April 3, 2018
Published by 
Dan Isard on April 3, 2018
Dan Isard on April 3, 2018Significant tax code changes that apply to business owners when they file personal returns for 2018 income. In last month’s column, I responded to a letter inquiring about the effects of the new tax law on funeral home businesses. Since the present tax code is some 74,600 pages in length, my thoughts on the changes in 2018 need more than the space allotted. Therefore, rather than addressing a new question this month, I will explain the significant changes to the tax code that primarily apply to business owners when they file their personal tax returns for 2018 income. The biggest change in the business tax code is the creation of a new form of income called qualified business income (QBI for those of us who just learned what ROFL means). QBI is used to calculate a deduction on an amount […]
March 20, 2018
Published by Dan Isard on March 20, 2018
Dan Isard on March 20, 2018Combo? Yeah, they play some good stuff. If I referred to a “combo” while in a social setting (which involves a cigar and libation), according to Webster’s dictionary, most would think I’m referring to a jazz band or an appealing color combination. However, in our cemetery and funeral vernacular, we know a combo as a funeral home that operates in conjunction with a cemetery (usually onsite). From my point of view, a combo is a common-sense operation. Throw in a crematory, and voila, now you have the total death-care operator. Rather than using the code name combo, this type of operation should be introduced as a “funeral park” where consumers can pay one price at the gate and take advantage of all the offerings inside. Of course, like theme parks, one may have to pay extra for upgrades like a […]
March 20, 2018
Published by 
Stephanie Ramsey on March 20, 2018
Stephanie Ramsey on March 20, 2018Scenario: Remember David Jackson from case study #8? Jackson owns a three-location funeral business in the central United States employing more than 20 people. The primary location serves more than 400 families per year, the second location serves about 60 families and the third location, a brand-new business, served 30 families last year. If you recall, this past summer David brought on a part-time employee (Jessica) to assist with administrative tasks. Her main assignment was to file the large amount of backlogged paperwork that existed at his primary location. Unfortunately, Jessica felt free to read everyone’s personnel file as she filed other paperwork. Even worse, she then shared salary information with certain employees about their co-workers in similar positions. Jessica was unaware of confidentiality issues with personnel files, and case study #8 explained how David addressed Jessica’s actions. However, part […]
March 6, 2018
Published by Dan Isard on March 6, 2018
Dan Isard on March 6, 2018Examining the biggest changes in the business part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Coming next month: personal application of the law. Dear Dan, I am not Jewish, but after trying to decipher the new tax law, I find myself just walking around muttering “oy vey!” Can you help me understand the new tax law or do I need to wait for April 2019, when my accountant files my 2018 taxes? Almost Jewish in Jonesboro Dear Almost Cousin, I will not even try to fit an understanding of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, let alone how the new law needs to be applied to your business, in the 1,500 words my publisher allows me. What I can do, however, is focus on the business part of the law this month and address personal application in April. The […]
February 19, 2018
Published by Dan Isard on February 19, 2018
Dan Isard on February 19, 2018Adjusting your funeral home operating model for maximum continuing business viability. There is a time when every business needs to evaluate its effectiveness from every facet to maintain financial viability and relevance to customers. Operating a funeral home and adjusting a business model can put owners in a quandary because of the hindrances surrounding the physical property. But a quandary does not mean impossible, and a funeral home building does not necessary need to be razed to make changes. Re-engineering your funeral business starts before any construction or wallpaper changes. The first priority to be addressed must be the business of doing business. Before considering any changes, conduct an in-depth market research study to understand the consumers who support your business. How do you do this? Surveys are the best way to find out what your community thinks about your […]