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Appleby's Retirement Plans Comparison Chart for Small Businesses, 2012 Plan Year (PDF)

"For the purpose of this chart, use of the term 'employer' means a small business, including those that are part of a Controlled Group or Affiliated Service Group."

IRS PLR Provides Lesson About the Importance of Updating Addresses for Retirement Accounts

"Neither the [custodian's] resignation letter nor the 1099-R issued for the distribution was forwarded to Tyrone's new address. As a result, Tyrone was not aware of the distribution until he received a CP2000 notice from the IRS.... The IRS's fee and other expenses incurred for requesting the PLR might be worth it, as it provides an assurance that the IRS would not later disqualify the rollover, as long as all other rollover requirements are satisfied. But this could have been avoided, if Tyrone had notified Custodian-D that he had moved and instructed them to update his address of record." [PLR 202023007]

Employer Retirement Plans Comparison Chart for Small Businesses (PDF)

The chart offers a comparison of the features and benefits of retirement plans that are appropriate for small businesses.

Retirement Plans Comparison Chart for Small Businesses -- 2007 (PDF)

4 pages. Excerpt: This chart provides a high level comparison of the features and benefits of the plans that are included.

IRA Custodian Not Telling IRA Owner About the 60-Day Rollover Rule Is Not a Valid Excuse for Missing the 60-Day Rollover Deadline

"PLR 202033008 provides valuable lessons and insight into the operational and compliance requirements of IRAs, which include the following: When it comes to IRAs, much of the responsibility for compliance with rollover rules rests with the IRA owner. The IRS is strict about applying the rollover rules; and waivers are granted under narrowly defined exceptions.... IRA owners should seek IRA advice from trained IRA professionals.... [In] addition to the unfavourable ruling which requires the amount to be included in income, the IRA owner is out of pocket for $10,000 plus any fees paid to the professional whose service was engaged to assist with requesting the PLR."

Deducting Losses on IRA Investments

"Consideration should be given as to whether claiming the deduction for the loss makes good financial sense. The answer will not be the same for every client, as factors such as the amount of the loss and the period over which the account could grow should be taken into consideration."

Small Businesses Can Still Fund a SEP IRA for 2012

"SEP IRAs can be established and funded as late as the business owner's tax filing deadline, including extensions. This means that your clients still have time to establish and fund a SEP IRA for 2012.... The maximum amount that can be contributed to an employee's account is the lesser of 25% of the employee's compensation- such as W-2 wages, or $50,000. For this purpose, compensation is capped at $250,000. Further, the percentage is reduced to 20% of the individual's modified net profit, for those whose contribution is based on Schedule C income."