The PTE election sounds technical, but the idea is simple: let your business pay a piece of your California tax so you can deduct it federally without a cap. Here's a plain-English breakdown of how it works and who it's for.

Most business owners have never heard of the Augusta Rule — a tax provision that lets you rent your own home to your business for up to 14 days a year, with the rental income excluded from your personal taxes entirely. This week's Tax Tip Tuesday breaks down how it works, who qualifies, and why the size of your home changes the math.

Basis is one of the most important numbers in your tax life — and one of the most consistently ignored.

The home office deduction is one of the most misunderstood — and most scrutinized — deductions on a tax return. I see it come up constantly in client conversations, and the same question surfaces every time: "Is it really worth claiming? Will it trigger an audit?" The honest answer? Done right, the home office deduction is completely legitimate and worth claiming. Done wrong, it's a red flag that can invite exactly the kind of IRS attention you want to avoid.

Schedule E is one of the most scrutinized sections of your tax return. From rental losses to K-1 mismatches to passive activity rules, the IRS is watching — and documentation is everything.

If you own an S corporation and take distributions, there's one number the IRS watches more closely than almost any other: your salary. Specifically, whether it's reasonable. Getting this wrong isn't just a technicality — it's one of the most common (and costly) audit triggers for small business owners. What Is Reasonable Compensation? The IRS requires that S-corporation shareholder-employees who perform services for the company pay themselves a reasonable salary before takin

LLC or S Corp? The right answer depends on your profit level, your appetite for paperwork, and your California tax picture. Take this 5-question quiz to cut through the noise.

If you've been following the saga of beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), here's an update worth paying attention to: Congress is making a move to permanently eliminate the requirement for domestic companies.

You already know audits are a numbers game — the IRS targets returns where the revenue potential justifies the cost of examination. What that means in practice: as your income scales, so does your audit exposure. The question isn’t whether to take deductions. It’s whether your positions are structured to survive scrutiny without giving the IRS a foothold to expand the scope. Here’s what audit-proofing actually looks like at the high-income level — beyond the basics. Know What

If you're a freelancer, sole proprietor, or small business owner, filing Schedule C with your tax return is part of your routine. But it’s important to know that some entries on that form can raise questions with the IRS. While most small businesses won’t face an audit, certain red flags can increase your chances of receiving IRS correspondence, a notice, or a closer look at your return.

Getting a big tax refund isn’t a win—it’s a sign you gave the IRS an interest-free loan all year. Learn why refunds drain your cash flow and how smarter withholding keeps more money in your pocket.

If you’ve ever received money from abroad — whether it’s from freelance work, consulting, or royalties — the IRS wants to know. U.S. taxpayers may need to report those payments using Form 1099 (for U.S. payees) or Form 1042-S (for foreign payees).

When Congress fails to pass a budget or temporary funding bill, the federal government enters what’s known as a shutdown.