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There's been a lot of upheaval and uncertainty in global markets recently, and, for the United States, part of that is the new imposition—by both America and China—of tariffs. Beyond any financial arguments about whether or not trade wars are good and easy to win, there's no doubt whatsoever that trade wars, specifically in the form of tariffs, will change the market. And though it may take a while for these effects to be felt by the public, the impact of tariffs will be felt first and most deeply by manufacturing.

Big Industries Get Hit

Tariffs can have a huge impact on manufacturing and many other American businesses in unexpected—but understandable—ways. The U.S. has recently gone after the industrial sector with tariffs specifically targeting steel and aluminum.

Any steel or aluminum coming into the U.S. from specified nations now has an additional percentage cost added to the existing price. In other words, tariff impact on manufacturing means foreign steel and aluminum providers now have to pay an additional 25% and 10%, respectively, before they can cross the border into the U.S. and be used by American businesses.

Of course, steel and aluminum are pretty commonly used materials in a wide variety of industries, businesses, and applications. So, that extra cost will affect more than just the materials industries that are importing them into the country.

Tariffs Generate a Widespread Ripple Effect

As steel and aluminum import taxes increase, many businesses feel a ripple effect. Not only do tariffs impact the manufacturers of these metals affected, but also a manufacturer’s clients who turn steel and aluminum into consumable products.

For example, cookware and plumbing manufacturers will pay premiums for the materials needed to produce their goods. Further down the line, bakeries, restaurants, hardware stores, plumbers, and many other tradespeople will see increases in the cost of steel-based and aluminum-based products that are necessary to their professions. In turn, those bakers and plumbers must now decide whether to absorb the loss or raise the prices of goods and services to their customers in order to offset the price increase on metals.

Every link in the chain is affected by tariffs: the first-level producers, manufacturers, small and mid-sized businesses reliant on those products, and finally the everyday consumer.

What to Do About Tariffs

Governments know that tariffs are going to have a huge impact on the economy of the other countries involved a trade war. That’s why they are effective means of negotiating market conditions. However, many businesses and consumers get caught in the middle. So what can a small or mid-sized business do as tariffs are on slapped on the products they need?

While it may not be the solution for every manufacturer, one effective way to mitigate tariffs on manufacturing is to source materials from unaffected nations. Steel and aluminum, for example, are receiving tariffs from many nations, but Australia and Argentina are exempt. Sourcing metals from these countries means business can go on as usual.

For businesses using metal-based products, it may be best to arrange your affairs before tariffs begin to affect you. For example, if you need new tech equipment, with aluminum and steel parts, purchase that equipment soon or second-hand. You can also make more strategic business moves when scaling up. Say you're looking to expand your restaurant business to new cities, consider purchasing a space that's already outfitted with most or all of the features you'll need, so you can reduce the costs associated with acquiring new, and often imported, materials.

If you'd like to know more about tariff impact on manufacturers or which tariffs may affect you, reach out to your GJM team. Let us guide you through a complex, ever-shifting market and global trade climate.

Established in 1996, Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD (GJM) is the largest public accounting firm in Northwest Ohio, with offices in Maumee and Findlay. Locally owned, GJM offers cloud-based accounting services and provides comprehensive services including assurance, business advisory, tax, risk advisory and healthcare management. The Firm’s professionals specialize in industries including construction & real estate, healthcare, manufacturing & distribution and utilities.

After 21 years with Gilmore Jasion Mahler (GJM), Tax Partner Steve Schult has decided it is time to retire at the end of 2019. Steve works with many different clients, from individuals to family businesses to multi-national companies. Aside from his client service, he is a career advisor to young professionals within the firm and has taken an active role in GJM’s community service efforts. As he prepares to retire, he took some time to reflect on his years of client service and his time at GJM.

What do you like most about the work you do?

Steve: Getting to know and working with clients - and helping them not only save taxes, but also make decisions that are best for their businesses and their families. I have always said that taxes are a piece of your decision, not the whole decision. Being in public accounting my whole career, I also always appreciated the fact that I was working with the best and the brightest.  I learned something every day from not only my other partners, but everyone in the firm.

What made you decide to retire now?

Steve: My wife Diane and I both had some prior health issues.  We are fine now, but it makes you realize that life is short.  It’s time to slow down and smell the roses.  (For you Michigan fans, just FYI, you smell a lot of roses when you go out to the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl!)

What will you miss the most?

Steve: That’s easy – the daily interactions with clients and the people at GJM.  I am extremely lucky to have worked with so many smart, quality and fun people in my career.  I already know I will struggle with that.

What will you miss the least?

Steve: That’s easy too - Keeping track of time daily and the constant tax deadlines.

Favorite story about helping a client with a tax problem?

Steve: There are actually two stories.

Early in my career I had a 70-year-old client who owed a lot of money on his tax return because he had a large capital gain that was missed in his year-end planning.  I felt it would be best to meet with him to personally review the return.  I called and said I would like to meet him to review his return with him – and he said to meet him at his office on my way in to work the next morning.

After losing sleep that night thinking about the meeting, I met him at his office the next morning.  Upon entering his office, he said “Stevie, you are never going to believe what I got it the mail yesterday when I got home from work.  I applied for tickets to the Masters golf tournament 40 years ago and was informed that I am finally off the waiting list. I now have four tickets to the Masters for the rest of my life!”  Upon asking what I wanted to discuss with him I said, “You owe $25,000 on your tax return”.  He said “Stevie, no problem – I don’t care.  You must not have heard me.  I now have four tickets to the Masters for the rest of my life!”  Timing is everything!  

I also had a large business client who was going through a tough IRS audit.  While most IRS auditors I worked with were pretty reasonable, the agent on this case was very difficult.  Wanting to hopefully resolve a few issues with him, the client and I met with him one day right after he had gotten back from the eye doctor – and he was wearing sunglasses because his pupils were dilated.  Having recently watched some poker tournaments on TV, I semi-jokingly told him it wasn’t fair that he was wearing sunglasses during a negotiation.

After failing to come to an agreement, we requested a meeting with him and his case manager to hopefully resolve our issues.  Upon entering the meeting a few days later, the client team and I were all wearing sunglasses.  The IRS case manager was very amused by this, setting the tone to finally get the issues on the audit resolved.

Favorite memory or story from your time at GJM?

Steve: While there are many, my favorite memory is from our involvement with Flag City Honor Flight.  The night we raised over $125,000 we were all in shock.  Going to Washington DC as a guardian on one of the flights was also a memory I will never forget – and is something I would encourage everyone to do.

What are your plans in retirement?

Steve: Getting in shape; learning to play the guitar; hiking a few times a week in Oak Openings with my two dogs (they keep me walking at a brisk pace); XC-skiing; fly-fishing; learning woodworking from my dad and helping him on the family farm; more time with Diane, (which she may regret) kids and grandkids; getting more active on a few boards; travel; and many more fun adventures that I don’t even know about yet.

Do you have any travel scheduled?

Steve: Yes.  XC-skiing trip in January, visit cousins in Lake Tahoe in February, finally getting to go to Detroit Tigers spring training in Lakeland Florida in March, a trip to hike in the Scottish Highlands this summer, and other trips with kids/grandkids that we haven’t quite finished scheduling yet.

Are you totally disconnecting from GJM or will you be around for client issues, etc.?

Steve: While I don’t want to interfere with other people at GJM developing their own relationships with clients I worked with in the past, I will still be in the Toledo area and will be available as needed.  I want to make sure there is a smooth transition and want to also make sure our clients are being properly served.  I’m sure I could add historical perspective that may be helpful in some situations.   

Will you still stay involved in some GJM events, like the Big Brothers Big Sisters Holiday Party and Flag City Honor Flight?

Steve: If I am not traveling, I would certainly be available to help with the many great causes GJM has supported over the years.

There’s been a lot of change in the accounting industry during your time in the field.  Do you have any advice you’d give to young people pursuing the field now?

Steve: Every industry is constantly changing.  I think the best advice for any young person is pretty easy:  Work hard, communicate, get involved in your community, and show your clients, your family and the people that work with you that you appreciate and care about them.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Steve: As I mentioned before, I know I will miss the constant interactions with clients and the people at GJM.  Those people become part of your family.  I am not leaving the Toledo area.  Now that I will have the time, hopefully people will still occasionally call me for breakfast, lunch, dinner, fishing, etc.  I know Diane will appreciate them getting me out of the house and out of her hair for a while!

Established in 1996, Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD (GJM) is the largest public accounting firm in Northwest Ohio, with offices in Maumee and Findlay. Locally owned, GJM offers cloud-based accounting and provides comprehensive services including assurance, business advisory, tax, risk advisory, healthcare management and outsourced accounting. The Firm’s professionals specialize in industries including construction & real estate, healthcare, manufacturing & distribution and utilities.  

As children (and adults, too!) head back to school, we'd like to remind you of a few ways you can minimize your income taxes:

Most before and after school care can be deducted. For a child under the age of 13, the cost of before and/or after school care may qualify for a tax credit.  This includes the child care component costs of private school tuition.  School uniforms are not deductible even though they are required.  Donating outgrown uniforms to charity can be deductible if you itemize.

School fundraiser tickets may be fully or partially deductible.  Check your raffle tickets for the amount deductible.

Earnings in 529 Plans are not federally taxable. Use the money you've saved into a 529 Plan to pay for eligible college expenses as well as books and computers for elementary, high school and college students.

Student loan interest is deductible. Student loan interest paid up to $2,500 is usually deductible. You do not have to itemize deductions on Schedule A in order to claim this valuable deduction.

The American Opportunity Tax Credit can amount to $2,500 in tax credits per eligible student and is available for the first four years of post-secondary education at a qualified educational institution.

The Lifetime Learning Credit can amount to up to $2,000 credit for qualified education expenses paid for a student enrolled in an eligible educational institution.

The Tuition and Fees Deduction applies to qualified education expenses for higher education for an eligible student taking undergraduate, graduate or post graduate courses.

As always with tax law, there are exceptions and exemptions. consult with your tax preparer if you need mor information or have any questions.

Guest blogger Amy Sigurdson contributed this article. Amy is a Tax Associate at Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD (GJM). Learn more about GJM's expertise in Tax.

Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD (GJM) has announced some key promotions and new staff members that strengthen the Firm and its leadership team. The promotions are effective January 1, 2019.

Judy Anderson and Matt Cavanagh are promoted to partner. Anderson, a Toledo native and graduate of The University of Toledo has been with the firm for 11 years. She has over twenty years of experience in public accounting and in the healthcare industry. A member of Gilmore Jasion Mahler’s healthcare and outsourced accounting group, she works with many of the Firm’s healthcare clients providing practice management and consulting services.  

Cavanagh, a Bowling Green native and BGSU graduate, joined Gilmore Jasion Mahler in November of 2005. Also a member of the Firm’s healthcare team, Matt’s focus is healthcare services. His expertise is in ambulatory surgery centers, outsourced accounting, practice management and modeling.

“Judy and Matt are already valued members of our leadership team,” says Gilmore Jasion Mahler Managing Partner Kevin Gilmore. ”Their hard work and dedication have strengthened our healthcare specialty and the Firm as a whole. I’m thrilled to see them both reach partner level.”

The Firm also announced some other key promotions. Partner Nikki Clement has been named managing partner of Gilmore Jasion Mahler’s Findlay office. Partner Mike Brough will lead growth efforts for the Findlay office. Nikki Clement's focus is the utilities industry. She specializes in accounting for regulated utilities.

Mike Brough works across a number of industries including manufacturing & distribution, government, and nonprofit operations.

Steve Miller is being promoted to senior manager. Both Ryan Avery and Ryan Emerson are promoted to supervisor and Nick Jackson is promoted to senior associate.

Earlier in the year, Diane Stretten and Mary Jo Pitzen were promoted to senior manager. Andrea Jennex moved up to supervisor in the GJM Findlay office. Ben Lochbihler was promoted to manager and Corey Selhorst, Lauren Grana and Clay Barron were all promoted to senior associate.

The Firm also brought on well over a dozen new employees in 2018 to further strengthen GJM’s administrative team and client service. They include Elijah Blackburn, Alyssa Essert, Alexandria Frances, Courtney Haas, Nicole Hartranft, Jennifer Henning, Dana Herr, Thomas Keyser, Jessica Knepper, Dylon Lause, Wendy Long, Tim Merkel, Madeline Mielcarek, Caleb Neeper, Joe Osentoski, Tina Rochowiak and Logan Sager.

“I couldn’t be happier with the staff we have in place headed into 2019,” says Gilmore. “When you have great people, great things happen. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish at a team.”

Established in 1996, Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD (GJM) is the largest public accounting firm in Northwest Ohio, with offices in Maumee and Findlay. Locally owned, GJM offers cloud-based accounting services and provides comprehensive services including assurance, business advisory, tax, risk advisory, healthcare management and outsourced accounting. The Firm’s professionals specialize in industries including construction & real estate, healthcare, manufacturing & distribution and utilities.

Sweeping change is coming to the way you plan for your retirement. Congress passed the SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act as part of a huge government spending deal at the end of 2019. Gilmore Jasion Mahler is already getting questions from clients wondering how they’re affected by the changes.  

While the SECURE Act includes a number of changes that will impact retirement planning, the change with perhaps the most immediate impact involves the age at which individuals need to start taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from their retirement accounts. As of the year 2020, that age has been changed to 72 years old from the former age of 70-and-a-half years old. Here’s an important note: If you were 70-and-a-half at the end of 2019, you are not impacted by the law change, and will still need to start taking your RMDs at 70-and-a-half years old.

The SECURE Act brings other retirement planning changes as well, including:

• Increasing restrictions on how non-spouse beneficiaries stretch out RMDs from a loved one’s retirement account
• Allowing people who work past the age of 70-and-a-half to contribute to an IRA (with some restrictions)

What should you do?

The SECURE Act could change how you plan for your retirement in a number of ways. It is important that you consult with your GJM tax advisor to understand the impact as it relates to your personal situation. You can learn more about GJM's tax experts and our team capabilities here.

Established in 1996, Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD (GJM) is the largest public accounting firm in Northwest Ohio, with offices in Maumee and Findlay. Locally owned, GJM offers cloud-based accounting and provides comprehensive services including assurance, business advisory, tax, risk advisory, healthcare management and outsourced accounting. The firm’s professionals specialize in industries including construction & real estate, healthcare, manufacturing & distribution and utilities.