Hodges & Wreyford LLC.

Could your traditional 401(k) or IRA balance be too large? Maybe! Contributing as much as you can to tax-deferred retirement accounts can be a good idea. Contributions are pretax or deductible, and tax-deferred compounding can turbocharge growth. But sometimes maximizing tax deferral is counterproductive. This may be true if tax rates increase by the time you pay tax on distributions. Also, retirement plan distributions are taxed at your ordinary-income rate, not your long-term capital gains rate. So you may pay a higher tax rate on dividends and growth than you would if you held the investments in a taxable account. Fortunately, there are strategies that can help. Call us at (318) 725-2272 to learn more.

How’s your business’s health now that we’re more than halfway through the year? If you’re not sure, it’s time for a checkup. We can help identify strengths, diagnose risks and prescribe the right moves to keep your business thriving. Contact us at (318) 725-2272 to schedule your business wellness check today!

Accurate bookkeeping starts with understanding how debits and credits work. Under double-entry accounting, total debits must equal total credits. Assets, liabilities, equity, revenue and expenses each follow specific debit and credit rules. These entries ultimately flow into your business’s balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows. Accounting software can automate many bookkeeping tasks, but it can’t always determine how to record and classify transactions properly. If you have bookkeeping questions, contact us at (318) 725-2272. We can help you maintain accurate, up-to-date financial records and produce reliable financial statements.

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 (318) 725-2272 for help.

Disability insurance is a valuable benefit provided by many employers. It replaces a portion of the insured person’s income — typically 45% to 65% of pre-disability earnings. But in some cases, income taxes can take a bite out of disability benefits. Taxability usually hinges on who paid the premiums. If your employer paid them, the payouts from the policy generally will be taxed to you just as if the income were paid directly to you by your employer. If you paid the premiums, the payments you receive generally won’t be taxable. State tax treatment of disability benefits varies. Contact us at (318) 725-2272 for help assessing how much disability coverage you need depending on the tax consequences and other factors.

The IRS is more likely to audit certain types of businesses, such as those that are primarily cash-based. Although you probably can’t change the nature of your transactions, you can control the accuracy of your tax returns. Minimize errors by maintaining meticulous documentation. Generally, you should keep tax records for at least three years — the normal statute of limitations for an IRS adjustment. And don’t try to go it alone: Call us at (318) 725-2272 for help reducing the likelihood of attracting IRS scrutiny, as well as for support if your tax return is ever questioned.

When owners provide funds to their businesses, proper classification matters. Depending on the facts and circumstances, an advance may be classified as debt or an equity contribution under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Relevant considerations include the intent to repay, the terms of the advance and the business’s ability to repay. How an advance is treated in tax filings and other records may provide additional evidence about the parties’ intentions. Clear documentation from the start can help support the appropriate treatment and related disclosures. Call us at (318) 725-2272 for help classifying and reporting shareholder advances.

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 (318) 725-2272 to schedule an appointment.

If your child is heading to college this fall, tax breaks may be available. For example, you might be eligible for the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) of up to $2,500 per student for the first four years of college. But the AOTC is phased out for married joint filers with modified adjusted gross income between $160,000 and $180,000 (between $80,000 and $90,000 for heads of households). If your child has a tax-advantaged education account, such as a 529 plan, tax-free withdrawals can be taken to pay qualified expenses. But expenses paid with tax-free withdrawals can’t be used to claim the AOTC. Call us at (318) 725-2272 to discuss these and other tax tips for your situation.

If your trust is subject to high state income tax, you may be able to change its residence (or “situs”) to a state with low or no income taxes. Relocating a trust may offer a tax advantage if the trust is an irrevocable nongrantor trust, accumulates (rather than distributes) substantial amounts of ordinary income or capital gains, and can be moved to a state with low or no taxes on accumulated trust income. Call us at (318) 725-2272 for more information.