Deducting your rental property tax losses against your other income is tricky, as you likely know. You have to get the tax law to treat you—say, a computer engineer—as a tax-code–defined real estate professional. Let’s say you get there. Does that status allow immediate use of suspended passive losses? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Here’s...Continue reading
Deducting a Loss from an Airbnb Bedroom Rental
My tax professional tells me that I cannot deduct a rental loss on my Airbnb rental. She says the Morcos case limits my expenses to the amount of my rental income. My Airbnb rental is a full bedroom and bath, accessible from a separate entrance. I had the rental in place for six months during the year...Continue reading
Paying Yourself from Your Business Correctly
Paying yourself from your business depends heavily on your entity structure and understanding the tax implications of your choice. This post gives you a few key points to remember, but call us as Ken-Mar Tax for more in-depth tax advice. A common question among business owners is how to pay themselves from their businesses properly....Continue reading
Combine a Home Office Tax Deduction with a Heavy Vehicle for Major Tax Write-Offs
If you are taking a home office tax deduction and considering purchasing a business vehicle, you may be eligible for significant tax deductions, especially when combining the qualifying home office. Here’s how: Heavy Vehicle Deduction In 2025, businesses can take advantage of: Section 179 expensing – Deduct up to $1,250,000 of qualifying business equipment, including...
2025 IRS Tax Penalties
Tax season is here, and with it comes the risk 2025 IRS tax penalties that can hurt both your wallet and your peace of mind. Did you know that failing to file your tax return on time could cost you up to 25 percent of the unpaid balance? Or that underpayment of employment taxes can...
For Tax Purposes Are You a Real Estate Dealer or a Real Estate Investor?
If you buy and sell real estate, you need to know the difference between being classified for tax purposes as a real estate dealer versus a real estate investor. Real estate dealers are in the business of buying and selling real property—property is their inventory. Real estate investors own property primarily to earn income from...Continue reading
Avoid Losing Tax Deductions When Starting a Business
Starting a new business is an exciting endeavor, but it also comes with complex tax considerations. Starting a business for tax purposes involves more than ambition—it requires clear evidence of operational activity to justify deductions. A recent Tax Court case involving petitioners Kwaku Eason and Ashley L. Leisner highlights the importance of understanding when a...Continue reading
Maximize Your Business Vehicle Tax Deductions with Year-End 2024 Vehicle Purchases
As 2024 comes to a close, there is still time to reduce your tax liability through strategic vehicle purchases for business vehicle tax deductions. Whether you need a new SUV, pickup, van, or electric vehicle, there are significant deductions and credits available—but timing and proper planning are key. At Ken-Mar Tax, we specialize in helping...Continue reading
2024 Tax Deduction Strategies to Implement Now
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
Will You Get a Better Tax Return if You Get Married?
Many of our self-employed and small business owner clients ask us about tax implications of getting married. Marriage is a life-changing decision, and it’s essential to consider how it impacts your financial and tax situation. Depending on your circumstances, getting married could simplify your taxes—or increase your tax burden. Here are key points to keep...Continue reading
Maximize Your Ohio Tax Refunds: What You Need to Know
If you're a business owner doing your own taxes in Ohio, you could be missing out on Ohio tax refunds. When it comes to filing your taxes in Ohio, many people leave money on the table—money that could make a big difference in their finances. Whether you're an individual taxpayer or a business owner, Ohio...Continue reading
What Happens If You Don’t Pay RITA Taxes?
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
Understanding Tax Representation: Cleveland Tax Attorney or an Enrolled Agent?
When it comes to navigating complex tax matters, many in the Cleveland area may assume they need to hire a Cleveland tax attorney to represent them before the IRS. However, enrolled agents (EAs) like Ken Weinberg of Ken-Mar Tax provide a highly effective—and often more affordable—alternative for tax resolution. While both tax attorneys and enrolled...Continue reading
What If I Owe the IRS and Can’t Pay?
Do you owe the IRS more than you can pay? Choosing the correct method of relief when you can’t pay your taxes can eliminate much or all of your tax debt—which can amount to thousands, even tens of thousands, of dollars—and help you get back on track financially. If your tax bill has exploded beyond...Continue reading
Can I Deduct My Dog or Cat on My Taxes?
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...
List of Popular Vehicles with GVWRs Greater Than 6,000 Pounds
As you know, the fastest vehicle deductions are found with SUVs, crossover vehicles, and pickup trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWRs) greater than 6,000 pounds. These vehicles avoid the limitations on depreciation for luxury automobiles. Below, you will find some of the vehicles that qualify for the bigger deductions. But here’s the ultimate proof....Continue reading
Common IRS Penalties
If you’ve recently been billed by the IRS with the claim that you owe a penalty for late filing, late payment, or missed employment tax deposits, I urge you to pause before making any payment. You may not have to pay that penalty at all. The IRS often imposes steep penalties for filing tax...Continue reading
Why it’s Becoming Harder for Businesses to Use Independent Contractors
Does your business classify workers as independent contractors instead of employees? You should know that the U.S. Department of Labor is trying to make it harder for all businesses to use independent contractors. The Department of Labor enforces the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the federal law that requires most employers to pay employees a...Continue reading
1099s for Corporations and Other 1099 Surprises
You may be surprised by this headline, thinking, What? I must do 1099s for corporations? Are you kidding me? No, we’re not kidding. It’s only certain corporations, but still—this may be a shock. As you know, when your business makes payments of $600 or more from your business accounts to a person for services, you...Continue reading
Do You Need To File A BOI Report?
Do you need to file a BOI report? If you own a small business, the answer is most likely, YES! Tens of millions of small businesses (with 20 or fewer full-time employees and $5 million or less in gross receipts or sales) meet the criteria and, therefore, must submit a BOI Report. Read the in-depth...