Back-to-school sales are in full swing! At Christianson PLLP, we want to remind parents about tax benefits for their 2017 MN tax return for many school expenses. MN has both a credit and a subtraction for education-related expenses. The Minnesota Department of Revenue reminds families interested in claiming these tax benefits to save all receipts related to school supplies. You can keep these receipts with your other tax documents that you traditionally bring to your tax preparer. Most required K-12 school supplies qualify for the credit or subtraction, including writing utensils, textbooks, calculators, tutors, academic programs and camps, and musical instrument lessons (including purchases or rentals). Common items that do not Read More...
Archives for August 2017
2015 Minnesota Refunds
Here at Christianson PLLP, we have been notified that some of our clients are receiving 2015 refund checks from the MN Department of Revenue. Do not throw these checks away, they are real! These refunds relate back to retroactive legislation signed into law in early January 2017. The MN Department of Revenue reviewed 2015 Minnesota income tax returns to determine those that were affected by the changes made to the 2015 tax code and are in the process of mailing out refunds to affected individuals. If you receive a letter and/or refund related to this, please keep the information with your 2017 tax papers and bring in to your tax preparer when you come in for your tax appointment. If you have additional questions or are still Read More...
Biofuels Financial Conference – 2017 Agenda Announced
Christianson PLLP is hosting its 13th annual Biofuels Financial Conference September 27-28, 2017 at the Radisson Blu Minneapolis Downtown, Minneapolis, MN. We know how important it is for you, as biofuels professionals, to stay on the cutting edge of industry developments, so once again, we’ve teamed up with BBI International to ensure the best possible conference experience. For this year's conference, we are taking a deeper look into the concept of “Futurism” which encompasses speed, technology, advancement, and progress. Biofuels continues to develop at a rapid pace, with many changes occurring quickly. However, other technologies – the proliferation electric vehicles and the development of other fuels types –as well numerous Read More...
Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA)
Christianson PLLP is on a mission to ensure all employers of small businesses are aware of a recent change regarding Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA). What has Changed? As part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), employers were no longer allowed to have a stand-alone HRA (outside of a group plan) or they would be subject to a $100/day/employee penalty. In December 2016, a bill was passed that included a provision that would exempt small employer HRAs from the ACA’s group plan rules. Now, relief is provided to small employers for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2017. Eligible employers that do not offer group health insurance coverage to any of their employees can offer a qualified small employer health reimbursement Read More...