Practical articles for business owners and individuals. Clear explanations from our CPA and EA team.
Tips and insights on taxes, bookkeeping and running a business.
The September 15, 2026 estimated tax installment deadline has passed. This checklist describes what calendar-year taxpayers needed to review for that payment. If you missed it, review the unpaid amount and remaining…
Read article →Your bookkeeper has the transaction records. The payroll platform has wage reports. Sales tax information sits in the point-of-sale system. Your tax preparer needs information from all three. Even when each task…
Read article →A lender asks for financial statements and tax returns. You export a few reports, but the totals do not agree with the documents already sent. Before submitting another file, establish which records…
Read article →The preparer finished the return and you signed the authorization. Months later, a question arrives about what was filed or paid. A folder containing only a draft PDF may not answer it.…
Read article →Your business records may be ready, while your personal return is waiting for information. Or you may own an LLC and wonder whether there is a separate federal business income tax return…
Read article →Your profit and loss statement reports one number, while your business tax return appears to report another. That difference is a question to investigate, not automatic evidence that either document is wrong.…
Read article →Your business paid several contractors during the year. Now the books show expenses, but the payee names, tax documents and payment methods are scattered across emails and apps. A reliable vendor file…
Read article →Your sales system shows tax collected. A sales tax return shows an amount due. The bank shows a payment. If those figures differ, the question is what explains the difference, rather than…
Read article →A bank statement tells you what reached the account. It does not necessarily show the sales detail needed to prepare a sales tax return. Fees, refunds and settlement timing can separate a…
Read article →Having payroll software does not tell you who is responsible for each step. The owner may assume the accountant submitted the payroll, while the accountant may be waiting for approval and the…
Read article →Your payroll provider shows one set of totals, while the bank account shows several withdrawals. Which amounts belong in your books? Recording every withdrawal as wages can hide important differences between employee…
Read article →A supplier invoice enters the accounting system. The company pays it by credit card. Later, the bank account pays the card balance. These may be three records connected with one purchase, not…
Read article →Articles provide general information, not advice for your specific situation. Check the publication date and current guidance before acting.
