Hometown Accountant

Home
Hometown Accountant

For all your accounting, bookkeeping, consulting, business compliance, & tax resolution needs. Fully remote for your convenience!

Florida notary, bookkeeper, accountant, business consultant, payroll assistant & tax preparer.

01/10/2026

Where does a business cost belong? The answer depends on whether you are looking at the income statement or tax treatment.

Cost of Goods Sold, or COGS, is the direct cost of what you sell, such as materials, inventory, and direct labor. COGS is subtracted from revenue to arrive at gross profit.

Operating expenses are the costs of running the business that are not directly tied to producing what you sell. Examples include rent, software, insurance, and administrative costs. These are subtracted after gross profit to arrive at net income.

Deductibility is a separate tax question. A cost can be a real business expense and still not be fully deductible. Some costs may be deducted over time rather than all at once. Likewise, a deductible item is not automatically a COGS item.

In short: income-statement placement and tax treatment are related, but they are not the same thing.

For business tax planning, clients must bring their bookkeeping to Hometown Accountant. We do not provide tax-only services. If you have questions, we are just a call or text away.

29/09/2026

Three accounting terms form a ladder from sales to your bottom line, and they do not mean the same thing.

Revenue is the money coming in from customers and clients.

Gross Profit is what is left after subtracting cost of goods sold.

Net Income is what is left after all expenses are subtracted.

Why does this matter? A business can look strong based on revenue, but net income tells the real story. Gross profit shows whether your core offering is actually making money before other business expenses are considered.

For business tax planning, clients must bring their bookkeeping to us. We do not provide tax-only services.

If your books need straightening out, Hometown Accountant is just a call or text away. We are here to provide accessible, local help for small business owners.
Shelley H. Morales is your Hometown Accountant! Give me a call today to find out how you can leave the books to me & have more of your time free! 352-358-1413 [email protected] www.hometownaccountant.com/book-online/

10/09/2026

Florida business owners: hurricane season is a good reminder to protect more than your property, protect your financial records, too.

Before the next storm:

Back up your books securely using cloud storage or another backup location.
Digitize your insurance policies, receipts, and important business documents.
Photograph inventory, equipment, and other assets for potential claims. Add dates and keep the photos backed up.
Review your cash-reserve plan so you know how you’ll cover essential expenses during a disruption.

A little preparation now can make recovery less stressful later. If you need help getting your books and records organized, Hometown Accountant is just a call or text away with friendly, local support.

Please note: Business tax planning services require clients to bring their bookkeeping to us. We do not provide tax-only services.

Artwork note: This graphic illustrates a storm-ready business workspace, highlighting secure backups, digitized insurance documents, asset photos, and a cash-reserve plan.

Shelley H. Morales is your Hometown Accountant! Give me a call today to find out how you can leave the books to me & have more of your time free! 352-358-1413 [email protected] www.hometownaccountant.com/book-online/

01/09/2026

Hey small business owners, contractors, real estate agents, and freelancers! ☀️

Just a friendly reminder that the Q3 estimated tax payment deadline is coming up on September 15, 2026. Staying on top of your quarterly payments is one of the best ways to keep your business running smoothly and avoid any surprise penalties down the road.

Not quite sure what you owe or need help getting your numbers sorted out? We've got you covered! Here at Hometown Accountant, we believe professional tax support should be stress-free and accessible. We are always just a phone call or a text away to help you figure out your estimates and keep your bookkeeping on track.

Reach out to us today and let's cross this off your to-do list together! 📞💬

25/08/2026

Starting a business in Alachua County? Choosing your business structure is an important first step: and there isn’t one option that’s best for everyone.

A sole proprietorship may be simple to start, but it can leave you personally responsible for business obligations.

An LLC can provide liability protection and flexible tax treatment. An LLC may also be eligible to elect S corporation tax status, which comes with additional rules, payroll requirements, and filings.

The right choice depends on your goals, expected income, ownership, liability concerns, and how much administrative work you’re ready to manage.

Before filing, talk with a qualified professional who can help you look at the full picture: not just today, but as your business grows.

Hometown Accountant is here to help local Florida entrepreneurs move forward with confidence. Call or text us to schedule a conversation: https://www.hometownaccountant.com

18/08/2026

The IRS just released its 2026 inflation adjustments: and a few updates may matter to you as a Florida small business owner. 👀

Here are three updates to know:

1. Standard deduction: $32,200 for married couples filing jointly, $16,100 for single filers, and $24,150 for heads of household.

2. Employer-provided childcare credit: The limit increases from $150,000 to $500,000: or $600,000 for eligible small businesses.

3. Trump Account contributions: Businesses can make tax-free contributions of up to $2,500 per year to Trump Accounts for employees’ children under 18. The program requires a separate written plan and nondiscrimination rules.

These changes apply to tax year 2026, with returns generally filed in 2027. They may affect how you plan for compensation, benefits, business growth, and year-end decisions: but the right steps depend on your situation.

If you’re a client on our Tax Advisory Program, you can jump right onto our schedule to talk through how these changes may affect you.

Not a current client but interested in tax planning? Give us a call! We don’t do tax-only work, but we do provide tax planning for business owners who bring their bookkeeping to our firm.

We’re here to make the changes easier to understand and help you plan with confidence.

Shelley H. Morales is your Hometown Accountant! Give me a call today to find out how you can leave the books to me & have more of your time free! 352-358-1413 [email protected] www.hometownaccountant.com/book-online/

13/08/2026

Big win for our business community! 🌟

Florida has officially extended the employer childcare tax credit through 2029! This is fantastic news for local business owners looking to support their hardworking teams.

Providing childcare benefits isn't just a kind gesture: it’s a powerful hiring perk that helps you attract top talent and keep your best employees right here in our community. Whether you're helping cover childcare costs or looking into startup credits for a facility, this extension gives you more time to leverage these benefits for your business.

At Hometown Accountant, we’re just a phone call or text away to help you figure out the details. Let’s make your workplace even more supportive and successful together! 💼🏠

11/08/2026

Florida small business owners: Florida’s new reemployment tax portal launched August 4, 2026. If you file unemployment insurance tax reports, take a moment to prepare for the updated system.

The new portal includes:
• RT-6: Employer’s Quarterly Report
• RT-8A: Corrections to quarterly or annual reports
• RT-7: Annual report for employers of domestic employees

To help stay compliant:
• Register for the new eFile and Pay portal early.
• Confirm your FEIN, reemployment tax account number, contact information, and banking details.
• Review your employee wage records before filing.
• Save or print your confirmation after each submission.
• Check official Florida Department of Revenue deadlines and instructions: don’t rely on an old login or workflow.

Learn more through the Florida Department of Revenue’s eFile and Pay Information Center: https://floridarevenue.com/taxes/filepayinfo/Pages/dash.aspx

Need help sorting through the change? Hometown Accountant is just a call or text away. We’re here to help Florida business owners stay organized and on track.

25/07/2026

No more guessing games, Florida!

The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is officially a permanent fixture in our state, and we couldn't be more excited!

For local families, this means one less thing to worry about when budgeting for the new school year. But for our amazing local retailers and small business owners, this is a real game-changer.

Gone are the days of waiting on the legislature to decide "will they or won't they." Now, you can plan your inventory, staff up, and launch your marketing campaigns months in advance with total confidence. No more last-minute scrambles: just more time to focus on serving your customers!

Whether you’re selling backpacks or tech, we’re here to help you navigate the tax specifics and get your business finances ready for the rush. Have questions about how this affects your filings? We’re just a phone call or text away!

Shelley H. Morales is your Hometown Accountant! Give me a call today to find out how you can leave the books to me & have more of your time free! 352-358-1413 [email protected] www.hometownaccountant.com/book-online/

24/07/2026

The office is closed to celebrate a very special lady’s 97th birthday. We will run payroll and bill pay cycles, but non-weekly services will be addressed starting Monday, August 3rd.

We will occasionally check the portal, where clients have the ability to leave a message or upload documents 24/7 at
hometownaccountant.clientportal.com

Anything emailed is handled after we catch up on the portal. (Always remember to never email sensitive information.)

Thank you for your patience as we dedicate some time with family to celebrate our oldest living family member. ☺️
~Gratefully, Shelley & Danny

Shelley Hurst Morales is your Hometown Accountant! www.hometownaccountant.com

Address

Telephone

+13523581413

Website

http://www.hometownaccountant.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Hometown Accountant posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your business to be the top-listed accountant?

Country:

City: