Author: team

Whether it’s unauthorized payroll payments, pilfered inventory, stolen equipment or forged checks, theft can be a devastating blow for a small business. Once the fraud is discovered, many business owners focus on stopping the losses and recovering what they can. But there’s another important question to consider: Can the loss be deducted? The answer is…

Your 2026 tax return isn’t due for months, but actions to reduce your tax liability generally must be taken by December 31. Here are eight tax planning ideas to consider before the calendar turns to 2027. 1. Sell losing investments to offset capital gains Review taxable accounts for investments you could sell at a loss…

If your small business has employees, you may need to budget for higher payroll costs next year, especially if you employ many high earners. The Social Security Administration recently announced that the wage base for computing Social Security tax will increase to $192,300 for 2027 (up from $184,500 for 2026). Wages and self-employment income above…

Self-employment (SE) tax can be a major expense for small business owners — and many self-employed individuals are surprised by this obligation when they file their first tax return that includes self-employment income. It’s separate from federal and state income tax, so a small business owner may owe both income tax and SE tax on…

If you’re thinking about making a large gift to charity before year end, options besides an outright gift of cash are worth considering. One alternative is a charitable remainder trust (CRT). Funding one this year will provide a 2026 income tax deduction and other tax and nontax benefits. It may be particularly beneficial if you’d…

If you’re in the process of buying a home, or you bought one earlier this year, you probably know that you may be able to claim the property tax deduction and the mortgage interest deduction when you file your next income tax return. But you might not be so sure about mortgage points paid. The…

Many businesses use federal “per diem” rates to reimburse employees for out-of-pocket travel expenses. In Notice 2026-60, the IRS announced special per diem rates that are effective for the federal government’s fiscal year of October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. Taxpayers can use these rates to substantiate certain lodging, meals and incidental expenses for business travel…

As 2026 draws to a close, your employer’s 401(k) plan may offer an opportunity to reduce your current income taxes while building your retirement savings — or to boost your future tax-free retirement income. If you haven’t been contributing, it may not be too late to start. And if you’re already contributing, increasing the amount…

For most small business owners, strong revenue growth is something to celebrate. But a profitable year can also significantly increase your income tax liability. If your business is on track for a banner year, now is the time to evaluate tax-reduction strategies. Here’s some guidance for sole proprietors and owners of pass-through entities (such as…

Dissolving a marriage involves numerous financial and nonfinancial decisions, and tax considerations can easily fall by the wayside. But decisions made before your divorce is finalized can affect your current-year income tax liability and your tax situation in future years. Let’s look at some of the most critical tax issues to consider as you work…