Ben Briones CPA Inc.

If you rent out your primary residence or vacation home for no more than 14 days, you don’t have to report the income. (But you can’t deduct related expenses, such as advertising and cleaning.) If you rent it out for more than 14 days, the income is taxable. And you may be able to deduct expenses such as utilities, repairs, insurance and depreciation. Exactly what you can deduct depends on personal vs. rental use. The rules are complex, but tax savings opportunities are available. Call us at (818) 920-0633 to learn more.

Now is the perfect time to tidy up your QuickBooks files. Unreconciled accounts, uncategorized transactions and outdated records can distort your cash flow and profitability. Even with QuickBooks’ automation tools and AI-enabled features, consistent review and oversight are essential. Don’t forget your chart of accounts! An outdated or cluttered chart can muddy your results, making it harder to understand your true performance. Clean books support better financial decisions and smoother tax filings. Call us at (818) 920-0633 to help get your bookkeeping in top shape.

While the thresholds for the 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT) have remained unchanged since the NIIT went into effect in 2013, taxpayer incomes have generally grown significantly. So more taxpayers are getting hit with this additional tax. The NIIT applies to the lesser of your net investment income or the amount by which your modified adjusted gross income exceeds the applicable threshold. And it kicks in long before the top short- and long-term capital gains rates apply. We can help you manage potential NIIT exposure. Contact us at (818) 920-0633.

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 (818) 920-0633 to discuss whether this change will affect your company and how to plan accordingly.

For small business owners, tax planning shouldn’t be a once-a-year chore. It affects nearly every business decision you make. From how you pay yourself to when you invest in equipment, the right moves can lower your tax bill … and the wrong ones can cost you. With major tax law changes taking effect in 2026, now’s the time to be proactive, not reactive. We can help you understand which strategies, deductions and credits matter most for your business. Call us at (818) 920-0633 to learn how smart planning today can lead to long-term tax savings.

If the IRS audits your income tax return, you may need to produce documentation. In general, the IRS has three years to assess additional tax, starting from the date the return was filed or due, whichever is later. For example, if you filed your 2022 return by the April 18 deadline in 2023, the IRS generally has until April 18, 2026, to assess a tax deficiency. So you potentially can discard records related to that return after April 2026. But records should be held longer in certain situations. And you should keep copies of your returns forever. Call us at (818) 920-0633 with questions.

In today’s uncertain markets, maintaining an adequate cash reserve provides much-needed financial stability for your business. You can access these funds to meet seasonal needs, cover equipment breakdowns and other expenditures, and pursue growth opportunities. But excessive “rainy day” funds could be an inefficient use of capital. After determining your company’s optimal cash balance, consider repurposing any surplus. For example, you might use the excess funds to invest in short-term marketable securities or repay high-interest debt. We can help evaluate your working capital needs and strengthen your balance sheet. Call us at [%Phone] to discuss.

Fringe benefits offer multiple business advantages. They can boost morale, attract and retain top talent, and qualify for potential tax breaks. That’s why it’s smart to review which ones you sponsor and what you may be missing. Of course, you don’t want to spend time and resources sponsoring benefits your employees don’t value. And you must follow specific rules and documentation requirements to be eligible for tax-advantaged treatment. Contact us at (818) 920-0633 for help choosing the right fringe benefits for your business and managing the tax impact.

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 (818) 920-0633 for more details.

Historical financial statements show where your business has been, but forecasts and projections help you plan where it’s going. These terms aren’t interchangeable. A forecast reflects management’s best estimates of future financial results based on expected conditions and planned actions. Some businesses may even share forecasts with their lenders and investors. By contrast, a projection explores hypothetical “what if” scenarios under alternative assumptions and can be particularly beneficial for internal planning and decision-making. Contact us at (818) 920-0633 to determine the right approach for your business needs.