Should your business consider a fiscal year end?
Most businesses close their books on December 31 because it aligns with the calendar year. And it may seem easier for tax filing purposes.
But this approach isn’t right for every business. Some entities — such as construction companies, accounting firms and snowplowing operations — may have valid reasons for adopting fiscal year ends. Aligning a company’s tax year with its operating cycle can streamline reporting and support better planning.
If you’re thinking about changing your business’s year end, contact us to discuss your options. We can also guide you through the IRS approval process.
Why you might want to build a wall between your business and its real estate
Building a wall between your company and its real estate can be a smart move for various legal and financial planning reasons. Holding real property in a separate entity — such as an LLC or limited partnership — can protect it from your business’s creditors and legal liabilities (and vice versa). Plus, this strategy offers estate planning flexibility and succession benefits. Also, you risk double taxation if your C corporation owns and sells real estate. But if you sell real estate held separately, the profits generally are taxed only once. Contact us to discuss the pros and cons of creating separate entities.
Business deductions for four-legged coworkers
Some businesses may claim tax deductions for animals that perform a legitimate business function. Guard dogs that protect property or cats that control rodents in warehouses are common examples of “working animals.” If an animal provides a clear and direct business benefit, certain expenses (such as food, veterinary care, training and supplies) may qualify as ordinary and necessary business expense deductions. However, the IRS draws a clear line between bona fide working animals and household pets. Contact us to discuss your situation. We can explain the tax rules and documentation needed to support animal-related business deductions.
It’s your last chance to claim these clean energy tax breaks
Last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) terminated several clean energy tax incentives earlier than previously scheduled. But if you bought an electric vehicle or made certain green home improvements last year, you might be eligible for a tax credit on your 2025 individual income tax return. Possible credits include ones for purchasing a new or used clean vehicle (if done by Sept. 30, 2025), making energy-efficient home improvements, or installing renewable energy systems or electric vehicle charging ports at your home. But various rules and limits apply. If you’re wondering whether you might qualify for one or more of these credits, contact us.
Better billing practices are only an easy assessment away
If your company has experienced billing errors or delays — or if it’s been a while since you assessed your billing function — now’s a good time to conduct a review. Start by ensuring your invoice amounts are accurate and discounts are properly applied. Train employees to follow up promptly on late payments or billing disputes. Rising customer complaints may signal a deterioration in the quality of your products or services and give customers an excuse to delay paying invoices. Also consider adopting an automated billing system if you don’t already use one. Electronic invoicing is faster and more efficient. Contact us for additional recommendations.
April 15 is the deadline for more than just your income tax return
You know your 2025 federal income tax return is due April 15, 2026. But do you know what else has an April 15 deadline? If you don’t, you could miss out on valuable tax-saving opportunities or become subject to interest and even penalties. The April 15 deadline also generally applies to 1) making 2025 IRA contributions, 2) making 2025 SEP contributions, 3) paying the first installment of 2026 estimated taxes, 4) filing a 2025 income tax return for a trust or estate, 5) filing a 2025 gift tax return, and 6) filing a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). An extension is available in some cases, but not for the payment of tax due. Contact us to discuss which deadlines apply to you.
Options for forfeited employee FSA balances
Many businesses offer flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for health care and dependent care. One potential drawback is the use-it-or-lose-it rule. Under IRS cafeteria plan rules, unused amounts generally are forfeited after any applicable grace period or permitted health care FSA carryover. Employers may retain forfeitures, often to offset plan costs. If not retained, the funds may be used to reduce the employee contributions that would be required to reach certain FSA balances for the next plan year or returned to employees, provided these amounts are allocated on a reasonable and uniform basis. Contact us to for help reviewing your plan and ensuring forfeitures are handled properly.
Selling your business? You might benefit from presale financial due diligence
If you’re planning to sell your business, expect buyers to closely review your financial statements, operations and legal agreements. Conducting your own due diligence now can smooth the buyer review process and ease deal negotiations. The primary goal of presale due diligence is to evaluate the quality and sustainability of earnings, identify potential risks, and normalize financial results before giving prospective buyers access to your business’s statements. It’s also important to review employee and customer contracts, assess tax and regulatory compliance, and confirm ownership of intellectual property. Contact us to learn more.
4 types of interest expense you may be able to deduct
Personal interest expense generally can’t be deducted for federal tax purposes. But there are exceptions. You probably know that home mortgage interest may be deductible if you itemize deductions rather than claiming the standard deduction. New for 2025 through 2028, you may be eligible to deduct up to $10,000 of car loan interest if the vehicle’s “final assembly” was in the U.S. and other requirements are met. But the deduction phases out starting at $100,000 of modified adjusted gross income ($200,000 for married couples filing jointly). Other potential interest expense deductions are student loan interest and investment interest. Contact us with any questions.
What’s your potential business vehicle deduction?
If you used one or more vehicles in your business during 2025, you may be eligible for valuable tax deductions on your 2025 income tax return. But the rules are complicated, and your deductions may be affected by factors such as the vehicle’s weight and business vs. personal use. The year you place a car, SUV, van, pickup or panel truck in service, you can choose to deduct the actual expenses (such as gas, insurance, repairs and registration fees) and depreciation attributable to your business use of the vehicle or claim the cents-per-mile deduction (with a depreciation allowance built into it). Heavier vehicles may be eligible for larger deductions. Contact us if you have questions.