September 8, 2021
Once you’ve perfected your recipes, one of the best (and most commonly overlooked) projects you can take on to set up your craft brewery for success is to automate your accounting processes. Running a brewery with cloud accounting will enable you to focus on what you do best—keep customers coming back for more. Below are […]
August 31, 2021
E-commerce businesses have exploded in popularity, and the industry offers ample room for growth in nearly innumerable product lines. Getting your accounting processes set up properly from the beginning of an e-commerce business is vital for long-term success, and it’s a task to tackle even before you make your first sale. Consider the following to […]
August 27, 2021
You’ve heard the expression, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” What happens when what you love to do becomes your work? Many people have seen their side-hustles grow into a serious income stream. But what about those hobbies or activities that don’t bring in the big bucks? In […]
August 18, 2021
It’s not uncommon for companies to outsource essential business functions, including IT, bookkeeping, marketing, and human resources. In the course of our work with small and medium-sized businesses, we often encounter those who could use the expertise of a CFO but lack the resources to bring one on as a full-time employee. Many business owners […]
August 11, 2021
Have you ever sat back to realize you just spent an absurd amount of time performing a mundane task, responding to emails, or sitting in yet another meeting that could have been an email? Increasing productivity as a business owner gives you the time to do what it takes to make the business a success. […]
August 5, 2021
There’s no doubt that the United States economy is still in a recovery phase. The first and second quarters of the year have shown significant economic growth—leading economic indicators are back to their pre-COVID levels. Americans are heading back into the workforce and spending the cash they saved last year. In our second quarter of […]
July 30, 2021
Business owners are constantly tracking financial metrics of key performance indicators (KPIs), financial statements, and bank statements. While these financial metrics are key to monitor on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis, non-financial metrics are just as important to track. Oftentimes these KPIs can be incredibly insightful to the financial team, CFO, investors, and […]
July 26, 2021
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) provided many tax provisions intended to help small businesses make it through the pandemic. A couple of key small business tax deductions are still opportunities this year, and planning now could save you time and money next tax season. If you took advantage of tax […]
July 19, 2021
In the early stages, new businesses have a lot of moving parts. Proper handling of the financials is crucial for every type of business; for some, keeping up with the day-to-day of bookkeeping, bill pay, payroll, and cash flow can be overwhelming, especially when business is expanding. But how do you know who to hire? […]
July 9, 2021
If you’re looking for ways to maximize the tax benefits of charitable giving, donor-advised funds might be a great option. Donor-advised funds are accounts that are maintained and operated by a section 501(c)(3) organization. Donors can give money or assets (stocks, bonds, real estate) to a nonprofit sponsor to then be disbursed to various charitable […]
July 6, 2021
As an entrepreneur, it’s essential to know the ins and outs of your business and to be the expert on your product or service. But when you break it all down, do you really understand the business side of things? If you don’t understand the basics of your reports and what the numbers are really […]
June 30, 2021
During the pandemic, many businesses struggled to retain employees due to a temporary slow-down in business and the government-mandated closures. The government has provided three rounds of stimulus aimed at helping individuals and businesses get through the pandemic, including pandemic tax credits for employers that have been able to retain their employees. The Employee Retention […]
June 28, 2021
2020 threw a curveball to many small businesses and their employees, but it wasn’t all bad. Those businesses that rolled with the punches and were open to change saw some great opportunities once they were up and running for remote work. Many companies that had previously shied away from offering flexible work arrangements ended up […]
June 24, 2021
As we enter the post-pandemic period, the financial world is experiencing pent-up demand from small businesses that are itching to expand. Banks and credit unions are seeing an increase from small business owners looking to take out loans for business expansion while interest rates are historically low. This is a great indicator of economic growth […]
June 22, 2021
Our recent blog addressed many of the tax issues inherent in renting your vacation home on Airbnb, VRBO, or another platform. Which form to file (Schedule C or Schedule E) with your tax return is a classic area of confusion for owners of short-term rentals, and the answer is often unclear for Airbnb hosts and […]
June 17, 2021
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that passed earlier this year expanded the Child Tax Credit, an initiative aimed at putting money in the pockets of families. If you have children, expect to see a letter in your mailbox from the IRS soon regarding the schedule for advance payments of the Child Tax Credit. Here […]
June 16, 2021
Renting your property as a short-term vacation home can be a great way to generate additional income, enabling you to own multiple homes or run a year-round business. Although platforms like Airbnb and VRBO have made the process of promoting your rental and collecting payment easier than it used to be, it’s important to remember […]
June 14, 2021
Once you’ve got a business idea and are energized to hit the ground running, there are some important early steps that you shouldn’t skip. Entrepreneurship is a mix of intelligence, tenacity, hard work, and dedication—and then there’s that need to know how to start a business. If you’re ready to take your passion and turn […]
June 9, 2021
Since the pandemic, vacation rental homes have gained a significant share of the market demand. Vacation rental homes give travelers the convenience and comfort of home-like accommodations, as well as a sense of the local culture. Many investors have seized the opportunity to expand and diversify their assets. Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO have made […]
June 3, 2021
We’re halfway through 2021! June is a great time to take a look at your company’s budget and forecast for the remainder of the year. Evaluating the budget and company goals now will make a big difference in your year-end close process. Here are a few things to consider when doing a budget checkup midway […]
May 27, 2021
As we head into summer, many small business owners are looking forward to making up for lost vacation time. Is your business set up to run efficiently while you’re away? Our cloud accounting division, GCT Technology & Accounting, can help you transition your books to the cloud and automate manual processes. Businesses on the cloud […]
May 20, 2021
Did the events of 2020 lead you to pursue self-employment? Many people who leave the corporate world also leave their retirement accounts behind, yet retirement age continues its steady approach. Did you know that there are still lucrative options to grow your retirement savings as a self-employed individual? With proper planning, these savings vehicles also […]
May 20, 2021
We love cloud-based accounting systems, but we also know that every industry and every individual business has different needs when it comes to back-office functions. Accounting apps are far from a one-size-fits-all approach. A clothing boutique will have very different needs than a brewery, for example. product-based businesses may require an inventory system, built-in marketing, […]
May 17, 2021
Restaurants, event venues, and other small businesses impacted by shutdowns have the opportunity to tap into some powerful pandemic relief programs offered by the federal government. The first quarter of 2021 saw lots of changes to COVID-related economic stimulus programs. Below are some of the most significant changes including additional relief designed to help support […]
May 12, 2021
Spring cleaning isn’t just to remove the clutter and accumulated dust from your house. Have you ever considered that your books might benefit from decluttering and a bit of reorganization and review? The end of tax season is a great time to tackle a spring cleaning of your books, particularly if preparing your taxes led […]
May 5, 2021
There are certain accounting functions that just about every business requires, such as payroll, expense tracking, bill pay, and document management. Some of these functions require daily attention, so why not simplify and automate the process? Doing so can save you valuable time and money, and also helps to reduce the mistakes that are inevitable […]
April 23, 2021
Growth, whether it be personal or professional, holds a lot of exciting possibilities. It can also be intimidating and downright painful at times. The fear of the unknown, drastic changes that will have to take place, and the steps outside of your comfort zone to grow your business often hold people and businesses back from […]
April 20, 2021
If the transition to remote work due to the pandemic led you to flee a high-tax state and relocate to a state with a lower cost of living, there is a good chance you incurred moving expenses. Whether you moved yourself, had a moving service, or incurred hefty realtor fees, moving expenses can really add […]
April 13, 2021
We may be wrapping up the 2020 tax season, but in the blink of an eye January will be here. Will you be left scrambling to get your books together again? Too many business owners wait until the last minute to prepare for tax season, which means they inevitably miss out on many strategic tax […]
April 12, 2021
There’s no time like the present to be on the cloud—the Xero cloud, that is. With the shift to hybrid work environments, migrating to a cloud-based solution has become essential to making businesses run smoothly. Virtual collaborations ensure easy, secure data transfer, as well as the critical ability to run your business from anywhere. So […]
April 12, 2021
Gen X has seen a lot of economic swings: the tech bubble, the great recession, and now the global pandemic. Many are caring for their Boomer-generation parents while supporting their kids through college, which in many cases has spread their finances thin. How do you ensure financial stability in retirement while taking care of business […]
April 7, 2021
Contacting the IRS can seem like an overwhelming task. Likewise, many people feel panic when the IRS initiates contact with them directly. In order to help taxpayers identify legitimate IRS communication and help to fight against phishing attempts, the IRS uses specific channels for communication. You can contact IRS personnel in many different ways, including […]
March 29, 2021
2020 was the year for working remotely, and one of the more prominent questions in the 2020 tax season has to do with state income taxes. The question boils down to multiple states vying for your tax revenue relocation. Generally, you pay state income tax to the state in which you earned the income. For […]
March 15, 2021
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that President Biden signed into law on March 11, 2021, included a number of provisions aimed at assisting small businesses that have suffered due to the pandemic. Additional funding targets those businesses hit hardest, including entertainment venues, restaurants, and bars. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) The […]
March 12, 2021
President Biden has signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law, aimed at assisting millions of Americans and business owners feeling the impact of COVID-19. Not only does the plan include the next round of stimulus payments that have been making headlines, but it also includes additional provisions to financially support […]
February 25, 2021
For many years, transactions and earnings in virtual currencies stayed off of tax returns. As the value of cryptocurrencies rose, the IRS began enforcing and clarifying cryptocurrency tax laws. The IRS has updated instructions for 2020 on the virtual currency question on Form 1040, and these instructions clarify what’s included under the term virtual currency. […]
February 16, 2021
I don’t believe in data entry. Do you know how many other things you could accomplish if you and your team could take those hours devoted to data entry and apply them to the areas of your business that need a human touch? Automating data transfer can free up untold amounts of time, not only […]
February 11, 2021
With so many small businesses struggling to survive the pandemic, the last thing any S-Corporation or shareholder wants to have to deal with is a big tax bill. One way to possibly avoid additional financial hardship on businesses is to plan ahead by reducing or avoiding gains on excess distributions and shareholder loan repayments. The […]
February 11, 2021
It’s officially tax season, and that means many small business owners are struggling to clean up their books from 2020 in order to hand information over to their tax preparers. Many people dread this time of the year. We get a lot of calls from business owners who desperately need help getting books into shape, […]
January 14, 2021
Voters in Duval and Clay Counties of Florida have elected to increase their local sales tax rate by a half-cent, effective January 1, 2021. The new Jacksonville sales tax rate will be 7.5%, rounded up to the nearest penny. Sales tax for rents charged on commercial property in Duval and Clay Counties will increase to […]
January 12, 2021
Business year-end and the subsequent tax season can be tumultuous times for small business owners. If you haven’t kept up with your bookkeeping tasks throughout the year, you find yourself hit with a deluge of work trying to get caught up. We’ve seen many instances where these circumstances have snowballed, leaving the business with several […]
January 4, 2021
The latest COVID-19 stimulus bill is one of the largest pieces of legislation to be passed by Congress and signed into law by the President. The $900 billion bill will provide additional aid to those who have experienced economic hardships as a result of the pandemic. Additional funding for unemployment, individual households, vaccine distribution, and […]
January 4, 2021
The December 2020 COVID-19 stimulus bill has been signed into law by the President and includes many provisions designed to help individual taxpayers continue to weather the pandemic. Among other items, additional funding for unemployment, individual households, vaccine distribution, and small businesses are all included. Our focus in this post includes COVID relief for individual […]
December 22, 2020
We’re thrilled to welcome a new Principal to our tax team in order to continue meeting the growing tax needs of our clients. John Giehrl, CPA, has over twenty-five years of public accounting experience. His primary focus is providing tax and advisory services for business entities and high net-worth individuals. He has extensive experience working […]
December 15, 2020
With all of the changes we’ve experienced in 2020, we strongly recommend reviewing your tax documentation and other financial information before the end of the year. We conduct year-end tax planning meetings with many clients, and these give us the opportunity to look through the nuances of individual finances. However, there are certain points that […]
December 9, 2020
Whether you file your taxes yourself or work with a preparer, it’s absolutely critical to protect your personal information. Before you enter your Social Security number, review these 6 tips to help you protect your identity online. 1. Get an Identity Protection PIN from the IRS Starting January 2021, the IRS is expanding its Identity […]
November 25, 2020
As tax and financial professionals, we encourage you not to wait until January to make your plans for 2021. There are many opportunities available for financial planning that can positively impact your 2021, but you need to seize them before the calendar changes. That’s good advice for any year, but with all of the change […]
October 28, 2020
Updated January 14, 2021 It’s been a doozy of a year for small businesses and keeping up with changes to the Paycheck Protection Program has become another full-time job for some of us. Congress’ aid for small businesses during the pandemic has had a wide variety of consequences (some intended, some not), and we can’t […]