Purk & Associates, P.C.

10/23/2026

Does your business accept, spend or invest in cryptocurrency? The IRS scrutinizes digital-asset transactions. Business tax returns include a question about digital assets, and brokers must report certain transactions on Form 1099-DA.

Digital assets are treated as property for federal tax purposes. Cryptocurrency accepted for goods or services is taxable income based on its fair market value when received. Selling, exchanging or spending it may create a separate gain or loss. Crypto payments to employees and contractors are subject to the usual tax-reporting rules and can produce a business gain or loss. Contact us to review your 2026 digital-asset activity and reporting obligations.

10/21/2026

It’s time to address year-end tax planning, especially if your business is booming. Start by projecting your 2026 tax obligation and assessing whether estimated payments made throughout the year are sufficient. You may need to adjust your fourth payment to potentially avoid (or minimize) underpayment penalties.

Also consider tax-reduction strategies, such as timing revenue and expenses, taking advantage of the qualified business income deduction, contributing to a retirement plan and leveraging first-year depreciation write-offs for eligible asset purchases.

These moves require careful coordination, so contact us to explore your options. We can help develop a plan tailored to your situation.

10/20/2026

10/19/2026

Are you separating or divorcing this year? Decisions made before your divorce is finalized can affect your 2026 income tax liability and your tax situation in future years. Some of the most critical tax issues to consider as you work through a separation or divorce are related to: 1) tax filing status and, if you have dependent children, who’ll claim them for tax purposes, 2) support payments, 3) home ownership, 4) retirement accounts, and 5) business interests. We can help you evaluate the tax consequences of your separation or divorce so you can make informed decisions before year end. Contact us to get started.

10/16/2026

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. Contact us to learn more.

10/14/2026

Business owners often have more complex tax situations that can trigger an IRS audit. The good news is that with proper preparation, detailed records and professional guidance, you can make the process far less stressful.

Some returns may be selected randomly, but the IRS also has some audit hot buttons. Examples include significant differences between current and prior-year returns, repeated business losses, profit margins and expenses that differ substantially from similar businesses, and mathematical errors.

If you receive an IRS notice, don’t panic; contact us immediately. We can help you understand the issues, gather the needed documents and respond to the inquiries effectively.

10/12/2026

Retirement is far from most teenagers’ minds when they get their first jobs. But those early earnings create a significant tax-advantaged savings opportunity. Even modest IRA contributions now can substantially multiply over time. For example, just $2,000 contributed to an IRA earning 5% annually will grow to nearly $23,000 50 years later. A Roth IRA can be especially powerful because qualified distributions will be tax-free. For 2026, the annual contribution limit for IRAs is the lesser of taxable compensation or $7,500. 2026 contributions can be made until April 15, 2027, but the income to support them must be earned by Dec. 31, 2026. Contact us to discuss tax-smart planning for your teen.

10/10/2026

10/09/2026

Do you operate a side gig in addition to your regular job? The way the IRS classifies that activity can have a significant impact on your taxes.

If the IRS treats the activity as a hobby, you’re required to report the income but can’t deduct most related expenses. If it’s treated as a business, you can generally deduct ordinary and necessary expenses — even if that results in a net tax loss. The IRS considers several factors when evaluating profit motive, including how you operate the activity, the time you invest, and your history of profits and losses.

If your side business isn’t yet profitable, contact us to discuss your situation. We can suggest strategies to help strengthen your position.

10/07/2026

If you want to sell your business, receiving the purchase price over time in an installment sale may allow you to spread your gain — and the related tax — over several years.

The buyer typically makes a down payment and issues a note for the balance. Each principal payment generally includes a tax-free return of basis and taxable gain; interest on the note is taxed separately as ordinary income. This arrangement may also expand the pool of buyers or help you obtain a higher price. But depreciation recapture may be taxable upfront, and you assume the risk that the buyer won’t pay.

Contact us to discuss the pros and cons and determine the optimal deal structure for your situation.