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Essential small business expense categories to maximize tax deductions 
Running a small business comes with its fair share of financial responsibilities. One crucial aspect of managing your business finances is understanding and maximizing tax deductions. By identifying and properly categorizing your expenses, you can significantly reduce your taxable income. We can also help you tackle those tasks now—our expertise includes implementing frameworks into your […]
Sales Tax 101: A crash course for business owners
Sales tax for business owners is undoubtedly one of the most complex and specialized aspects of running a small business. With each state and locality having its own set of laws, tax rates, timetables, and exemptions, dealing with sales tax can be overwhelming and frustrating. And as online sales continue to surge, the complexities have […]
How to deduct expenses for business vehicle use
Many businesses need the use of a vehicle as part of their daily operations—meeting clients, delivering products, buying supplies, etc. If you use a car for business purposes, you’ll be able to deduct all of its related business expenses. Here’s how to go about it.  How to calculate deductible car expenses  If you use your […]
Business Meals and Entertainment Expenses: What’s deductible?
If you’ve been going to town (literally) on business meals and entertainment expenses for the last two years, you may need to start second-guessing some of those starters as deduction percentages have decreased to pre-COVID levels for 2023.  The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, signed by the President on December 27, 2020, made changes to […]
Small business tax tips for a stress-free tax season
It’s officially tax season, and that means many small business owners are scrambling to clean up their books from the previous year in order to hand information over to their tax preparers. While some small business owners dread this time of the year, others have taken control of their books and are prepared. But what […]
Work Opportunity Tax Credit Basics
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is available to employers that hire individuals from targeted groups that have traditionally faced barriers to employment. For each WOTC-eligible employee hired, you’ll be able to reduce your federal tax liability. The WOTC is one of the most underutilized tax credits available to businesses. Read on to find out […]
R&D credit consultants
Ongoing research and development (R&D) is a cornerstone of a prosperous economy, which is why the IRS provides a federal R&D tax credit under Internal Revenue Code Section 41. But the scope of R&D isn’t limited to large-scale scientific development (such as large pharmaceutical companies working on a new drug); small businesses also can and […]
“Everyone is eligible for the ERC!”… and other red flags to look out for 
The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), also known as the Employee Retention Credit (ERC), is one of the few significant COVID-19 relief options that could still be advantageous for eligible businesses. But the rollout of the ERC was complex and subject to significant changes, which led to the rise of questionable companies creating confusion among […]
Business financial advisors for tax season and beyond
We may be in the heat of summer, but that doesn’t mean taxes are off-topic. In fact, summer is an ideal time to check in on your tax planning strategy and regular bookkeeping efforts. Proactive tax planning and preparation are key to a smooth tax season, ensuring you can take advantage of deductions and credits. […]
Are gifts to clients and employees tax-deductible?
Many business owners like to show their appreciation by giving thoughtful gifts to valued clients and employees. It is a wonderful way to build relationships and show your team just how much you appreciate all that they do. Whether it’s a way to say thank you or happy holidays, there are important considerations to be […]
How to track rental property tax deductions
If you’re in the business of short-term rentals, you won’t want to miss out on the many tax deductions available to help offset your rental income. But in order to take advantage of the money-saving deductions, it is crucial to keep a detailed record of all transactions. No matter how big or small, every expense […]
Tax implications of business legal structures
If you’re starting a new business, one of the first things you will need to do is to choose a legal structure. The legal structure dictates the ways many aspects of your business run, as well as how you file and pay taxes. There are pros and cons to all structures, so it’s important to […]
Tax Basics for Real Estate Agents
If the hot real estate markets led you into a career as a real estate agent this year, filing taxes may look a bit different than what you’ve done in the past. Below are a few things you should know about reporting your earnings, as well as deductions that could reduce your taxable income. If […]
How the right mix of financial services makes it easier to run your business
While your products or services are the backbone of your business, you’ll struggle to succeed without a solid financial understanding and processes. But that doesn’t mean you’re doomed if you didn’t go to school for accounting or pursue an MBA. You simply need to build out the right combination of business financial services. That means […]
How is your side-hustle income handled at tax time?
You’ve heard the expression, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” What happens when what you love to do becomes your work? Many people have seen their side-hustles grow into a serious income stream. But what about those hobbies or activities that don’t bring in the big bucks? In […]
2021 Small Business Tax Deductions and Payment Reminders
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) provided many tax provisions intended to help small businesses make it through the pandemic. A couple of key small business tax deductions are still opportunities this year, and planning now could save you time and money next tax season. If you took advantage of tax […]
Does your business need a bookkeeper, CPA, or outsourced CFO?
In the early stages, new businesses have a lot of moving parts. Proper handling of the financials is crucial for every type of business; for some, keeping up with the day-to-day of bookkeeping, bill pay, payroll, and cash flow can be overwhelming, especially when business is expanding. But how do you know who to hire? […]
Frequently Overlooked Pandemic Tax Credits for Employers
During the pandemic, many businesses struggled to retain employees due to a temporary slow-down in business and the government-mandated closures. The government has provided three rounds of stimulus aimed at helping individuals and businesses get through the pandemic, including pandemic tax credits for employers that have been able to retain their employees. The Employee Retention […]
Do rental property owners file Schedule C or Schedule E?
Our recent blog addressed many of the tax issues inherent in renting your vacation home on Airbnb, VRBO, or another platform. Which form to file (Schedule C or Schedule E) with your tax return is a classic area of confusion for owners of short-term rentals, and the answer is often unclear for Airbnb hosts and […]
Tax Tips for Airbnb Hosts and Short-term Rental Owners
Since the pandemic, vacation rental homes have gained a significant share of the market demand. Vacation rental homes give travelers the convenience and comfort of home-like accommodations, as well as a sense of the local culture. Many investors have seized the opportunity to expand and diversify their assets. Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO have made […]
New Reporting Requirements for Money Earned Online – Form 1099-K
$600 doesn’t sound like much in the grand scheme of a year’s income. It could come from a few sales on Etsy, or maybe you rented your home out on Airbnb out for a couple of nights. From the perspective of the IRS, however, that $600+ represents taxable income that has historically gone unreported—and unsurprisingly, […]
How to Clean Up Your Books for Tax Season
It’s officially tax season, and that means many small business owners are struggling to clean up their books from 2020 in order to hand information over to their tax preparers. Many people dread this time of the year. We get a lot of calls from business owners who desperately need help getting books into shape, […]
Sales Tax Increases in Duval and Clay Counties
Voters in Duval and Clay Counties of Florida have elected to increase their local sales tax rate by a half-cent, effective January 1, 2021. The new Jacksonville sales tax rate will be 7.5%, rounded up to the nearest penny. Sales tax for rents charged on commercial property in Duval and Clay Counties will increase to […]
1099 Requirements are Changing for Tax Year 2020
One of the biggest year-end tasks, for many businesses, is sending and filing 1099 forms by the January 31, 2021, deadline. For tax year 2020 and beyond, there is a new form that will change the way you report nonemployee compensation. Depending on how many contractors your business has used this year, and how organized […]
Depreciation Recapture 101
The vast majority of businesses have depreciable assets: company property, buildings, equipment, vehicles, etc. Because they are used for business purposes, claiming depreciation of these assets helps to reduce the taxable income of the business. As is the case any time you wade into the murky waters of tax, the IRS is always on the […]
Payroll Tax Deferral: What employers and employees should know
President Trump made major headlines in August with his Executive Order deferring payroll tax withholding, deposit, and payment from September 1 to December 31, 2020. Although the order is now in effect, it’s still unclear how the payroll tax deferral will play out. The executive order directed the Secretary of the Treasury to “explore avenues, […]
Small Business Loans and Tax Relief Information
In the flurry of government relief that has been announced in the past couple of weeks, there are a variety of options available to help businesses cover their expenses and support their workers during this time. Last week, we summarized the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which established paid sick leave and expanded FMLA for […]
Tax deadline for S-corps and partnerships: March
Tax returns for partnerships and S-corps that pay on a calendar year are in March. C-corps have an additional month to complete and file their returns. Are you ready to file? If the answer is no, you need to file an extension, which will give you an extra six months to complete your return. First, […]
Reduce your business tax liability with year-end tax planning
Although tax year 2019 is our second year filing under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), provisions of the law are still confusing to taxpayers, particularly as they impact small businesses. The fourth quarter is the right time for tax planning to reduce or defer your tax liability. Here are some highlighted changes that […]
State Sales Tax News: 3 Things Every Online Retailer Should Know
If you run a business that sells products online, hopefully, you’re aware that you need to be collecting state sales tax from your customers and remitting it to your state on a regular basis. For online retailers, however, just which states are requiring you to remit sales tax has become a complex and confusing issue. […]
Don’t Endure Another Painful Tax Season
Getting 2018 tax returns done was messy for so many taxpayers due to changes under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Many people were surprised by smaller-than-usual refunds or even ended up owing money unexpectedly. If you struggled through tax season, now is the time to make sure that doesn’t happen again! After all, these changes aren’t […]
Tax deductions for business purposes
One of the most misunderstood concepts that our clients find confusing every year around tax time has to do with business expenses, assets, and depreciation. Specifically, when you spend money on something for your business, how does that get reflected at tax time? Many people are familiar with the concept of business asset depreciation, but […]
Will I owe tax when I trade in my business vehicle?
Prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), taxpayers could exchange like-kind business property (such as trading in a business vehicle) and defer any gain until the property was ultimately sold. Property that was eligible for this tax-free exchange included both real and personal property. If you traded in a business vehicle in 2017 […]
1099S Simplified
It’s that time of year again… Okay, let’s break this down: If you paid an independent contractor or non-incorporated company $600 or more during the calendar year, you should issue a 1099 (When it comes to attorneys, you should issue a 1099 to them even if they are incorporated). Your 1099 includes any payments for […]
State Tax Update – June 2014
This may seem like an obvious statement, but the expansion of e-commerce and logistical support systems has made interstate commerce far more prevalent than at any other time in our history.  State revenue departments are paying attention.  This can be especially confusing for companies in states like Florida that don’t have a personal income tax and […]
FAQ on the ACA Forms and Deadlines
We have been receiving a lot of questions in our office about the ACA forms due October 1 to be distributed to all employees.  We would like to take a moment to answer those questions and others with our own FAQ on the ACA forms and deadlines: 1. Do these forms need to be distributed […]
Should I Pay Quarterly Estimates?
The funny thing about the IRS is that they are more predictable than a small business.  So when someone buys a new house and puts their kids in private school based on a great first quarter, and then ends the year with no cash in the business due to a dismal fourth quarter, the IRS […]
IRS reverses previous High Low method decision
The IRS, after being bombarded with public comments, has decided to reverse their decision to eliminate the High Low Method of calculating per diem deductions.  We had written about this previously this year, and at the time the IRS had not received public comments regarding their plan to eliminate the method.  Since then they have […]
Two simple ways to cut your S-Corp flow through taxes
Much of tax accounting makes sense.  You get income, you pay expenses, you pay taxes on the net income.  Other tax accounting issues are not so simple, namely S-corp flow through taxes.  In some cases, the difference between paying twice as much tax or not being able to take a significant deduction are simply a […]
Just over a month to go; tax deadline approaches!
The corporate tax deadline is just about a week away.  That will mark just over one month until the individual tax deadline.  The deadline is April 18th this year because of Emancipation Day, a local holiday in Washington DC. Have you submitted your tax information to your accountant yet?  If not, here are some tips to […]
Small Business Tax Bill Increases Section 179 Depreciation
The latest small business tax bill won’t bail anyone out, keep any company from failing, or help stagnant companies grow.  However, if you are already expanding and need capital the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010 will help. The latest small business tax bill to help grow jobs and stimulate the economy offers two ways […]