Can I Deduct the Same Things for Multiple Self-Employed Businesses? If you’re self-employed and run more than one business, this is a very common question — and a smart one to ask. You might have a main business plus a side business. Or maybe you operate two different ventures under separate names. Naturally, you start...Continue reading
If you receive tips as part of your income, you may have heard about the new IRS “no tax on tips” deduction and wondered whether it applies to you. It’s a significant tax break — allowing eligible workers to exclude up to $25,000 in tips from federal income tax — but not everyone qualifies. The...
If you’ve received a CCA letter, or a collection letter from Central Collection Agency (CCA), mentioning penalties, interest, or unfiled tax years, you’re probably wondering how bad this can get — and whether anything can be done about it. The short answer: yes, penalties are real, but they are often misunderstood — and in many...Continue reading
When people think about 2025 tax strategies, they often imagine complicated loopholes or aggressive moves that don’t apply to real life. In reality, some of the most effective 2025 tax strategies come from everyday situations — getting married, getting divorced, having kids who help in the business, or supporting family members financially. As the year...
If you’ve just opened a letter from Central Collection Agency (CCA) and your first thought was “Is this a scam?” - you’re not alone. Many Ohio taxpayers reach out to us after receiving a CCA letter because they’ve never heard of CCA before. The letter feels official, urgent, and often references tax years from long...Continue reading
When tax season rolls around, many small business owners start Googling “small business tax preparation near me” and wonder whether they can handle it themselves. After all, accounting software and online filing tools promise to make it simple. But when it comes to business taxes, simple isn’t always smart. Doing your own business taxes might...Continue reading
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces a brand-new savings vehicle called Trump Accounts—tax-deferred investment accounts designed for children under 18. While some critics question their value, these accounts can be a smart long-term tool for families who plan strategically. Free Money for Newborns (Yes, Really) Under a pilot program, parents of U.S. citizens...Continue reading
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is shaking things up for charitable giving — and small business owners, realtors, and contractors need to pay attention. While there’s some good news, many of the new rules limit how much you can deduct. Let’s look at what’s changing and how you can make the most of...Continue reading
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has made headlines for locking in several parts of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) — but thankfully, not the old $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions. If you live in a high-tax state or pay substantial property taxes, this change could make...
There’s a new sheriff in town, and he’s ready to do away with home energy improvement tax credits. If his plan succeeds, homeowners have only until December 31, 2025 to complete their upgrades and qualify for valuable federal credits. The clock is ticking — and understanding these rules could mean the difference between saving thousands...Continue reading
Plain-English guide to OBBBA changes for 1099-NEC and 1099-K: what applies in 2025, what changes in 2026, and which states use lower 1099-K thresholds. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) changed the thresholds for Form 1099-NEC and 1099-K. Here’s what applies for the 2025 tax year, what changes in 2026, and how state rules...
If you’re self-employed, you probably rely on your 1099-NEC forms to report income each year. But what happens when one of those forms is just plain wrong? It’s more common than you think—and it could mean overpaying your taxes or triggering an IRS notice. Common Scenario: Overstated Year-End Income Let’s say you billed a client...Continue reading
If you're a solo business owner who prefers the benefits of a Roth retirement account—but your income is too high to contribute directly to a Roth IRA—there’s a powerful tool you should know about: the mega backdoor Roth! This strategy allows you to invest up to $70,000 ($77,500 if age 50 or older) into a...Continue reading
If you’re a self-employed contractor, consultant, or realtor who took a major business loss this year, you may be surprised to learn that you can’t always deduct the whole thing on your taxes. A rule called the Excess Business Loss Disallowance might limit how much of that loss you can write off—at least this year....Continue reading
What are statutory employees? (https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/statutory-employees) If you run a small business, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how you classify your workers: are they employees or independent contractors? It’s not just a paperwork issue—it’s a tax decision with real financial consequences. If you classify a worker as an independent contractor, you don’t...Continue reading
How can yo avoid the estimated tax penalty with strategic tax withholding? As of April 2025 — The due dates for quarterly estimated tax payments for your 2025 tax year are: April 15, 2025 June 16, 2025 September 15, 2025 January 15, 2026 If you miss one of those dates, the IRS imposes a penalty...
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...
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...
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
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