Unleash the Power of The Press

admin

To amend or not to amend your just-filed taxes

Paul Dion CPA
Paul Dion CPA

MILLBURY, MA and NEWPORT, RI…

You’re a small business owner and you just filed your taxes. Whether you had to pay or are receiving a refund, there’s a tremendous sense of relief. But what if you made a mistake on your taxes after you file? Can you correct the mistake or do you have to file an amendment?

“It’s not unusual for a taxpayer to realize they forgot to include something in their return after it’s been filed. For example, a charitable deduction was not included or the taxpayer received an updated 1099 form or K1 after they filed. If you catch it in time and you can submit a corrected return to supersede the previous return,” said Paul Dion, owner of Millbury, MA-based Paul Dion CPA. “The danger in filing a corrected return is twofold. First, you have to be able to submit it before April 15. Second, the possibility exists that the IRS may get the two returns confused. An amended return filed after April 15 leaves no doubt.”

Surprisingly, the IRS does not require taxpayers to file an amended return, even if you receive information after your filing that makes it pretty clear the original return has mistakes.

“If you submitted your return with the most accurate and complete information you had available at that time, an amendment is not required by law,” said Dion. “Also, math errors are not a reason to file an amended return. The IRS will correct math errors on your return. Nor should you file an amended return if you discover you omitted a Form W-2, forgot to attach schedules, or have other glitches of that sort. The IRS may process your return without them, or will request them if needed.”

Still, Dion says there are many reasons to file an amendment and that business owners should seek counsel from a professional to make that decision.

“A tax return becomes like the historical record of your life or company and can be used as a reference for numerous other things—loans, mortgages, etc.,” said Dion. “Leaving errors in your return may have an impact on such things down the road and an amendment might be worth it in the grand scheme of things.”

For a free consultation, please call Paul Dion CPA at (508) 853-3292. For more information, you can also visit www.pauldioncpa.com.

ABOUT PAUL DION, CPA

Beyond simple “bean counting”, Paul Dion, CPA and associates work side by side and speak in common English to help clients fully understand their tax situation and take proactive steps to pay the least amount of tax legally allowed while minimizing the risk of an audit.  Clients save money and sleep well as night.

Business services include small business accounting, payroll, cash flow management, strategic business planning, new business formation, internet controls, QuickBooks, part-time CFO, bank financing, succession planning and non-profit organization direction.

For a free book, more information or a complimentary consultation, please visit www.PaulDionCPA.com or contact Paul Dion CPA, via Info@PaulDionCPA.com or (508) 853-3292.  Offices are conveniently located at 22 West Street, #6, (Felter’s Mill), Millbury, MA  01527.

To amend or not to amend your just-filed taxesRead More

Old Colony Elder Services Appoints LeNay Harper as Community Programs Manager

OCES logo

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities, has appointed LeNay Harper as Community Programs Manager.

Ms. Harper has more than two decades of experience in the non-profit, public and private sectors. In her new role at OCES, she is responsible for the development, supervision, and oversight of all the company’s housing programs. For four years previous to OCES, Ms. Harper was a human and social services consultant in private practice facilitating groups in Boston and Cambridge. For 15 years prior to that, she worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with a number of different populations including those impacted by homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse, and the criminal justice system, plus teenage and low-income families.

Ms. Harper holds a Bachelor of Science in Operations Management from Boston College and a Master of Science in Planning and Development from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She resides in Brockton, MA.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 201 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

 

 

Old Colony Elder Services Appoints LeNay Harper as Community Programs ManagerRead More

How can business owners protect themselves against phone hackers

photo of John Adams, president of Adams Communications
John Adams, president of Adams Communications

CARVER, MA…

It may not grab the headlines as a credit card breaches, but phone hacking has quickly become public enemy number one for small- to medium-sized businesses who don’t take the precautions needed to protect their phone system. If you’re only paying attention to your phone expenses when the bill arrives every month–like practically all people and companies do–the costs of these hacks can be in the tens of thousands of dollars before you catch on.

“How it works is almost too simple. Hackers gain access to voicemail boxes or VoIP credentials and then are able to set up to forward or originate calls to premium numbers, mostly international, through which the hacker receives a cut of the charges collected,” said John Adams, president of AdamsComm, Inc. a Carver, MA-based provider of IP telephone systems and technology. “One of the most clever, phone-hacking schemes is to then take your company’s phone credentials and use them for calling cards.”

So, what can you do? Adams recommends a number of precautionary steps prevent hackers from accessing your phone system. For starters, have a strong voicemail passcode. Avoid using generic or default passcodes like 1234, 4321 or 0000 or passcodes that the same numbers as the phone or extension number. Also a 6-digit passcode is more difficult to crack than a 4-digit code.

Business owners also want to ensure that their VOIP server is behind a strong firewall. Hackers will often gain access to your system as a remote VOIP extension. This allows them to place calls from your phone lines as if they were an employee of the company. By installing your VOIP server behind your firewall, you will help eliminate this threat. Also, check with your VOIP server vendor to make sure that your system has the latest software upgrades from the manufacturer.

Some other steps Adams recommends include removing un-used mailboxes in your system as employees leave the company. He also recommends setting up voicemail accounts to automatically lock after a certain number of invalid attempts to ensure the hackers don’t have an unlimited number of tries to break into your system.

“Probably the simplest way to stop the hackers is to disable international calls by default and then have a special authorization code for those people at your first who occasionally need to make international calls,” said Adams. “What really makes most companies vulnerable to hackers is a lack of awareness, that it could happen to them.”

AdamsComm offers customized design, implementation and support of IP telephone systems and applications, voice mail systems, call centers and infrastructure cabling for small-to-mid-sized businesses. This service includes steps to prevent hackers from breaking into your phone system. AdamsComm, Inc. also provides a free audit of phone systems for non-clients.  The company has provided effective communications solutions to over 500 clients including Mutual Bank, Emerald Physicians and Rising Tide Charter Schools.

Located at 128 Main Street, Suite 11, in Carver, Massachusetts, AdamsComm, Inc. serves clients on the South Shore, Cape Cod, Greater Boston, and Metrowest. In addition to 24/7 on-call service, Adams can be onsite, as needed, within four hours.

For more information on the new IT division and AdamsComm, Inc.’s services, you can call 508-866-4086 or visit www.adamscomm.net.

AdamsComm, Inc. Business Communications Solutions

AdamsComm, Inc. draws upon extensive knowledge and experience to provide both small and large businesses with state-of-the-art communication solutions. With more than 20 years of industry experience in solution design, implementation and support, Adams Communications capably assists clients with voice, data and fiber optic cabling as well as with carrier services and on-site staff training. All of the company’s technicians are factory certified, ensuring the highest level of support and service. Adams Communications is an authorized dealer for Allworx and Samsung Telecommunications Systems.

Headquartered at 128 Main Street, Suite 11 Carver, MA. AdamsComm, Inc. is a member of the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce and The Better Business Bureau. For more information, visit the website at http://www.adamscomm.net or contact (508) 866-4086.

How can business owners protect themselves against phone hackersRead More

Old Colony Elder Services Announces Lunch & Learn Session on April 15th at Marshfield COA

OCES logoOld Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, will offer a nutrition workshop on April 15, 2015 entitled “Carbohydrates in Your Meals” at the Marshfield Council on Aging (COA) located at 230 Webster Street.

Barbara Nalen-Cardoza RDN, LDN will help consumers understand carbohydrates in their meals. Ms. Nalen-Cardoza is a registered dietician at OCES and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition. She will discuss the “carb content” of bread, milk and other foods, using the congregate meal as an example. Attendees will learn which foods to limit to control carbohydrate intake for weight loss, pre-diabetes monitoring and better nutrition overall.

This educational nutrition workshop will be held during the congregate meal at 12 p.m.  Reservations for the meal are required by April 13th. Call 781-834-5581 to reserve a seat.

For more information about upcoming programs, contact OCES at (508) 584-1561.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 210 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Old Colony Elder Services Announces Lunch & Learn Session on April 15th at Marshfield COARead More

Ugly Kitchen Contest. Post pics and Dinner is served.

Lament that you have the ugliest, most outdated kitchen in the Greater Boston Area?  Your worst could be the best in the Ugly Kitchen Contest sponsored by Masters Touch, the Holliston, MA-based design build firm.Masters Kitchen Photo 01 30 15 2

Cabinets peeling and off kilter? Counters dented and faded? Space poorly utilized?  Vinyl floors cracked?

Residents are encouraged to post a photo of their oh so ugly kitchen and a note about it at www.MastersTouchWeb.com/UglyKitchenContest. First prize is detailed, blue print and design of what your kitchen could be transformed to – a value of $2,500.  Additionally, if the winner implements the renovation they also receive dinner for four prepared and served in your ugly kitchen by Home Star Cuisine, professional chefs.

Second and third prizes are a detailed, blue print and design of what your kitchen could be transformed to.  All entrants will receive a complimentary kitchen evaluation and verbal recommendations.

“The kitchen is where friends and family congregate for celebrations and get-togethers,” noted Doug Masters, the founder Masters Touch Design Build.  He continued, “This fun and lighthearted contest encourages people to reflect on their kitchen and central gathering place.  We want to help home owners to reflect on their legacy kitchen and dream about the many possibilities to enjoy more beautiful and functional space.”

Masters Touch Design Build

Masters Touch Design Build was founded by Doug Masters in 1997.  From high-end design build projects; whole home renovations; kitchen and bath remodels; exterior home care including roofing; James Hardie cement siding; and expert painting, Masters Touch Build Design caters to homeowners throughout eastern Massachusetts.  With a team of more than 50 including architects, designers, and master craftsmen, Masters Touch Design Build can handle virtually any new home construction project or design build renovation to existing homes.

Masters Touch Design Build is located at 24 Water Street, Holliston, MA For more information contact 508-359-5900, e-mail info@MastersTouchWeb.com or visit www.MastersTouchWeb.com.

Ugly Kitchen Contest. Post pics and Dinner is served.Read More

Reviving your lawn in the aftermath of an historic winter

Ahhh!  What is left of my lawn?  As spring rain and sun wash away 2015’s record setting snow accumulations, homeowners are reminded that they have a lawn underneath.  The initial excitement of this discovery is short-lived.  Many lawn enthusiasts are overcome with anxiety surrounding the health of their home’s greenest asset.

Fear not.  Mike McDonald, Horticulturalist at Lawn Doctor of Greater Boston explains “consistent snow cover is less detrimental to your lawn constant freezing and thawing. In fact, damage from wind and cold is reduced by this seasonal blanket.”

While that is good news, additional steps should be taken to get your lawn into mid-season form notes McDonald. Once the snow has melted and your lawn is dry try gently raking it. When puzzled neighbors remind you what season it is, you can inform them that raking the lawn at the beginning of spring will stimulate the dormant grass blades and allow for air, sunlight, and nutrient flow. It is also important to remove any dead or decaying debris from your lawn which can inhibit recovery and new growth.

While raking you may notice you have certain ‘problem areas.’  The heavy masses of snow are likely to have caused “Snow Mold”.  These are parts of your lawn that may be dead or experiencing mold problems.  McDonald clarifies, “We will probably see the most Snow Mold that we’ve ever seen.”  However, don’t assume grass is dead if it looks a bit mangy after this tough season.”

Grass does not change color when it dies. Brown grass is simply hibernating.  The ugly appearance does not represent the overall plant and root health.

To check the vitality of any patch of grass simply tug on it. If it stays firm in the ground, it is alive and has a healthy root system.  If it comes out of the ground easily, you may want to reseed that area.

Raking your lawn will also help ward away pinkish fungus.  After raking the fungus, the sun will take care of the rest.

Sweeten your soil. Nitrogen and Calcitic Lime are your lawn’s meat and potatoes. Applying nitrogen to your lawn is essential to recovery after a long winter. Mike McDonald recommends 4-5 pounds of a high-Nitrogen fertilizer per 1000 square foot.  This simple step will increase the resilience of your lawn, making it less susceptible to disease and drought. Calcitic Lime adjusts the PH of the soil which makes the soil more absorbent of essential nutrients and increases the microbial activity of the soil.

No need to panic, a bit of attention and effort and your lawn will become the showcase and playground it has been in previous summers.

Lawn Doctor is focused on working in harmony with the science of nature. Every service is designed to boost natural growth. This goes beyond the use of simple, green products. The company’s proprietary technology allows its lawn professionals to precisely measure and apply the optimum blend of nutrients and weed control – doing the right thing for your lawn and the environment.

A healthy lawn creates oxygen, removes dust and dirt, and filters water passing through its roots leaving pollutants behind and many more benefits. Lawn Doctor of Boston, the South Shore, and Cape Cod is a local, family owned and operated business serving over 6,000 homeowners in the Greater Boston region.  Main offices are located in Hanover, MA.

For more information about Lawn Doctor, visit www.LawnDoctor.com or call 800-831-1319.

Tractor photo

Reviving your lawn in the aftermath of an historic winterRead More

Free Shred-a-thon. Hanover Shred-a-thon Encourages Public to Protect Identity and Recycle.

Shredathon Paper Mound 04 01 14 SmallerWith tax season almost behind us and spring cleaning just ahead, the South Shore community is encouraged to take advantage of the free Shred-a-thon sponsored by and at the offices of the Investment Advisory Group located at 51 Mill Street, Building D – Suite 101, Hanover, MA 02339.

The event is set for Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The public is invited to bring their unwanted documents.

Shred King will be on site with a mobile shredding truck to slice through the details and dispose of all shredded material to a bonded recycling center, protecting the environment as well as your personal and business information.

“We’ve all heard too many harrowing stories of identity theft,” noted Jay Richards of Investment Advisory Group and sponsor of the free event. He continued, “We strongly urge you to be proactive and protect yourself from identity theft by gathering up all those pre-approved credit card offers, old bills, out-of-date account statements and other personal documents that include confidential information and shred them at this event.”

There are over 10 million identity theft victims in the U.S., according to ABC News.

What should you bring to the Shred-a-thon? The list includes old checks/carbon copies of checks, bank statements, pay stubs, receipts, credit card offers, medical information, medical bills, bills, and retirement statements.

What not to bring to the Shred-a-thon? Please leave these at home or the office – phone books, newspapers, plastics, pop cans, plastic bins, computers and monitors.

About Shred King
Based in Holbrook, MA and serving all of Eastern, MA, Shred King is an AAA NAID certified company and a leader in document shredding, document storage, document imaging and tape rotation. Whether it’s mobile shredding, paper shredding, document shredding, or any other document destruction service designed to help you comply with HIPAA, the Graham-Leach Bliley Act, 201 CMR17, or any other mandated privacy protection requirement, Shred King takes on all projects large and small. “Investment Advisory group understands the gravity and scope of identity theft,” says Don Cornell of Shred King Corp. He continued, “Together, we make sure customers information is destroyed properly.”

About Investment Advisory Group
Investment Advisory Group offers a full range of financial planning that takes into account every aspect of the client’s life. The company provides ongoing, proactive and interactive communication. Investment Advisory Group shares the information the client will need to decide what steps to take to help protect what they’ve earned and to help provide for the future. The company focus is independent thought, independent choice, and independent action – on the client’s behalf.

For more information about the Shred-a-thon, contact Jay Richards, jayrichards@iagadvisors.com, (781) 826-1235, X 11.

Free Shred-a-thon. Hanover Shred-a-thon Encourages Public to Protect Identity and Recycle.Read More

Revzon Consulting Group, LLC Appoints Joseph P.R. Cantin, Jr. As SVP of Qualified Plan Sales

Joseph P. R. Cantin, Jr.
Joseph P. R. Cantin, Jr.

Revzon Consulting Group, LLC of Marshfield, MA, a consulting firm that provides trust and retirement services to financial service firms nationwide, has recently named Joseph P. R. Cantin, Jr. as Senior Vice President of Qualified Plan Sales.

Mr. Cantin has more than two decades of product and industry experience in qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, benefits regulations, insurance, mutual funds and annuities, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). In his new role at Revzon Consulting, he will oversee the company’s EZ K Plan™, which is a full-service, one-stop 401(k) plan package designed specifically for the small company employer and available through the investment advisor marketplace.

Prior to joining Revzon Consulting, Mr. Cantin was a Senior Account Executive for four years at The Wellness Corporation in Shrewsbury, MA, where he managed EAPs for more than 50 clients. His vast experience includes serving as an Agent and Registered Representative for five years at New York Life Insurance Company, as well as holding director and management positions at Fidelity Investments’ Fidelity Human Resources Services Company and Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Company (FIRSCo) for 11 years.

Mr. Cantin holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance from University of Hartford in West Hartford, CT. Licenses he has held include Individual Producer – Life, Health and Variable Annuities, Investment Company and Variable Contracts Principal Series 26, General Securities Representative Series 7, Uniform Securities Agent Series 63, and Investment Company and Variable Contracts Representative Series 6.

He resides in Shrewsbury, MA with his wife and three daughters.

About Revzon Consulting

Revzon Consulting Group, LLC is a multi-faceted firm focused on fulfilling the needs of the trust industry. Revzon Consulting provides financial service firms such as banks, trust companies, law firms, and investment advisors with a wide range of solutions to help meet business goals. Founded in 1997 by Les Revzon, Revzon Consulting has provided project management, retirement plan, personal trust, corporate trust, participant recordkeeping, trust operations, and compliance services to dozens of clients in the U.S. and Canada. Revzon Consulting Group is located at 465 Furnace Street, Suite 6 in Marshfield, MA. For more information, contact 781-740-1004 or visit www.revzonconsulting.com.

Revzon Consulting Group, LLC Appoints Joseph P.R. Cantin, Jr. As SVP of Qualified Plan SalesRead More

Revzon Consulting Group, LLC Rolls Out the EZ K Plan™

Revzon Consulting Group, LLC of Marshfield, MA, a consulting firm that provides trust and retirement services to financial service firms nationwide, has recently rolled out the EZ K Plan™, a full-service, one-stop 401(k) plan package designed specifically to enable Registered Investment Advisors to meet the needs of their small company clients.

Registered Investment Advisors are now able to offer their clients the EZ K Plan, a low-cost, high-service level alternative to Internet-only 401(k) solutions while earning compensation from funds.

The plan is designed for companies (with up to 100 employees) looking to incorporate a quality full-service 401(k) plan for their employees. It is also attractive to employers with existing plans that wish to lower their out-of-pocket costs but not sacrifice on services and fund choices. Companies can build the plan’s fund menu from any retirement shares offered by over 100 fund families. With financial advisor guidance and education, simplified administration, professional compliance services, specialized reports, and comprehensive web capability, EZ K Plan features rival 401(k) plans of large company employers, but without the considerable out-of-pocket cost and workload.

“Most advisors want to offer their corporate clients a 401(k) plan that has excellent service, low cost, and a wide range of investment choices,” explained Joseph Cantin, Senior Vice President of Qualified Plan Sales at Revzon Consulting. “Now Registered Investment Advisors can offer a better solution with the EZ K Plan. It’s a full-service, best practice 401(k) plan even the smallest company can afford.”

Registered Investment Advisors interested in learning more about the EZ K Plan may contact Joseph Cantin at (877) 254-7085 or email him at Joe@revzonconsulting.com. For more details, visit www.ezkplan.com.

About Revzon Consulting

Revzon Consulting Group, LLC is a multi-faceted firm focused on fulfilling the needs of the trust industry. Revzon Consulting provides financial service firms such as banks, trust companies, law firms, and investment advisors with a wide range of solutions to help meet business goals. Founded in 1997 by Les Revzon, Revzon Consulting has provided project management, retirement plan, personal trust, corporate trust, participant recordkeeping, trust operations, and compliance services to dozens of clients in the U.S. and Canada. Revzon Consulting Group is located at 465 Furnace Street, Suite 6 in Marshfield, MA. For more information, contact 781-740-1004 or visit www.revzonconsulting.com.

###

EZ K Plan is a product developed and sponsored by Revzon Consulting Group, LLC. Aspire Financial Services, LLC provides the recordkeeping and related administration under contract with Revzon Consulting Group, LLC. Matrix Clearing and Settlement Services along with MG Trust, both subsidiaries of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. provide the execution and settlement of the plan level mutual fund trades and holding the mutual fund shares on behalf of the respective 401(k) plan trust. Financial advisors through their respective broker dealers provide the plan investment guidance and educational services to employees. Certain third party RIA firms are available to provide 3(21) or 3(38) services on an optional basis.

 

Revzon Consulting Group, LLC Rolls Out the EZ K Plan™Read More