Recent News & Blog / Business Tax
Maximize the QBI deduction before it’s gone
The qualified business income (QBI) deduction is available to eligible businesses through 2025. After that, it’s scheduled to disappear unless Congress acts to extend it. Contact the CPAs and business tax advisors at SEK for your questions and more tax tips.
The election to apply the research tax credit against payroll taxes
The credit for increasing research activities is a valuable tax break for eligible businesses. To qualify for the election a taxpayer: 1) must have gross receipts for the election year of less than $5 million, and 2) be no more than five years past the period for which it had no receipts (the start-up period). Contact the CPAs and business tax advisors at SEK for more information and tax tips.
5 ways to withdraw cash from your corporation while avoiding dividend treatment
If you want to withdraw cash from your closely held corporation at a low tax cost, the easiest way is to distribute cash as a dividend. However, keep in mind that a dividend distribution is taxable to you as a shareholder but it’s not deductible by the corporation. Thankfully, there are some alternatives that may allow you to withdraw cash from a corporation and avoid dividend treatment. Contact the CPAs and business tax advisors at SEK if you’re interested in discussing these or for other tax tips.
Taking your spouse on a business trip? Can you write off the costs?
If you own a business, you may wonder if you can deduct the costs of having your spouse accompany you on business trips. If your spouse isn’t an employee, you can still deduct the costs of driving your own car or renting one to reach your destination. Contact the CPAs and business tax advisors at SEK for more questions and tips to get the most out of your tax return.
What’s the best accounting method route for business tax purposes?
Businesses basically have two accounting methods to figure their taxable income: cash and accrual. The cash method often provides significant tax benefits for eligible businesses, though some may be better off using the accrual method. Contact the CPAs and business tax advisors at SEK to learn more about your small business tax.
9 tax considerations if you’re starting a business as a sole proprietor
When launching a business, many entrepreneurs start out as sole proprietors. If you’re launching a venture as a sole proprietorship, you need to understand the tax issues involved. You must pay self-employment taxes and make estimated tax payments on income earned. Contact the CPA's and business tax advisors at SEK if you want more information about the tax implications of running your business.
Update on IRS efforts to combat questionable Employee Retention Tax Credit claims
The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) provided cash that helped struggling businesses retain employees during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. The IRS reports that it has received a deluge of “questionable” ERTC claims on amended tax returns. The IRS has now created a Voluntary Disclosure Program that allows businesses to pay back money they received after filing erroneous claims. Contact the CPA's and business tax advisors at SEK for help and to answer your tax questions.
Maryland bFile and Maryland Tax Connect
Per communication on January 19, 2024, from the Comptroller of Maryland's office in regards to bFile and Maryland Tax Connect: January 18, 2024 - Last day to submit new Admissions and Amusement returns or make payments using the bFile system.
Should your business offer the new emergency savings accounts to employees?
As part of the SECURE 2.0 law, there’s a new benefit option for employees facing emergencies. It’s called a pension-linked emergency savings account (PLESA) and it became effective for plan years beginning Jan. 1, 2024. Employers with 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans can opt to offer PLESAs to non-highly compensated employees. Contact the CPA's and business tax advisors at SEK for more information and to answer your tax questions.
Tax-favored Qualified Small Business Corporation status could help you thrive
Operating your small business as a Qualified Small Business Corporation (QSBC) could be a tax-wise idea. QSBCs are the same as C corporations for tax and legal purposes, except shareholders are potentially eligible to exclude from federal income tax. However, you must meet several requirements set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. Consult with the CPA's and business tax advisors at SEK if you’re interested in operating your business as a QSBC or for more tax questions and tax tips.