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Building a hurricane preparedness plan that keeps your business afloat
When it comes to having a hurricane preparedness plan for your business, you’ve probably seen all the lists of supplies to stock and ways to prepare your property to minimize damage. But most people don’t think about the implications for their business and finances until after the storm has passed.  As we navigate an unpredictable […]
A quick Q&A with our FSU finance intern 
We take pride in nurturing the next generation of finance professionals through our comprehensive internship program. This summer, we had the pleasure of welcoming Chloe Shaw, a senior finance student from Florida State University (FSU). Over the years FSU has consistently brought us talented and motivated individuals like Chloe, so we appreciate our continued partnership […]
What’s a reasonable wage for an S-Corp in Florida? 
If you have a profitable S-Corporation (S-Corp), it’s worth taking a moment to remind you about reasonable S-Corp wages… before the State of Florida does!  How S-Corp payroll works  S-Corporations are unique because they provide the limited liability of a corporation and the pass-through taxation of a partnership. In an S-Corp, you typically pay yourself […]
3 simple ways to cut your S-Corp flow-through taxes
Tax accounting generally follows straightforward principles: you earn income, pay expenses, and then pay taxes on the net income. However, S-Corp flow-through taxes can be complex and often require extra attention to detail. Following proper procedures can significantly reduce your tax liability. Three key areas where S-Corp shareholders can save on taxes are health insurance, […]
Comparing QuickBooks price vs Xero price
When it comes to choosing the right accounting software for your business, price is always one of the top criteria. QuickBooks Online (QBO) and Xero are two of the most popular cloud-based accounting platforms available today. How do their pricing structures compare? As is often the case with apps, the price comparison is not quite […]
Tax & market updates from our Q2 2024 Webinar
As we progressed through the second quarter of 2024, several factors continued to influence market dynamics—and your financial plan. We recently hosted a webinar to delve into these pressing issues and offer insights pertinent to the current economic climate. Here are some of the key takeaways from the session. What’s next for inflation and interest […]
What is a recharacterization of an IRA?
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are very useful tools for retirement savings. They offer tax advantages that encourage people to save for their future. There are two core types of IRAs that most people are familiar with: traditional and Roth. While they share many similarities, they offer different tax treatments. If you have both types, you […]
How to convert an LLC to an S-Corporation
Converting a Limited Liability Company (LLC) to an S-Corporation (S-Corp) can offer several advantages for business owners, including tax savings. However, before you make any permanent changes, you’ll need a careful understanding of the legal and financial implications. In this article, we’ll explore the key aspects of converting an LLC to an S-Corp, including the […]
Florida introduces new childcare tax credit for businesses
Florida has introduced a new tax credit initiative (p111) aimed at assisting businesses that help cover the costs of childcare for their employees, effective for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. This move is designed to alleviate the financial burden of childcare, enabling more parents to participate fully in the workforce. Here’s a detailed look at what […]
2024 Update: What property owners need to know about the reduced sales tax rate on commercial leases in Duval County
Commercial property owners in Duval County, Florida, who manage rentals are all too familiar with the sales taxes associated with commercial property leases—especially since Florida is the only state that imposes sales tax on commercial rent. As of June 1, 2024, there are significant updates to the commercial rental sales tax rate in Florida. Property […]
New overtime rules for 2024 impact small businesses
The Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced a final rule that will significantly raise the salary thresholds for overtime eligibility under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Effective July 1, 2024, the minimum salary threshold for executive, administrative, and professional (EAP) exemptions will increase to $844 per week (or $43,888 per year), with a further […]
Facing a high business tax burden? State entity-level taxation may help
State entity-level taxation has become a hot topic due to the significant limits individuals face when deducting state and local taxes on their individual returns. Under current tax law, these deductions are capped at $10,000. This cap includes real estate taxes, property taxes, sales taxes, and state income taxes. For many taxpayers, particularly those in […]
How are trusts taxed? Understanding income, distributions, and gains
Trusts are a powerful estate planning tool, offering flexibility, control, and potential tax benefits. Understanding how trusts are taxed is essential for effective tax planning. Trust taxation can be complex, as it varies depending on the type of trust and its activities. We’ll explore how irrevocable trusts and revocable trusts are taxed, how trust distributions […]
S corporation Owners Can Get Health Insurance Premium Deductions. Here’s how.
When it comes to health insurance expenses for certain categories of employees, the tax rules get a little complicated. IRS Notice 2008-1 addresses one of these specific groups: 2-percent shareholders of S corporations. These individuals have unique considerations regarding health insurance costs. Reporting health insurance premium payments incorrectly can impact both the company and the […]
Tax & market updates from our Q1 2024 Webinar
As we step into the second quarter of 2024, investors are grappling with a host of uncertainties, from the trajectory of interest rates to the impact of inflation on the economy. Our recent Tax and Market Update shed light on these pressing issues and provided clarity amid economic uncertainty.  Here are some of the key […]
The 10 most common bookkeeping mistakes we fix for our clients
For small business owners, bookkeeping can be a struggle. Many aren’t in a position to add accounting staff, or they see bookkeeping as an area to cut costs by doing it themselves. Almost inevitably, whether it’s because the business grows or there’s just too much else to do, the books fall behind.  Below are the […]
A guide to Form W-8BEN for U.S. employers with international contractors
Today’s interconnected world has opened the windows of the World Wide Web to allow businesses to collaborate with talent from across the globe. If you’re a U.S. employer engaging foreign contractors, you need to ensure the proper completion of Form W-8BEN: the Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owners for United States Tax Withholding and […]
Investing in an Election Year: Should I be concerned?
How do you feel about investing in an election year? As frequently happens, election season is stirring up a lot of emotions. Some of the things keeping Americans up at night are questions like, “How will this election affect the stock market? My child’s college savings fund? My retirement fund?” These are valid concerns, especially […]
The top 4 benefits of using a payroll app
Behind every successful business is a talented team of individuals working together to accomplish the business mission. Supporting a staff, big or small, adds layers of complexity to a business—but running payroll shouldn’t be one of them. If your payroll process is stuck in a spreadsheet or spread across multiple systems, it’s time for a […]
Annual tax deadlines in 2024 
Whether you’re a salaried employee, a freelancer, a small business owner, or a corporation, understanding and adhering to tax deadlines will help you effectively manage your tax obligations throughout the year, ensure compliance with tax laws, and avoid unnecessary penalties. But we know you have plenty going on in your life, and keeping track of […]
The best accounting software for a small business in 2024
SPOILER ALERT! We’ll let you in on a secret from the very beginning of this blog: Xero offers the best accounting software for a small business. Xero’s user-friendly interface, comprehensive features, and extensive integrations make it a standout choice for small businesses. With Xero, you can reclaim valuable time, streamline processes, and gain invaluable insights […]
Retirement Plan Options for the Self-Employed 
According to figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of self-employed people in the US was 10.01 million in December 2023. So, how are those 10 million Americans saving for retirement? Many people who leave the corporate world in favor of self-employment also leave their company retirement benefits behind, but that […]
What homeowners need to know about PMI tax deduction 
After months of searching, countless open houses, and endless deliberation, you’ve finally found your dream home. Like many homebuyers, your mortgage requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). The premium will most likely be included in your monthly payment, and you may be wondering whether PMI is tax deductible.  Key points: Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP) or Private […]
How to finance a small business purchase the smart way
You’ve always dreamt of being your own boss. You’ve spent nights crafting business plans and plotting your success. But, let’s get real—the thought of starting from ground zero is nothing short of terrifying! What if you could step into an existing business, one with a proven track record and a loyal customer base? Buying an […]
A Beginner’s Guide to Tax-Efficient Investing 
Let’s be honest: none of us enjoys handing hard-earned money over to the IRS, but we’re all responsible for paying taxes. The good news is that taking advantage of tax-efficient investing and using tax-advantaged accounts allows you to retain more of your earnings and defer tax liabilities.  Why is tax-efficient investment important?  Taxes can eat […]
QuickBooks Desktop Discontinued: Here’s what you need to know
QuickBooks Desktop 2021 will have its services discontinued by Intuit on May 31, 2024. While ongoing support for the later versions will continue, the discontinuation of support for QuickBooks Desktop 2021 and earlier versions echoes the typical yearly pattern for older versions. The company has also announced that it will stop selling several QuickBooks Desktop […]
Quick Cheat Sheet: Instructions for forms 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC 
Hiring independent contractors for your business can reduce paperwork and tax payments, but it does require using 1099 forms for reporting purposes. There are numerous 1099s to report different types of non-employment income to the IRS during the tax year. In this quick cheat sheet, we’ll break down the differences between Forms 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC […]
Is 1099-K income taxable? Here’s what you need to know 
Don’t forget: some big changes are coming for anyone earning more than $600 through a third-party settlement organization (TPSO). Whether you’ve generated income from Etsy, Airbnb, eBay, VRBO, Uber, or Amazon, you can soon expect to receive a Form 1099-K, which is also filed with the IRS. So, is 1099-K income taxable? And how will […]
Tax & market updates from our 2024 Financial Planning Webinar 
Held in January 2024, our 2023 wrap-up and 2024 financial planning webinar covered a number of key topics to ensure that our clients are well informed and equipped for the year ahead. Here are some of the key takeaways from the session:  New tax credits for energy efficiency Homeowners eyeing energy-efficient upgrades, such as air-conditioning […]
What you need to know about the IRS penalty waiver on 2020 and 2021 tax returns
In a significant move aimed at alleviating the financial burden on taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced a waiver of nearly $1 billion in late-payment penalties for millions of individuals, businesses, trusts, estates, and tax-exempt organizations that were not sent automated collection reminder notices during the pandemic. Understanding the tax relief measures The […]
The latest retirement savings plan contribution limits 
Planning for retirement involves strategic financial decisions, which is why it’s important to understand the latest retirement savings plan contribution limits and what they mean for you and your ability to maximize your savings. Every year, the IRS sets new limits on how much you can contribute to different types of retirement plans. These limits […]
Mitigate the impact of changes to the expensing of R&D costs
Research & development (R&D) drives innovation, competitiveness, and job creation in many industries. But in case you missed it, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) altered Section 174 of the tax code that allowed companies to fully expense R&D costs in the year incurred. R&D costs are now amortized over five years for domestic […]
The power of proactive accounting
There’s a reason your car’s windshield is so much bigger than its rearview mirror. Sure, both can save you from having an accident, but there’s no doubt which piece of glass plays a bigger role in your safety. In the same way, you can panic when the tax deadline arrives, rush to take out a […]
10 essential steps to prepare your business for year-end
As the year draws to a close, businesses need to gear up for the year-end financial flurry and ensure a smooth transition into the new year. We all know that January will be here before we know it, so we have put a year-end prep list together to help your business out. Here are 10 […]
What you need to know about the Beneficial Ownership Information filing requirement
MARCH 2024 UPDATE: The rules of engagement are changing for the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) filing requirement. On March 1, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the District of Alabama ruled the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) unconstitutional in the case of National Small Business Association v. Yellen. This decision suspends the requirement for small businesses […]
CPA Firm Careers: Here’s what makes FSA different
Financial Solution Advisors (FSA) is not your average CPA firm. We’re a close-knit team of experts dedicated to helping our clients achieve financial independence. But here’s the key to our success—we also want our team to thrive in their careers. But what about the Big 4? The Big Four are the four largest global accounting […]
What is advisory in accounting? A guide for small business owners
As a small business owner, you wear many hats, but you can’t expect to be an expert in everything from fundraising to finances. That’s why many business owners and managers seek out specialist advisory services. Ultimately, advisory services provide expert advice to help you solve problems and reach important goals. When you know you have […]
2024 Social Security wage base for payroll taxes increases to $168,600
President Roosevelt first introduced Social Security in 1935. The almost 90-year-old program has become a vital source of income for tens of millions of US households every month. The Social Security program is constantly evolving, and several key changes are coming in 2024.  The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced that the maximum earnings subject […]
What happens if you miss the extended tax deadline?
If you weren’t prepared to file your federal tax return in mid-April, you hopefully requested an extension by filing Form 4868. But what happens if you still haven’t been able to put your tax information together and also missed the October deadline? You may also be interested in: Everything you need to know about filing […]