Heaven & Alvarez, LLC

Home renovations can improve a residence’s comfort, functionality, aesthetics and resale value. They might also provide tax benefits. You may be able to deduct mortgage interest on debt used to substantially improve your home. Certain improvements can also increase your tax basis, potentially reducing taxable gain when you sell. Medically necessary modifications may qualify as deductible medical expenses, subject to limits. And if you overlooked claiming now-expired credits for qualifying energy-efficient home improvements you made in 2025, an amended return may be worth considering. Call us at (770) 849-0078 to talk taxes before or after a home renovation.

Are your bills piling up? Managing accounts payable can be challenging for small businesses — especially when payment obligations aren’t clearly tracked. QuickBooks Online tools can help by organizing upcoming bills, automating bill entry, and simplifying electronic or check payments. Stronger payables management may reduce missed deadlines and late fees and improve cash flow visibility. We can help your business use QuickBooks Online more efficiently and streamline your payables process. Contact us at (770) 849-0078 to learn more.

Business owners: Should you use cash to pay federal tax debt or keep it for operational needs? Paying the IRS sooner may ease stress and reduce penalties, but draining cash can disrupt operations, payroll and growth. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. In many cases, the IRS offers options — such as installment agreements, temporary collection holds or penalty relief — that may help you stay compliant while preserving cash flow. The biggest risk is choosing extremes, either depleting cash reserves or ignoring the issue. A balanced strategy often works best. Call us at (770) 849-0078. We can review your options and help you create a plan.

If your C corporation traditionally makes deductible charitable gifts, make sure you know the rules for 2026 donations. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, corporations can only deduct charitable gifts in excess of 1% of the company’s taxable income, with a 10% of income cap. Amounts exceeding the 10% cap can be carried forward — as can amounts that aren’t currently deductible due to the 1% floor — for up to five years. You may want to execute a multiyear charitable deduction strategy if your company’s income varies from year to year. Contact us at (770) 849-0078. We can help by projecting income and other deductions so you can support your community while maximizing long-term tax benefits.

If you’re thinking about financing a new vehicle, you may be able to deduct up to $10,000 per year of interest paid. The deduction is available for certain personal auto loans originated after Dec. 31, 2024 — even if you don’t itemize deductions. Modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) limits apply, and only qualifying vehicles assembled in the U.S. are eligible. Before purchasing, consider whether eligibility for the deduction should factor into your vehicle choice. We can help run the numbers. Call us at (770) 849-0078.

You’ll probably owe tax on your retirement income — how much depends on factors such as the types of retirement accounts you own and your other income sources. In general, retirees should withdraw funds from any taxable accounts first, tax-deferred accounts second and tax-free accounts last. But different withdrawal strategies may benefit you. The important thing is to start planning before you retire. Call us at (770) 849-0078 for help.

If you’re getting married, or were recently married, congratulations! Taxes are likely the furthest from your mind, but there are a few tax-related chores you need to consider. For example, next year, for 2026, you’ll be filing your first tax return as a married person. That could affect the amount of tax you should have withheld from your paycheck. Use the IRS Withholding Estimator to check. Then provide your employer with a new Form W-4. If your last name has changed, notify the Social Security Administration, which will inform the IRS. You and your new spouse should also review financial accounts, insurance coverage, estate plans and tax strategies. We can help. Contact us at (770) 849-0078.

Accurate bookkeeping and timely accounting records provide the foundation for informed decisions throughout the year. When your books are current and reliable, it’s easier to manage cash flow, identify operational issues and jump on growth opportunities. Contact us at (770) 849-0078 for help streamlining your financial reporting processes and reducing year-end surprises.

Tax law changes have created new planning opportunities for 2026. A review of your expected income and expenses for the year, along with any significant life changes, may uncover strategies to reduce your taxes. Start the conversation before year-end for more time to take tax-saving steps. And if you extended your 2025 return, we can help you file before the Oct. 15 deadline. Call us at (770) 849-0078 to schedule an appointment.

The ultimate success of a business often comes back to decisions made at its inception. If you’re planning to start a business, one key decision is choosing its structure, commonly sole proprietorship, C corporation, S corporation, partnership or limited liability company. In addition to owner liability variations, all have different tax requirements that can affect everything from hiring to cash flow to owner income. Another critical decision is choosing a tax year — either a calendar year or a fiscal year (12 consecutive months ending on the last day of any month except December). Call us at (770) 849-0078. We can help you make the best decisions for your current situation and your business’s future.