Tag Archive for: hs companies

Happy 4th of July

Photo Credit: office.microsoft.com

Happy 4th of July! H&S is closed today, but we will be open as scheduled on Thursday, July 5, 2012.

H&S Companies July Newsletter is Now Available



The Embezzler (back)


The Embezzler (front)


The H&S Companies Fraud Division is pleased to present the first edition of The Embezzler. Look for The Embezzler quarterly, with fraud related news and tips.

In This Issue:

Expense Report Embezzlement
After They Embezzle…
Prevent Bad Hires with Background Checks
Protect Your Non-Profit from Fraudsters
Click here to download.

H&S Companies July Newsletter is Now Available



The Embezzler (back)


The Embezzler (front)


The H&S Companies Fraud Division is pleased to present the first edition of The Embezzler. Look for The Embezzler quarterly, with fraud related news and tips.

In This Issue:

Expense Report Embezzlement
After They Embezzle…
Prevent Bad Hires with Background Checks
Protect Your Non-Profit from Fraudsters
Click here to download.

H&S Companies July Newsletter is Now Available


The Embezzler (back)

The Embezzler (front)

The H&S Companies Fraud Division is pleased to present the first edition of The Embezzler. Look for The Embezzler quarterly, with fraud related news and tips.

In This Issue:

Expense Report Embezzlement
After They Embezzle…
Prevent Bad Hires with Background Checks
Protect Your Non-Profit from Fraudsters

Click here to download.

H&S Companies Partner to Teach Fundamentals of Financial Management on 7/18/12

Learn the basics of accounting with Randy Filbrandt on 7/18



Randy Filbrandt, Certified Public Accountant & H&S Companies Partner, will

be teaching the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center’s Fundamentals of Financial Management Workshop on Wednesday, July 18, 2012.
This introductory class is designed to help small business owners understand how to apply financial information to managing their business more effectively. This will give those in-charge, the ability to understand accounting principles, financial statements, and work more effectively with their accounting team.

Fundamentals of Financial Management

When: Wednesday, July 18, 2012; 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Michigan Alternative Renewable Energy Center
200 Viridian Dr, Muskegon, MI 49440
Cost: Free
Register: MI-SBTDC Website

About Randy

Randy Filbrandt is a partner and has been with H&S Companies since 1994. His background includes work with non-profits and retirement plan audits, as well as, monthly accounting and tax preparation for individuals and businesses. Randy is a member of the MACPA, AICPA, BNI of Muskegon, and is active in the Muskegon and Grand Haven Chambers of Commerce. Randy has also served on the board of the Hume Home since 2002.

H&S Companies Partner to Teach Fundamentals of Financial Management on 7/18/12



Learn the basics of accounting with Randy Filbrandt on 7/18

Randy Filbrandt, Certified Public Accountant & H&S Companies Partner, will be teaching the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center’s

Fundamentals of Financial Management Workshop on Wednesday, July 18, 2012.
This introductory class is designed to help small business owners understand how to apply financial information to managing their business more effectively. This will give those in-charge, the ability to understand accounting principles, financial statements, and work more effectively with their accounting team.

Fundamentals of Financial Management

When: Wednesday, July 18, 2012; 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Michigan Alternative Renewable Energy Center
200 Viridian Dr, Muskegon, MI 49440
Cost: Free
Register: MI-SBTDC Website

About Randy

Randy Filbrandt is a partner and has been with H&S Companies since 1994. His background includes work with non-profits and retirement plan audits, as well as, monthly accounting and tax preparation for individuals and businesses. Randy is a member of the MACPA, AICPA, BNI of Muskegon, and is active in the Muskegon and Grand Haven Chambers of Commerce. Randy has also served on the board of the Hume Home since 2002.

H&S Companies Partner to Teach Fundamentals of Financial Management on 7/18/12



Learn the basics of accounting with Randy Filbrandt on 7/18

Randy Filbrandt, Certified Public Accountant & H&S Companies Partner, will be teaching the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center’s Fundamentals of Financial Management Workshop on Wednesday, July 18, 2012.

This introductory class is designed to help small business owners understand how to apply financial information to managing their business more effectively. This will give those in-charge, the ability to understand accounting principles, financial statements, and work more effectively with their accounting team.

Fundamentals of Financial Management

When: Wednesday, July 18, 2012; 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Michigan Alternative Renewable Energy Center
200 Viridian Dr, Muskegon, MI 49440
Cost: Free
Register: MI-SBTDC Website

About Randy

Randy Filbrandt is a partner and has been with H&S Companies since 1994. His background includes work with non-profits and retirement plan audits, as well as, monthly accounting and tax preparation for individuals and businesses. Randy is a member of the MACPA, AICPA, BNI of Muskegon, and is active in the Muskegon and Grand Haven Chambers of Commerce. Randy has also served on the board of the Hume Home since 2002.

School is Out! Remember to Keep These Summer Tax Tips in Mind For Your Child’s Daycare…



Child with Books

The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit is available for childcare expenses incurred throughout the year.

School is out! For many families with young children, that means finding daycare facilities or babysitters to watch the kids. When you’re making plans don’t forget about the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit!

This credit is available for childcare expenses incurred throughout the year so parents are able to work or look for work. Below is a reminder of what you need to know:

  • To qualify, children must be under age 13
  • Either at-home sitters or daycare facilities outside of the home may qualify
  • Overnight camps and summer school/tutoring do not qualify
  • The credit is available for up to $3000 of unreimbursed expenses paid in a year, for one qualifying child, or $6000 of unreimbursed expenses for two or more qualifying children

You will want to be sure to save receipts and documentation to reference when filing your taxes. Also, you are required to report the Employee Identification Number (EIN) of the camp, location, and dates the child(ren) attended, so be sure to keep track of these items throughout the year.

Sources + Forms
Child and Dependent Care Expense Tax Credit

Keep the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit in Mind for Summer Planning

Personal Property Tax Legislation

The State Senate has introduced a reform package for the Personal Property tax. (Photo Credit: office.microsoft.com)

On Tuesday, April 17, 2012, the State Senate introduced a reform package for the Personal Property tax. Over the next several weeks the State Senate Finance Committee will meet to review and discuss the plan. As the package currently stands, the following changes are being proposed:

  • Eliminate Michigan’s Personal Property tax for commercial and industrial businesses that have under $40,000 of taxable property in the same jurisdiction.
  • Properties that are in certain enterprise zones, as well as, technology park developments that qualify for an abatement, will still qualify for relief until they become exempt under this new plan.
  • Starting in 2015, “qualified new personal property” purchased after December 31, 2011, that meets the definition of “eligible manufacturing personal property”, will be exempt.
  • Also starting in 2015, qualified new personal property that is over 10 years old will be removed from the books. A seven year phase out will begin after 2015 to eliminate qualified industrial property purchased between 2005-2011.
  • Michigan’s Treasury will be instructed to create a Personal Property Tax Reimbursement Fund that will refund 81% of funds lost to local governmental units.

What do you think about the latest reform that has been proposed? Visit facebook.com/hscompanies to voice your opinion or ask questions for one of our tax professionals to answer.

Still Haven’t Had Your Taxes Done? Time is Running Out!



The tax deadline is quickly approaching; make sure you get your paperwork in. (photo credit: office.microsoft.com)

Taxes are due tomorrow! So, what do you do if you still haven’t had your taxes done? It’s best to be proactive, and work to avoid penalties. At this point, it is probably too late to have a tax professional complete and file your taxes by the deadline, but there is still action you can take.

  • File for an extension This will extend the amount of time you have to file your tax paperwork, however, it WILL NOT extend the amount of time you have to pay if you owe money. You can file for an extension on the IRS website.
  • Send the estimated amount you owe by April 17th Remember it’s best to err on the side of caution, because if you owe more than you send, you will still be penalized. If you are going to receive money back then you have three years to file (and with the extension you have 3 years and 6 months).
  • Have your taxes completed as soon as possible Be sure to file your paperwork as soon as possible, so you can receive any money back you deserve.

Still have questions? Contact an H&S tax professional today.