The Planner Blog

What Is a SEP IRA and How Does It Work?
If you're looking for a way to save for retirement, then you may be looking to participate in SEP IRA.

How Do I Pay Myself From My LLC?
Because an LLC is a disregarded entity for IRS purposes, your LLC may be structured for tax purposed several different ways and that will determine how you pay yourself.

What is Profit First?
You started your business so that you could be your own boss and make your own money, right? You’re good at what you do and more importantly, you enjoy it. But why is it that you find yourself in the red year after year? Many small business owners struggle with these same questions and go round and round trying to make their business profitable. In this blog we will explore what it means to put your profit first and how it can change how you run your business.

Benefits of Hiring a CPA
As with any business investment or expense, you want to make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for. The same rings true with an accountant or CPA.

Taxable vs. Non-Taxable Income
Every American citizen is required to pay tax on all income they earn. This rule isn’t limited to your monthly paycheck. It also doesn’t matter whether you received your income in cash, check, goods, or services. As long as your earnings qualify as taxable, then you have to pay your dues in the year you receive your income.

Why Keeping Good Tax Records is Essential
Keeping an accurate log of your deductible expenses, income statements, and receipts is a crucial practice for tax purposes. You want to ensure that filing your tax return goes smoothly, whether it is for personal or business reasons.

Solo 401(k) vs. SEP IRA: Which is Best for the Self-Employed Individual?
You have successfully survived the start up of your business, and you're now making some money. You know what that means? Taxes! One of the best tax strategies for entrepreneurs is funding a retirement plan. Let's look at two popular options, the Solo 401(k) and the SEP IRA

What is a Schedule K-1?
The tax code is a confusing place for an entrepreneur, and it uses a whole different language. One of the common forms business owners receive is a schedule K-1. So What is a Schedule K-1? Glad you asked! Let's discuss...

What’s A Solo 401k And How Can Side Hustlers Use It?
In today’s economy, most Americans are looking into gigs that can support their lifestyles, their finances and overall income. You could be working for Uber or DoorDash, posting product reviews on YouTube or being an Airbnb host.

Pros and Cons of Filing for a Tax Extension
Everybody's favorite part of business ownership, paying taxes! Yeah right! Sometimes, the deadline just sneaks up on us, so much that over 12 million people filed for extensions this year!

What is a Business Tax ID Number?
What's in a name? Well Business ID Number means different things to different people. Let's discuss the possibilities.

How Long Should You Keep Your Tax Records?
If you're like most Americans, the day that you send off your tax returns is a major relief. But dropping off your tax return isn't the end of the story, because an audit is always possible. If that's the case, you'll need good documentation to prove your return's accuracy.

Retirement Plans as Tax-Savings Strategy
Many people think of retirement plans as something that is only offered through a large employer. However, as a small business owner, retirement plans can be a very good tax AND retirement strategy. I’m pretty sure you didn’t go in business for yourself thinking you would have to work for the entire rest of your life because you didn’t have a retirement plan in place. Let’s discuss this.

Using TurboTax Vs CPA
Should your business use Turbotax or a CPA to prepare your taxes? You might expect us to say absolutely NOT, but let's dig a little deeper on that.

Filing Status
The filing status determines the rate at which income is taxed. There are five filing statuses:

1099 vs. W-2: Difference Between Employees & Contractors
In today's bustling job market, you might need to hire an employee or two. Do you know what kind of employee you want to employ? A 1099 contractor or W-2 employee?

What You Must Know About IRS Form W-3
As a business owner, being well versed in IRS tax forms and the best ways to record payroll and submit taxes is a crucial skill. IRS forms and adhering to proper FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) standards can be confusing. The IRS does little to illuminate this process, and there is not a lot of simple, concise advice for dealing with taxes.

Estimated Tax Payments
One popular question we hear from our small business clients is if they need to pay estimated taxes. That is followed up with “How much do I need to pay.”

Is Deferring Taxes Best for Retirement Savings
Deferring taxes with retirement savings is a key selling point for financial advisors. I mean, who doesn't want to save taxes? But, is deferring taxes for retirement savings always the best plan? That answer is not so simple.

Understanding Amortization and Depreciation
Managing your assets in terms of taxes can seem intimidating at first glance. A simple mistake can cause significant damage to your business. However, understanding concepts like depreciation and amortization can help avoid potential issues in the future. This guide explains the various aspects of amortization and depreciation to help navigate your assets.