Next Generation Tax & Accounting Solutions

If you own a business, you can leverage your annual gift tax exclusions ($19,000 per recipient for 2026) and your lifetime gift and estate tax exemption ($15 million for 2026) by gifting ownership interests. These interests may be eligible for valuation discounts for lack of control and marketability. Another way to benefit from valuation discounts is to set up a family limited partnership (FLP). You fund the FLP with assets such as public or private stock and real estate, and then gift limited partnership interests. Contact us at 585-474-3451 for additional details.

Drip, drip, drip. That may be the sound of your business’s retirement savings plan “leakage.” Leakage refers to pre-retirement withdrawals made by plan participants (your employees). When a plan’s total assets and individual account sizes shrink, it tends to hurt administrative efficiency and raise costs. It could also indicate that your workers are experiencing financial difficulties, which can reduce productivity. Contact us at 585-474-3451 to discuss possible solutions.

To make confident business decisions, you need a clear view of your cash position. The statement of cash flows reveals how money moves in and out of your business. It’s usually organized into three sections: 1) Cash flows from operations reflect day-to-day activity. 2) Cash flows from financing activities show how you use debt and equity to fund growth. 3) Cash flows from investing activities capture how you’re building for the future. Together, they tell the real story behind your numbers. We can help you interpret trends, spot risks and manage cash flow to strengthen your business strategy. Call us at 585-474-3451 to learn more.

The employer tax credit for paid family and medical leave has been made permanent. (It previously had been scheduled to expire Dec. 31, 2025.) The credit amount ranges from 12.5% to 25% of eligible wages paid to qualifying employees for up to 12 weeks of paid leave. Beginning in 2026, employers have the option to claim the credit for the same percentage of insurance premiums paid or incurred during the tax year for active family and medical leave coverage. You can’t claim the credit for both wages and premiums, however. Call us at 585-474-3451 to learn more. We can help evaluate your options and implement a leave program that complies with the IRS requirements for the credit.

It’s a winning combination. You bring the mission, vision and strategic objectives; we bring savvy tax planning, accurate bookkeeping, reliable accounting and proactive business advice. Our financial expertise can help you achieve strong compliance, make informed decisions, and strive for long-term growth and profitability. Call us today at 585-474-3451 to schedule a consultation.

You’ve spent time and money building your business, and it’s now probably your most valuable asset. So safeguarding that wealth is critical. The good news is that there are many ways to help ensure it remains a lasting source of security for you and your family. Our team can help you identify and implement wealth management strategies that protect what you’ve built while preserving your business’s value and competitive edge. Contact us at 585-474-3451 to get started.

Attention, small business owners: As you wrap up your 2025 tax filings and begin planning for 2026, remember that many previously temporary tax law provisions are now permanent. And new opportunities may be available to help reduce your tax burden. If you’re ready to take a smart, strategic approach to the year ahead, we’re here to guide you. Contact us at 585-474-3451.

Legislation in 2025 made 100% bonus depreciation permanent for businesses that purchase and place into service qualified new or used property after Jan. 19, 2025. However, when you file your 2025 income tax return, you can choose to use the old 40% bonus depreciation rate. Why would you do this? You may want to save more tax in 2025 than you would following normal depreciation but preserve some deductions for the future. For example, if you anticipate being in a higher tax bracket in 2026, deductions will be more valuable. Another reason is to prevent large net operating losses, which 100% bonus depreciation can create. Call us at 585-474-3451 for help determining which tax breaks will be most beneficial to claim on your 2025 return and which ones might make sense to forgo.

Income investments can play a key role in a diversified portfolio, so it’s important to be aware of their tax treatment. Qualified dividends are taxed at favorable long-term capital gains tax rates. But interest income is generally taxed at ordinary income rates, which can be as high as 37%. So stocks that pay qualified dividends may be more attractive tax-wise than other income investments, such as CDs and taxable bonds. We can help assess the tax consequences of your investment strategy. Call us at 585-474-3451.

Grantor-retained annuity trusts (GRATs) and grantor-retained unitrusts (GRUTs) allow you to give assets to your children today while you receive payments back from the trust for a specified term. And, provided you survive the trust’s term, you’ll remove the assets from your taxable estate at a reduced value for gift tax purposes. At the end of the term, the principal may pass to the beneficiaries or remain in the trust. Contact us at 585-474-3451 for additional details.