Mazz CPA LLC

09/23/2026

I send tax return summary videos to all my clients. Why?

Some would see this as a premium service worth charging extra for. I see it as the baseline for what a modern CPA firm should offer.

Here's what the video does:

Clients actually review their return. Many don't review it before signing, and plenty don't know how. A walkthrough brings them into the process.

Issues surface before filing. When the return is explained in plain terms, anything missing or off tends to stand out.

Planning conversations get easier. A client who understands their return is ready to talk about this year, not just last year. Even my prep-only clients get a clearer picture of what planning could do for them.

It's my final review. As a solo firm owner, I don't have a partner signing off. So I prep one day, detail review the next, and record the video the day after. While recording, I'm asking one question: does this make sense?

The work becomes visible. Clients rarely see what goes into an accurate, complete return. The video shows them what they're paying for.

It's a small step, but it changes how clients experience tax season.

09/17/2026

If you live or work in Pennsylvania, you probably owe a local earned income tax on top of the state's 3.07%. It's usually 1–1.5% of your wages or self-employment profit.

Which rate you pay depends on where you live and where you work:

→ Live in PA, work out of state: your home municipality's rate
→ Live out of state, work in PA: the rate where you work
→ Live and work in PA: whichever is higher

A few things that catch people:

Most tax software doesn't file it. You either mail it or file on your local collector's website, usually Keystone or Berkheimer.

Out-of-state employers don't have to withhold it. If you work remotely for a company based elsewhere, you may need to give them a residency certification form or pay it yourself.

Collectors add penalties quickly, so if you think you've missed a year or two, it's worth sorting out now.

I put the address lookup tool and residency form in the comments.

09/09/2026

Most owners think tax planning means finding some obscure strategy. In my experience, it almost never does.

Here's what I actually work through with clients:

1. Clean up the bookkeeping. This is the prerequisite. If the numbers aren't right, nothing built on top of them is either. I can't tell you how many "planning" conversations turn into cleanup projects.

2. Catch the basic deductions. Phone. Internet. Home office. Business use of your vehicle. None of this is groundbreaking, yet I'm still pointing these out to owners for the first time.

3. Fund the right retirement plan. When someone says "I want to pay less in taxes," what I hear is "I want to use my money my way." So what's it for? Most owners have never had SEP IRA vs. Solo 401(k) explained to them side by side.

4. Manage comp and QBI. Reasonable compensation, SALT vs. PTET, income timing. These are the levers that decide how much of the 20% deduction you actually keep.

That's it. That's the whole thing. You would be surprised at what dialing in the basics can look like.

If you can't explain your tax strategy to a friend in two sentences, your accountant isn't doing their job.

Which of the four is your business weakest on?

09/04/2026

A client asked me about this last week, so here's the whole thing.

If you own a business, you can put your kids on payroll and deduct the wages. The example above is a real one: $23,600 in wages, $7,500 into a traditional IRA, and the standard deduction covers the rest. Zero federal tax.

Three things that make it work:

Your entity type matters. Sole proprietorship or a partnership between both parents means no Social Security or Medicare on a child under 18, and no FUTA under 21. If you're an S corp, you're paying payroll taxes on your kid... no exception.

The Roth angle is the part I actually like. Earned income means they can fund a Roth IRA, and the contributions come back out penalty-free later if it goes toward college. Money in at 14 has decades before anyone touches it.

And the part everyone skips: the work has to be real, the pay has to be reasonable for that work, and you need a time log. If the IRS ever asks, that log is the whole case.

Happy to talk through whether it fits your situation.

08/27/2026

Have you heard from your tax professional this summer? Let's chat.

08/07/2025

Thank you for your message. I have limited access to email and respond as soon as I am able.

Reminder to be nice to your accountant!

07/01/2025

Enjoy a step-by-step guide for anyone thinking of launching their own business or side hustle.

Here’s a quick snapshot of what I cover in the full write-up:

✅ Step 1 – Clarify your “why” so every decision is intentional
✅ Step 2 – Set simple goals (don’t overcomplicate your plan)
✅ Step 3 – Choose the right structure (LLC ≠ tax strategy)
✅ Step 4 – Separate personal & business finances early
✅ Step 5 – Don’t neglect the books (or tax deadlines)

Learn how to start your business the right way. CPA approved.

06/16/2025

In my latest article, I discuss the current state of federal student loans in the United States.

The SAVE Plan is blocked under an injunction, and its legality is being argued in court.

Student loan forgiveness has virtually halted since the new administration.

Collections on loans in default status resumed in May.

Here's what's going on, and what borrowers need to know.

www.mazzcpa.com/blog/whats-going-on-with-student-loans

Even when the system was working, it was hard to understand. Now, it’s a mess.

11/26/2024

Pricing Packages are updated!

As we get closer to the end of the year, now is the best time to find your CPA for peace of mind this tax season.

Visit mazzcpa.com today to view updated pricing structures.

More content is on the way. Enjoy the Holiday Season!

11/13/2024

The end of the year is approaching, which means it's almost time to issue 1099s.

Here's what you will need from your contractors:

✅️ Full Legal Name
✅️ Address
✅️ SSN/EIN
✅️ Amount Paid During the Year

💡Best Practice: When you expect to pay more than $600 to a person or entity for services, you should ask for a completed Form W-9 with most of this information.