*Loans to Corporations--Generally, you can increase your "basis" by lending money to your S corporation, but not always. New case: An S corporation owner borrowed money from a partnership he controlled and loaned it to his S corporation. Then the corporation paid the partnership an equivalent amount in rent. Because this was merely a circular flow of cash, the owner could not increase his basis in the S corporation stock.

*Play Ball!--Does your company have a softball team or sanction other organized athletic activities? Encouraging these types of pursuits is a good way to improve workplace morale. They can influence cooperation and create more enthusiasm about coming to work each day. On the other hand, if you do not proactively promote social interaction, you may notice a lack of motivation among employees.