For most small business owners, strong revenue growth is something to celebrate. But a profitable year can also significantly increase your income tax liability. If your business is on track for a banner year, now is the time to evaluate tax-reduction strategies. Here’s some guidance for sole proprietors and owners of pass-through entities (such as partnerships, S corporations and most limited liability companies). Start with a year-end tax projection Many owners focus on revenue

Retirement is far from most teenagers’ minds when they get their first jobs. Most young people are more interested in spending their earnings or saving for a shorter-term goal. But those early earnings create a significant financial opportunity: decades of potential tax-advantaged growth. Even modest contributions to an IRA now can substantially multiply over time. Moreover, a retirement account can help teens get into the habit of saving. Traditional vs. Roth IRAs Working teens can opt

IRS audit rates remain relatively low, but that’s little consolation if the IRS selects your return for an examination. Although most taxpayers will never face an audit, business owners often have more complex tax situations that can attract IRS attention. The good news is that with proper preparation, detailed records and professional guidance, you can make the process far less stressful. Am I at risk for an IRS audit? The IRS accepts most returns as filed. However, your return may be

Over the years, you’ve invested blood, sweat and tears into building a successful small business. Now it’s time to sell and move on to the next chapter of your life. What are the tax implications of selling — and how can you reduce or defer your taxes? One possible solution is an installment sale. How it works With an installment sale, you don’t receive a lump-sum payment when the deal closes. Instead, you receive installment payments over time. Typically, the buyer

Strong portfolio performance can bring an unwelcome surprise: an additional 3.8% federal tax. The income thresholds for the net investment income tax (NIIT) aren’t annually adjusted for inflation and haven’t changed since the tax took effect in 2013. So the NIIT is hitting more taxpayers. If your income is near or above the applicable threshold, year-end planning may help reduce its impact. When you’ll owe the NIIT The NIIT applies to some or all net investment income once

If your small business accepts, uses or invests in Bitcoin, Ethereum or other forms of cryptocurrency, accurate reporting and detailed records are critical for federal tax purposes. The IRS continues to scrutinize digital-asset transactions. Today, business tax returns include a question about digital assets, and brokers are now required to report certain transactions to taxpayers and the IRS on Form 1099-DA. Here’s what you need to know to help you comply with the current tax rules. The

Tax law changes taking effect this year will increase alternative minimum tax (AMT) risk for some higher-income taxpayers. If you may be affected, consider the AMT before implementing income or deduction timing strategies. A move that would reduce your 2026 regular tax might provide little or no benefit under the AMT — or could trigger it. Background and changes The AMT is a separate federal income tax system that disallows some deductions and treats certain income items differently.

Executives and key employees often receive stock-based compensation in addition to salaries and bonuses. If restricted stock is part of your compensation, considering the potential tax consequences well before December 31 is a good idea. You may have decisions to make if: 1) you’ve recently received an award or are expecting one soon, 2) your restricted shares have vested in 2026 or will vest before the end of the year, or 3) you’ve sold shares this year or are considering a sale.

If you own a closely held C corporation, you might be looking for ways to withdraw cash from your business. Paying yourself a dividend can be a straightforward option — but it comes at a tax cost. Corporate distributions are generally taxable to you to the extent of your company’s “earnings and profits,” and your company can’t deduct them. Distributions exceeding earnings and profits first reduce your stock basis; any remaining distribution is typically treated as capital

Working remotely may broaden your job options and make daily life easier. But working from a different state than your employer — or spending part of the year working from a second home in a different state than where you normally reside — can create state tax issues. Because the rules vary by state, work arrangements that cross state lines warrant a closer look. Convenience-of-the-employer rule If your employer is located in a state that applies a convenience-of-the-employer rule