Heman Lawson Hawks LLP

Heman Lawson Hawks LLP Heman Lawson Hawks LLP is a full service accounting, tax and consulting firm.

Locally owned and operated Certified Public Accounting Firm with 3 locations in west-central Indiana.

Owning assets jointly with your adult child can invite unwelcome tax consequences that may outweigh potential benefits. ...
09/30/2026

Owning assets jointly with your adult child can invite unwelcome tax consequences that may outweigh potential benefits. For example, owning an asset together as “joint tenants with right of survivorship” can open up transfer tax exposure. If you add your child to the title of property you already own, it may be considered a taxable gift of half the property’s value. And when you die, half of the property’s value will be included in your taxable estate. A properly designed trust can be a more tax-efficient option. Call us at (765) 463-5566 for details.

Applying for a business loan can feel like a catch-22. On one side of the desk is the risk-averse lender, who’s willing ...
09/28/2026

Applying for a business loan can feel like a catch-22. On one side of the desk is the risk-averse lender, who’s willing to loan money only to successful business owners. On the other side is the business owner, who needs the funds to grow and be successful! To avoid this paradox, approach a loan as a partnership rather than a provider-customer interaction. After all, if you were going into business with someone, you’d want to clearly understand their vision for the venture. Contact us at (765) 463-5566 for help effectively presenting your business plan and financials to prospective lenders.

Wondering how Sec. 530A accounts (also known as Trump Accounts) may be invested? The IRS has issued proposed regulations...
09/25/2026

Wondering how Sec. 530A accounts (also known as Trump Accounts) may be invested? The IRS has issued proposed regulations clarifying the investment options allowed during the “growth period.” This period begins when the beneficiary’s initial account is established and ends on Dec. 31 of the year the child turns 17. During this time, eligible investments generally include mutual funds or exchange-traded funds that track an equity index of mainly U.S. companies, don’t use leverage, and have annual fees and expenses of no more than 0.1% of the fund’s balance. The proposed regulations would apply to tax years starting on or after Jan. 1, 2026. Call us at (765) 463-5566 with questions.

Are you paying yourself and family members who work in your business reasonable compensation? The IRS requires compensat...
09/23/2026

Are you paying yourself and family members who work in your business reasonable compensation? The IRS requires compensation (including salaries, bonuses and perks) to reflect services performed and be comparable to compensation for similar roles in similar organizations. This is especially important for owner-employees and related parties. Payments to relatives may be deductible, but only if they represent reasonable wages for bona fide services and are well documented. Excess compensation may be reclassified as nondeductible distributions of income, while underpaying may raise payroll tax issues. Regularly reviewing compensation practices can help reduce audit risk. Call us at (765) 463-5566 for guidance.

Tax returns and financial statements are important. But you know we can do so much more, right? Think of us as your year...
09/21/2026

Tax returns and financial statements are important. But you know we can do so much more, right? Think of us as your year-round, human source of practical guidance. We can help you better understand the ups and downs of your cash flow, spot opportunities to cut costs or improve profitability, and plan for growth with greater confidence. Call us at (765) 463-5566 to learn more and get the strategic support you need to achieve your business goals.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is making permanent the suspension of the beneficial ownership informa...
09/18/2026

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is making permanent the suspension of the beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements for U.S. companies and U.S. persons. If these Corporate Transparency Act requirements had gone into effect, millions of U.S. businesses would have faced the administrative burden of an initial BOI filing and subsequent updates for any BOI changes. FinCEN will also delete previously reported information it believes belongs to U.S. persons (such as information linked to U.S. driver’s licenses and U.S. passports). Foreign entities that are reporting companies must still report BOI for foreign individuals. Call us at (765) 463-5566 if you have questions.

If your estate might exceed the federal estate tax exemption ($15 million for 2026), you’re probably concerned about fut...
09/16/2026

If your estate might exceed the federal estate tax exemption ($15 million for 2026), you’re probably concerned about future estate tax liability. A spousal lifetime access trust (SLAT) may help. A SLAT can allow you to remove wealth from your estate tax-free while providing a safety net if your needs change in the future. Essentially, a SLAT is an irrevocable trust you establish for the benefit of your spouse plus your children or other relatives. Your spouse is granted limited access to the trust’s funds during his or her lifetime, giving you indirect access. Call us at (765) 463-5566 to discuss whether a SLAT makes sense for you.

Monthly financial statements are essential. But they often take weeks to prepare and may arrive after you’ve already mad...
09/14/2026

Monthly financial statements are essential. But they often take weeks to prepare and may arrive after you’ve already made critical business decisions. Flash reports can help bridge that gap by providing real-time snapshots of critical metrics — such as cash balances, collections and payroll. These reports provide timely insight into financial performance, allowing you to identify emerging issues before they become major problems. Because flash reports are preliminary, you should use them as management tools, not formal financial statements. Call us at (765) 463-5566 to discuss how customized flash reports can help your business make faster, more informed financial decisions.

Beginning in 2026, employers can claim a tax credit for a portion of premiums for paid family and medical leave (PFML) i...
09/11/2026

Beginning in 2026, employers can claim a tax credit for a portion of premiums for paid family and medical leave (PFML) insurance policies, instead of for a portion of actual wages paid during employees’ PFML. Employers can choose to claim the credit for a percentage of qualifying insurance premiums paid or incurred during the tax year for active PFML coverage. The IRS has issued guidance (Notice 2026-28) that helps employers apply the premium-based method. It addresses how the premium-based method compares to the wage-based method, how to allocate the qualifying premiums, and how to elect between the premium method and the wage method. Contact us at (765) 463-5566 to learn more about tax breaks for PFML.

IRS penalties can add up quickly. Fortunately, some taxpayers may qualify for penalty relief. There are three main types...
09/09/2026

IRS penalties can add up quickly. Fortunately, some taxpayers may qualify for penalty relief. There are three main types of relief: 1) first-time penalty abatement for taxpayers with a strong compliance history, 2) reasonable cause relief for situations such as serious illness or natural disasters, and 3) statutory exceptions. These exceptions generally apply to penalties resulting from erroneous written IRS advice or to taxpayers affected by certain federally declared disasters or involved in military combat-zone operations. If the IRS has assessed a penalty on your account, contact us at (765) 463-5566. We can help determine whether you qualify for penalty relief.

Address

2549 Yeager Road Suite 190
West Lafayette, IN
47906

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+1 765-463-5566

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