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The Thomas Howell Ferguson Blog

Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A. CPAs (THF) Wins ClearlyRated’s 2024 Best of Accounting Award For Service Excellence

Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A. CPAs (THF), a leading accounting firm, announced today that they have won the Best of Accounting Award for providing superior service to their clients. ClearlyRated’s Best of Accounting® Award winners have proven to be industry leaders in service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients. On average, clients of […]

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Key 2024 inflation-adjusted tax parameters for small businesses and their owners

The IRS recently announced various inflation-adjusted federal income tax amounts. Here’s a rundown of the amounts that are most likely to affect small businesses and their owners. Rates and brackets When discussing the inflation-adjusted tax amounts, let’s first begin with rates and brackets. If you run your business as a sole proprietorship or pass-through business […]

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What’s the best accounting method route for business tax purposes?

What’s the best accounting method? Businesses have two accounting methods to figure their taxable income: cash and accrual. Many businesses have a choice of which method to use for tax purposes. The cash method often provides significant tax benefits for eligible businesses, though some may be better off using the accrual method. Thus, it may […]

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Beneficial Ownership Interest (BOI) Reporting Requirements 

The Corporate Transparency Act (signed into law on January 1, 2021) expanded anti-money laundering laws and created new reporting requirements for certain companies doing business in the US Beginning in 2024. Many small businesses are now required to report information about their beneficial owners to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to create a national […]

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What types of expenses can’t be written off by your business?

If you read the Internal Revenue Code (and you probably don’t want to!), you may be surprised to find that most business deductions aren’t specifically listed. For example, the tax law doesn’t explicitly state that you can deduct office supplies and certain other expenses. Some expenses are detailed in the tax code, but the general […]

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Spouse-run businesses face special tax issues

The partnership issue An unincorporated business with your spouse is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, unless you can avoid that treatment. Otherwise, you must file an annual partnership return, on Form 1065. In addition, you and your spouse must be issued separate Schedule K-1s, which allocate the partnership’s taxable income, deductions […]

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Retirement saving options for your small business: Keep it simple

Planning your retirement savings options for your small business is much more simpler than you think. There are a couple of options to consider if you’re thinking about setting up a retirement plan for yourself and your employees. Despite concerns about the financial commitment and administrative burdens involved. Let’s take a look at a “simplified […]

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4 Ways Corporate Business Owners Can Help Ensure their Compensation is “Reasonable”

If you’re an incorporated business owner, you know there’s a tax advantage to taking money out of a C corporation as compensation rather than as dividends. The reason is that a corporation can deduct the salaries and bonuses it pays executives, not dividend payments. Therefore, if funds are paid as dividends, they’re taxed twice, once […]

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Use an S corporation to mitigate federal employment tax bills

If you own an unincorporated small business, you probably don’t like the size of your self-employment (SE) tax bills. No wonder! In 2023, the SE tax will be imposed at a painfully high rate of 15.3% on the first $160,200 of net SE income. This includes 12.4% for Social Security tax and 2.9% for Medicare […]

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2023 Q4 tax calendar: Key deadlines for businesses and other employers

Here are some of the key tax-related deadlines affecting businesses and other employers during the fourth quarter of 2023. Keep in mind that this list isn’t all-inclusive, so there may be additional deadlines that apply to you. Contact us to ensure you’re meeting all applicable deadlines and to learn more about the filing requirements. Note: […]

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Advantages and disadvantages of claiming big first-year real estate depreciation deductions

Your business may be able to claim big first-year depreciation tax deductions for eligible real estate expenditures rather than depreciate them over several years. But should you? It’s not as simple as it may seem. Qualified improvement property For qualifying assets placed in service in tax years beginning in 2023, the maximum allowable first-year Section […]

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Keep these DOs and DON’Ts in mind when deducting business meal and vehicle expenses

If you’re claiming deductions for business meals or auto expenses, expect the IRS to review them closely. In some cases, taxpayers have incomplete documentation or try to create records months (or years) later. In doing so, they fail to meet the strict substantiation requirements set forth under tax law. Tax auditors are adept at rooting […]

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Choosing an entity for your business? How about an S corporation?

If you’re starting a business with some partners and wondering what type of entity to form, an S corporation may be the most suitable form of business for your new venture. Here are some of the reasons why. A big benefit of an S corporation over a partnership is that as S corporation shareholders, you won’t […]

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Education assistance benefits help attract, retain, and motivate your employees

Did you know your business can attract or retain employees by offering education assistance benefits? One popular fringe benefit is an education assistance program that allows employees to continue learning and perhaps earn a degree with financial assistance from their employers. One way to attract, retain and motivate employees is to provide education fringe benefits […]

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Protect the “ordinary and necessary” advertising expenses of your business

Is advertising a business expense? Does your company use advertising as a means to gain business? If so, you may be able to cut advertising taxes. Under tax law, businesses can generally deduct advertising and marketing expenses that help keep existing customers and bring in new ones. This valuable tax deduction can help businesses cut […]

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The tax advantages of hiring your child this summer

There are tax advantages of hiring your child(ren) for work during the summer. Learn how! Summer is around the corner, so you may be thinking about hiring young people at your small business. At the same time, you may have children looking to earn extra spending money. You can save family income and payroll taxes […]

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2023 Q2 Tax calendar: Key deadlines for businesses and employers

Here are some of the key tax-related deadlines that apply to businesses and other employers during the second quarter of 2023. Keep in mind that this list isn’t all-inclusive, so there may be additional deadlines that apply to you. Contact us to ensure you’re meeting all applicable deadlines and to learn more about the filing […]

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Buying a new business vehicle? A heavy SUV is a tax-smart choice

Have you considered purchasing a business vehicle? Rather than getting a small car, a heavy SUV may be ideal to receive tax benefits on a business vehicle. Be mindful that a heavy SUV may provide a more generous tax break this year than you’d get from a smaller vehicle. The reason has to do with […]

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Do you run a business from home? You may be able to deduct home office expenses

You may be able to deduct home office expenses if you run a business from home. Learn more here. Many people began working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic — and many still run a business from home offices either all the time or on a hybrid basis. If you’re self-employed and run a business […]

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Key tax issues in M&A transactions

Merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions activity dropped dramatically last year due to rising interest rates and a slowing economy. The total value of M&A transactions in North America in 2022 was down 41.4% from 2021, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. But some analysts expect 2023 to see increased M&A activity in certain industries. If […]

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Have employees who receive tips? Here are the tax implications

Many businesses in certain industries have employees who receive tips as part of their compensation. These businesses include restaurants, hotels, and salons. Tip definition Tips are optional payments that customers make to employees who perform services. For employees who receive tips, those can be cash or noncash. Cash tips include those received directly from customers, […]

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Many tax limits affecting businesses have increased for 2023

An array of tax-related limits that affect businesses are indexed annually, and due to high inflation, many have increased more than usual for 2023. Here are some that may be important to you and your business. Social Security tax The amount of employees’ earnings that are subject to Social Security tax is capped for 2023 […]

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Employers: In 2023, the Social Security wage base is going up

The Social Security Administration recently announced that the wage base for computing Social Security tax would increase to $160,200 for 2023 (up from $147,000 for 2022). Wages and self-employment income above this threshold aren’t subject to Social Security tax. Basics about Social Security The Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) imposes two taxes on employers, employees, […]

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Employers, be wary of ERC claims that are too good to be true

The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) was a valuable tax credit that helped employers that kept workers on staff during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the credit is no longer available, eligible employers that haven’t yet claimed it might still be able to do so by filing amended payroll returns for tax years 2020 […]

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2023 Q1 Tax Calendar: Key deadlines for businesses and other employers

Here are some of the key tax-related deadlines affecting businesses and other employers during the first quarter of 2023. Keep in mind that this list isn’t all-inclusive, so there may be additional deadlines that apply to you. If you have questions about filing requirements, contact us. We can ensure you’re meeting all applicable deadlines. January […]

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Choosing a business entity? Here are the pros and cons of a C corporation

If you’re launching a new business venture, you’re probably wondering which form of business is most suitable. Here is a summary of the major advantages and disadvantages of doing business as a C corporation. A C corporation allows the business to be treated and taxed as a separate entity from you as the principal owner. A […]

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How to minimize the S corporation LIFO recapture tax

If you’re considering converting your C corporation to an S corporation, be aware that there may be tax implications if you’ve been using the last in, first out (LIFO) inventory method. That’s because of the LIFO recapture income that will be triggered by converting to S corporation status. We can meet to compute what the […]

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The standard business mileage rate is going up in 2023

Although the national price of gas is a bit lower than it was a year ago, the optional standard mileage rate used to calculate the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business will be going up in 2023. The IRS recently announced that the 2023 cents-per-mile rate for the business use of a car, […]

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Do you qualify for the QBI deduction? And can you do anything by year-end to help qualify?

If you own a business, you may wonder if you’re eligible to take the qualified business income (QBI) deduction. This is sometimes referred to as the pass-through deduction or the Section 199A deduction. The QBI deduction is: Taxpayers other than corporations may be entitled to a deduction of up to 20% of their QBI. For […]

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Is your business closing? Here are your final tax responsibilities

Businesses shut down for many reasons. Some of the reasons that businesses shutter their doors: If you’ve decided to close your business, we’re here to assist you in any way we can, including taking care of the various tax obligations that must be met. A business must file a final income tax return and some […]

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Computer Software costs: How does your business deduct them?

These days, most businesses buy or lease computer software to use in their operations. Or perhaps your business develops computer software to use in your products or services or sells or leases software to others. In any of these situations, you should be aware of the complex rules that determine the tax treatment of the […]

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2023 Limits for businesses that have HSAs — or want to establish them

No one needs to remind business owners that the cost of employee health care benefits keeps going up. One way to provide some of these benefits is through an employer-sponsored Health Savings Account (HSA). For eligible individuals, an HSA offers a tax-advantaged way to set aside funds (or have their employers do so) to meet […]

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Inflation means you and your employees can save more for retirement in 2023

How much can you and your employees contribute to your 401(k)s next year — or other retirement plans? In Notice 2022-55, the IRS recently announced cost-of-living adjustments that apply to the dollar limitations for pensions, as well as other qualified retirement plans for 2023. The amounts increased more than they have in recent years due […]

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What local transportation costs can your business deduct?

You and your small business are likely to incur a variety of local transportation costs each year. There are various tax implications for these expenses. First, what is “local transportation?” It refers to travel in which you aren’t away from your tax home (the city or general area in which your main place of business […]

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ICYMI: Understanding Business Financials for Future Success, a presentation by THF Shareholder, Dennis Gallant, CPA

Shareholder, Dennis Gallant, CPA presented a discussion on understanding business financials to members of the Bainbridge-Decatur Chamber of Commerce in Bainbridge, Georgia. He explained in detail the basic principles that business owners should know, such as reviewing balance sheets and understanding assets, knowing a business’ income statement, determining if the business made a profit or […]

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Providing fringe benefits to employees with no tax strings attached

Businesses can provide benefits to employees that don’t cost them much or anything at all. However, in some cases, employees may have to pay tax on the value of these benefits. Here are examples of two types of benefits that employees generally can exclude from income: A no-additional-cost benefit. This involves a service provided to […]

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Self-Employed? Build a Nest Egg with a Solo 401(K) Plan

Do you own a successful small business with no employees and want to set up a retirement plan? Or do you want to upgrade from a SIMPLE IRA or Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan? Consider a solo 401(k) if you have healthy self-employment income and want to contribute substantial amounts to a retirement nest egg. […]

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Why an LLC might be the best choice of entity for your business

The business entity you choose can affect your taxes, your personal liability, and other issues. Limited liability companies (LLC) are somewhat hybrid entities. They can be structured to resemble a corporation for owner liability purposes and a partnership for federal tax purposes. This duality may provide you with the best of both worlds. Owners of […]

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Your Business May Be Required to Report Employee Health Coverage

Certain employers are required to report information related to their employees’ health coverage. Does your business have to comply, and if so, what must be done? Basic Rules Certain employers with 50 or more full-time employees (called “applicable large employers” or ALEs) must use Forms 1094-C and 1095-C to report the information about offers of […]

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