Oliver Thornburg CPAs PLLC

Maintaining healthy operating cash flow helps drive your company’s success. But accomplishing this objective isn’t always easy. One practical approach is to speed up customer payments while carefully managing the timing of your own bills. Prudently shortening your cash conversion cycle can improve liquidity and give your business greater financial flexibility. Please call us at (972) 771-6489 for help identifying opportunities to strengthen your cash position and keep your business moving in the right direction.

If you’d like to arrange for a transfer of wealth through multiple generations, consider a dynasty trust. Assets are taxed just once, when they’re initially transferred to the trust. There’s no estate or generation-skipping transfer tax due on any subsequent appreciation in value. A drawback is that the trust is irrevocable. This means it generally can never be revised. Call us at (972) 771-6489 for more details.

Boat owners may qualify for federal income tax breaks — but only if the boat meets specific requirements. For example, a vessel with sleeping, cooking and toilet facilities could qualify as a home for the mortgage interest itemized deduction. Itemizers may also be able to deduct eligible state and local sales tax paid on a boat, subject to applicable limits. Vessels used in bona fide businesses, such as charter fishing or sightseeing, can generate deductible business expenses. Before assuming your boat delivers tax savings, contact us at (972) 771-6489 to learn more. We can help determine your vessel’s eligibility and provide guidance on substantiating any write-offs.

Are you behind on federal tax payments or worried about defaulting on an IRS installment agreement? You might have more options than you realize. If your finances have changed, the IRS may let you adjust your payment plan to lower monthly payments or a new schedule. If your agreement is terminated, you can request reinstatement. You can also consider an offer in compromise, which may allow you to settle for less than you owe. If you’re facing serious financial trouble and can provide evidence of undue hardship, the IRS sometimes allows up to six months to pay. It helps to act early. Call us at (972) 771-6489 with questions.

Will Social Security benefits be available when you retire? Good question. These benefits are unlikely to disappear entirely. But payments may be smaller, and the qualifying age for full benefits (currently 65 to 67, depending on your date of birth) may increase. So it’s critical to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement vehicles and to make age-appropriate investments that can help you accumulate adequate savings. Call us at (972) 771-6489 to discuss your retirement goals and ways to achieve them.

Are rental real estate activities eligible for the qualified business income (QBI) deduction? The answer is a distinct “maybe.” This tax break allows eligible sole proprietors and owners of “pass-through” entities to deduct up to 20% of QBI. Pass-through entities include partnerships, S corporations and most limited liability companies. However, income from a rental real estate activity is QBI only if the activity rises to the level of a trade or business or meets an IRS safe harbor, which generally requires separate records, sufficient rental services and specific documentation. Various limits and other restrictions also apply. Call us at (972) 771-6489 to learn more.

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is one option available to support charities while reducing your taxable estate. By contributing cash or appreciated assets to a DAF, you also may qualify for an immediate charitable income tax deduction without needing to identify the specific charitable recipients right away. This gives you more time to research potential recipients or change the organizations you support from year to year. For families focused on legacy planning, DAFs can also help align heirs around charitable goals. Contact us at (972) 771-6489 for additional details.

If you have unfiled tax returns, getting back on track may be easier than you think. But the longer you wait, the more costly it becomes. The IRS charges a failure-to-file penalty of 5% per month (up to 25%) of the unpaid tax. There’s also a separate failure-to-pay penalty of 0.5% per month (up to 25%) of the unpaid tax. If both apply in the same month, the combined penalty is generally 5% per month. Returns over 60 days late are subject to a minimum penalty. Filing, even if you can’t pay in full, can reduce penalties and open the door to payment plans or other relief options. Call us at (972) 771-6489 for help.

Does your business provide complimentary on-site food and beverages for employees? The rules for deducting certain business meals have changed. Beginning in 2026, employers generally can’t deduct 1) meals treated as de minimis fringe benefits, or 2) employer-provided meals that are excludable from an employee’s income and provided for the employer’s convenience on business premises. For the 2025 tax year, generally the former were 100% deductible and the latter were 50% deductible. Contact us at (972) 771-6489 to discuss whether this change will affect your company and how to plan accordingly.

Business owners: If you’re only reaching out at tax time, you may be missing some valuable insights. Why stop at tax filings? Let us help you make smarter business decisions year-round — from improving cash flow to navigating economic uncertainty to planning for growth. Please call us at (972) 771-6489 to learn more about how we can support your strategic goals.