At the end of July 2009, Representative Thaddeus McCotter introduced the HAPPY Act (Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years) bill. The bill aimed at allowing for a tax deduction up to 3,500 per year for pet-related expenses. The status of the bill as of the date of this publication: “Referred
Travel Expense Deductions
Joe Taxpayer operates a retail SCUBA diving equipment business as a sole proprietor in Seattle. Joe knows he needs to be consistent in recording his business travel in order to deduct the mileage. He keeps a clipboard, chart and pen in his vehicle, and records his odometer readings every time he
Accounting Services: When to Hire a CPA
There's no standard rule regarding the best time to hire a CPA for your business. Rather, it more depends on when you'll most be able to benefit from a professional accountant. If you own a small business, it's likely that you handle nearly all the day-to-day operations on your own. But as you grow,
Bookkeeping Essentials for Smooth Tax Filing
A tax preparation professional, such as a CPA, may be exponentially more qualified and knowledgeable when it comes to navigating the tax code, but no matter how good they are, they aren't magicians. In order to get the most mileage from your relationship with a CPA, it's essential to have your
Accrual vs. Cash Method of Accounting
There are two accepted methods of accounting for federal tax purposes - Accrual and Cash. The main difference between these two methods is the timing of transactions. As a small business owner you need to be aware of the differences, the advantages and the disadvantages of each
Certified Public Accountants: Questions to Ask Before Hiring a CPA
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation signifies that your accountant has undergone specialized training and passed rigorous education and examination requirements. Even so, not all CPAs are equal. When choosing a CPA, be sure to look beyond the acronyms and find out about his or her
Tax Preparation: CPA or H&R Block?
U.S. tax law is notoriously complicated both to laymen and those who work in finance but may not specialize in tax preparation. Because of this, it's often worth it to enlist the help of a tax specialist who has an extensive breadth of knowledge regarding the tax code and experience handling
Tax Preparer Red Flags: Telltale Signs of Tax Accountants You Should Avoid
With the proliferation of tax preparation storefronts that are here today and gone tomorrow, the prevalence of tax return scams or unscrupulous tax filing practices is on the rise. While the government is attempting to buckle down on tax scammers, it's incumbent upon you to sort out the bad apples