When your closely held corporation needs financing, personally guaranteeing the loan can feel like an easy solution. But before signing on the dotted line, it’s important to understand the potential tax consequences. Acting as a guarantor means that if the corporation cannot repay the debt, you become legally responsible, and depending on the circumstances, that […]
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[Tallahassee, Fla.] – THF (Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A. CPAs), a leading Florida-based professional accounting and advisory services firm, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Hamic Previte & Sturwold, PA (HPS), a respected CPA firm with offices in Lakeland and Dade City. With over 150 team members, THF provides clients with a full range of […]
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Self-Employed? Here’s How to Reduce Your 2025 Self-Employment Tax If you’re self-employed and earning a strong income, you’ve likely asked: “Is there a way to reduce self-employment tax?” The good news? Yes—under the right conditions, converting to an S corporation (S corp) could lower your tax burden significantly. At THF (Thomas Howell Ferguson CPAs), we […]
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Business Owner Divorce? Avoid Tax Surprises with the Right Strategy A divorce is difficult enough—but for business owners, the stakes are even higher. Your company may be your largest asset, and dividing it incorrectly can lead to serious tax consequences. If you’re facing a business owner divorce, now is the time to protect your finances […]
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Whether you’re planning to relocate, expand, or repurpose a historic building for business use, the rehabilitation tax credit offers a powerful financial incentive. With up to 20% back on qualified expenditures, this federal business tax credit can help offset the cost of improvements that meet specific historic preservation criteria.At THF (Thomas Howell Ferguson CPAs), our […]
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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 447,000 new business applications were filed in May 2025 alone. If you’re one of the many entrepreneurs starting a new business, understanding how your startup costs are treated for tax purposes can make a big difference in your bottom line. At THF (Thomas Howell Ferguson CPAs), we guide […]
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In July, Congress passed a massive reconciliation bill unofficially dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” While the official name was removed to comply with Senate rules, this legislation is poised to reshape the U.S. tax code, permanently extending key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), introducing new tax breaks, and rolling […]
If your business claims deductions for expenses like meals, vehicle use, or a home office, be prepared for close scrutiny from the IRS. These types of deductions are among the most commonly audited, and even honest taxpayers can find themselves in hot water if documentation is lacking. A recent U.S. Tax Court case (T.C. Memo. […]
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A sweeping piece of legislation—The One, Big, Beautiful Bill—is making its way through Congress and could reshape how businesses manage their taxes. From bonus depreciation to the qualified business income (QBI) deduction, these proposals aim to boost cash flow, reduce compliance burdens, and stimulate investment. While not yet law, understanding what’s on the table is […]
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Net Operating Loss Deduction: How Florida Businesses Can Transform Losses into Future Tax Relief Losses happen—even to healthy companies when hurricanes hit, supply chains stall, or demand dips. When your deductions outpace your income, the net operating loss deduction (NOL) lets you carry those losses forward and slash future tax bills. For cash-sensitive firms in […]
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Independent Contractor vs. Employee: A Florida Business Owner’s Guide to Getting Classification Right Florida businesses often rely on independent contractors to keep labor costs flexible—especially during staffing shortages and periods of high inflation. But a single misclassification can invite IRS audits, back-tax assessments, penalties, and even lawsuits. Use this guide to spot the line between […]
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ARTICLE | June 2, 2025 Authored by RSM US LLP Executive summary Provisions titled “No tax on tips” and “No tax on overtime” are part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which the U.S. House of Representatives passed on May 22. The proposals create new individual income tax deductions for qualified tips and overtime […]
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How to Evaluate and Undertake a Business Transformation Today’s business world moves fast. Technology changes, customer expectations evolve, and competition grows. To stay ahead, many companies are rethinking how they work. One way to do that is through a business transformation. A business transformation is a major change in how a company operates. It’s not […]
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Is Your Compensation Reasonable? A Guide for C Corp and S Corp Business Owners Setting your own salary as a business owner may seem straightforward—but if you’re operating as a C corporation or S corporation, the IRS is paying attention. Failing to pay yourself a “reasonable” salary could trigger tax reclassification, penalties, and unwanted audits. […]
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A successful sales team is essential for most small to midsize businesses. Without skilled and motivated salespeople, keeping revenue flowing can be tough. One of the best ways to attract and keep top sales talent is to offer a fair and motivating compensation plan. But finding the right sales compensation model can be tricky. There […]
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Businesses in certain industries employ service workers who receive tips as a significant part of their compensation. These businesses include restaurants, hotels, and salons. Ensuring compliance with federal and state tax regulations is essential for any employer with tipped employees. Understanding tax deductions, the Section 179 deduction, and other tax benefits can help reduce taxable […]
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A variety of tax-related limits that affect businesses are indexed annually based on inflation. For 2025, many limits have increased, though the rate of increase has slowed due to cooling inflation. Understanding these changes can help businesses optimize tax strategies, reduce taxable income, and stay compliant with internal revenue regulations. Here’s a breakdown of the […]
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The Corporate Transparency Act (signed into law on January 1, 2021) expanded anti-money laundering laws and created new reporting requirements for certain companies doing business in the US Beginning in 2024. Many small businesses are now required to report information about their beneficial owners to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to create a national […]
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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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New and used “heavy” SUVs, pickups and vans placed in service in 2025 are potentially eligible for big first-year depreciation write-offs. One requirement is you must use the vehicle more than 50% for business. If your business usage is between 51% and 99%, you may be able to deduct that percentage of the cost in […]
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When selling business assets, understanding the tax implications is crucial. One area to focus on is Section 1231 of the Internal Revenue Code, which governs the treatment of gains and losses from the sale or exchange of certain business property. Business gain and loss tax basics The federal income tax character of gains and losses […]
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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate continues to be historically low, ranging from 4.0% to 4.3% from May to November of 2024. With today’s hiring challenges, business owners should be aware that the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is available to employers that hire workers from targeted groups who face […]
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You’re not alone if you’re confused about the federal tax treatment of business-related meal and entertainment expenses. The rules have changed in recent years. Let’s take a look at what you can deduct in 2024. Current law The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated deductions for most business-related entertainment expenses. That means, for example, that […]
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If you own a growing, unincorporated small business, you may be concerned about high self-employment (SE) tax bills. The SE tax is how Social Security and Medicare taxes are collected from self-employed individuals like you. SE tax basics The maximum 15.3% SE tax rate hits the first $168,600 of your 2024 net SE income. The […]
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How much can you and your employees contribute to your 401(k)s or other retirement plans next year? In Notice 2024-80, the IRS recently announced cost-of-living adjustments that apply to the dollar limitations for retirement plans, as well as other qualified plans, for 2025. With inflation easing, the amounts aren’t increasing as much as in recent […]
As a business owner, you may travel to visit customers, attend conferences, check on vendors and for other purposes. Understanding which travel expenses are tax deductible can significantly affect your bottom line. Properly managing travel costs can help ensure compliance and maximize your tax savings. Your tax home Eligible taxpayers can deduct the ordinary and […]
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Changes are coming to the Social Security wage base. The Social Security Administration recently announced that the wage base for computing Social Security tax will increase to $176,100 in 2025 (up from $168,600 for 2024). Wages and self-employment income above this amount aren’t subject to Social Security tax. If your business has employees, you may […]
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If you own a small business with no employees (other than your spouse) and want to set up a retirement plan, consider a solo 401(k) plan. This is also an option for self-employed individuals or business owners who wish to upgrade from a SIMPLE IRA or Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan. A solo 401(k), also […]
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Does your business require real estate for its operations? Or do you hold property titled under your business’s name? It might be worth reconsidering this strategy. With long-term tax, liability and estate planning advantages, separating real estate ownership from the business may be a wise choice. How taxes affect a sale Businesses that are formed […]
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Employee health coverage is a significant part of many companies’ benefits packages. However, the administrative responsibilities that accompany offering health insurance can be complex. One crucial aspect is understanding the reporting requirements of federal agencies such as the IRS. Does your business have to comply, and if so, what must you do? Here are some […]
Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A. CPAs (THF) is proud to announce the promotion of several team members within its Tax Services department. The newly promoted individuals and their respective titles are as follows: Director Nicholas (Nick) R. Gilpin, CPA Manager Victoria Cronin, Peter Fleck, and Becky Register, CPA. Senior Jay Cumbie, Erin Dupont, and Arianna Neely. […]
Here are some of the key tax deadlines affecting businesses and other employers during the fourth quarter of 2024. Keep in mind that this list isn’t all-inclusive, so there may be additional deadlines that apply to you. Contact us to ensure you’re meeting all applicable deadlines and to learn more about the filing requirements. Note: […]
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In April 2024, the US Department of Labor (DOL) released new rules regarding overtime-exempt salary pay for employees. This applies to the majority of professional and office workers who receive a fixed salary each pay period, with no extra payment for overtime hours. The recent changes to overtime-exempt status have increased the minimum salary requirement […]
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Your businesses may have a choice between using the cash or accrual method of accounting for tax purposes. The cash method often provides significant tax benefits for those that qualify. However, some businesses may be better off using the accrual method. Therefore, you need to evaluate the tax accounting method for your business to ensure […]
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Partnerships are often used for business and investment activities. So are multi-member LLCs that are treated as partnerships for tax purposes. A major reason is that these entities offer federal income tax advantages, the most important of which is pass-through taxation. They also must follow some special and sometimes complicated federal income tax rules. Governing […]
The rising cost of living and other economic factors have caused many businesses to close their doors. If this is your situation, we can help you, including taking care of various tax responsibilities. Steps in closing a business A business must file a final federal income tax return and some other related forms the year […]
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With Labor Day in the rearview mirror, it’s time to take proactive steps that may help lower your small business’s taxes for this year and next. The strategy of deferring income and accelerating deductions to minimize taxes can be effective for most businesses, as is the approach of bunching deductible expenses into this year or […]
Read More… from It’s time for your small business to think about year-end tax planning
Choosing the right business entity is a key decision for any business. The entity you pick can affect your tax bill, your personal liability, and other issues. For many businesses, a limited liability company (LLC) is an attractive choice. You can structure it to resemble a corporation for owner-liability purposes. You can also structure the […]
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When drafting partnership and LLC operating agreements, various tax issues must be addressed. This is also true of multi-member LLCs that are treated as partnerships for tax purposes. Here are some critical issues to include in your agreement so your business remains in compliance with federal tax law. 1. Identify and describe guaranteed payments to […]
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In recent years, merger and acquisition (M&A) activity has been strong in many industries. If your business is considering a merger or an acquisition with another business, it’s important to understand how the transaction will be taxed under current law. Stocks vs. assets From a tax standpoint, you can basically structure a transaction in two […]
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