What you can do to protect your business from rising costs
For the 12 months ending in April 2026, the U.S. inflation rate was 3.8%. Rising inflation can make managing a business challenging, yet you can still thrive by making prudent cost cuts and acting if opportunities arise. You might, for example, reduce expenses by switching vendors, cutting overtime hours or moving offices. Be sure to assess inflation’s effect on each product line and determine whether your product mix still makes sense. Then decide whether you should raise prices (just be sure to give customers fair notice). For help evaluating your current financial situation and developing additional inflation-fighting strategies, contact us.
Consider your potential charitable deduction before donating artwork
If you donate artwork to charity, the deduction you can claim depends on several factors, including the type of organization receiving the piece and how it will be used. Your deduction will generally be reduced if the charity’s use of the artwork is unrelated to the purpose or function that’s the basis for its qualification as a tax-exempt organization. The reduction equals the amount of capital gain you would have realized had you sold the artwork instead of giving it to charity. Other deduction limits as well as special substantiation and appraisal rules also may apply. If you’re considering donating artwork or other valuable property, contact us for help ensuring the best tax outcome.
What’s a “small business,” and why does it matter?
Certain “small businesses” may qualify for several valuable tax breaks. But different tax provisions use different size tests.
For instance, a gross receipts test is used to determine eligibility for cash accounting, simplified inventory rules, the completed contract method, relief from UNICAP requirements and exemption from the business interest deduction limitation. This threshold is adjusted for inflation. For 2026, your business may be eligible if its average annual gross receipts for the prior three-year period were $32 million or less.
Contact us to help evaluate your eligibility for these and other tax-saving opportunities based on your business’s structure and operations.
Moving to a new state? Review the tax implications first
If you’re thinking about relocating, don’t choose a new state based only on climate, cost of living or proximity to family. Also review the tax implications.
For example, some states don’t have a personal income tax, and some that do have one offer tax breaks for pension payments, retirement plan distributions and Social Security payments. Also be aware that a state with no personal income tax may impose high property, sales or estate taxes.
Before making a move, contact us to review the potential income, property, sales and estate tax implications. We can help you minimize potential negative tax consequences and make the most of any tax advantages offered by the new state.
What you need to know about business insurance
Is your business paying for insurance coverage you don’t need — or missing protection where risk may be significant? You may have many options to choose from, depending on your organization’s operations and risks. General liability is the most basic policy, and it’s often paired with product liability, professional liability and property coverage. Other products include employment practices liability, business interruption, key person and cyberinsurance policies. Work with an independent broker to learn more about each type. We can also help you evaluate potential coverage gaps and manage business risk cost-effectively.
Tax identity theft: Businesses are at risk, too
Small business owners, beware: Tax identity theft is a costly, ongoing threat. Criminals may file fraudulent returns using a business’s EIN, impersonate executives to steal employee W-2 data, or use forged IRS documents to pose as a business for financial or tax-related activity.
Protect your organization by implementing a cybersecurity plan, securing sensitive data, training employees and using technology tools such as encryption and multi-factor authentication. Working with a trusted tax professional is also critical. We can review your risks, recommend safeguards and determine the next steps if something looks suspicious. Contact us to learn more.
2 retirement plans for small businesses with lean budgets
Some small business owners assume that offering their employees a retirement plan is cost prohibitive. But two plans are particularly suited to employers with fewer than 100 workers: SEP and SIMPLE IRAs. Only employers can make contributions to SEP IRAs — which provide high contribution limits — but you aren’t required to fund accounts when cash-flow constraints make it difficult. SIMPLE IRAs allow both employers and participants to make higher annual contributions than participants could with self-owned IRAs. Plus, your business’s contributions are tax-deductible. Contact us to review your budget and benefit needs and suggest an appropriate plan.
Fine-tune your tax withholding after filing your return
Many taxpayers discover at filing time that their tax payments during the year didn’t align with their actual liability — either too much or too little was withheld from their paychecks. Keeping withholding aligned with expected tax liability can help you enjoy better cash flow during the year and avoid unwelcome surprises at filing time.
If you received a large refund or owed a lot of tax when you filed your 2025 return, it may be beneficial to fine-tune your withholding for 2026. Adjustments may also be a good idea if you experience a major life event, such as having a child.
We can help you review your withholding (and estimated tax payments, if applicable) and make any needed changes.
Cost segregation studies can reveal substantial tax savings
Does your business own commercial real property? A closer look at your building costs could change how quickly you can deduct those expenses.
Business buildings generally have a 39-year depreciation period. A cost segregation study separates various building components, such as electrical systems and flooring. It then allows these components to be reclassified and deducted over a much shorter period, thereby deferring taxes and boosting cash flow. Recent tax law changes enhanced these benefits by increasing first-year depreciation write-offs.
Contact us to discuss whether this strategy is right for your business. We can determine reasonable cost allocations to help withstand IRS scrutiny.
Strategic alliances: Collaborate now, possibly combine later
Joint ventures and other strategic alliances can help your business expand its market reach, achieve operational synergies and improve profitability. A well-structured arrangement may also give your business the chance to “audition” for a future merger. Keys to a successful alliance are thoroughly vetting your partner, putting a strong agreement in place and focusing on financial objectives. Regularly evaluate the relationship and, if it becomes a drain on resources, revise or end it. However, if it’s mutually beneficial, consider a permanent merger. Contact us to help ensure any alliance supports your long-term goals.