Articles

Do You Appreciate Your Employees and Do They Respect you

BUSINESS TIPS FROM THE EDITOR

December 2025

Richard T. Hendee, Editor
The Silver Fox Advisor

       "Do You Appreciate Your Employees and Do They Respect You"

One thing I learned early on in my career was that I could not do everything that needed to be done on my own. I discovered that I needed to have good employees working for me that I could trust and that I could count on. 

The sooner you learn that your employees are people too, and that they want to be appreciated for the work that they do, the more success your business will have. I have heard comments from managers and business owners like, “They should feel lucky that they have a job”. And I have also heard, “I pay them well, and I expect more from them”.  

On my way up the corporate ladder, I always tried to learn as much as I could about what my employees' job duties and responsibilities were, and often would actually work in various positions so I had a knowledge of what their jobs were. Further, they would see me jump in when conditions warranted, and I rolled up my sleeves and worked alongside them to get the job done or the project completed.

I also became aware that most people like to receive positive feedback if they did something right then and there, and not wait until annual review time to hear encouraging comments. I frequently carried gift cards or cash with me, and as an acknowledgement of a job well done would give an employee a gift card to a restaurant to take someone he/she cared about out for dinner on me. 

Further, when I saw an employee troubled by something, I would ask what was worrying him/her and was there something I or the company could do to help. Also, at annual review time I would ask my employees what they wanted to do in the next 12 months to improve themselves. Often, I would hear comments back like, “I want to take a management course so I can advance my career”. So, I would help them get enrolled in an on-line course or an evening class at a community college so they could get what they needed to achieve their individual goals.

The net result was that my employees knew I appreciated them, and they had respect for me. How did I know this? Well, as I advanced within a company, or if I left a company to advance my career, I always had employees who would call me and ask if there were any openings that they could apply for. In several cases I had three or four employees who worked for me at three different companies.

If you need help with developing a set of management skills that foster good employee relationships, I would recommend you seek an experienced business advisor, coach, consultant, or mentor with a financial or business background for your business: Contact a Silver Fox Advisor. Remember, having experience on your side always helps.

We encourage you to visit our Website at www.silverfox.org or www.silverfoxadvisors.com to select a Silver Fox Advisor and also to learn more about the Silver Fox Advisors and their businesses, as well as our great programs and community outreach endeavors.         

Year End Financial Planning: Setting Up for a Strong Start in 2026

Year-End Financial Planning: Setting Up for a Strong Start in 2026

by

Jim Griffing
A Silver Fox Advisor

As 2025 comes to a close, it’s a good time to pause and take a clear look at your financial picture. Whether you run a business or manage your own household finances, year-end is the ideal moment to make sure your tax strategies, investment choices, and planning decisions are aligned with your goals for the year ahead.

This year has brought a mix of new tax rules, changing business trends, and emerging opportunities. Below are a few of the key updates and considerations that can help you prepare for a smooth start to 2026.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses

Businesses that invest in research, innovation, or product development will benefit from a new rule allowing domestic R&D costs to be fully deductible starting in 2025. This means companies can immediately write off qualifying expenses instead of spreading them out over several years. However, costs tied to foreign research still need to be spread over 15 years. If your business invests in innovation, this could be a good time to review your current projects and plan how to take advantage of this deduction.

Business Income Deductions

The 20% Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction—which allows certain businesses to deduct part of their profits—has been made permanent, with expanded eligibility for small business owners. This might be a good time to revisit your business structure or partnership agreements to ensure you’re positioned to get the most benefit from this deduction.

Investments and Capital Purchasing

If you’re thinking about investing in new equipment, vehicles, or technology, there’s good news. The 100% bonus depreciation rule—allowing businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of certain assets—has been permanently extended for qualified property acquired and placed in service after January 19, 2025. The Section 179 limit has also been increased to $2.5 million, providing more flexibility for small and midsize businesses. This can be an effective way to reduce taxable income before year-end while investing in your company’s future.

Clean Energy Incentives

Many clean energy tax incentives are set to phase out in the next two years. If you’ve been considering solar panels, or energy-efficient upgrades for your business or personal use, now is a smart time to explore these options. Acting before these credits expire could mean significant savings.

Reporting and Compliance Updates

Starting in 2025, the Form 1099-K threshold for third-party payment platforms (like PayPal or Venmo) will revert to the previous standard of $20,000 and 200 transactions per year. The Form 1099-NEC/MISC reporting threshold for contractors will stay at $600 in 2025 but will rise to $2,000 in 2026. It’s a good reminder to keep your bookkeeping current and double-check vendor records now to avoid headaches next tax season.

Digital Assets

If you hold or trade cryptocurrency or other digital assets, new IRS reporting requirements take effect for transactions in 2025. You may start receiving a new Form 1099-DA in early 2026 from brokers or digital platforms. Even if you don’t receive a form, you’re still responsible for reporting all digital asset transactions. Keeping clear records of purchases, sales, and transfers will help you stay compliant as the IRS increases its oversight in this area.

Overtime and Tips

For 2025, employees in eligible tipped occupations and those earning FLSA-mandated overtime may deduct substantial amounts of tip and overtime income from their federal taxable income, subject to income phaseouts and other requirements. Employers must continue to withhold payroll taxes and report these amounts, but the IRS is providing penalty relief for 2025 as systems are updated to comply with new reporting rules.

Other Smart Year-End Moves

Final Thoughts 

Year-end planning isn’t just about taxes—it’s about taking a proactive look at your overall financial health. By reviewing your business operations, personal finances, and upcoming opportunities now, you can start 2026 with clarity and confidence.

If you have questions about how these changes might affect your situation, consider reaching out to us or another trusted tax or financial advisor. A little planning today can make a big difference tomorrow.

 James “Jim” Griffing, CPA and Silver Fox Advisor