J. George Sweeney

Shareholder & Director

George is a Shareholder and Director and is also a Founding Member of Canon Capital.  He received his Associates in Science in 1972 from Montgomery County Community College and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1974 from LaSalle College.  George has been a member of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1980.  George is a member of the Board of Directors and the Secretary for the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA, an Advisory Board member of the Upper Perkiomen Valley YMCA, a Charter Member of the Upper Perkiomen Valley YMCA, and a Finance Committee member of the Upper Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce.  He resides in Perkiomenville with his wife and has two children.  He enjoys running and swimming for fitness and spending time with his family.

Making a Difference, One Shoebox at a Time

We recently wrapped up our second annual Pack-a-Shoebox Party for Operation Christmas Child, an organization dedicated to bringing hope, joy, and the message of love to children around the world through simple gifts.

Thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of our team, we packed an incredible 53 shoeboxes filled with toys, hygiene items, and school supplies. These boxes are on their way and will soon brighten the lives of children in need, reminding them that they are cared for and not forgotten.

A huge thanks to everyone on our Canon Capital team who participated and contributed to this heartwarming cause. Here’s to making an impact—one shoebox at a time.

Brent Thompson

Shareholder & Director

Brent joined Canon Capital in 1998 and was admitted to the company as a shareholder in 2018. He is responsible for providing management advisory services, tax and general business planning, tax preparation, and financial statement preparation and review services for numerous businesses and their owners. Brent also assists his fellow firm directors with scheduling, staff development, and business development. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Temple University.  In addition to holding his CPA designation he also holds the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation. Brent is a member of the AICPA and the Institute of CMA’s and is a former instructor of business development courses at Montgomery County Community College. He has also served on the Economic Restructuring Committee for the Souderton-Telford downtown revitalization efforts and the Stewardship Committee for Keystone Fellowship. Brent resides in Souderton with his wife and three children. He enjoys boating, water-skiing, and working on home improvement projects.

Update: Federal Court Blocks Enforcement of BOI Reporting

UPDATE

On December 3, 2024, a Texas Federal Court granted a nationwide preliminary injunction against the Corporate Transparency Act. The court cited potential constitutional issues with the CTA BOI reporting and felt there was enough injury to warrant this preliminary injunction.

This injunction brings welcome relief to many of the approximately 32.6 million companies working through the filing. The preliminary injunction alleviates the immediate reporting requirements until the constitutionality issue can be settled in courts—most likely the Supreme Court.

Given the commencement of a new administration in 2025, the reporting regulations may be withdrawn or modified next year, or they could be found unconstitutional.

Businesses and individuals that have already filed do not need to take any further action. Those who have not filed are no longer obligated to do so at this time.

As always, we will keep you updated in 2025 when more information becomes available.

———————————————————————————————————————————–

If you’re a small business owner, you may not be aware of a new reporting requirement that could impact your company: the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) filing under the Corporate Transparency Act. Overseen by the U.S. Treasury, this obligation applies to most small businesses registered with a secretary of state or similar office.

Here’s what you need to know to stay compliant and avoid potential penalties:

What Is the BOI Reporting Requirement? 

Unlike tax filings submitted to the IRS or state authorities, BOI reporting is required by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) under the U.S. Treasury. The goal is to enhance corporate transparency and combat illicit activities, such as money laundering.

Deadlines to File 

  • New Businesses: If your business was created or registered in 2024, you have 90 days from the date of creation to file your BOI report.
  • Existing Businesses: If your business was in existence as of December 31, 2023, you have until December 31, 2024, to comply.

Legal Challenges and Potential Delays 

Currently, there is ongoing confusion surrounding BOI filing requirements, driven by court cases and proposed legislation. While some lawmakers are pushing to delay the filing deadline, there’s no certainty that such measures will pass during the post-election “lame duck” session. Given the substantial fines for non-compliance, we recommend filing sooner rather than later.

How to File 

The online filing process is straightforward:

  1. Visit FinCEN’s BOI E-Filing website.
  2. Click on the File BOIR tab or select the Get Started button.

Need Assistance? 

The team at Canon Capital CPAs is here to answer any questions you may have about the BOI reporting requirement.

To better understand the details of this requirement, you can review FinCEN’s Small Entity Compliance Guide.

Employee Holiday Gifts: Are They Taxable? A Quick Guide

With the holiday season approaching, many businesses are considering how to show appreciation to their employees. While thoughtful gestures like gift cards, holiday parties, or personalized presents can boost morale, it’s essential to understand their tax implications. Depending on what you give, the IRS may classify your gift as taxable income to your employees.

Gift cards are always considered taxable income, regardless of the amount, because the IRS views them as equivalent to cash. Gift items like a company-branded mug or a holiday fruit basket may qualify as non-taxable as they are given occasionally and are relatively low in value.

Bonuses—while appreciated—are always considered taxable income, so it’s essential to plan for withholding when issuing them.

A popular option to reward your team and boost morale is to host a holiday party. Expenses for this type of event are generally non-taxable to employees since the event is infrequent and primarily for the benefit of the team.

Our tax and accounting professionals are here to help businesses navigate these IRS guidelines as they seek to show gratitude to their hard-working employees at the holidays and throughout the year.

Celebrating Excellence: Recent Achievements by the Canon Capital Management Group Accounting Team

Two of our Canon Capital Management Group team members have recently achieved significant milestones in their professional development.

We are proud of Chris and Amanda for their hard work and commitment to excellence. Please join us in congratulating them.

Chris McDonnell Achieves AI Certification for Accountants

Chris McDonnell, CPA, CAIA has earned a certification in AI for Accountants, equipping him with cutting-edge skills to leverage artificial intelligence in financial processes.

With this advanced knowledge, Chris will lead our team in offering even more innovative and efficient accounting solutions, ensuring our clients stay ahead of the curve.

Amanda Spengler Earns NACPB Certification

Amanda Spengler has achieved her Bookkeeping Certification from the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers.

This accomplishment highlights Amanda’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and integrity in managing our clients’ financial records.

These achievements reflect our ongoing dedication to the clients we are privileged to serve.

Michael Witter

Shareholder & Managing Director of Canon Capital Certified Public Accountants

Mike is a Managing Director of Canon Capital and a Founding Member of Canon Capital in 1987.  With over 37 years experience, he specializes in tax consulting, business strategic planning, and personal financial planning.  Mike works tirelessly to help clients proactively plan for their financial future, while maximizing their best opportunities to achieve their financial goals.  Mike graduated from Messiah College with his Bachelor’s degree in business and earned his Masters of Science degree in Taxation from Widener University.  He achieved the Personal Financial Specialist certification and is a member of the AICPA, including the Personal Financial Planning Section, and the PICPA.  Mike resides in Souderton with his wife and has four children and nine grandchildren.  He enjoys hiking, travel, sports, and time with family.

Navigating the New Overtime Rule: What Employers Need to Know

As the calendar inches closer to July 1st, 2024, employers across the nation are preparing for a significant shift in overtime regulations. The Department of Labor’s recent announcement regarding the new overtime rule has left many businesses seeking clarity on how this will impact them.

Eligibility Expansion

One of the primary objectives of the new overtime rule is to extend overtime protections to a broader segment of the workforce. Previously, employees earning below a certain salary threshold were automatically eligible for overtime pay. However, with the updated regulation, this threshold is set to increase, including more employees within its scope.

Image Credit: US Department of Labor

Impact on Lower-Wage Workers

Workers earning salaries below the revised threshold will see the most direct impact. As they become newly eligible for overtime pay, they stand to benefit from increased compensation for any hours worked beyond the standard 40-hour workweek.

Adjustments for Employers

Employers, on the other hand, will need to adapt their payroll and workforce management strategies to accommodate the expanded eligibility criteria. This may involve reassessing employee classifications, adjusting compensation structures, or implementing changes to work schedules to ensure compliance with the new regulations.

Industries and Sectors Affected

While the new overtime rule applies across various industries and sectors, specific industries may feel its effects more heavily than others. Sectors with more lower-wage workers, such as retail, hospitality, and healthcare, will likely see more employees impacted by the rule change.

Our Payroll Professionals Are Here to Help

Our Payroll team is here to help you navigate the payroll-focused intricacies of this new overtime rule with confidence. Call 215-723-4881 or contact us online.

Maximize Your Tax Refund: Why Your Employees Need a Paycheck Check-Up Now

Were your employees’ tax return results not what they expected this year? Many taxpayers have had the unpleasant surprise of a tax bill instead of the anticipated refund. This is likely due to not having enough funds withheld from each paycheck.

That’s why we recommend a paycheck check-up at least once a year, whether completed at the start of the calendar year or right now, to ensure they’re withholding the right amount for the remainder of this year. Share this paycheck calculator on the IRS website to help them run their numbers and make any necessary adjustments to their W4 form.

Questions? We are happy to help. Give us a call at 215-723-4881.