom Back in January, Bill Quinn thought he was being prudent when he decided to stock his online imitation tree...

Goldman, Buffett Aid Small Business

Goldman Sachs said it is launching a $500 million small-business assistance program that includes an advisory panel with billionaire...

(Business Edge, October 2009) Research shows very few companies actually know how to create an effective strategic plan and successfully...

(Business Edge, October 2009) Every business needs a cost-effective way to keep its name, products, or services in front of prospects and...

Small Businesses Could Face New Credit Squeeze

Business owners could face a new credit squeeze as early as next month, as two popular stimulus provisions expire before Obama's small-...

Entrepreneurs Get Creative for Funding

With venture capital scarce, small-business owners find alternative financing.

The Double Whammy of Bankruptcies

Bankruptcy is an ordeal for executives at any business. But entrepreneurs' personal assets are in jeopardy along with their business.

Can You Afford to Hire?

If the recent jobs report is any indication, the economy may be on its way up. But before you start hiring new workers, run the numbers to...

Starting on a Shoestring

It’s tougher than ever for would-be entrepreneurs to raise capital. Luckily, it’s also getting much easier to start a company on a small...

Innovative Ways to Reel in Cash

As the credit crunch makes raising financing more difficult, small business owners finding creative ways of raising extra cash.

Funding Your Social Venture

It's tough for any business to find funding. But social ventures can tap unique sources.