Ballard & Company, Ltd.

10/09/2026

If you have review Trump Accounts...good. If not read these important tips.

If you have not looked into Trump accounts, do not put it off. Here are some tips.

10/09/2026

Which of your small business’s expenses are deductible? Even with a tax advisor, it’s worth knowing because daily decisions can significantly reduce taxable income before year end. Deductible business expenses must be ordinary and necessary, but they don’t need to be indispensable. Business travel costs are typically deductible in the current year, but buildings, equipment and other capital assets generally must be deducted over time. Personal expenses aren’t deductible, but mixed-use ones could be if you can support your cost allocation. Rules vary on meal, entertainment, gift and vehicle expenses. Contact us for help claiming every available tax deduction.

10/07/2026

Paying dividends isn’t the only way to take cash out of your C corporation. Corporate distributions are generally taxable to you to the extent of your company’s “earnings and profits,” and your company can’t deduct them.

To avoid dividend treatment, consider having your business repay bona fide loans you’ve made to it or taking out properly structured loans from it. You might also increase your compensation (as long as it’s still “reasonable”) or qualifying tax-free fringe benefits — or lease or sell assets to your business.

Before proceeding, evaluate the tax implications for you and your corporation. Contact us to review the applicable rules and determine what’s right for your situation.

10/07/2026

Now is the time to visit your tax obligation. Here are some areas worth your attention.

Fall is now upon us meaning there are only three months left to consider making smart moves to manage your tax obligation. With this in mind, why not review the tips included here to see if there is an area or two worthy of your attention. Plus consider a deeper dive into the long held idea of creat...

10/05/2026

10/03/2026

If restricted stock is part of your compensation, considering the potential tax consequences well before Dec. 31 is a good idea. You may have decisions to make if: 1) you’ve recently received an award or are expecting one soon, 2) your restricted shares have vested in 2026 or will vest before the end of the year, or 3) you’ve sold shares this year or are considering a sale. The timing of these events and certain decisions you make — such as the Sec. 83(b) election — can affect both the amount and type of taxable income you must report. They also may provide planning opportunities that will affect your 2026 and future taxes. Contact us for assistance.

10/02/2026

Here are key happenings and announcements from the IRS that you should understand.

Here are recent changes as announced by the IRS that will impact most of us.

10/01/2026

If you’re thinking about retiring from your family business, plan now to mentor a successor. Rotating your candidate through key functions — including sales, marketing, finance and HR — provides firsthand insight into how decisions affect customers, employees, cash flow and profitability. It will also help this future leader earn employees’ respect instead of appearing to have been handed the job because of family connections. Effective successor training should minimize friction among relatives and employees and give everyone greater confidence in future leadership. We can help with your succession plan.

09/29/2026

As you review your business’s 2026 expenditures, pay close attention to work performed on buildings and equipment.

You can generally deduct ordinary repairs and maintenance expenses, but you must capitalize property improvements, including betterments, restorations and adaptations. Safe harbors may allow current deductions for some costs. Certain capitalized improvements may also qualify for a full first-year deduction through bonus depreciation or Sec. 179. Proper classification may affect recordkeeping, potential recapture and state tax deductions.

Contact us to help classify your 2026 expenditures and discuss potential tax-planning moves before year end.

09/27/2026

To attract and retain skilled workers, your small business needs to offer more than competitive pay. Your benefits package matters, too.

Tax-free fringe benefits may be especially valuable to employees. Examples include many types of insurance (health, disability, long-term care and life), assistance plans (dependent care, adoption and educational) and transportation benefits, subject to certain limits. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act also changed some fringe-benefit tax rules for 2026 and beyond.

Open enrollment is right around the corner for many businesses. As you review your 2027 benefits package, contact us for help evaluating your current offerings and fine-tuning them as needed.