Connecting with Content

Helping Professional Advisors Use Targeted Email Newsletters to Share their Expertise

Ellen Katz, Executive Editor

As the editor of BizActions, my job can best be described as providing business newsletter content that professional advisors can send to their clients. Through our custom email newsletters, you can showcase your expertise to clients.

How do we come up with the articles we send out in our:

CPA client newsletters,
Law firm newsletters,
Employee benefits newsletters,
Payroll newsletters,
Canadian chartered accountant newsletters,
Financial planning newsletters, and
Other products?

We work with experts in numerous fields and constantly track the latest news and trends.

I arrived at BizActions with a traditional journalism background, having written and edited newspapers, magazines and newsletters that were directed at the general public. Years ago, I began specializing in financial matters -- specifically taxes.

People often ask me "Why did you focus on taxes?" and the honest answer is: "Because no one else wanted to." As a young journalist, I landed a job writing some simple tax articles. As the tax laws constantly changed, I followed along. I was fortunate to work with some brilliant tax minds -- CPAs, attorneys and financial advisors -- who explained the arcane principles of the Internal Revenue Code.

Soon, I found that knowledge of taxes was a rare commodity in the publishing world and there were plenty of opportunities for someone with my background. And I realized that an expertise in tax law translates into knowledge of other financial and legal areas -- including business management, personal finance, real estate, employee benefits, human resources and insurance.

Simply put, taxes touch nearly every part of a person's business and personal finances.

So my background is a good fit with BizActions' mission to create professional email newsletters and Web site content.

So welcome to my blog. In it, I'll explain how you can use content and custom email newsletters to highlight your expertise!

New Year, New Tax Rules to Convey to Clients

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 by Ellen Katz

As you may know, many favorable tax provisions expired at the end of 2011. Will Congress extend them? It's possible since lawmakers have renewed tax breaks retroactively in the past. It's also possible that tax breaks will not be brought back because there is no bipartisan agreement.

In addition to the recently expired provisions, we have a number of tax breaks that are set to expire at the end of 2012, such as the lower capital gains tax and dividend rates.

As a result of all this uncertainty, clients are confused about what's deductible, what's not and how they can stay on top of it all. The answer: BizActions newsletters.

No matter what happens, we help professional advisers stay in touch with their clients to keep them informed of the latest tax changes. Our newsletters cover the laws as they are passed or phased in. We also write about IRS guidance and new tax court cases.

With our service, you can have relevant information sent to clients ASAP. Plus, your firm’s professionals have the option to write your own articles and announcements to speak directly to your clients about other issues you feel are important.

We provide financial planning newsletters, accountant newsletters, law firm newsletters, employee benefits newsletters, payroll newsletters, human resources newsletters and more.

When it comes to tax law uncertainty, your clients have lots of questions. Your firm has one smart answer: BizActions.

Below is a chart, from one of our recent articles, showing some of the major tax provisions that expired at the end of 2011. It shows the kind of successful newsletter content your firm can send out.

	For Individuals
Expiring Tax Break	Description	Will it Be Extended?
1. Reduced Social Security Tax Rate	The Social Security tax for 2011 was imposed on the first $106,800 of 2011 wages and/or self-employment income. For 2011, the withholding rate for the employee's share of the Social Security tax was temporarily reduced by 2 percent, from the usual 6.2 percent to only 4.2 percent. For self-employed individuals, the Social Security tax component of the self-employment tax was also temporarily reduced by 2 percent, from the usual 12.4 percent to only 10.4 prediction.	The 2 percent rate cut was extended by Congress through February 2012. (For 2012, the Social Security tax will hit the first $110,100 of wages and/or self-employment income). Lawmakers will have to pass another law to extend the payroll tax cut for the rest of 2012.
2. Alternative Minimum Tax Patch	Every year, Congress "patches" the AMT rules to prevent millions more households from getting socked with this add-on tax. The annual patch job consists of allowing bigger AMT exemptions and allowing various personal tax credits to offset the AMT. We are still waiting for the 2012 patch.	Without a new patch for 2012, lots more taxpayers will be unhappy with Congress, and 2012 is an election year. While it's a virtual certainty that a new patch will be installed for 2012, no one knows exactly when that might happen.
3. Higher Education Tuition Deduction	For 2011, this write-off can be up to $4,000 or $2,000 for higher-income folks.	It is likely to be extended through 2012.
4. Option to Deduct State and Local Sales Taxes	For 2011, individuals have the option of claiming an itemized deduction for general state and local sales taxes instead of claiming an itemized deduction for state and local income taxes. This option can be beneficial if your state has no personal income tax or you pay a very low state income tax rate.	It is likely to be extended through 2012.
5. The $500 Energy-Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit	For 2011, you can claim a tax credit of up to $500 for certain energy-saving improvements to your principal residence.	The odds don't favor an extension.
6. Charitable Donations from IRAs	For 2011, IRA owners who have reached age 70 1/2 are allowed to make charitable donations of up to $100,000 directly out of their IRAs. The donations count as IRA required minimum distributions. So charitably inclined seniors with more IRA money than they need can reduce taxes by arranging for IRA donations to take the place of taxable required minimum distributions.	It seems likely that this break will be extended through 2012.
7. Charitable Qualified Conservation Contributions	Liberalized deduction rules for qualified conservation contributions to charities are scheduled to expire on December 31, 2011. Qualified conservation contributions are donations of real property interests (including remainder interests and easements) that restrict the use of real property. For individuals, the maximum write-off for 2011 qualified conservation contributions of long-term capital gain property was increased from the normal 30 to 50 percent of adjusted gross income. In addition, qualified conservation contributions were not counted when calculating an individual's allowable 2011 write-offs for other charitable contributions. Qualified conservation contributions in excess of what can be written off in 2011 could be carried forward for 15 years (only a five-year carryover period is allowed under the normal rules). For an individual who was a qualified farmer or rancher, the qualified conservation contribution write-off for 2011 donations of farm or ranch real property could be as much as 100 percent of the donor's adjusted gross income.	It is unclear if these favorable provisions are likely to be extended.
8. Deduction for Teachers' School Expenses	For 2011, teachers and other personnel at K-12 schools can deduct up to $250 of school-related expenses they pay for out of their own pockets --whether they itemize or not.	This break is highly likely to be extended through 2012.
9. Deduction for Home Mortgage Insurance Premiums	For 2011, eligible taxpayers are allowed to treat qualifying personal residence mortgage insurance premium amounts as deductible home mortgage interest.	It is unclear if this break will be extended.
10. Larger Salary Reduction Opportunity for Transit Passes	Your employer may allow you to sign up to reduce your taxable salary to pay for transit passes to get to and from work. In 2011, the maximum monthly amount you could set aside on a tax-free basis was $230. The maximum monthly amount for 2012 is scheduled to drop to only $125 unless Congress continues to allow a larger amount (which would be $240 for 2012).	It is unclear right now.
	For Businesses
11. Research and Development Credit	This long-standing break for increasing qualifying R&D expenditures	The R&D credit will almost certainly be extended through at least 2012.
12. The Work Opportunity Credit and other business credits	The Work Opportunity Credit is a long-standing tax break for hiring members of certain targeted groups such as veterans, ex-felons, high-risk youths, food stamp recipients and others. In addition, the credit for manufacturing energy-efficient appliances, the credit for constructing energy-efficient homes, and the new markets credit are all scheduled to expire.	It is fairly certain that the Work Opportunity Credit will be extended through at least 2012. It is unclear whether the other business tax credits will be extended
13. 100 Percent First-Year Bonus Depreciation	For qualifying new assets that are placed in service (hooked up and ready for use) by December 31, 2011, business taxpayers can write off the entire cost in the first year. Qualifying assets include most software, vehicles, and equipment. Used assets do not qualify.	At this time, it is not clear if this provision will be extended.
14. Liberalized Section 179 Deductions	For tax years beginning in 2011, eligible small and medium-sized businesses can immediately write off up to $500,000 of qualifying new and used assets--including most software, certain "heavy" vehicles, most equipment, and up to $250,000 of qualifying real estate improvements. Assets must be placed in service (hooked up and ready for business use) by the end of the tax year beginning in 2011 to be eligible. For tax years beginning in 2012, the maximum Section 179 deduction is scheduled to fall to only $139,000, and Section 179 deductions for real estate improvements are scheduled to disappear.	It is unclear if these provisions are likely to be extended.
15. S Corporation Built-In Gains Tax Exemption	If you operate a corporation that converted from C to S status a few years ago, you probably know that a corporate-level built-in gains tax (known as the BIG tax) may apply when certain S corporation assets (including receivables and inventories) are turned into cash or sold within the recognition period. The recognition period is normally the 10-year period that began on the date when the corporation converted from C to S status. For gains recognized in tax years beginning in 2011, however, there is an exemption from the BIG tax. The exemption applies if the fifth year of your corporation's recognition period had gone by before the start of the tax year beginning in 2011.	It is unclear if this provision is likely to be extended.
16. Zero Percent Tax Rate on Future Gains from Qualified Small Business Stock	For qualified small business corporation (QSBC) stock that is issued in calendar year 2011, a 100 percent federal gain exclusion break is potentially available. That equates to a 0 percent federal income tax rate on future profits from selling QSBC shares down the road. You must hold the shares for more than five years to be eligible, and many companies will fail to meet the definition of a QSBC. Also, C corporation shareholders are ineligible.	For QSBC shares issued in 2012, the gain exclusion percentage is scheduled to drop to 50 percent, but it appears there is a decent chance of the 100 percent gain exclusion being extended through 2012.
17. Seven-Year Depreciation for Motorsport Property	Seven-year depreciation is allowed for qualifying property used for land improvement and support facilities at motorsports entertainment complexes placed in service in 2011.	It is not clear if there will be an extension.
18. Fifteen-Year Depreciation for Leasehold Improvements, Restaurant Property, and Retail Space Improvements	Fifteen-year straight-line depreciation is allowed for qualified leasehold improvements, qualified restaurant buildings and improvements, and qualified retail space improvements placed in service in 2011.	At this time, it is unclear if this will be extended.
19. Suspension of 100 Percent-of-Net-Income Limitation on Oil and Gas Percentage Depletion	A provision that would limit deductions for marginal oil and gas well percentage depletion to 100 percent of net income has been suspended for a number of years.	It is not clear if the suspension will be extended.

Presidential Candidates Promise a Less Confusing Tax Code. Do You Believe Them? Keep Clients Informed

Wednesday, October 26, 2011 by Ellen Katz

Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry says he will institute a 20 percent federal flat tax. Other candidates have their own ideas. Herman Cain has a "9-9-9" plan. Newt Gingrich supports a 15 percent "optional flat tax" while Mitt Romney says his tax system will be "flatter."

Nearly everyone agrees the Internal Revenue Code needs to be simpler than the current system. We've heard these arguments before. In fact, the income tax system did get simpler in 1986 when the Tax Reform Act reduced the top individual rate down from 50 percent to 28 percent and brought the top corporate rate down from 46 percent to 34 percent. In addition, the 1986 law simplified the tax structure by eliminating several deductions, credits and shelters and reducing the number of individual tax brackets from five to two.

Upon signing the law, President Reagan said: "I feel like we just played the World Series of tax reform -- and the American people won."

President Reagan's vision of a simpler tax code was not always shared by his successors. Tax code complexity has come back with a vengeance. Subsequent tax laws have raised rates and added back thousands of deductions.

Today, we have individual tax rates of 10, 15, 25, 33 and 35 percent and new deductions and credits are added and taken away on a regular basis.

Even tax pros have a hard time keeping up with the changes.

Politicians are now floating a variety of plans to -- again -- make the tax code fairer and less confusing.

No matter who wins the White House next year and whether the administration is successful in simplifying the Internal Revenue Code, one thing is clear: We will be facing major new tax changes in the next couple of years for these reasons:

Last year's Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act only extended certain favorable tax breaks through the end of 2012.
Other new deductions and credits that were created by the 2010 law will expire this year or next without Congressional action.
In the meantime, a Congressional "super panel" is also supposed to unearth $1.5 trillion in extra spending cuts by the end of the year to reduce the deficit. Some of the money is expected to come from tax hikes.

How can your firm keep clients up to date with the changes? BizActions is the perfect vehicle to send out that type of communication. Our newsletter content covers the laws as soon as they are passed or phased in. With our service, you can have the latest information sent to clients ASAP. Plus, your firm’s professionals have the option to write your own articles and announcements to speak directly to your clients.

We provide financial planning newsletters, accountant newsletters, law firm newsletters, employee benefits newsletters, FINRA reviewed articles and more.

When it comes to tax law uncertainty, your clients have lots of questions. Your firm has one smart answer: BizActions.

Looking to Provide Clients with Timely Tax News? BizActions has It!

Friday, September 16, 2011 by Ellen Katz

BizActions electronic newsletters and website content cover each new tax law by providing clients with information about relevant changes shortly after they happen.

For example, President Obama signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 on December 17, 2010.

Firms that utilize BizActions newsletters were able to send an article about the new law to their clients just after the ink dried – beginning on December 18. Our Online Tax Guide was updated with news about the law the same day.

And, after initial articles about new laws are sent out, BizActions continues providing in-depth information congress telling clients how they can benefit from various provisions. For example:

On January 15, 2011, our article titled “Strategic Estate Planning under the New Tax Rules” explained the $5 million federal estate tax exemption and the 35 percent tax rate that are in effect through 2012.
A week later, clients received an article titled "New Law Extends IRA Donation Tax Break: Can You Benefit?" It described a tax-saving opportunity for certain affluent IRA owners who want to pass some of their wealth onto favorite charities.
A couple weeks later, BizActions published “New Law Includes Fresh Batch of Favorable Depreciation Changes,” which detailed the enhanced Section 179 deductions and 100 percent bonus depreciation.

A few other tax articles BizActions has published this year:

One day after a new law repealing the burdensome 1099 reporting rules was signed, we had an article ready to go.
After the IRS announced it was delaying the implementation date for employers to inform employees about the value of their health care coverage, we had an article in the next week’s newsletter.

These are just a few examples of the timely tax content your firm can relay to clients by using the BizActions system. In clear, concise articles, we explain the latest tax laws, IRS news, relevant Tax Court cases and more. It’s a way for your firm to tell clients about the changes that affect them – without overwhelming them with confusing, jargon-filled language.

Not just tax: While tax information is one of our specialties, BizActions email newsletters also cover business strategies, personal finance tips, niche information, relevant Supreme Court cases and much more.

On the Horizon

Of course, we’re closely following what’s currently happening in Washington. From the proposed American Jobs Act to the possible tax code changes that may occur because of the debt reduction agreement passed earlier this summer, we will report relevant news to your clients as soon as it happens.

Whether you want to explain the savings that can be realized from Section 179 deductions or the implications of Section 529 plans, turn to BizActions for tax-wise client email newsletters and website content.

Want More Tax Content in Your Email Newsletters?

Monday, May 9, 2011 by Ellen Katz

BizActions has introduced a unique new niche category of content that can bring tax concepts to life for your clients. The niche is called "Lessons from Tax Court" and features actual cases in an interesting, easy-to-read format.

The articles first lay out the facts of each case. Then, they provide taxpayers with the lessons that taxpayers can learn from the court cases. They are appropriate content for a successful CPA newsletter or a law firm email marketing publication.

Here are some examples of topics we've covered recently:

Passive activity losses for rental property owners;
Home office deduction rules;
Like-kind exchange requirements to get tax-favored treatment;
When joint activities must be treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes;
Proper structuring of tax-free shareholder loans;
Employee benefit administrative details and how they can disqualify a retirement plan;
And much more!

These articles explain complex tax rules facing individuals and businesses in a way that non-tax professionals can understand. They can be combined with articles from BizActions' "Personal Tax" and "Business Tax" categories to help your firm publish an email newsletter.

Position your firm as a thought leader with unique tax content. BizActions is your email newsletter creation tool.

Want Tax News for Your Clients? BizActions Has It!

Monday, October 4, 2010 by Ellen Katz

We don’t have to tell you that the Internal Revenue Code is a massive, complex, constantly changing document. When new laws pass or new provisions kick in, your

CPA firm wants to get timely information out to your clients.

BizActions email newsletters cover the basics of each new tax law by providing clients with a rundown of the relevant changes in the next weekly launch. For example, the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act passed on September 24 and was signed by President Obama on September 27. Firms that utilize BizActions e-newsletters were able to send an article about the new law to their clients beginning on September 27.

But we don’t stop there. After the initial new law articles are sent out, BizActions continues producing in-depth articles that tell clients how they can benefit from individual provisions in the legislation – and what new laws mean to them.

For example:

BizActions published an article about the HIRE Act as soon as it became law. But we then followed up with an article answering the question: “Can Relatives Qualify?
After the massive healthcare legislation was signed, we wrote several articles including one on the upcoming 1099 reporting requirements. We also published a detailed chart showing a year-by-year summary of the tax law changes; explained the interim rules for grandfathered plans, and answered the question: “Does Your Organization Qualify for the New Health Tax Credit?”

As you know, individual provisions in a tax law may not kick in for years. BizActions articles remind clients of important upcoming changes they may have forgotten about.

For example

Way back in 2003, capital gains and dividend rates were cut and the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2008 extended the favorable rates. With the “Bush tax cuts” in danger of expiring, BizActions published an article in April of 2010 explaining that it was a good time to arrange for corporate dividends, stock redemptions and stock sales.
Tucked into the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was a major change in the amount of information that will be supplied to the IRS about investors' activities. We recently published an article telling clients that beginning January 1, 2011, there will be changes to the cost basis reporting of their securities.

These are just a few examples of the tax information your firm can relay to clients by using the BizActions system. In clear, concise articles, we explain the latest tax laws, IRS news, relevant Tax Court cases and more. It’s a way to tell clients about the tax changes that affect them – without overwhelming them with confusing, jargon-filled language.

Whether you want to explain the savings that can be realized from Section 179 deductions or explain the implications of Section 529 plans, turn to BizActions for tax-wise client newsletters.

Provide Clients with Opportunities -- No Matter What the Economy

Thursday, August 12, 2010 by Ellen Katz

Research shows that in many parts of the country -- and in many industries -- the economy is not turning around as fast as we hoped.

No matter what the economy, people need their professional advisors to help them survive and thrive. Business owners, corporate executives and high-net-worth individuals all turn to the pros for advice on how to do more with less.

Through articles in custom email newsletters, you can provide assistance to your recession-weary clients to help make their businesses and personal finances more profitable.

To illustrate, here are just a few examples of the titles of our email newsletter articles, along with the industries to which they are available:

CPA Client Newsletters - Hiring Summer Help? Tax Breaks and Rules to Keep in Mind.

Payroll Newsletters - Avoid these 11 Costly Payroll Mistakes.

Law Firm Newsletters - Risk of Discrimination Lawsuits Now Greater.

Human Resources Newsletters - Brainstorming Study Raises Questions.

Employee Benefits Newsletters - COBRA Subsidy Has Been Extended Again.

Financial Planning Newsletters - Strategies to Increase the Value of Your Portfolio (one of our FINRA articles).

Canadian Chartered Accountant Newsletters - Made in Canada: A Powerful Marketing Term.

B2B Newsletters - Buff Up Your Business Before Putting it on the Market.

As you can see, sending out business newsletter content and personal finance articles can put you in the position of helping clients survive the recession. Custom email newsletters help solidify client relationships and showcase your expertise. Regular communication keeps your firm foremost in your clients' minds.

Targeted email newsletters can help you get more business and keep your exisiting clients satisfied.

Using a Newsletter to Inform Clients of Burdensome New 1099 Requirements

Sunday, June 6, 2010 by Ellen Katz

No matter what accounting and legal professionals think about the massive healthcare reform legislation passed recently, most were shocked to learn about the new 1099 requirements that businesses will have to comply with in a couple years.

Right now, businesses must provide a 1099 Form to independent contractors and others that they hire and pay more than $600 in a calendar year.

But beginning in 2012, a business that pays $600 in a calendar year for ANYTHING must generally supply the other business with a Form 1099 and file a copy with the IRS.

That means if you go to the office supply store and buy more than $600 worth of merchandise during the year, you'll have to file a 1099. If you frequent a local restaurant for client lunches numerous times during the year, you'll probably have to file one for that too.

You may have to get taxpayer ID numbers and file 1099s for almost everyone you do business with!

The paperwork burden is overwhelming.

How can CPAs, payroll providers, attorneys and other professionals get the word out to their clients about these new requirements so they can change their accounting systems in time to comply? With BizActions newsletters. Our e-mail service provides accountants, law firms, payroll firms, financial planners and other professionals with content that explains all the new requirements in the healthcare legislation.

With a business, legal and financial e-mail service, you can keep your clients up to date. BizActions supplies successful CPA newsletters, interesting law firm e-mail marketing material, interesting employee beneifits newsletters, payroll newsletters and much more! Contact us today.

Do You Want Clients to Receive Important Information from You?

Friday, April 23, 2010 by Ellen Katz

Successful professional advisors stay in touch with their clients on a regular basis. They provide them with ideas and keep them up-to-date on the latest changes affecting their lives.

Having this kind of communication can be time consuming and difficult. But with BizActions email newsletters, your firm can send out regular, professional messages that keep your clients informed about essential information.

Want to send out an accountant newsletter? We've got one for CPAs in the United States and Chartered Accountants in Canada. How about an employee benefits newsletter, a human resources newsletter, a payroll newsletter, or email marketing material for law firms or financial advisors? We got 'em.

What kind of articles do our newsletters contain? Here are some recent titles:

Key Changes in the New Healthcare Law;
Improve the Effectiveness of Your Audit Committee;
Three Big Tax Breaks in the New HIRE Act;
Be Ready to Ride the Recovery Wave; and
New Crackdown on Independent Contractor Relationships.

As you can see, these are the kind of relevant topics your clients are searching for information about. Contact BizActions today to find out more about how you can arrange for them to receive it from your firm.

HIRE Act Signed into Law

Friday, March 19, 2010 by Ellen Katz

The first major tax law of the year was signed by President Obama on March 18, 2010. (We're expecting other new tax laws later in the year.) The "HIRE Act" provides incentives for employers to hire and retain unemployed people. It also includes an extension of the large tax

deduction qualified businesses could claim last year for buying equipment. In addition, the law makes the "Build America Bonds" program more attractive to investors.

Clients of tax professionals are interested in what this new law provides. How can you get this information to them? Within a few days of passage, BizActions published an article detailing the new provisions of the law.

So if your firm is interested in sending out a CPA client newsletter, a payroll newsletter, an employee benefits newsletter, a financial planner newsletter, or a law firm newsletter, BizActions can help. Get timely important information out to your clients in a flash!

Navigate Uncharted Estate Planning Waters with BizActions

Friday, January 15, 2010 by Ellen Katz

Almost no one thought it would really happen, but Congress let the federal estate tax die for 2010. Lots of people are confused about what the repeal means. It's no wonder ... the current situation is a huge mess. Even worse, some large estates could face delays and unintended consequences.

Most people assumed Congress would step in last year and continue the $3.5 million federal estate tax exemption and 45 percent maximum estate tax rate that were in effect in 2009.

But lawmakers were tied up with health care reform and partisan politics so the year ended without an agreement.

Most tax professionals still believe Congress will resurrect the federal estate tax sometime in 2010 and that the effective date of the new rules (whatever they turn out to be) will be sometime in 2010. Some experts believe that making the new rules retroactive to January 1, 2010 would be unconstitutional.

Imagine the uproar if Congress waits several months to retroactively impose an estate tax on wealthy people who died early in the year. The issue is likely to wind up in court, which will lead to delays and additional burdens for heirs.

No matter what happens in 2010, the estate tax is scheduled to come back in 2011 with a $1 million federal estate tax exemption and a 55 percent top estate tax rate. If Congress doesn’t pass additional legislation and that actually happens, countless more estates will pay the death tax. These days, you don’t have to be rolling in dough to have more than $1 million in cash and securities, real estate, insurance, trusts, annuities, business interests and other assets.

The repeal of the estate tax leaves us in uncharted waters. For the past 93 years, the United States has relied on the estate tax as a source of funding (before that, there were various other taxes imposed on estates during times of national emergencies).

What will happen now? No one knows for sure but one thing is certain: Estate planning will be challenging. Documents may have to be changed now and revised again before too long. Clients will need to meet with their estate planning attorneys, CPAs and financial advisers to ensure their documents are up to date and their wishes are carried out.

Anyone with more than $1 million in assets should consider how to minimize a potential estate tax liability.

No matter what happens, estate planning advisers must stay in touch with their high-net-worth clients over the next few years to keep them informed of the latest changes. BizActions is the perfect vehicle to accomplish that type of communication. Our newsletters will cover the laws as they are passed or phased in. With our service, you can have that information sent to clients ASAP. Plus, your firm’s professionals have the option to write your own articles and announcements to speak directly to your clients.

We provide financial planning newsletters, accountant newsletters, law firm newsletters, employee benefits newsletters and more.

When it comes to estate planning uncertainty, your clients have lots of questions. Your firm has one smart answer: BizActions.

Big Tax News: Keep Your Clients Informed

Thursday, November 12, 2009 by Ellen Katz

President Obama just signed a new law that extends a valuable tax incentive for people who are buying homes for the first time. Even better, the tax break has been expanded to include not just first-timers but those who have owned homes before.

In addition, the new law provides quick refunds to qualifying businesses with net operating losses.

If you are a financial advisor, this is the kind of news you want to get out to clients right away. The first-time homebuyer credit was supposed to expire at the end of November and clients may think the window of opportunity to claim up to an $8,000 credit has closed …but it’s now open again.

And if you have clients who are interested in “downsizing” or “moving up” to a new home, now might be a perfect time since they may qualify for a $6,500 credit.

As with most tax laws, these homebuyer opportunities are not going to last forever. There is an expiration date of April 30, 2010. So your clients have to act fast.

Imagine the value of being the advisor who informed clients that they could receive a lucrative tax benefit! How can you accomplish that? By sending email newsletter articles to targeted clients.

BizActions provides articles about the ever-changing tax laws (and other important developments). With our newsletter system, your firm can alert clients of the latest news, critical deadlines and more. You can also publish your own articles and announcements and place them at the top of each newsletter.

In addition to tax law articles, BizActions also publishes business email newsletters, as well as law firm newsletters, financial planning newsletters, payroll newsletters and more.

Interested? You can find more information at www.bizactions.com

Estate Tax: Use Targeted Email Newsletters to Get the Word Out

Monday, October 5, 2009 by Ellen Katz

Financial and legal advisors to high-net-worth individuals are anxiously awaiting word about how the estate tax will be levied in the future.

As you've probably heard, under current law, the federal estate tax is scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2010. But the repeal is only scheduled to last one year. In 2011, the rules are scheduled to revert back to what they were in 2001, when the exemption was only $1 million (compared with $3.5 million this year).

Most CPAs, attorneys and financial planners do not expect this to happen. They predict Congress will act before the end of the year to institute a federal estate tax exemption that is similar to today's $3.5 million amount. (Business organizations are lobbying for a $5 million exemption amount.)

Once Congress acts, advisors will have to get the word out to clients and meet with individuals to update their estate plans.

You can accomplish this by sending email newsletter articles to targeted clients. BizActions provides estate planning articles and with our newsletter system, your firm can write its own articles to alert clients of important news.

In addition to financial planning articles, BizActions also publishes business email newsletters, as well as law firm newsletters, payroll newsletters and more.

So if your firm is looking for a vehicle to keep clients on top of the ever-changing tax rules (and other important developments), check us out at www.bizactions.com.

Keeping Business Newsletter Content Exciting and Relevant

Saturday, August 29, 2009 by Ellen Katz

People often ask us: How do you come up with ideas for the email newsletter articles you publish? Don’t you ever run out of topics to write about? We rarely run out of ideas because we are constantly looking at the news, reading information from official sources, examining trends, and asking questions.

Our article ideas come from a variety of sources. This week’s Timely Opportunity, for example, is about business and personal tax breaks that are expiring at the end of the year. It gives readers the chance to take some steps now so they can take advantage of the deductions and credits before it's too late.

It’s an article you won’t find anywhere else because no other publication has connected the dots in the same way BizActions did. That’s what makes the article a Timely Opportunity. Each TO should involve something new or timely … and there should be an opportunity for the reader.

If we just write about what is already in the news, we don’t provide anything of value that readers can’t find anywhere else. We assume that people have read about major developments in newspapers like the Wall Street Journal or heard about them on television or other Web sites.

How do we take those developments to the next level by providing the kind of insight that would come from a professional adviser? We must providing exciting, relevant content in our CPA client newsletters, financial planner newsletters, payroll newsletters, law firm newsletters and chartered accountant newsletters.

Repeating the news is not enough. Busy executives and wealthy individuals aren’t going to click on an article they already read. So we provide advice, strategies and analysis.

In addition to watching the news, here are some other sources of article ideas:

• The calendar – What time of year is it and what does that mean for our readers? Year end tax planning strategies and last minute filing tips are two examples of articles tied to the calendar.
• Press releases from federal agencies – The IRS and agencies such as the EEOC, OSHA and SBA regularly release information. We sift through it to decide what is relevant to readers.
• Court cases and new laws – For example, what do cases from federal courts, U.S. Tax Court and the Supreme Court mean for businesses? How do new laws affect your finances?

These are just a few of the ways the BizActions content department comes up with unique ideas for our Timely Opportunity articles. We publish three different TOs every week (U.S., Canada and HR). If you do the math, that's 156 ideas that we craft into Timely Opportunities each year!

Let Professional, Targeted Email Newsletters Reflect Your Business

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 by Ellen Katz

Perhaps your firm has decided to publish an email newsletter. You want to create a bond with customers by sending out information that showcases your company as a leader in the field.

Should you try and handle the task yourself or use an outsource newsletter service?

Here is an important consideration: Time.

Publishing a professional newsletter takes hours and hours of precious time during the work day. First, you have to come up with interesting topics and write articles. Don't forget to have someone edit them (typos and poor grammar reflect badly on your business!).

Then, you have to make sure the articles are packaged with attractive graphics and an attractive layout.

Finally, you have to send the newsletters via email to your clients and prospects. Make sure they are actually delivered! You don't want all of your hard work to wind up in a spam folder.

Is this an effective use of your time? Wouldn't it be better to concentrate on what you do best and outsource publishing to BizActions?

We create custom email newsletters for companies across the country. We handle all the time-consuming tasks while our customers sit back and enjoy having professional newsletters delivered to their clients. Our products reflect their high standards!

Opportunities During Tough Times

Friday, July 10, 2009 by Ellen Katz

In today's economy, people need their professional advisors to help survive and thrive. Business owners, corporate executives and high-net-worth individuals are turning to the pros for advice on how to do more with less.

Through articles in custom email newsletters, you can provide assistance to your recession-weary clients to help make their businesses and personal finances more profitable.

To illustrate, here are just a few examples of the titles of our email newsletter articles, along with the industries to which they are available:

CPA Client Newsletters - Avoid the IRS by Knowing the Latest Audit Targets

Payroll Newsletters - Make Sure Employees Are Eligible to Work in the United States

Law Firm Newsletters - New Supreme Court Makes Age Discrimination Harder to Prove.

Human Resources Newsletters - Are Your Star Employees Really Stars?

Employee Benefits Newsletters - Detecting, Correcting and Avoiding Retirement Plan Errors.

Financial Planning Newsletters - Strategies to Increase the Value of Your Portfolio (one of our FINRA articles).

Canadian Chartered Accountant Newsletters - Budget 2009: A Package Aimed at Stimulating Spending.

B2B Newsletters - Businesses: Apply for Loan Relief from Uncle Sam.

As you can see, sending out business newsletter content and personal finance articles can put you in the position of helping clients survive the recession. Custom email newsletters help solidify client relationships and showcase your expertise.

Targeted email newsletters can help you get more business and keep your exisiting clients satisfied.