BE Informed

In this episode of BE Informed, join me, Brittany Quinn, as I introduce you to the talented audit managers and seniors from Brown Edwards who specialize in employee benefit plan audits. You'll hear from Dean, Kaitlyn, Megan, Rebecca, and Shannon as they discuss their roles, share insights on common audit findings, and outline what clients can expect when collaborating with them. Our team prides it...

In this episode of the Brown Edwards Benefits Buzz Podcast, host Brittany Quinn, audit partner at Brown Edwards, sits down with EBP audit professionals Jessica Hite and Shannon Cook to discuss how plan sponsors can prepare for a smoother, less stressful audit experience. Together, they break down the key drivers of audit success — from proactive communication and early coordination with TPAs, to o...

In this episode of the Brown Edwards Benefits Buzz podcast, host Brittany Quinn, audit partner at Brown Edwards, is joined by Katelyn Tolliver to discuss one of the most common — and preventable — compliance pitfalls facing employee benefit plans: eligibility and enrollment errors. Together, they break down how these errors occur across 401(k)s, ESOPs, and health and welfare plans, walking through...

In this episode of BE Informed, I dive deep into the essential business provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed on July 4th, 2025. Joined by fellow tax manager Kevin Forget, we break down the significant changes, particularly the permanence of 100% bonus depreciation and the substantial increase in Section 179 expensing limits. We also explore the introduction of a new code section, 1...

Tax experts Jacob Reeves and Kevin Forget break down key business provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) passed on July 4th, 2025. Learn about expanded completed contract methods for residential construction, permanent opportunity zone extensions with new rural incentives, and enhanced low-income housing tax credits. Essential updates for construction industry clients and real estate...

In this episode of BE Informed, I dive into the significant business provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, also known as OB3, which was enacted on July 4, 2025. Join me as I explore the reinstatement of EBITDA in calculating the business interest deduction, a change that offers more flexibility for leveraged companies. I also discuss the expanded definitions impacting motor vehicle and tra...

In this episode of BE Informed, I delve into the significant changes brought by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3), specifically focusing on R&D tax deductions that business owners need to understand. Joined by tax manager Kevin Forget, we explore how the new provisions allow small businesses to immediately expense their R&D costs, reversing previous amortization requirements. We discuss the imp...

In this episode of BE Informed, I dive into the significant updates surrounding the Employer-Provided Childcare Credit as outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was passed on July 4th, 2025. Join me, Jacob Reeves, as I discuss how the credit has been raised from 25% to 40% for employer-provided childcare costs, with small businesses benefiting even more at 50%. Notably, the maximum cred...

Join tax experts Jacob Reeves and Kevin Forget from Brown Edwards & Company as they break down important business provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3), passed July 4th, 2025. Learn about changes to paid family medical leave credits, excess business loss limitations, corporate charitable contribution floors, and other tax provisions affecting businesses and business owners.

In this episode of BE Informed, I dive into the implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) extensions as outlined in the recently passed "One Big Beautiful Bill." Join me as I break down key provisions impacting individual and estate taxes, including the permanence of individual tax rates and increased standard deductions. Discover how these changes will affect your financial planning, from...

Brown Edwards tax experts Jacob Reeves and Marie Wimmer break down key provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3), including the permanent increase of the estate and gift tax exemption to $15 million and the temporary expansion of the SALT cap to $40,000 through 2029. Learn how these changes may impact your tax planning and what pass-through entity owners need to know about state tax workaro...

In this episode of BE Informed, I dive into the significant tax changes stemming from the One Big Beautiful Bill, focusing on charitable deductions and the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction. Join me as I explain how, starting in 2026, taxpayers who take the standard deduction will be able to deduct up to $1,000 for singles and $2,000 for joint filers in charitable contributions, a move aim...

In this episode of BE Informed, join me, Jacob Reeves, as I unpack the intriguing new provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill, particularly focusing on the innovative Trump accounts aimed at fostering savings for our youth. Designed for children born between 2025 and 2028, these tax-deferred accounts allow contributions up to $5,000 annually, with the federal government adding an initial $1,000 p...

In this episode of BE Informed, I delve into the significant changes brought about by the One Big Beautiful Bill regarding child care tax credits and ABLE accounts. Join me as I explore the enhancements to the Dependent Care Assistance Program, including an increase in the annual exclusion limit and an improved Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit rate rising from 35% to 50%. I also discuss the ado...

In this episode of BE Informed, join me, Jacob Rives, as we delve into the new tax deductions set to take effect in 2025. We explore significant provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill, including a $6,000 deduction for seniors aged 65 and older, and the introduction of a $25,000 deduction for qualified tips, designed to benefit service industry workers. Additionally, we discuss a new deduction...

Brown Edwards tax managers Jacob Reeves and Marie Wimmer break down the major education-related tax provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill. Learn about the new scholarship contribution tax credit, expanded 529 plan qualified expenses for K-12 and post-secondary education, and the employer student loan repayment exclusion up to $5,250.

Tax experts Jacob Reeves and Kevin Forget break down the key nonprofit provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) passed July 4th, 2025. Learn about the new tiered endowment tax affecting private universities with large endowments and the expanded excess compensation tax on nonprofit executives. These changes take effect in 2026—find out if your organization is impacted.

Senior tax managers Jacob Reeves and Marie Wimmer break down the major changes to the premium tax credit under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3). Learn about new eligibility requirements, enhanced verification processes starting in 2027, and the removal of repayment caps that could significantly impact taxpayers who receive marketplace health insurance subsidies.

In this episode of BE Informed, we explore the powerful intersection of charitable giving and tax strategy. Join me as we delve into the intricacies of Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) and other tax-efficient giving strategies. Discover how your generosity can align with financial prudence, offering significant tax savings while supporting the causes you care about. We'll unravel the bene...

In this episode of BE Informed, I explore the tax implications of major life events such as marriage, divorce, welcoming a new child, and buying a home. These milestones, while deeply personal, can significantly alter your financial landscape. From changes in filing status and tax brackets to potential deductions and credits, understanding these shifts is crucial for effective tax planning. I'll g...

In this episode of BE Informed, we delve into the intricacies of tax loss harvesting, a strategy used to optimize tax outcomes by offsetting gains with losses. I begin by explaining the fundamentals of tax loss harvesting, outlining how it can be a valuable tool for managing your tax liabilities. The discussion then moves to the mechanics of how tax loss harvesting works, providing listeners with...

In this episode of BE Informed, we delve into the intricacies of retirement planning by exploring various types of retirement accounts. I begin by providing an overview of the most common retirement accounts, helping listeners understand the fundamental differences and benefits of each. We then discuss the current year's contribution limits, offering insights into how these limits can impact your...

Join me on BE Informed as we explore the essential year-end strategies for real estate investors and property owners. In this episode, "Year-end Moves For Real Estate Investors And Property Owners," I delve into the critical planning steps needed to maximize tax benefits and optimize property management as the year draws to a close. We'll cover key topics such as understanding tax implications, le...

Join me on BE Informed by Brown Edwards as we explore Tax Deferral Strategies for High-Income Earners. In this episode, I delve into the complexities of tax deferral and deduction acceleration, offering insights that can transform your financial planning. Discover how timing strategies can optimize your tax situation by deferring income and accelerating deductions, potentially lowering your taxabl...

In this episode of BE Informed, we delve into the intricacies of tax-smart investing, particularly as the year-end approaches. I begin by introducing the concept of tax-smart investing, emphasizing its importance for maximizing financial gains. We explore asset location strategies, which involve strategically placing investments in accounts that optimize tax efficiency. This is followed by a recap...