CJ Smith CPA

Discover the crucial differences between postmarks and mailing dates for taxpayers. Ensure timely mailing and compliance with IRS rules today.

Postmarks vs Mailing Dates: What Taxpayers Need to Know Taxpayers have long relied on postmarks as proof of timely mailing, and that hasn’t changed. The IRS continues to honor the “timely mailing equals timely filing” rule under Internal Revenue Code §7502: if your envelope is properly addressed, has sufficient postage, and is postmarked on or bef...

Get prepared for tax season with our helpful tips. Learn how to organize your records and make tax season filing easier and faster.

Get Ready for Tax Season: How to Prepare and Stay Stress‑Free Tax season doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With a little preparation now, you can make filing faster, easier, and far less stressful. The IRS even provides a helpful roadmap to get you started — and one of their biggest tips is simple: gather and organize your tax records early.Below, we’ll...

Explore the differences between Roth and Traditional IRAs to make informed retirement planning decisions.

Roth vs. Traditional IRA: What’s the Difference? When planning for retirement, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are among the most popular tools. But should you choose a Traditional IRA or a Roth IRA? Both offer tax advantages, yet they work very differently—and understanding those differences can help you make the best decision for your fi...

Stay informed on online scams targeting Indiana taxpayers and QuickBooks users. Learn how to protect your identity and secure your finances.

Protect Yourself from Online Tax and Financial Scams The holiday season is a busy time—and unfortunately, it’s also prime time for scammers. The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) has recently issued warnings about fraudulent text messages and other scams targeting taxpayers. And we've also seen a rise in the number of scams targeting business ow...

Discover insightful reports within QuickBooks Online that provide useful, real-time data to help transform your business

Discovering the Power of QuickBooks Online Reports As an accounting firm, we pride ourselves on delivering accurate and insightful financial reports to our clients. However, many business owners may not realize that QuickBooks Online offers a robust suite of reports that go far beyond the standard financial statements.QuickBooks Online empowers user...

Don’t Toss That Yet! Learn about IRS rules for small businesses that will help you stay compliant.

How Long Should Small Businesses Keep Their Records? As a small business owner, managing paperwork can feel overwhelming—but knowing how long to keep your records is essential for staying compliant and protecting your business. The IRS provides clear guidelines on record retention, which vary depending on the type of document and the circumstances s...

Discover why a CPA is crucial for small businesses. Learn how a CPA can aid in financial decisions, compliance, and growth.

Small Business, Big Decisions: Why a CPA Matters Running a small business means wearing a lot of hats. You're managing operations, marketing, customer service—and somewhere in the mix, your finances. That’s where a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) can make a big difference.A CPA isn’t just someone who files your taxes. They’re trained to ...

Discover how the IRS's move to phase out paper tax refund checks impacts you. Learn what steps to take to ensure your refund check arrives smoothly.

IRS Goes Digital: Paper Tax Refund Checks to Be Phased Out Earlier this year, we shared news about the U.S. Treasury’s directive to stop issuing and accepting paper checks. Now, the IRS has taken a major step in that direction by announcing it will begin phasing out paper tax refund checks starting September 30, 2025.This change is part of Executive Order...

Discover how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act impacts seniors with a new $6,000 deduction!

One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Deduction For Seniors The legislation being referred to as One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law on July 4, 2025, and brings significant changes to the tax code and beyond. Below is a summary of one of the new provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.Deduction for Seniors • New deduction: Effective for 2025 ...

Learn how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act impacts your car loan interest with new tax deductions.

One Big Beautiful Bill Act: No Tax On Car Loan Interest The legislation being referred to as One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law on July 4, 2025, and brings significant changes to the tax code and beyond. Below is a summary of one of the new provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.“No Tax on Car Loan Interest” • New deduction: Effecti...

Have earnings from working overtime? Learn how the changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act may benefit you this year.

One Big Beautiful Bill Act: No Tax On Overtime The legislation being referred to as One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law on July 4, 2025, and brings significant changes to the tax code and beyond. Below is a summary of one of the new provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.“No Tax on Overtime” • New deduction: Effective for 20...

Discover how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act impacts tips taxation. Learn about new deductions and reporting requirements for tips!

One Big Beautiful Bill Act: No Tax On Tips The legislation being referred to as One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law on July 4, 2025, and brings significant changes to the tax code and beyond. Below is a summary of one of the new provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. “No Tax on Tips” • New deduction: Effective for 2025 ...