At Ken-Mar Tax we specialize in tax reduction strategies for the self-employed (think IRS Form 1099, independent contractors, realtors, small business owners, sales people that aren’t salaried – i.e. Mary Kay Cosmetics and other MLMs) as well as individual tax returns. Our team of tax professionals and Ken Weinberg, our Enrolled Agent, will occasionally post blogs with tips, advice and best practices for individual tax strategies.
If you would like to see a topic covered, have questions about maximizing your tax deductions and limiting your tax burden, or would like to set up a free tax consultation, contact us online or by calling our Cleveland area office on Lorain Rd. in N. Olmsted (almost in Fairview Park) at 440-628-1975.
As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to implement 2024 tax deduction strategies that can significantly reduce your tax burden. Whether you’re a business owner or self-employed, these six powerful tax-saving tips can help you maximize your deductions and keep more of your hard-earned money. 1. Prepay Expenses to Claim Tax...Continue reading
If you live in a municipality that works with the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA), paying local taxes is not just a recommendation—it’s a requirement. However, life gets busy, and sometimes tax obligations fall through the cracks. But what happens if you don’t pay your RITA taxes? Understanding the consequences and the steps you can...Continue reading
When we ask our clients about dependents, a common response is "that depends, can I deduct my dog." Dogs, cats, and other household pets are expensive. It costs an average of $1,270 to $2,800 a year to own a dog. Unfortunately, the expenses you incur for a family pet that provides you only with love...
When it comes to managing your taxes, understanding the difference between a tax accountant and a tax advisor is crucial. Both roles are essential, but they serve distinct functions that can significantly impact your financial health, especially if you’re self-employed or dealing with back taxes. Tax Accountant: The Day-to-Day Financial Gatekeeper A tax accountant is...Continue reading
For this tax season, 2024, we have seen an increase in inquiries about gambling tax laws. With interest in writing off gambling losses, claiming gambling winnings and general questions about tax rules when it comes to gambling. See our recent posts, Can I Write Off My Gambling Losses? and When Do I Report Gambling Winnings...Continue reading
As you consider the process of shutting down your S corporation, it is crucial to understand the federal income tax implications that come with it. Here, I outline the tax basics for the corporation and its shareholders under two common scenarios: stock sale and asset sale with liquidation. Shutting Down Your S Corporation Scenario 1:...Continue reading
Ever since posting "When Do I Report Gambling Winnings to the IRS?" we have had several inquiries about writing off gambling losses. So, here's the question: "Can I write off my gambling losses?" With sports gambling legalized in Ohio since January 1, 2023, it's the 2024 tax season when this massive increase in tax questions...
We get many clients coming in asking about a how long the IRS can go back to audit your tax return, The good news is there is a statute of limitations on IRS audits and tax assessments. This time period is called the Assessment Statute Expiration Date (ASED). However, like all things IRS, it's more...Continue reading
For over 20 years, the IRS has issued an annual Dirty Dozen list identifying tax scams and avoidance schemes. This year’s list includes everything from employee retention credit claims to the use of fake charities. Before you invest your hard-earned money in these or other highly promoted tax schemes, you should check the IRS Dirty...Continue reading
Now that so many types of gambling are legal in Ohio, when do you have to report your gambling winnings to the IRS? If you enjoy gambling, whether occasionally or frequently, it is crucial to understand how your winnings and losses can affect your tax liability. Basic Rules to Reporting Gambling Winnings Winnings: You report...Continue reading
It's not too late to consider 2023 tax strategies. Are you thinking of getting married or divorced? If so, consider December 31, 2023, in your tax planning. Here’s another planning question: Do you give money to family or friends (other than your children, who are subject to the kiddie tax)? If so, you need to consider...Continue reading
What Are Self-Employment Taxes? Do I Pay Them? Self-employment taxes are to individual business owners what payroll taxes are to employers and employees. They fund Social Security and Medicare. All individuals with self-employment income must pay self-employment taxes, regardless of their age. When business owners reach retirement age, they’ll be able to collect Social Security...Continue reading
Looking to convert to an S corporation? At first glance, the corporate tax rules for forming an S corp appear simple. They are not. In this article, we do two things: First, we help you avoid the potholes that destroy your S corp. Imagine what a shock that is—to find out that what you thought was...Continue reading
Do you live in the Cleveland area and work from home? If so, you should be aware of the many work from home tax benefits. Aside from potential home office deductions and other write-offs routinely claimed by the self-employed (see "Tax Reduction Strategies for the Self-Employed"), a huge benefit could depend on comparing the Municipal...Continue reading
Our specialty at Ken-Mar Tax is to provide our tax preparation clients with tax strategies that will legally reduce their tax obligations. As an IRS enrolled agent, Ken Weinberg keeps up-to-date about all the IRS tax codes in order to use them to your advantage. Tax Strategies for Getting Married, Divorced, Staying Single, Adding Your...Continue reading
As tax-reduction strategy specialists for the self-employed, at Ken-Mar Tax we specialize in working with local, Cleveland area, small business owners, contractors and solopreneurs. We know, at this time of year, your goal is to either eliminate, or at least reduce, the taxes you’ll owe – or better yet, get the IRS to owe you!...Continue reading
Millions of taxpayers are still waiting for refunds and/or struggling to understand IRS notices saying their refund amounts have been adjusted. And the IRS expects to receive another 4 million returns for tax year 2020 by the October 15th tax filing extension deadline. – Forbes October 10, 2021 Why are tax refunds so late? Why...
What is Form 1099-NEC? Starting with the 2020 tax year, the IRS requires businesses to use the new Form 1099-NEC to report nonemployee compensation – not Form 1099-MISC, which was previously used. Filing Taxes With a 1099-NEC If you are self-employed and receiving any type of 1099 forms, you should be using a tax preparation...
As our Ken-Mar Tax clients know, we pride ourselves on maximizing tax deductions for the self-employed – which is why so many of our customers are real estate agents, small business owners and W-2ed employees with “side-hustles” like ride-sharing with Uber or Lyft, selling hand-made crafts on etsy or re-selling on Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark or...Continue reading
Enrolled Agents of IRS Cleveland Given Details of 5-Year Plan Recently the enrolled agents of Ken-Mar Tax have been notified of the large-scale effort of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to increase their workforce and update their technology in order to help enforce the implementation of new tax laws. A recent article in the Government...Continue reading