If you're starting a business, chances are you've already spent money before making your first sale. You may have paid for a website, marketing materials, legal advice, software subscriptions, training, travel, licenses, or professional consulting. One of the most common questions new entrepreneurs ask is: "Can I deduct expenses before my business opens?" The answer...Continue reading
Starting a new business is exciting, but it can also be expensive. Between market research, legal fees, marketing, software, equipment, and professional advice, many entrepreneurs spend thousands of dollars before they ever make their first sale. One of the most common questions we hear at Ken-Mar Tax is: "Can I deduct these expenses?" The answer...Continue reading
If you've filed your tax return and find yourself checking your bank account every day, you're not alone. One of the most common questions taxpayers ask each year is, "Why is my IRS refund taking so long?" While many refunds are issued without any issues, there are several reasons the IRS may delay processing a...Continue reading
If you've paid IRS penalties or interest in recent years, there may be an opportunity worth exploring. Recent court decisions have raised questions about whether certain IRS penalties and interest charges assessed during the COVID disaster period should have been charged at all. While the legal process is still unfolding, some taxpayers may need to...Continue reading
It sounds almost too good to be true. What if your business could deduct the cost of renting your home for meetings, planning sessions, employee training, or company events, while you personally receive the rental income tax-free? Under the right circumstances, that's exactly what the IRS allows through a tax strategy commonly known as the...Continue reading
If you owe back taxes or haven’t filed in a while, you’ve probably seen ads from companies promising to “settle your tax debt for pennies on the dollar.” It’s a common question: are tax relief companies worth it? In some cases, people do get help through these firms. But many others end up paying large...Continue reading
If you’re buying equipment, a vehicle, or making improvements to your business, you’ve probably heard about bonus depreciation and Section 179. Both can help you write off large purchases and reduce your taxes - but they don’t work the same way. And choosing the wrong one can cost you more than you think. So what’s better:...Continue reading
If you’re self-employed, missing a tax deadline isn’t just an inconvenience - it can mean penalties, interest, and unnecessary stress. That’s why understanding the important tax dates for self-employed business owners is critical. < Download Your 2026 Self-Employed Tax Calendar > Now that the main tax deadline has passed, this is actually one of the...Continue reading
If you’ve taken the standard deduction for years, you’re not alone. But with recent tax law changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), more people - especially higher-income taxpayers - are starting to ask: how do I know if I should itemize deductions? For many of Ken-Mar Tax’s clients, the answer is changing. And...Continue reading
If you’ve been using a vehicle for your business and you’re thinking about switching it to personal use, you’re probably wondering: can I change a vehicle from business use to personal? The short answer is yes - but the tax impact depends on how you’ve been using and deducting that vehicle. And if you don’t understand...Continue reading
ost people assume this is simple: donate clothes to Goodwill, get a receipt, and take the deduction. But when it comes to Goodwill clothing deductions, the IRS has very specific rules—and missing one small detail can wipe out the entire deduction. That’s not an exaggeration. There was a recent case where a taxpayer donated thousands...Continue reading
With tools like ChatGPT and other AI platforms becoming more popular, a lot of people are asking the same question: Can I do my taxes with AI? On the surface, it seems like a great idea. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’s often free. But when it comes to taxes—especially business taxes—the reality is a...Continue reading
Yes—there can be. And in the right situation, it can be a pretty meaningful one. Most people are familiar with the idea of putting their kids on payroll to save on taxes. That works well in some cases. But if your child is older, or your business isn’t set up the right way, that strategy...Continue reading
Most people assume that when they have a serious tax problem, they need a tax attorney. In reality, that’s not always the case - and choosing the right type of help can save you a significant amount of money and stress. In Ohio, many tax issues can be handled effectively by an enrolled agent (EA)....Continue reading
Starting in 2026, there’s a new opportunity for small business owners that a lot of people are going to overlook: a significantly expanded childcare tax credit for small business. On paper, it sounds straightforward. But once you start applying it to real-life situations—especially when you’re self-employed or working with your spouse—it gets a little more...Continue reading
If you and your spouse own rental property or run a business together, you may have set up an LLC for liability protection. That part makes sense. But then comes the next question: how are husband and wife LLC taxes handled—especially here in Ohio? This is where things can get confusing. And in many cases,...Continue reading
Most people believe this: “Once it’s been three years, I’m in the clear.” And in many cases, that’s true. But not always. There are situations where the IRS audit time limit doesn’t expire—and your return can come back years (even decades) later. Let’s walk through one of the biggest reasons why. When the IRS Audit Time Limit Doesn’t...Continue reading
If you own rental property and you’re thinking about selling, there’s one strategy you should at least understand before you do anything: The 1031 exchange. Done right, it allows you to sell a property, reinvest the money into another property, and defer paying taxes—sometimes for years. Let’s walk through how it works, what the key 1031 exchange...Continue reading
If you’ve been taking the home office deduction, you may have heard something like this: “Don’t take depreciation—it’ll come back to bite you when you sell your house.” It sounds logical. Nobody likes the idea of paying taxes later. But here’s the problem… skipping home office depreciation can actually cost you more than it saves. Let’s walk through...Continue reading
If you're self-employed, you've probably asked yourself at some point: “Can I write off my work clothing?” It seems like a reasonable question—especially if you're buying clothes specifically for your job. But when it comes to taxes, this is one of those areas where the rules are stricter than most people expect. Let’s walk through what actually...Continue reading