Insights
Small business alert: Watch out for the 100% penalty
Some tax sins are much worse than others. An example is failing to pay over federal income and employment taxes that have been withheld from employees’ paychecks. In this situation, the IRS can assess the trust fund recovery penalty, also called the 100% penalty, against any responsible person. It’s called the 100% penalty because the entire…
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Understanding the “step-up in basis” when inheriting assets
If you inherit assets after a loved one passes away, they often arrive with a valuable — but frequently misunderstood — tax benefit called the step-up in basis. Below is an overview of how the rule works and what planning might need to be done. What “basis” means First, let’s look at a couple definitions. Basis is…
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What tax documents can you safely shred? And which ones should you keep?
Once your 2024 tax return is in the hands of the IRS, you may be tempted to clear out file cabinets and delete digital folders. But before reaching for the shredder or delete button, remember that some paperwork still has two important purposes: Protecting you if the IRS comes calling for an audit, and Helping…
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Discover if you qualify for “head of household” tax filing status
When we prepare your tax return, we’ll check one of the following filing statuses: single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household or qualifying widow(er). Only some people are eligible to file a return as a head of household. But if you’re one of them, it’s more favorable than filing as a single…
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Many business tax limits have increased in 2025
A variety of tax-related limits that affect businesses are indexed annually based on inflation. Many have increased for 2025, but with inflation cooling, the increases aren’t as great as they have been in the last few years. Here are some amounts that may affect you and your business. 2025 deductions as compared with 2024 Section…
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Taming the tax tangle if you’re retiring soon
Retirement is often viewed as an opportunity to travel, spend time with family or simply enjoy the fruits of a long career. Yet the transition may bring a tangle of tax considerations. Planning carefully can help you minimize tax bills. Below are four steps to take if you’re approaching retirement, along with the tax implications.…
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Sales Tax From A Contractor’s Perspective
By: Chad Newell, CPA As a construction contractor, understanding the rules associated with consumer sales tax on real property in West Virginia is crucial for your business. Sales tax in the state can have a significant impact on both the pricing of projects and the overall financial planning for new construction or renovation work. West…
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Looking ahead to 2025 tax limits as you prepare to file your 2024 return
Chances are, you’re more concerned about your 2024 tax return right now than you are about your 2025 tax situation. That’s understandable because your 2024 individual tax return is due to be filed by April 15 (unless you file for an extension). However, it’s a good time to familiarize yourself with tax amounts that may…
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The standard business mileage rate increased in 2025
The nationwide price of gas is slightly higher than it was a year ago and the 2025 optional standard mileage rate used to calculate the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business has also gone up. The IRS recently announced that the 2025 cents-per-mile rate for the business use of a car, van, pickup…
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Early bird tips: Answering your tax season questions
The IRS announced it will start the 2025 filing season for individual income tax returns on January 27. That’s when the agency began accepting and processing 2024 tax year returns. Even if you typically don’t file until much closer to the mid-April deadline (or you file for an extension), you may want to file earlier…
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