03/20/2026
If you’re thinking about starting a business, make sure you understand your federal tax responsibilities before opening your doors. IRS Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records, covers the basics. Your business structure (such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company or corporation) determines which forms you must file and which taxes apply, including income, self-employment, employment and excise taxes. You may also need an Employer Identification Number for tax purposes, and you should be aware of your recordkeeping requirements. Starting a business is exciting, and getting the tax details right is important. We’re here to help. Call us at (630) 312-8502.
03/18/2026
If you itemize deductions, you may be able to claim the medical expense deduction to the extent your eligible expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. This floor can be difficult to exceed, but “bunching” expenses into a single year instead of spreading them over two years can help. Of course, health comes first, so don’t delay essential care just to save taxes. Contact us at (630) 312-8502 to discuss whether a bunching strategy could make sense for you.
03/17/2026
Staying on top of your tax, retirement and estate planning is essential to protecting your financial future. We can help you keep these pieces aligned by ensuring your tax strategy is efficient, your retirement planning stays on track, and your estate plan reflects your goals and current laws. With proactive oversight, you can avoid costly surprises and maintain long-term financial confidence. Contact us at (630) 312-8502 for personalized guidance.
03/16/2026
Many businesses today outsource one or more of their IT functions to save money. Yet if you don’t manage the risks involved, you could end up spending more and getting less in return. For example, slow support times or services that don’t match your objectives or employees’ needs can undermine productivity. Contact us at (630) 312-8502 for help evaluating a prospective IT outsourcing arrangement or assessing the ROI of an existing one.
03/13/2026
The IRS is reminding taxpayers of new deductions available this tax season. If you’re 65 or older, you potentially can claim an additional $6,000 deduction. Depending on your occupation, you may be able to deduct up to $25,000 in qualified tips. You may also be able to deduct up to $12,500 in qualified overtime ($25,000 if you’re married and file jointly). If you took out a vehicle loan in 2025, you possibly can deduct up to $10,000 in interest paid. But all these breaks are subject to additional rules, and they phase out when income exceeds applicable limits. If you’re eligible, you can claim these deductions whether you itemize or take the standard deduction. Contact us at (630) 312-8502 with questions.
03/11/2026
Have you considered an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) for your business? An ESOP is a form of qualified retirement plan. More specifically, it’s a profit-sharing plan that allows employees to own shares of their employer’s company and cash in those shares when they retire or otherwise leave their jobs. Many small to midsize businesses have implemented ESOPs because of their exciting advantages. But ESOPs do present some hurdles to clear. Please contact us at (630) 312-8502 to learn more about whether an ESOP might be right for you.
03/10/2026
For 2026, you generally can contribute up to $7,500 pretax to an employer-sponsored child and dependent care Flexible Spending Account (FSA). This $2,500 increase over the 2025 limit was part of the major tax legislation that was signed into law in 2025. An FSA pays or reimburses you for qualified child or dependent care expenses. (Your contributions will, however, reduce your qualified expenses for purposes of the child and dependent care tax credit.) Contact us at (630) 312-8502 to learn more about tax breaks for families.
03/09/2026
For small business owners, investing in new equipment, expanding facilities or launching a new product can be a big decision. With limited funds, it’s essential to pinpoint the opportunities that deliver the most value. Financial models like accounting payback, net present value and internal rate of return offer a disciplined, data-driven approach to evaluating your options. We can help you apply these models to make confident, informed capital-budgeting decisions that fuel long-term success. Call us at (630) 312-8502 to get started.
03/06/2026
Do you have an IRS Individual Online Account? If not, the IRS is encouraging you to create one. Taxpayers with an account can securely access their tax information online. Specifically, you can view your balance, make payments, set up payment plans, access tax records and review prior notices without waiting on hold or mailing forms. Plus, the account can help protect you from identity theft and fraud. Having an account can also help reduce errors and surprises by allowing you to monitor activity in real time and respond quickly if issues arise. See something in your account that concerns you? Call us at (630) 312-8502 to discuss it.
03/04/2026
The cost of goods sold (COGS) drives your company’s bottom line, but its accuracy hinges on how well you track inventory. Even small miscounts and misclassifications can distort your margins and cloud decision-making. That’s where we come in. We can review your inventory methods for consistency, reconcile physical counts to your books and verify proper cost allocations. Identifying discrepancies early can help you catch errors and shrinkage before they escalate. With dependable COGS data, you’ll gain clearer insight into product performance, pricing strategy and cash flow. Contact us at (630) 312-8502 to learn more.
03/03/2026
The decision to itemize deductions or claim the standard deduction can have a big impact on your tax bill. With a higher standard deduction and itemized deductions more limited, many taxpayers who once benefited from itemizing have been better off taking the standard deduction. But the recent quadrupling of the deduction limit for state and local taxes could make itemizing worthwhile again for some. Not sure which is better for you? We can help. Call us at (630) 312-8502.
03/02/2026
Bookkeeping software helps small businesses track income, reconcile accounts and generate reports. But technology can’t replace professional judgment or real-world experience. An outside bookkeeping or accounting professional adds context and clarity to your company’s financial data. We can help you interpret results, stay compliant with changing tax laws, manage cash flow and make smarter business decisions. Contact us at (630) 312-8502 to turn your financial data into a strategic plan that drives growth.