Tax essentials for sole proprietors
August 12, 2026 | Jennifer Springer
Working for yourself has its perks — and its tax rules. Explore the key tax considerations every sole proprietor should have on their radar.
Read MoreIt’s not too late: You can still set up a retirement plan
December 11, 2018 | Brian Hare, CPA, CGMA
If most of your money is tied up in your business, retirement can be a challenge. So if you haven’t already set up a tax-advantaged retirement plan, consider doing so this year. There’s still time to set one up and make contributions that will be deductible on your 2018 tax return! More benefits Not only […]
Catch-up retirement plan contributions = advantageous
December 11, 2018 | Brian Hare, CPA, CGMA
Will you be age 50 or older on December 31? Are you still working? Are you already contributing to your 401(k) plan or Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) up to the regular annual limit? Then you may want to make “catch-up” contributions by the end of the year. Increasing your retirement plan contributions […]
3 ways to get more from your marketing dollars
December 11, 2018 | Brian Hare, CPA, CGMA
A strong economy leads some company owners to cut back on marketing. Why spend the money if business is so good? Others see it differently — a robust economy means more sales opportunities, so pouring dollars into marketing is the way to go. The right approach for your company depends on many factors, but one […]
Mutual funds: Handle with care at year end
December 11, 2018 | Brian Hare, CPA, CGMA
As we approach the end of 2018, it’s a good idea to review the mutual fund holdings in your taxable accounts and take steps to avoid potential tax traps. Here are some tips. Avoid surprise capital gains Unlike with stocks, you can’t avoid capital gains on mutual funds simply by holding on to the shares. […]
Taking the hybrid approach to cloud computing
December 11, 2018 | Brian Hare, CPA, CGMA
For several years now, cloud computing has been touted as the perfect way for companies large and small to meet their software and data storage needs. But, when it comes to choosing and deploying a solution, one size doesn’t fit all. Many businesses have found it difficult to fully commit to the cloud for a […]
Buy business assets before y/e to reduce 2018 tax liability
November 30, 2018 | Brian Hare, CPA, CGMA
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has enhanced two depreciation-related breaks that are popular year-end tax planning tools for businesses. To take advantage of these breaks, you must purchase qualifying assets and place them in service by the end of the tax year. That means there’s still time to reduce your 2018 tax liability […]
Is it time for a NQDC plan deferral election?
November 30, 2018 | Paula Kennedy, EA
If you’re an executive or other key employee, your employer may offer you a nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plan. As the name suggests, NQDC plans pay employees in the future for services currently performed. The plans allow deferral of the income tax associated with the compensation. But to receive this attractive tax treatment, NQDC plans […]
Change management doesn’t have to be scary
November 30, 2018 | Brian Hare, CPA, CGMA
Business owners are constantly bombarded with terminology and buzzwords. Although you probably feel a need to keep up with the latest trends, you also may find that many of these ideas induce more anxiety than relief. One example is change management. This term is used to describe the philosophies and processes an organization uses to […]
Research credit = some businesses 4 the 1st time
November 13, 2018 | Brian Hare, CPA, CGMA
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) didn’t change the federal tax credit for “increasing research activities,” but several TCJA provisions have an indirect impact on the credit. As a result, the research credit may be available to some businesses for the first time. AMT reform Previously, corporations subject to alternative minimum tax (AMT) couldn’t […]
Donate appreciated stock for twice the tax benefits
November 13, 2018 | Paula Kennedy, EA
A tried-and-true year end tax strategy is to make charitable donations. As long as you itemize and your gift qualifies, you can claim a charitable deduction. But did you know that you can enjoy an additional tax benefit if you donate long-term appreciated stock instead of cash? 2 benefits from 1 gift Appreciated publicly traded […]










