tax

Construction Business Owners: Prepare Now for Possible Tax Law Changes

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was signed into law in 2017 and generally took effect at the start of 2018. It brought sweeping changes to various aspects of…

Figuring Corporate Estimated Tax

The next quarterly estimated tax payment deadline is June 17 for individuals and businesses, so it’s a good time to review the rules for computing corporate federal estimated payments. You want…

Inflation Enhances the 2025 Amounts for Health Savings Accounts

The IRS recently released guidance providing the 2025 inflation-adjusted amounts for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). These amounts are adjusted each year, based on inflation, and the adjustments are announced earlier…

Should You Convert Your Business From a C to an S Corporation?

Choosing the right business entity has many implications, including the amount of your tax bill. The most common business structures are sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, C corporations and S corporations.…

Tax Advantages of the VA 2021 Retroactive PTET Election

Since the passing of the TCJA in 2018, most states have given pass-through entities (PTEs) the option to pay the state income tax at the entity level instead of at…

4 Bookkeeping Pitfalls for Small Businesses to Avoid

Accurate bookkeeping is essential to operating a successful small business. The problems created by inadequate bookkeeping practices can have significant, long-lasting consequences. Here are four common pitfalls — and how…

Tax Tips: May/June 2024

Interested in LTC insurance? Consider a tax-free exchange Long-term care (LTC) insurance can help cover the expenses if you or a loved one requires an extended stay at a nursing…

Tax Tips When Buying the Assets of a Business

After experiencing a downturn in 2023, merger and acquisition activity in several sectors is rebounding in 2024. If you’re buying a business, you want the best results possible after taxes.…

Bad Debt Deduction: When Debt Is Really Equity

The tax code allows you to claim a deduction for business debts that have become worthless. But qualifying for the deduction may be more complicated than you think. In a…

The Tax Advantages of Including Debt in a C Corporation Capital Structure

Let’s say you plan to use a C corporation to operate a newly acquired business or you have an existing C corporation that needs more capital. You should know that the federal…

Growing Your Business With a New Partner: Here Are Some Tax Considerations

There are several financial and legal implications when adding a new partner to a partnership. Here’s an example to illustrate: You and your partners are planning to admit a new…

When Partners Pay Expenses Related to the Business

It’s not unusual for a partner to incur expenses related to the partnership’s business. This is especially likely to occur in service partnerships such as an architecture or law firm.…

When Businesses May Want to Take a Contrary Approach With Income and Deductions

Businesses usually want to delay recognition of taxable income into future years and accelerate deductions into the current year. But when is it wise to do the opposite? And why…

Don’t Have a Tax-Favored Retirement Plan? Set One up Now

If your business doesn’t already have a retirement plan, it might be a good time to take the plunge. Current retirement plan rules allow for significant tax-deductible contributions. For example,…

Scrupulous Records and Legitimate Business Expenses Are the Key to Less Painful IRS Audits

If you operate a business or are starting one, you know records of income and expenses need to be kept. Specifically, you should carefully record expenses to claim all the…