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AFR launches luxury travel magazine

The Australian Financial Review (AFR) has introduced Highflyer magazine, aimed at the luxury travel market. 

Helmed by the AFR’s travel editor, Fiona Carruthers, Highflyer is out today as a supplement insert in the March issue of AFR Magazine as well as on afr.com.

The annual 44-page in print will be regularly updated on afr.com, and seeks to make frequent fliers’ lives easier by curating a “one stop shop” guide to the front end of the plane.

The AFR has also welcomed back Rear Window’s Joe Aston as a guest columnist in Highflyer. 

Amanda Upton, Nine Publishing’s head of luxury, says from a commercial standpoint as soon as Carruthers proposed the idea, she knew it would be an outstanding success.

"Knowing how well airline content resonates with our audience, there is an insatiable appetite for content about the pointy end of aviation and this magazine and digital collection will not disappoint,” she says.

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AFR launches new luxury travel supplement ‘Highflyer’, welcomes Joe Aston as guest columnist

Amanda Upton: “There is an insatiable appetite for content about the pointy end of aviation.”

As luxury sector continues to grow, The Australian Financial Review (AFR) has unveiled the debut of Highflyer , a deluxe travel publication targeting the high-end travel market, poised to release on Friday, February 23. 

Helmed by Fiona Carruthers , Financial Review ‘s travel editor, the glossy insert will be featured as a 44-page supplement in the March issue of AFR Magazine and online at afr.com.

The Financial Review has also announced it will welcome Rear Window ’s Joe Aston as a guest columnist in Highflyer, who will cover such topics as survival tips for navigating busy airports and recommendations for dining and accommodations in key destinations.

Said Carruthers, “Flying up the pointy end tops many aspirational travel lists these days. Australians are hostage to the tyranny of distance – when we take to the air, we want to do it in style.

“A 24-hour flight can end up comprising a reasonable chunk of your overall holiday experience; the time and research consumers put into understanding what the various airlines offer reflects that.”

Amanda Upton , Nine Publishing’s head of luxury, added: “I am so proud of this new venture. From a commercial standpoint as soon as Fiona proposed the idea I knew it would be an outstanding success.

“Knowing how well airline content resonates with our audience, there is an insatiable appetite for content about the pointy end of aviation and this magazine and digital collection will not disappoint!” 

The launch Highflyer aligns with the recent trend towards a resurgence of magazines, particularly those catering to special interests, events, and communities. Last December, News Corp r olled out a limited edition Taylor Swift magazine ahead of her 2024 Australian tour.

The 100-page glossy, crafted by the in-house content marketing agency Suddenly, served as a comprehensive exploration of Swift’s songs, career, and life.

In January this year, Good Weekend brought back the special edition magazine , Tennis, ahead of the Australian Open. The magazine was published through The Age and T he Sydney Morning Herald , and online through the BrisbaneTimes and WAtoday .

See also:  Mediaweek’s A to Z of 2023: M is for Magazine Publishing

News & Videos

Directories & jobs, afr launches highflyer: a luxurious ascent into the world of premium travel.

Led by Fiona Carruthers, the Financial Review's travel editor, Highflyer debuts tomorrow (Friday, February 23) as an insert in the March issue of AFR Magazine, as well as on afr.com.

Designed for those aspiring to the front of the plane, Highflyer indulges readers with insights into the opulent world of luxury travel. From discovering airlines with the longest beds to uncovering the finest champagnes poured onboard, Highflyer promises to be a treasure trove for luxury enthusiasts.

Carruthers noted Australians want to “elevate their travels experiences” and are looking for more specifically curated trips.

"Flying up the pointy end tops many aspirational tra...

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LIFE & LEISURE //

Introduction

Life & Leisure is the weekly lifestyle and luxury section published within both the Friday and weekend edition of The Australian Financial Review newspaper.

Featuring premium content indulging our audience passion points, such as shopping for the finer things in life through the SPEND section, travel, fashion, design, entertaining, food and wine, and motoring.

Life & Leisure is the discerning retail arm of the AFR portfolio offering our readers a gorgeous and leisurely guide on how to spend their wealth and well-deserved time off.

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR //

Charis Perkins , Editor

If The Australian Financial Review is the daily habit of successful people, then Life & Leisure is their weekend habit. In print on Fridays and over the weekend (and always online), it offers readers a sumptuous and leisurely guide to how to spend their wealth and well-deserved time off. Life & Leisure gives me, as the editor, and our legion of knowledgeable writers and columnists an all-areas VIP pass to the worlds of luxury in fashion, jewellery, the arts, design, travel, motoring, fine dining, drinks, leisure events and more. It’s a privilege and a delight to share these worlds with our readers and our advertisers.

The Numbers

Affectionately named our “luxury work horse”, Life & Leisure has the power to sell luxury goods and services like no other.

LIFE & LEISURE PROFILE //

are A or B social grade

have a diploma or degree

Life & Leisure connects with Australia’s most affluent shoppers

are more likely to be business decision makers

are more likely to be managers/professionals

Source: Roy Morgan Research; people 14+ for the 12 months ending December 2023.

Life & Leisure //

Special Issues

Issue Date: Thursday, 3rd May to Monday, 4th May 2024

Issue Date:  Friday, 24th May & Saturday, 25th May 2024

Issue Date:  Friday, 7th June & Saturday, 8th June 2024

Issue Date:  Friday, 5th May & Saturday, 6th July 2024

Issue Date:  Friday, 12th July & Saturday, 13th July 2024

Issue Date:  Friday, 9th August & Saturday, 10th August 2024

Issue Date:  Friday, 23rd August & Saturday, 24th August 2024

Issue Date:  Friday, 13th September & Saturday, 14th September 2024

Issue Date: TBC

Issue Date:  Friday, 4th October & Saturday, 5th October 2024

Issue Date:  Friday, 25th October & Saturday, 26th October 2024

Issue Date:  Friday, 1st November & Saturday, 2nd November 2024

Issue Date:  Friday, 8th November & Saturday, 9th November 2024

Issue Date:  Friday, 15th November & Saturday, 16th November 2024

Issue Date:  Friday, 6th December & Saturday, 7th December 2024

Issue Date:  Friday, 13th December & Saturday, 14th December 2024

LIFE & LEISURE  //

Editorial team

Philippa has recently joined the Life & Leisure team as Deputy Editor. Prior to this Philippa was the Deputy Editor of AFR Magazine and Fin! Magazine .

Fiona has written and edited travel for The Australian Financial Review since 2012 and is a respected commentator on the Australian tourism industry. Prior to this, Fiona’s editorial experience spans across Traveller ( The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age ), and as editor of Sunday Life , published in The Sun-Herald.

Lauren Sams is the fashion editor at  The Australian Financial Review , where she writes for the newspaper, the weekly supplement  Life & Leisure  and a monthly column for  The Australian Financial Review Magazine. She is the editor of Spend .

Tony is a Sydney based journalist and author. He has worked in book publishing and filled a variety of editorial roles at the Sydney Morning Herald including back page columnist, features editor and chief of staff. He is currently the Motoring Editor for the AFR . He also writes profiles, travel and technology stories.

Max is the only Australian writer to have won the prestigious international André Simon Award for best drinks writing twice – once in 1999 for his first book, Red and White: Wine Made Simple , and again in 2020 for his most recent book, Intoxicating: Ten Drinks that Shaped Australia . He writes regular columns for Life & Leisure, The Australian Financial Review Magazine  and  Fin Magazine .

Over his career, John Davidson has been a humourist, foreign correspondent, investigative reporter, technology reporter and software coder. He now brings all those skills to bear reviewing gadgets every week. It’s demanding work, but someone has to do it.

The author of 16 cookbooks, Jill was the cookery editor of The Times in London for seven years, and winner of the British Cookery Journalist of the Year Award.  She now writes for Life & Leisure , authoring its popular Chef on Chef interview series, The Australian Financial Review Magazine, The Sydney Morning Herald and Good Weekend . A former editor of the Good Food Guide , she also pens a weekly newsletter called Jill Dupleix Eats.

Bani has been described as “the most widely recognised watch authority in Australia”. As watch editor of The Australian Financial Review , covers all things horological for AFR Magazine and Life & Leisure . A former creative director (McCann, Grey) and founder of an award-winning advertising agency (McSpedden Carey) with author Peter Carey, he is an academy member of the Grand Prix D’Horlogerie de Geneve, watchmaking’s Oscars.

After a distinguished editorial career in Paris, Stephen writes on art, architecture and design for Life & Leisure and The Australian Financial Review Magazine . He is the creative director of Sydney Design Week and advises several cultural institutions, including the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences.

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READY TO CREATE //

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• 31 January 2024

Travel Editors' 2024 Predictions

Let’s put this simply. Is a repeat of 2023 possible for the travel industry? Four of the nation’s top travel editors discuss what lies in store for 2024, and what challenges may stand in the way of another bumper harvest, following the sector’s epic bounceback last year.

Will the cost of living continue to impact the overall picture? Will sustainability play a bigger role in media output? And what will be deemed ‘hot’, ‘not’, ‘new’ and ‘old’? Watch as our experts deliver their verdicts…

Head of Travel, The Telegraph

Ben began writing about travel in 2001, becoming Travel Editor of The Independent newspaper in 2007 and Head of Travel for The Independent and Independent on Sunday in 2011.

He joined the Telegraph Media Group in 2014 and is responsible for all of the Telegraph’s travel content in print and online.

Cathy Adams

Senior Commissioning Travel Editor, The Times and Sunday Times

Cathy Adams is senior commissioning travel editor at the Times and Sunday Times. She has written about everything from travel to parenting for some of the world’s best newspapers and magazines and was formerly travel editor of The Independent and Evening Standard.

A stint working for an airline magazine in Hong Kong has given her a lifelong love of Asia (and weekend city breaks).

Mark Palmer

Travel Editor, Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday

Mark Palmer is one of the longest serving travel editors in the country, having joined the Daily Mail, the UK’s highest circulation national daily newspaper, some 15 years ago.

He is truly a veteran of Fleet Street, having worked variously at the Evening Standard (Londoner’s Diary), Sunday Telegraph (News Editor) and Daily Express (Executive Editor). 

He is the author of two books – one about football, the other a history of Clarks shoes. He lives in London and the Scottish Borders. His list of banned words for all journalists and PRs is a matter of industry legend.

Tom Robbins

Travel Editor, Financial Times (FT)

Tom Robbins has been Travel Editor of the Financial Times since 2010, prior to which he was travel editor of the Observer and and an investigative reporter at the Sunday Times.

He was named Travel Journalist of the Year at the British Press Awards in 2023 and 2019 and at the TravMedia Awards in 2022.

Moderator: Henry Hemming, Global Managing Director, TravMedia

What We'll Cover

Tune in to this unmissable webinar as our panel of four national newspaper travel supremos discuss what destinations and holiday sectors are likely to keep their journalists occupied in 2024.

Following a bumper 2023, we’ll hear how important a part budget will play, and what new and emerging destinations might just serve up a surprise in a busy year ahead. Check your 2024 strategies are aligned with the media’s perspective by joining our panel for this incisive debate. See you there!

Core Topics

• Sustainability
• Travel spends and booking trends
• The General Election
• New products
• Emerging destinations
• Domestic tourism
• Impact of the wider news agenda

Attending TravMedia Meets

TravMedia Meets webinars are free to TravMedia customers who have TravMedia Meets included in their subscription. For non-customers or customers who don’t have TravMedia Meets included in their subscription the cost to attend is £25pp per webinar*

*Non-customers may also be eligible for a free trial with TravMedia. Existing customers who do not have TravMedia Meets included in their subscription may upgrade. Contact Louise Napier for more information.

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Yes, You Can Pack for a 2-week Trip in a Single Carry-on — Here’s How I Did It for Vietnam

Plus, the 15 travel essentials I reached for every day.

Travel + Leisure / Marcus Millan

Packing in a single carry-on for a two-week trip is not for the faint of heart — especially when the destination has seven distinct climate regions. That’s exactly the case in Vietnam, where I just traveled more than 1,000 miles from top to bottom, experiencing bustling cities, rice terrace-laced mountains, and white sand beaches, with 50- to 95-degree Fahrenheit days along the way. Even for a travel editor, it was an epic packing challenge — but I’m here to tell you that it is possible .

Here’s the secret: pack versatile pieces from your travel capsule wardrobe that you can mix and match for multiple situations and be willing to wash your clothes in the sink as you go. Above all, let the activities on your itinerary inform your choices (the more practical and minimalist, the better). While most of my trip was low-key — as in I ate at hole-in-the-wall street vendors and got sweaty on five-hour bus transfers to the Mekong Delta — this was not a backpacker trip where I could re-wear the same sweats every day; I stayed in five-star hotels like Travel + Leisure reader-favorite Capella Hanoi and InterContinental Danang and ate at Michelin-starred restaurants like Anan and Koki, too — so I really needed a wardrobe that could cover all of the bases and then some. 

Aside from comfortable shoes and a basic black dress that could be dressed up or down, I found that a rain jacket and ripstop joggers were absolute essentials in this country. Whether I was trekking in Sa Pa, beaching it in Phú Quốc, or strolling lantern-lit Hội An, I kept reaching for the same 15 items from my trusty Away Bigger Carry-on — a suitcase that was just large enough to pack it all in. Read on to find out what else I wore on repeat, starting at $13.

Ripstop, Quick-dry Joggers

If you’ve got adventure activities on the itinerary like I did —  kayaking Hạ Long Bay, hiking in Sa Pa, and floating down the Mekong Delta included — you’ll thank yourself for packing durable pants. There are two pairs that I reached for time and again on this trip: my Vuori Ripstop Joggers that were sturdy enough for all-day adventures in the elements, impervious to scratches from brushing up against palm leaves but still seriously lightweight and comfy enough for a flight, with five pockets to boot. I was sold the minute I read this review on Vuori’s site: “I love these pants so much. I have them in three different colors, and I do everything from hiking to ranch work in them. I highly recommend them forever and always.”

The second pair? These quick-drying UPF 50 Baleaf joggers that earned me a compliment from my tour guide in the Mekong Delta — she said they were the perfect lightweight material to wick sweat in the humid, 95-degree Fahrenheit heat. They’ll be my go-to hiking pants for summer.

Comfortable Sneakers

There’s just no getting around the need for comfortable walking shoes on any and every trip. Since my vacation was mostly adventure-based, I opted for classic athletic running shoes that I knew would carry me through any situation. I especially love these Allbirds Wool Runner Mizzles , not just for their super comfy foam footbeds, but also because they have a water-repellent coating that stands up to street puddles in Hanoi, drizzly days at sea in Hạ Long Bay, and in Sa Pa’s soggy rice terraces — and they kept my toes dry (note: they’re not waterproof. It rained so much in Sapa that our tour guide suggested we borrow the hotel’s rain boots on the wettest day of our trek, but for just walking around the mountainside property , these were ideal).

Long Raincoat

The rainy season in northern Vietnam is from July to September, and Sa Pa’s mountains average 137 foggy days per year — so there’s a lot of precipitation to go around. It rained the entire first week of my trip while I visited Hanoi, Sa Pa, and Hạ Long Bay. Sometimes, that’s just how the cookie crumbles, which is why I’m so glad that I packed a raincoat for trekking through the area’s small towns and rice terraces and for drizzly kayaking. 

This Amazon one is similar to mine (and only $45!), as is this top-rated REI raincoat that’s a bit more technical. I love that it has a hood and cinches at the waist for a flattering fit but also goes over the butt, so most of you is covered. Even when it wasn’t raining, I used my raincoat as a windbreaker on a chilly day in Ba Na Hills, and to cut the breeze on deck as we cruised Hạ Long Bay. I wore it on the plane to avoid taking up space in my carry-on, and I’m glad I had it to keep me warm in the blasting AC.

Kayla Becker

Crossbody Belt Bag

If you ask me, a bag that you can access quickly, keeps your valuables close to your chest, and keeps you hands-free is essential for any destination, not just Vietnam. For this trip, I packed my go-to Nomatic RFID-blocking belt bag (which is so sturdy and useful that even my husband always tries to steal it from me). But I also have and love this $38 Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag , as well as this $13 version from Amazon-loved brand Ododos . What can I say, I find these bags so functional that I have a growing collection of them. And believe me, when you’re haggling at the Hoi An night market for beautiful lanterns and lacquerware, the last thing you want to worry about is searching for your wallet in a backpack, which is better for hiking days when there aren’t so many crowds.

Wide-leg Linen Pants

It wasn’t all rain clouds on this trip, especially once we flew south to Ho Chi Minh City, where we were greeted with 90-degree Fahrenheit heat. I bought these super-soft Tencell lyocell Allison Wide-leg Pants from Marine Layer specifically because they were breezy but also cropped, so I wouldn’t have to worry about getting the bottoms dirty or wet in the city. Plus, black goes with everything and hides stains and wrinkles. Since they were breathable and light as a feather, they kept me cool on sweltering days by the hotel pool. But I found that they were so versatile that I wore them almost every day of the second week, including to the beaches in Da Nang and Phú Quốc. They’re kind of pricey but, in my opinion, well worth the money. For something a little more affordable, I’m also into these linen pants from Quince , which were recommended by a fellow T+L writer who just returned from Southeast Asia.

Basic Cotton Tanks

Arguably the best purchase I made before my trip was this two-pack of tanks, both of which are now a permanent part of my travel capsule wardrobe . I wore them almost every day (don’t worry, I washed them in the sink!) whether it was under a button-down for a little extra insulation on chilly days in Hanoi, over a bathing suit on the beach in Phú Quốc, or as a top in the steamy Mekong Delta when it was so hot that I couldn’t fathom wearing another layer. They have a close ribbed fit, scoop neckline, and most importantly, they’re breathable. Amazon shoppers seem to agree, saying they’ve held up everywhere from the Central American rainforest to Disney World . I also absolutely love the high-neck fit of this one , which I bought to pair with my beach sarong on Phú Quốc Island.

Polarized Sunglasses

In addition to my favorite SPF and a travel-size bug spray with DEET (I prefer non-chemical sprays, but the travel medicine clinic advised me to pack a powerful, effective spray to prevent mosquito-borne diseases), eye protection is essential in Vietnam, and let’s be real, everywhere! I opted for a cheap but still stylish pair like these $15 Sojos sunglasses at Amazon so I wouldn’t feel bad if they fell to the bottom of the Saigon River. Ultimately, they were so sturdy that they made it back home in one piece. Several Amazon shoppers attest that they’re “ perfect for traveling .”

Linen Jumpsuit

Although this was largely an active itinerary, I mixed in a few Michelin-starred restaurants along the way considering they were so affordable here. I’m talking $15-per-person-affordable for multiple courses at Hanoi’s atmospheric teahouse, Tầm Vị. For these special nights out, I wanted to pack something nicer but still breathable for the heat. This is a newer version of the Mango one I bought a few summers ago, but I won’t retire it until it gives up on me. I wore it to Anan in Saigon, and it even matched the walls, painted with tropical leaves, and to a rooftop bar in Ho Chi Minh City, where it popped against the skyscrapers glowing with neon lights.

Quick-dry Black Dress

When you’re in a paddle boat on the Mekong Delta or a walking tour in steamy Saigon and air-conditioning is just a distant memory, you won’t want to wear more clothes than you have to. That’s why I packed this travel writer wardrobe hack : the sporty, quick-dry Columbia Freezer Dress that’s made with cooling technology. It felt light as a feather but still wicked sweat and had UPF 30 sun protection. For breezy days, I layered my oversized white button-down over it. And with the collar, I felt like I could get away with visiting a nice restaurant or museum in it.

Swimsuit and Cover-up

A quick flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Phú Quốc Island put us right on one of the most picturesque beaches that I’ve ever seen. For this part of the itinerary, where we stayed at JW Marriott Phu Quoc , I packed this orange Agua Bendita Lavanda sarong wrap, which has come in handy on all my beach trips from Hawaii to Vietnam — and the color really popped against the white sand. It was a splurge, but I recently came across this dead ringer at Amazon that’s practically a steal since it comes with a bathing suit and matching cover-up for $34. I love sarong-style cover-ups like this because they look elegant enough to wear straight from the beach to a restaurant, as I did at the Long Bar at InterContinental Danang .

Water-resistant Hiking Sandals

Because I didn’t want to ruin my go-to leather Birkenstock sandals, I knew that I needed to buy a water-resistant pair for this trip. So, I became a first-time Teva Original Universal sandals owner, and I’m now fully converted. These were not only super comfy for walking around the beaches and hiking trails, but they also stayed molded to my feet and were easy to spray down when they got sandy or muddy. The rubber EVA soles were supportive and cushy — what more could you ask for in a pair of versatile black sandals?

White Button-down Shirt

I visited more than nine towns in the 1,000-plus miles that I crossed between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, each one widely ranging in temperature. And yet, I wore this shirt at every single stop of the trip. It worked as a temple-appropriate top on a walking tour of Hanoi, as a beach cover-up in Danang, as a layer over my black dress for dinner in Ho Chi Minh City — the list goes on. Amazon shoppers rave about how “ comfortable and versatile ” it is and that it “ travels great ,” too.

Packable Puffer Jacket

Word to the wise: Don’t be like me and underestimate how cold it can be in Hanoi and mountainous regions like Sa Pa and Ba Na Hills. It was spring when I visited, and the lows hovered around 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. I braved it for about a day before I broke down and bought this Ultra-Light Down Jacket from the nearest Uniqlo in Hanoi, and I ended up wearing it all over the temperate northern region. But truthfully, since I got home to Boston, I can’t stop wearing it here either. It packs down into practically nothing and has its own carrying case, so it’s a mainstay in my suitcase now, just in case.

Compression Socks

The flight from Ho Chi Minh City to London Heathrow was 13 hours, the longest flight I’ve been on in a while. Since my legs and feet start to swell on flights like this, I made sure to wear my nylon Comrad Knee-High Compression Socks . I got the recommendation from my sister, who swore by them when she was pregnant. I’m not the only one who thinks that they’re a game-changer for in-flight comfort — this 26-week pregnant traveler , who flew internationally, and this jet-setter, who wore them for 15-plus hours , agree.

Lightweight Mom Jeans

Abercrombie & Fitch

Yes, I am one of those few travelers who still packs jeans on trips because of their versatility — but only if they’re super comfortable and lightweight. I wore this flattering Abercrombie & Fitch High-rise Mom Jean pair way more often than I was expecting on this trip, especially in the north on chilly days. The best part about these on-trend jeans is that they pair with anything in any season, from white sneakers and a chunky sweater to sandals and a tank — that, and the fact that they get plenty of use year-round at home, too.

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AFR Rates: Impact on Business Travel & Taxes

Explore how AFR rates influence business travel expenses and tax strategies, helping companies optimize costs and compliance.

Applicable Federal Rates (AFR) play a pivotal role in the financial strategies of businesses, particularly influencing decisions related to travel and taxation. These rates, set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), serve as benchmarks for various financial transactions, impacting how companies plan their budgets and manage expenses.

Understanding the influence of AFR on business operations is crucial for corporate leaders and financial officers aiming to optimize costs and adhere to compliance standards. This becomes especially significant when considering the complexities of business travel expenses and tax obligations.

Definition and Current Rates of AFR

Applicable Federal Rates (AFR) are monthly determined interest rates published by the IRS to regulate various financial and tax-related activities. These rates are used to calculate the interest on loans between parties, which can include everything from family loans to employee loans, and even some business transactions. The rates are influenced by the prevailing market interest rates and are segmented into short-term, mid-term, and long-term categories, each applicable to loans with different durations: short-term rates for loans of up to three years, mid-term rates for loans between three and nine years, and long-term rates for loans over nine years.

As of the latest update, the short-term AFR stands at 2.5%, the mid-term at 2.75%, and the long-term at 3.0%. These rates ensure that loans made at these minimum rates are free from federal tax complications, which can include unexpected taxable income or deductions. Businesses must monitor these rates closely, as they can affect decisions regarding financing operations and managing intra-company loans.

Application of AFR in Business Travel

When businesses finance travel for employees or executives, the Applicable Federal Rates can influence the structuring of these expenses. For instance, if a company provides a loan to an employee for travel purposes, the interest rate on this loan should at least match the AFR to avoid any imputed income issues. This ensures that the travel advance is treated as a bona fide loan rather than a taxable benefit.

Moreover, companies may also use the AFR to determine the charge rate for employees using corporate-owned vehicles for personal travel. The IRS allows the use of AFR for valuing the personal use of a company car, which can be a significant perk. By applying the AFR, businesses can provide this benefit while minimizing the tax implications for both the company and the employee.

Additionally, the AFR can impact how businesses account for travel reimbursements. When employees are reimbursed for travel expenses at a rate below the AFR, they may not face additional taxes. However, if the reimbursement exceeds the AFR, the excess may be considered additional income to the employee, subject to taxation. This underscores the importance of aligning reimbursement policies with the AFR to manage tax liabilities effectively.

AFR Rates and Corporate Tax Strategy

The strategic incorporation of AFR into corporate tax planning can lead to optimized tax outcomes. By aligning intercompany loan agreements with AFR, businesses can avoid the creation of taxable income or disallowed deductions. This is particularly relevant in multinational corporations where cross-border loans are commonplace. Adhering to AFR in these transactions prevents the IRS from reclassifying loans as equity investments, which could result in adverse tax consequences, such as the disallowance of interest deductions or the imposition of withholding taxes.

Beyond intercompany financing, AFRs are also instrumental in structuring employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). When a company lends money to its ESOP, the interest rate on the loan must be reasonable, which the AFR can help benchmark. This ensures the ESOP transactions are carried out at arm’s length, maintaining the tax-advantaged status of the plan.

The strategic use of AFR extends to estate planning within the corporate context. For example, when business owners engage in estate freezing techniques, such as selling assets to a grantor trust in exchange for a promissory note, the AFR provides a guideline for the minimum interest rate, which can help in minimizing the gift tax implications of the transfer.

How to File Your Tax Return Correctly and Efficiently

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NBA: Officials missed Tyrese Maxey travel at end of regulation

Tyrese Maxey drills a 3-pointer plus the foul to trim the Knicks' lead late. (0:36)

According to the NBA's Last Two Minute Report from Game 5 of the instant classic first-round series between the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks , Tyrese Maxey 's heroics never should've happened.

That's because the league said the game's refereeing crew missed a Maxey travel on his 3-pointer with 25.4 seconds to go, on which he was fouled by Knicks center Mitchell Robinson and made the free throw, beginning Philadelphia's remarkable comeback from down 6 with 28.9 seconds remaining in regulation to eventually win 112-106 in overtime and keep the 76ers' season alive.

There were three other calls that were deemed incorrect: there should have been 0.4 seconds left in regulation, and Knicks ball, after Nicolas Batum blocked Jalen Brunson 's potential game-tying shot out of bounds (the clock instead ran out, sending the game to overtime); Brunson should've been called for an offensive foul in overtime on the play that ultimately became a flagrant foul on Joel Embiid for hitting Brunson in the head; and Josh Hart was not actually out of bounds with 41.5 seconds to go.

It is another way in which Philadelphia's Game 5 miracle mirrors New York's doing the same thing to the Sixers in Game 2, as there were multiple officiating errors in New York's favor as part of that comeback in the Last Two Minute Report from that game.

The two teams have now both come back from at least five-point deficits inside the final 30 seconds of regulation to win a game in this series -- something that had happened only three times in the past 25 years before these playoffs, and now has happened twice in the same building in the past 10 days.

Game 6 will take place Thursday night in Philadelphia, with Game 7 -- if Philadelphia wins -- being back in New York on Saturday night.