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Pathways Consulting
  • Home
  • Our Services
    • Tax Planning & Tax Prep
    • Accounting & Bookkeeping
    • Payroll Services
    • Small Business Seminars
    • Management Consulting
    • Business Development
  • Quickbooks Services
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Founder
    • Our Owner
    • Our Team
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms Of Use
    • Ethics Statement
  • Contact
  • Blog

Our News and Events

Working From Home Write-Offs: The Truth

8/18/2020

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Many of us are still working from home, and some have decided to work from home for good while the pandemic remains with us. For those new to this world, what kind of tax write-offs, if any, could we be looking at for 2020?

We've made it through this unique and very different tax season. So, what does that mean? We start looking ahead to next year! Many of our clients are friends are still working from home, while others have decided to work from home for good. If this year has taught you anything new about your professional life, its if you are a fan of working from home or not. We know and recognize that it's not for everyone, and we also understand the reason why so many companies are still having their employees work from home. If anything, we appreciate the safety of it and we are trying to find the silver lining. This year has meant saving money on gas, saving money on takeout, getting rid of that morning commute, more time in comfortable clothes, spending time with our families, and for some, it has meant a whole makeover of their homes, especially their backyards! For those who don't own their own small business and don't work from home regularly, when you did move home, one thing that might have made the transition less painful was the possibility of writing off your new expenses in your 2020 taxes. Will this be a possibility? Could there be an even bigger silver lining waiting at the end of all of this?

FROM HOME
There have been many silver linings to this experience than many of us have tried to focus on, but like it or not, it does cost extra to work from home. You're buying supplies, buying new office furniture, getting better wifi, and possibly paying a ton more in child care. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to write all of that off or at least a part of these expenses on 2020 taxes? Unfortunately, due to a tax reform in 2017, this opportunity was eliminated, according to Kiplinger and AccountingToday. Granted, this decision was made years before we knew what the coronavirus was and it was thought to be a good idea to eliminate this possibility. According to AccountingToday, the reasoning behind this change was that a "doubling of the standard deduction would help offset the pain of ending or cutting itemized deductions". That idea was nice at the time, but for all of us working from home and through the pandemic, it's not much help at all. Before this tax reform, you were able to write off your business expenses that were not paid back by your employer. These expenses included part of your home as an office, and much more. Sadly, if your company has sent you home during the pandemic, this will not be an option. With so many of us struggling with this reality, and with potentially limited funds as it is, what is the best way to recover from it? AccountingToday suggests the best route to go is to approach your company and try to negotiate with them. When it comes to federal taxes for your employers, tax code does allow them to reimburse their employees for certain costs during periods of disaster. The IRS has stated that is current pandemic does qualify. It will be up to our employer to choose what costs the will and will not cover, but if you approach them with a reasonable list of items, that can be a great place to start (i.e. wifi, child care, cost of buying new supplies).

SIDE HUSTLE
If you're working from home for your company, but also have a second job or a small side hustle, there might be a small tax break in there for you. According to Kipling, as long as you meet all the proper requirements, you will be allowed to claim deductions for your business expenses and your at-home business expenses for your own company.

WORK FROM HOME
If you are self-employed, this might be one of the greatest advantages for you right now. Those who are self-employed are still allowed to deduct business expenses with the Schedule C Form 1040 when filing. Your small business must be your only form of income, and the space you work in must only be used for work purposes, according to H&R Block. This means that your kitchen table won't count. If you do use a small corner of your home or a specific table just for work, then that will count. One of the biggest things you must do is keep meticulous notes and records of your expenses if you plan on writing these expenses off. Many self-employed individuals get flagged when they file and get stuck with an audit. Make sure you're reading to back up your deductions at a moment's notice. If you have a building outside of your home that you use only for work (like a barn, shed, garage), it can also be written off. Also, if you work outside of your home for your own business, but have been forced back to your home for safety reasons, you are allowed to write that off on your expenses too. According to H&R Block if you own your own business under a 1099, and you meet all the standards created by the IRS, you'll be allowed to write off all of your direct expenses for your small business. You will also be able to write off a portion of your indirect expenses too! But please take caution, you will still need to keep good records of everything.

CONCLUSION 
This year has brought its fair amount of challenges. Many of these challenges could reappear when filing your 2020 taxes. Make sure you speak with your company about your expenses before just assuming they won't help you. If you're self-employed or work under a 1099, make sure you keep excellent records and understand everything about your writeoffs to avoid an audit. Hang in there everyone! We know this is a personal and financially difficult time for all of you. We are always here to help. Don't forget! If you're looking for the best tax accountant in Summerville, the best tax services in Summerville, the best Quickbooks services in Summerville, and the best payroll services in Summerville, we are still here for you. Tax season may be over for some and just starting for others, and we will be here for you no matter what!
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Preparing to Recover from a Pandemic

5/1/2020

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Even though the curve hasn't flattened as much as we'd like, and we've spent a lot of time focusing on staying safe at the moment, it's time to start thinking about the future. Your company is going to overcome all of this, and we are going to talk about how!

April was gone in a flash wasn't it, Summerville? Time has a very strange and unique way of passing. It's been hard keeping the days in order. Thankfully, working from home or with a small staff in our offices has helped us keep track. Can you believe that tax day came and went with so little attention this year? That's right! Tax day has officially been moved to July 15th! If you haven't paid and filed your taxes yet, that's ok! You still have time to do so. But, we do recommend filing your taxes sooner rather than later. This will help with refunds, getting your stimulus checks, and possibly speeding your small business loan applications up. Do what you can for your small business now to help your company in the coming months.

Although things are still unknown in the current market and our personal lives, it's time to start thinking ahead. We've spent our last few blogs sharing tips and suggestions on how to keep your employees safe, how the pandemic might affect your small business, the realities of your stimulus checks, but now it's time to start preparing for the beyond. It's a heavy truth that life as we've known it could be very different after all of this settles. But, we still want your company and the future of your company to be strong and prosperous. So, let's be hopeful and work towards that, together. As the best tax accountant in Summerville, we hope these tips and suggestions help you as we move forward in this very strange and uncharted time. 

All of the financial help and small business loans that have been created and promises may or may not come through for your company. Some companies have received these benefits, while some might never see a cent of help. It's constantly changing, and we aren't sure what these new changes could or couldn't mean. We are following the news just as closely for these updates. Hang in there. This pandemic has affected every industry, and the best way to get through this is to stand strong and to support one another. We are here for you, Summerville. Take these tips to heart, they could help you in the long run.
  • Keep Working! While some of you have shut down, have had to put employees on furlough, or even let some employees go, keep marching on. For those who are working from home or waiting to head back to work, keep working on those leads and prospects. Almost everyone is at home, so why not take the time to follow your leads, stay in touch with prospective clients, and keep researching and learning about the market and demographic around you? It might seem like the time to abandon the leads and connections you were working on right before all of this happened, but keep thinking about the big picture. When we do get back to business, you'll want to be right in front of your prospect's mind. Sticking with them and being supportive during this time can help them depend on and choose you after this. 
  • Keep your clients in mind! Use this time to stay connected with your clients. Don't just use your social media and advertisement platforms to shove sales in their faces. Check in on them, support them, and appreciate them for sticking with you. They're the reason you've made it to where you are today. Also realize that just like you, their needs have drastically changed, as have their financial situations. Are there new ways your company can provide something new and exciting to them now? Can you change your products, make special offers, or even offer a few special free tips and services that they could benefit in the moment? Supporting and nurturing the relationships you have with your clients now can help guarantee their loyalty later down the line when this is all over. 
  • Change up your advertisement! We rely on social media, TV, radio, and print to keep our companies alive. But now, can you think outside the box to connect to your audience in new ways on these channels while we are all at home, missing our normal schedules and interactions? Are there new ways you can deliver your products and services? Can you deliver them right to your client's door? Can you offer a delivery service through popular apps like Postmates or DoorDash? Can you move your products and services online so they can still be accessed by your audience from the safety of their homes? This can keep your company open and running now, help to avoid debt and other financial difficulties in the future, and help keep your clients happy. These changes can help make all of us feel normal and connected to the world around us. 
  • Get stocked up! When this all does turn around, can you imagine how business will flourish? There are so many stores and services that have been marked nonessential or who have to shut down due to the effects of the situation. This could be very scary and devastating now, but it could lead to a boom in business once your doors open again. Your customers are just waiting for their lives to go back to normal, and to get the things they've been missing. Make sure you're going to be prepared for this huge push. Make sure you have a staff ready to help with this boom both online and off to help with this transition and the huge demand coming your way. Also, make sure you have enough product in stock. You want to make up for lost time and to not disappoint your customers. Plus, this will help keep you ahead of the game, ahead of your competition, and help get your finances under control. 
  • Look for that extra money! Make sure you do apply for the small business loans and assistance that is starting to pop up and become more and more prevalent from the federal and local governments. Please reach out to us if you need help doing so, or have questions about how best to do this. Look into Amazon's Neighborhood Small Business Relief Fund, or other locally-based foundations created to help businesses like yours. Use your social media platforms and set up a GoFundMe Small Business Relief Initiative or look into Facebook's Small Business Grants Program. All of these programs are set up to help you now and for the future of your company. There is nothing wrong with taking advantage of these opportunities, that's what they're for! 

We understand your concerns and worries. We hope this list inspires you to keep working and to keep your hopes up. We will get through this and will continue to work hard together. Also don't forget, if you're looking for the best tax accountant in Summerville, the best tax services in Summerville, the best Quickbooks services in Summerville, the best IT services in Summerville, and the best payroll services in Summerville, we are still here for you. Tax season may be over for some and just starting for others, and we will be here for you no matter what! 









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Working In New Spaces

3/30/2020

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The coronavirus has changed the way we live our lives. It has changed our daily schedules, where and how we work, and has changed the face of education for our children. For parents working from home for the very first time while their children in school are also working from home, the landscape of living and working together has been altered. What does this mean for parents and their children and how can they be the most successful in these times of change?

So much has changed within the last few weeks since our last blog post about how small businesses and corporations need to operate during this time of crisis. It continues to change the work world so much, that we wanted to follow that blog up by discussing just how much COVID-19 is changing and affecting the lives of everyone in the working world down to the youngest of your family. One of the biggest reliefs and changes during this time is the 90-day deferment on taxes for everyone, allowing both individuals and corporations to pay and file their taxes on July 15th instead of April 15th. But, with that relief, comes a bit of a struggle. Many of us are working from home for the very first time and with children our children that are school-aged or younger.  Going from the office to our home offices, kitchen tables, or couches has been a huge shift, especially if you're working alongside your son or daughter as they are virtually taking classes and sending in assignments in brand new ways themselves. Thankfully, you don't have to worry about your small business or corporation meeting tax deadlines for a few more months while you're getting adjusted. The biggest adjustment is working from home, being productive, and trying not to drive one another crazy!

As COVID-19 changes the guidelines on how to work, we wanted to break it down to the individuals affected by these huge changes and to share some tips and suggestions on how to successfully make this transition productive both to your company and to your well being. Without the latter, your work and productivity could suffer. So, let's get to work!

Every family, personal work space, and your job at hand is unique and different. Through this unknown time, you'll have to find what works best for you. These suggestions might be the perfect solution to your learning curve, or they might be the complete opposite. Take these as stepping stones, and continue to see what works for you and your family. In the end, whatever works for your family is the right way. There is no right or wrong way, there will just need to be a lot of trial and error until you reach a comfortable level of living. Hopefully, by then, life will be back to normal, or as close to it as possible!

TRACKING TIME
One of the most consistent things we have seen to be successful for working parents and their children is to stay on schedule. The key is to create a schedule for this new way of living and to stick to it. This applies to both parent and child. All of this will depend on how old your child is and what their needs are, but living as consistently to your life before moving home is very important. Begin by waking up at the same time, get ready and dressed for the day, and eat breakfast at the same time. The temptation to sleep in, stay in the same PJs for days and eat whatever whenever is going to be a huge temptation. Don't fall into that trap! We aren't saying you need to get dressed to the nines or dress your children for picture day. The key is to change out of your PJs every morning and into another outfit that makes both you and your kids feel productive and normal as possible. Then, we recommend creating a schedule for your students for the whole day, not just during school hours. This will help them stay adjusted to their normal school day, stay on top of their expectations of getting homework done and studying completed, and allocate their free time. This way their grades don't drop while they are spending all of their time watching TV, playing video games, or on their phones. Keep them on a schedule that will create your workday too, one that allows you to stay close to your schedule too. For our parents with young children, keep them on a schedule as much as possible and one that is as close to what they have been living with. Take advantage of nap time, quiet playtime, and lunchtime as your work hours. You might need to get a little creative, and that's ok!

NEW RULES
It will be very important to sit your family down and talk about what's happening in the world and what these changes mean for everyone. The situation will change expectations, free time, and it will also mean spending all of your time together during work and play hours. You will also need to communicate with your boss, employees, and colleagues that they might need to be more flexible because of your new work situation with your children. Express that your children could walk into a work call or video meeting at any time, and you might need to get up and leave to answer an emergency or a baby crying at any time. If anything, mention this often so it is never a surprise and not something that is forgotten by anyone. This is also the time to set boundaries with your kids. This might mean allowing them more TV, video game, and screen time to give you more space and time to get work done. If that is the case, explain to them that this extra free time is a treat and that everything will return to normal once work and school go back to their normal schedule. Set boundaries, especially for your school-aged children, and let them know when they can come into your work space, and when they can only come in when it is an absolute emergency.

SAVING TIME
During this crazy time, create a system that allows you to work and allows you to still be a family. Take breaks together from work and school to exercise together, take a car ride, or walk the dog together while still practicing social distancing. When work and school are over for the day, make sure they are over for the day. Separate work from play with the whole family, unless you have to finish a job or a project. Keeping regular dinner hours, family game or movie nights, and beyond are very important. Spending time together as a family is very needed. But, allotting yourself adult time is very important as well. It is also important to parent as a team and juggle these new schedule changes and learning curves together. Share the normal household tasks like you never have before. Switch places creating the daily schedule, serving as a teacher for the day, and even switch giving your partner the night off. Allow your partner to not have to worry about household chores or the necessary grocery trip if they're slammed with work, and let them repay the favor to you when you're swamped with work. You can even switch shifts throughout the day, whatever works for you!

This is an unknown time full of uncharted territory. Maintaining a sense of balance, normality, and regularity is the key to staying productive as a business owner and the head of a successful family. It may seem impossible at first, but keep working. You will figure out what works best for you. Remember to stay smart, keep following the WHO guidelines, and to wash your hands!

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The Pros and Cons of Filing a Tax Extension

11/26/2019

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The tax season is getting closer and closer as we reach the holiday season. With the ending of the most wonderful time of the year, that also means the end of the last fiscal period of 2019. Are you ready or do you think you might need a little more time? 

Happy November everyone! We hope you enjoyed our most recent blog about safe shopping tips for Black Friday and Cyber Monday! As we are still heading towards all of these wonderful holidays, there is still so much to think about. Taxes need to start making their way to the top of your priorities list. With the end of 2019 looming so close, tax season will be here before you know it. Are you ready for this next tax season or do you think you might need a little more time? There is no problem with needing that extra time - that's why tax extensions can be such a relief. Do you know the pros and cons of filing a tax extension? If you're new to the process, you've come to the right place. In this blog, we will be discussing the pros and cons, which will hopefully help you decide the best route for you before April 15 is here! To begin with, you file an extension request using the IRS form 4868. You fill it out and mail it right to the IRS. 

THE PROS! 
  • It's fairly easy to file a tax return. You can do it on the IRS website. Just make sure to do it as soon as possible! 
  • If you are in the military serving abroad or in a similar situation, you may get an automatic extension due to the nature of the job. 
  • You don't need to explain why you need an extension. 
  • It moves your deadline from April 15th to October 15th! 
  • Filing an extension can help reduce late penalties or avoid them completely. 
  • Filing for an extension can often end up becoming a necessity not because you need time for yourself, but because you've been waiting on tax documents from your employer(s) or you need more time to organize your deductions.
  • Filing gives you more time to file gift tax returns if you've been overly generous that year. 
  • It allows you to still get your refund. You will have to wait for six months to get it, but you'll still get it. If you don't file or file late without an extension, you won't receive it. 
  • It gives you time to decide what you can write off, provide all the paperwork to do so, and if you're qualified for the write-offs you have. 
  • You don't have to rush to fill everything out and you can avoid making mistakes on your paperwork. 
  • Getting an extension can save you money. Fees to pay for someone to file taxes for you close to the 15th gets more expensive the closer you hire time to tax day. After the 15th, their prices will drop back down to a much more reasonable price. 

THE CONS! 
  • The extra time does not mean you have extra time to pay for your taxes, the amount you owe is still due on April 15th. 
  • The extension doesn't give you more time to report on your IRA accounts. Those reports are still due on April 15th. 
  • If you're married and you want to file separately you only have until the 15th to make this switch. 
  • If you don't pay your taxes by the 15th, you will begin to accrue penalty fees that can add up very quickly. 
  • It will delay getting your tax refund. 
  • You might not know how much you owe without filling out all of your paperwork on time. If you miscalculate and don't pay enough, you'll still end up paying penalty fees. 

There you have it! The pros and cons of filing a tax extension. If you have any more questions or need to talk with us, please don't hesitate to pick up the phone. We are here to answer all of your questions and get you ready for the next step in your taxes. 

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The Easy Failings of Bookkeeping

11/1/2019

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Running a business is hard, anyone can acknowledge that.  Today, one of the biggest downfalls of any company is its bookkeeping. Simple mistakes and errors can not only make the running of the business difficult but it can also be its downfall. Try and avoid these easy bookkeeping mistakes to make your business run smoothly.

Bookkeeping is something that all businesses, big or small, have to do. The pen to paper bookkeeping for many is a thing of the past thanks to amazing online programs and applications, like Quickbooks, that do a lot of the hard work for you. For some, making and keeping a note of everything by pen and paper is still preferred. But your bookkeeping and how you handle it is just as uniquely personal as your business model and strategy. But the biggest factor, however you decide to do your bookkeeping, is to avoid some of the most simple and common mistakes out there. Today we will be discussing how to avoid these common mistakes to keep your small business working smoothly no matter what!

The First Steps
When it comes to the point where your small business can grow and expand, that is so exciting! But it's so easy to overlook the important steps of your full bookkeeping to successfully make those steps. Many new business owners will just do the bookkeeping themselves. They rush the process, they don't account enough time or attention to the process, and completely mess up a good chunk of all of it by doing so. Our first recommendation is to work with a professional. If you don't want one full time or on staff, at least learn from them how to properly do everything that needs to be done. Take more classes, attend seminars, or even bend the ear of professional bookkeepers. Or hire someone like us at Hoods, who can help you understand Quickbooks and how to properly use it for your company! Most importantly when you sit down to do your bookkeeping, take your time and breathe.

Budget Time
This might be obvious, but it still needs to be said. You have to budget for your small business or the outcome could be a disaster! You raised and created the fund to create the company in the first place. So you know that your bank account doesn't have unlimited spending for the year or years to come. You need to plan how the money of the company will be spent, or in other words, what will your budget be. A budget will help you track your accounts and records, any issues can be corrected quickly, you can plan for any emergencies, keep the company running, and pay your employees. In 2018 alone, 61% of small businesses didn't create a budget. How scary is that? A lot of young companies don't have a full appreciation of what a budget can do for the company itself. Without one there is no way to evaluate the performance or even the goals for the company. You also can't continue to develop the business without one, and you can't see any growth either.

The Paperwork
One of the most important steps in bookkeeping is the reconciliation of your books. This is making sure all of the bank accounts, credit cards, and all the reports match and you have proof to show that they do. This is a huge step when it comes to paying your taxes based on how much the company made, how much was spent, and how much was paid to the employees. These factors will all factor in how much you owe the IRS come tax season. Not doing this properly can lead to over or underpaying your taxes. This might have you re-doing your taxes, owing more, and possibly accruing late fees. Not to mention the hours spent on the phone and in front of your computer to fix these issues. You can also become a victim of fraud, have bank withdrawals that were not authorized, several other bank errors, and the disappearance of money you can't account for.

It Doesn't Mix
Many small businesses start in garages or home offices. Some of the greatest companies of all time have started this way. But don't make the mistake of mixing your home and business bills, expenses, or taxes. Make sure you know exactly how to write off business expense items and what they are before doing so. The IRS is very well versed in what you can and cannot call business expenses from your home, so don't try and fool them. Even if you make an honest mistake, it can still hurt you come tax time. Separate your credit cards, your living space from your workspace, your landlines, and cell phones. Keep meticulous records of expenses and receipts, mileage, and time. Don't muddy or blur the lines between home expenses and business expenses. This will make your life and dealing with the IRS much simpler!

There are a lot of small moving parts to bookkeeping, but all of them have to be well oiled to keep the machine running. Don't rush, make sure you know what you're doing, and never be afraid to ask for help. We are here to offer you the best tax services for your business and to help you do your bookkeeping with Quickbooks. Don't let your small business become prey to these easy mistakes. Take the time to educate yourself and keep your bookkeeping focused and accounted for.

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The Benefits of Estimated Quarterly Taxes

10/16/2019

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For some companies it's a choice and for other's a necessity. We are going to be discussing the benefits of estimated quarterly taxes, and why it might be one of the best ways to tackle your taxes head-on. 

We have talked about how to prepare for your taxes, where to get help to prepare your taxes, how to save money for your taxes, and the best ways to do so. Now it's up to you to decide how you will file your taxes. Paying once a year vs. quarterly is just as unique as your financial situation and your company. The choice on how to pay for your taxes depends on your preference and financial situation. It's very common to wait until the end of the fiscal year and fill out the tax forms and pay for everything by April 15th. But, for others, this isn't an option or is the worst option for them personally. For this group of people, their best option is to pay estimated quarterly taxes. So, instead of paying in one large chunk, you pay four small chunks throughout the year. It might sound intimidating and more of a hassle than its worth. But you might be surprised to find that it's more beneficial than you think! 

So, who does estimated quarterly taxes benefit? By IRS ruling, you have to file your taxes quarterly if you are expected to owe over $1000 in taxes for the current year or you expect your withholdings and refundable credit to be less than 90% of the tax shown on your current tax return or 100% of the tax shown on last year's return. Sounds a little harsh, right? But for a lot of businesses and even those who are self-employed, there are many benefits to filing taxes this way. Contracted persons or independent contractors and people who receive dividend income or real estate and rental income receive all of their pay upfront and no taxes are taken out of this pay. But that doesn't mean taxes won't be taken out of this pay. These persons are the perfect candidates to pay quarterly taxes instead of paying on a giant lump sum at the end of the year. They can live well off of their earnings, but a lot of the time one giant tax bill is more than this type of lifestyle can afford. If you cut it up into four smaller payments, it is much easier to handle. 

The Pros
  • If you choose to pay quarterly, you're going to avoid the shock of owing so much at the end of the year. By the time you've made it through the year living on lump sums that have come sporadically throughout the year, you may not have enough to pay off all of your taxes at one time. Plus, no taxes have been taken out to begin with, so it's going to seem like you owe way more than you should. If you stretch out the payments throughout the year, there won't be any unexpected shock. You will have smaller payments that are easier to handle and easier to prepare for. 
  • It's easier to adjust to unforeseen financial changes. 
  • You will have more cash on hand throughout the year, not having to save and prepare for a possible large sum owed to the IRS. 
  • You'll be able to avoid unpleasant penalties. If you are unable to pay your taxes at the end of the year, the IRS tacks on penalty fees, and you'll end up owing even more than you did when you started the process. 
  • You will have a better understanding of your cash flow. You will have to track your spending and earning closer and more often since you'll be paying four times a year. You'll need to understand the ebb and flow of the expense of your company and what you're making far better than you did before. This way you can understand what your expenses are every quarter to then turn around and pay taxes on everything. 
  • You might think filing this way will be a lot of paperwork. But you can catch mistakes faster and fix them quickly throughout the year. It's easier to track down and keep receipts too since you'll have to start looking for them and claiming them sooner than waiting a year to do so. 

The Cons
  • You have a greater chance of penalties and interest for underpayments. You have to stay on top of your finances and pay exactly what is expected for each quarter. There can't be any guesswork, and you have to save and report everything. 
  • It's hard to remember to pay quarterly and cut the check and fill out all the forms on time. 
  • It has the chance of not being viewed by the government as paid evenly through the year. 

These lists are heavy. Even though the list of Pros is much longer than that of the Cons, the shorter list might outweigh its component. But however you decide to pay your taxes, or how they are dictated that you must pay, just be very smart in preparing. Stay educated, stay prepared, stay organized, and stay alert. In this case, with so many moving parts, having someone do your taxes for you just might be the best way to go. We are here to help you no matter what. Until next time, prep well! 

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Surprising Unknowns for Small Businesses

9/22/2019

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You know a lot about the taxes for your company, but there still might be some unknown surprises along the way. 

There are black and white things you know about taxes, preparing them, and paying them. But as a new or experienced small business owner, there might be some things you didn't know about your taxes. As we enter the fourth fiscal quarter of this year, keep these possible unknown facts in the back of your mind. This might prepare you for possible painful surprises or surprise you with some relief. 
  • The Future Looks a Little Murky 
    • A lot of tax rules expired at the end of 2017 and weren't extend into 2018. Thanks to this fact a lot of technical corrections to the Tax Cuts and Job Acts are waiting to be put into place, or not. Congress is also still working on tax challenges and decisions that could affect and impact your 2019 taxes. If you don't have someone who prepares your taxes for you and you don't have an adviser, now might be the time to change that. Staying on top of tax laws can be a full-time job. It might be time to seriously consider Pathways to help with your taxes this tax season with so many unknowns ahead of us! 

  • Put The Money Into It 
    • Thanks again to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the number of small businesses that use tax preparers is over 88%. But, also because of this act it is now going to be costing more to hire a CPA and paid preparers. This is because more time will be needed to prepare and complete new forms. You will be using their services for much longer periods than you have before due to this new paperwork and their needs. You could be using their services for weeks or months longer than normal, or be using them throughout the entire year, all depending on your tax needs. Even if it does cost you more, invest in it. It is less likely that mistakes will be made on these new tax papers and forms with a professionals knowledge, you could receive better tax breaks and returns thanks to their skills, you'll be saved from a headache, and you'll be saving time. With all of these new changes, it takes more time to complete all of your taxes. Instead of using your time to do this, and possibly decrease production and productivity in your company, invest in the professionals. 

  • Did you know that there are about 28 million small businesses in the USA? Of all of those, about 22 million of them are made up of only one employee!

  • Make More? Owe More. 
    • Small businesses could be facing a rise in the percentage that they will be paying come tax season. Yikes. Thanks again to this new foggy future of tax law. Individuals making between $200,000 to $425,000 yearly are likely to see a rise in taxes between 35 and 37 percent. This could harm and impact small businesses, their owners, and their employees. Be prepared for this possible rise in taxes in your budget and expectation of what you could be spending. If it turns out that this rise isn't happening or if it doesn't affect you, you can use that money somewhere else. But wouldn't you rather have those funds on hand just in case than not?   

  • Counting on Location 
    • A lot of small businesses are operated out of the owner's home. This is sometimes the business's largest asset and allows the business to borrow capital for the company, sometimes in very significant amounts. It is projected that real estate prices are going to fall between 5 and 10 perfect in the coming year, lowering the worth of the small business owner's home/office. This could hurt the opportunity to borrow capital against the owner's home if being able to borrow any capital at all. 

So, what did you think? Were any of these a shock or a surprise? With an unknown future and a lot of changes that are a possibility, is your small business prepared? Do you have someone helping you with your taxes, or have you been using Quickbooks to help you prepare for whatever might come your way? With the knowledge of these facts, always know that Pathways is here for you with any question you might have. We are here to help you come tax season and in any season.
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Quickbooks Commonly Asked Questions

9/2/2019

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Quickbooks is the amazing software that we recommend to all of our clients and what we use ourselves to do taxes and keep all of our finances in line. But for those who are still new to the program, here are five of the most commonly asked questions answered for you to get started!

We can't say enough how amazing Quickbooks is, and the reviews alone and it's personal success speaks very highly for the product. The installation of the software does take a little time but it is worth it. The software is proven to very stable and reliable. It is also a huge time saver for you and your business. It saves time on bookkeeping and paperwork because a lot of this work will now be done automatically thanks to this incredible software and all that it can do for you and your company! 

It should also be a relief to you that you can constantly find out where your company stands if you are making or losing money and if you are in a healthy place or not with this software. Also, when it comes to all the financial software that's available for you to use for your small business, it is incredibly affordable. You can run your company on this amazing software for only a few hundred dollars. It is also totally customizable for what you want and how you want to use it for your business. It is very flexible and adapts to small businesses of all kinds.

We could go on and on about why we support Quickbooks so much. But don't just take our word for it. Here are five of the most commonly asked questions answered for you, so you can really see how incredible this software can be for you! 

1. Is the Cost of Quickbooks Tax Deductible?
 
Yes it is! It is tax-deductible according to IRS publication 946 which says "off the shelf computer software is qualifying property for the purposes of the section 179 deduction." So don't be afraid to buy this for you or your small business, you can write it off at the end of the year. And who doesn't love a program that will help your busy grow and it will save you money? 

2. Can I add my Accountant, Bookkeeper, or Tax Pro? 
You sure can! You can invite an accountant or any of your bookkeepers or Taxpros to collaborate with you for free with Quickbooks online. Once they accept your invitation to collaborate, they can work in their accounts on their own time. If you part ways with any of these persons, you can also deactivate their access at any time as well. 

3. Is Phone Support Included?
 
Phone Support is offered to you during the free 30-day trial Quickbooks offers you when you first sign up and is included with your paid subscription to Quickbooks online. For you to have Phone Support for Quickbooks online, your account must be current. If you are more interested in the Quickbooks Desktop Pro version, phone support is offered for an additional $89 for 90 days after you purchase the software. 

4. There is no contract, correct? 
This should be a sigh of relief for you. No, there is no commitment or contract. You can switch between plans whenever you would like to and you can also cancel any of your subscriptions at any time. The online version of Quickbooks even offers a free 30-day trial for you to try out the program and see if its a fit for you. If you end up buying the desktop version, there is a 60-day money-back guarantee. 
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5. Is it easy to get started? If you have five minutes, then you have enough time to get started. Five minutes is all it takes to get up and running with Quickbooks once you sync all of your bank or credit card transactions to Quickbooks online. It will take a little longer to download the desktop version, but as mentioned above it is worth the time it takes to do so. 

We hope that if you have been considering using Quickbooks, that this will finally convince you of its potential. If you have any questions or would like more tutelage for this software, please feel free to contact us! 
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5 Unique Money Saving Tips for 2019

8/19/2019

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There are so many ways to cut corners and save a little extra for your company this year, but if you think a little more on the creative side - you might end up saving more money than you expected! 

Saving money for your company is something that I am sure is always on the back of your mind or is your main focus every time you hit a new fiscal quarter. There are so many options out there that can help you save a few dollars every month and sometimes a little bit every day. But here are five unique and interesting tips that could seriously help you save money consistently for the rest of 2019 and into 2020! 

  1. A New Type of Advertisement 
What are you doing for your company's advertisements and what kind of budget are you looking at? Have you thought about new and different ways to reach a larger audience at a more cost-effective rate? What about TV? It might sound expensive, but you might be surprised. Your local TV and local cable companies very often have very reasonable and affordable advertising rates that they can offer throughout the day and into the early evening. The slots you might end up paying for may not be prime time hours, which are of course the most expensive peak hours to pay for, but you will still be paying to advertise to clients where it can make the biggest impression. They will be in the comfort of their own homes and your commercial will be a consistent message to the audience you want to attract. You could potentially save even more money and turn this form of advertisement into your main form of advertising. Depending on the age of your clientele, this might be all the advertising your company needs! 

     2.  Spring Cleaning Comes All Year Round
Have you noticed the huge trend in personal sellers on eBay and a huge slew of apps and websites that have been created specifically for the need of a personal seller? Well, there is a huge reason for that! A little extra cash goes a long way, especially when it comes to your bottom line at the end of the fiscal year. Has your office become cluttered with unused equipment, office supplies, and even gifted items that are just not being used? Take the time to do a big office clean and get rid of everything you don't need! Sell these items on eBay, the Facebook Marketplace, or any number of personal seller apps. You will end up putting a few extra dollars back into your company's pocket and giving your office a much needed deep clean. You can also save time and productivity and give this task to your interns instead of one of your full-time employees. You aren't taking away from your employee's workload, your interns are gaining experience, and you are getting money back from inexpensive labor! 

   3.   Change Up That Work Week
Have you been dreaming of working a three or four day week? Do you think this option might make your employees excited too? Without cutting down the productivity or work that needs to get done at your company, use this idea as inspiration. Giving yourself and your staff a few extra days off during the month or giving them more opportunities to work from home is not only a great perk, but it's also a huge cost saver. You're cutting back on daily business operation costs by closing down the office, and this creates a natural productivity increase. The promise of getting a few extra days off by working a little harder during the early part of the week will help get tasks done and keep employees very happy with the promise of a three or four day weekend. 

   4.   Make a Difference When Printing 
Printing and toner cartridges can easily cost $50 a piece if not more every single time you buy one. If you're choosing to print all business materials in your office and allow your employees to have full use of your printing services, constantly buying new cartridges can get very costly very quickly. So, using recycled materials can become an excellent cost-saving option. Shop around for retailers that sell recycled cartridges and make the switch. These used cartridges aren't just cheaper, but a lot of companies that sell recycled cartridges also offer additional rewards for using them. This could turn into another money-saving opportunity for you in more ways than you could expect! Also, not only are you saving money you are also helping save the earth with this excellent green option. 

   5.   Use Those Powerstrips
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Did you know that most of the electricity that is powering your office equipment, almost 75% of it, is used when all of your electronics are turned off? That gets pretty costly at the end of the month when that bill is due. Invest in some high-quality power strips to plug in all of your appliances and electronics into. When you and your employees leave at the end of the day just switch them all off as you walk out the door. Just leaving a computer on overnight, depending on how many computers you have in your office, can add an addition $200 a year in unnecessary energy consumption. 

Saving money can be easy if you just take the time to think about it. And sometimes you can earn rewards AND help save the planet while saving money too. As you start to think about the end of the year budget and what your 2020 budget is going to look like - keep these unique and interesting options in mind. 
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Defeating the Grey Areas

8/2/2019

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Our latest blog focused on the importance of knowing what things you can look forward to writing off on your taxes this year. But just as important, you need to know all the things your business cannot write off as tax day draws closer. Battle this grey area, and be prepared before tax day.

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There is plenty of time between now and April 15th to get prepared for paying Uncle Sam, but there is nothing wrong with being prepared. The last blog we posted was about knowing what items, some often unknown, that you can write off your taxes. We all love that extra break at the end of the year and it can be a huge burden lifted off your companies' bank account. But are you just as familiar with all the items you cannot write off your taxes? If not, you could be in for a lot of frustration when you start preparing your taxes and getting prepared to pay for them. Don't get caught in that trap, be prepared before you even begin your fiscal year. Know what receipts you need to save and where you can help your business save money - and know what to avoid spending money on before you get ready to sign the dotted line on April 15th.

Let's start with some of the basic nondeductible recommended by Quickbooks. After Quckbooks help you track your project probability, manage your bills, track your business mileage, track your income and expenses, helps you prepare invoices and payments, manage your contractors, and pay your employees, it also offers this fantastic reminder of what you cannot write off and deduct from your upcoming taxes.
  • Gifts to your customers. This is such an important business practice to show your appreciation to your clients or future clients. You can still deduct a partial amount of gifts for your clients, but it is limited. The IRS has a $25 limit on gifts that you can give throughout the fiscal year.
  • Business Clothing.  The only time that you can write off clothing items is if they are uniform pieces or protective equipment items that you need to stay safe and aren't provided for you. Clothing items that you can wear outside of work or that you choose to wear outside of work cannot be written off.
  • Commuting Cost. You can only write off mileage if you are traveling for business, not for your commute to your place of business every day. If you're traveling off-site to go meet or work with clients, that can be written off.
  • Meals. Some food costs can be written off - but there are some parameters. You can only write off 50% of what you treat your clients to, and it must be properly documented to receive that deduction.
  • Fines or Penalties. Any type of fine (including parking or speeding tickets) or law that is broken during work hours or when you're traveling for work, is never tax-deductible. This does include tax-related expenses, if you get a fine for not estimated your previous taxes, you cant write that off.
  • Life Insurance Premiums. If you pay the premiums and your business is not the beneficiary of the plan, you cannot deduct this payment.
  • Political Donations. You cannot deduct donations made to a political organization or a political candidate. Any expenses you rack up to lobby the government or pay to a group to lobby on your companies behalf you cannot write off either.
  • Cellphone Expenses. This can be very tempting, especially if you don't have a separate cellphone for doing business. You can only write off the bossiness portion of these expenses. So, you need to calculate what percentage of calls were made for your business and only deduct the percentage of the expense.


How does this sound so far? Are any of these nondeductibles surprising or frustrating? Or were you already aware of these items? Well - the list continues. This one is a little more detailed and focused towards small business owners.
  • You cannot write off payment to sole proprietors, partners or LLC members. They are owners of a business, not employees.
  • If you claim a home office deduction and have a landline, the cost of the first landline to your home is not a deductible. Only the second line is deductible.
  • Half of your self-employment tax is not a deduction. It is an adjustment to gross income on your personal income tax return.
  • Owners of pass-through entities cannot treat their state and local income taxes on business income as a business write off.
  • The cost of health coverage for self-employed individuals and more than 2% of S Corporation shareholders is not a business deduction. The premiums are deducted on the owner's personal taxes.
  • Commissions paid in connection with buying realty are not deductible.
  • For those who are self-employed, contributions to your own qualified retirement plans are personal deductions and not business deductions.
When knowing what you can and what you cannot write off your taxes - there is a lot of grey area. The IRS keeps a strict eye on both categories - so make sure you know exactly what you can write off, especially when there are certain items that you can only partially write off. It's so easy to make a simple deduction that won't be recognized so don't get caught. When planning out the fiscal year in front of you and your company,  make sure you plan on the extra expense of what you cannot write off. Use Quickbooks to your advantage and keep track of everything. You're nine months away from paying your taxes, but we are already halfway through the fiscal year. Be diligent in paying attention to your expenses!
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