#tax
Tax
Tax strategies, planning, and compliance for individuals and businesses
DIY Bookkeeping vs. Professional Services: Which Is Right for Your Business?
A cost-benefit breakdown of DIY bookkeeping versus professional bookkeeping services—covering real time costs, hidden risks, and a four-question decision framework for small business owners.
EIDL Loan Recordkeeping Requirements: What Small Businesses Must Know
EIDL borrowers must maintain records for decades—five years current plus three years after final payoff. This guide covers which documents to keep, SBA audit powers, approved fund uses, and how to build an audit-ready bookkeeping system.
The EV Tax Credit: What Happened, What's Next, and What You Can Still Claim
The federal EV tax credit (up to $7,500) expired September 30, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Here's who can still claim it on their 2025 return, how the new car loan interest deduction works, and what records to keep.
IRS Form 1096: The Complete Guide for Small Business Owners
Form 1096 is the IRS cover sheet required when paper-filing 1099s and other information returns. Learn who must file it, the exact due dates by form type, how to fill it out correctly, and the penalties for common mistakes.
Form 8829: The Complete Guide to Home Office Deductions for Self-Employed Individuals
Self-employed workers can deduct home office expenses on Form 8829, but millions miss it each year. Learn the exclusive-use test, how to calculate your business-use percentage, when to claim depreciation, and which method—simplified or regular—yields a larger deduction.
Form 8832 Entity Classification Election: Complete Guide for LLCs
Form 8832 lets LLCs override their default IRS tax classification—single-member (disregarded entity) or multi-member (partnership)—to elect C corporation treatment at the 21% flat rate, with a 60-month lock-in and a 75-day retroactive filing window.
Form 8941: The Small Business Owner's Guide to Health Insurance Tax Credits
Form 8941 lets small businesses claim up to 50% of employee health insurance premiums as a direct tax credit — but only if you have fewer than 25 FTE employees, pay average wages below ~$65,000, and purchase coverage through the SHOP Marketplace. Here's how to calculate and claim it before your two-year eligibility window closes.
Form 8995 and the QBI Deduction: A Complete Guide for Small Business Owners
The QBI deduction lets pass-through business owners deduct up to 20% of qualified business income—Form 8995 is how you claim it. Covers who qualifies, income thresholds, SSTB rules, calculation examples, and 2026 permanent-status changes.
Form 940: The Complete Guide to Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment Tax Return
Form 940 is the IRS return employers use to report annual FUTA tax liability—6% on the first $7,000 of each employee's wages, reducible to 0.6% with timely state unemployment tax payments. Covers who must file, quarterly deposit thresholds, how to claim the state tax credit, Schedule A for multi-state employers, and penalties for late filing.
Form 941: The Complete Guide for Employers
Form 941 is the quarterly payroll tax return every employer must file—reporting withheld income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. Covers who files, 2026 deadlines, how to complete each section, penalty rates (up to 15% for late deposits), and the $100,000 next-day deposit rule.
Hiring a Tax Professional: Pros, Cons, and How to Choose the Right One
A practical breakdown of when hiring a CPA or enrolled agent pays off versus when DIY software is enough—including cost benchmarks, credential differences, and red flags to avoid.
How Far Back Can the IRS Audit You? The Complete Guide to Audit Statutes of Limitations
The IRS has 3 years to audit most returns, 6 years if you omit 25%+ of gross income, and unlimited time for fraud or unfiled returns — here's what each window means for your record-keeping strategy and audit risk.