If you have noticed tax preparation fees going up, you are not alone. According to the National Association of Tax Professionals' most recent bi-annual Tax Professional Fee Survey, prices for new clients increased by an average of 25%, while fees for existing clients rose by 22.7% between 2021 and 2023.

As the year-end approaches, business owners often hear a common refrain: “Buy something to reduce your taxes!” On the surface, it may sound logical. After all, purchasing new equipment or vehicles can generate deductions that lower your taxable income.

At Schanel & Associates, PA, we understand that efficient bookkeeping not only saves you time but also keeps your costs down. To help you make the most of your monthly write-up and bookkeeping services through QuickBooks Online (QBO), here are some practical tips.

In this article, we will explore five essential tax concepts that serve as a foundation for effective tax planning. While incorporating these concepts into planning can require considerable time, effort, and complex calculations, the benefits are often substantial. We view this work as essential to what we do and an important way to serve our clients' best interests.

Making the switch from employee to business owner requires some getting used to. One of those adjustments is understanding the difference between the income reported on a K-1 and the amount of cash distributions received. Let’s look at some of the reasons why this happens. Taxable income is not always the same as cashflow When […]

What is an Enrolled Agent? Although no formal credentials are required to work as a tax preparer in the U.S., hiring one with a professional license protects your interests. Besides the obvious choice of hiring a CPA, an Enrolled Agent, or EA, is another option. Enrolled Agents are licensed at the federal level by the […]

On Friday, December 20, 2019, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was signed into law.  The broad intent of the legislation is to make it easier for families to save more for retirement, but it also includes several unfavorable provisions intended to offset the loss of tax revenue likely to result from […]

Municipal bonds are very appealing to investors because of one important attribute: municipal bond interest is exempt from federal income tax. But while tax-free income sounds great, there is a catch!  The interest an investor can earn on municipal bonds is generally lower than the interest an investor can earn on a comparable taxable corporate […]

Interest on personal loans and credit cards is generally not a deductible expense. But one important exception to this general rule is when you use a personal credit card or take out a personal loan to pay for business-related expenses. In this situation, the interest is deductible as a business expense provided you meet the following […]

When an investor sells a stock or mutual fund that produces a loss, this capital loss reduces taxable income by first offsetting any capital gains, and then by reducing taxable income up to $3,000. Net capital losses in excess of $3,000 generate what is called a capital loss carryforward that can be used in future tax years.  […]