Emil Estafanous

If you’re starting a business with some partners and wondering what type of entity to form, an S corporation may be the most suitable form of business for your new venture. Here are some of the reasons why. A big benefit of an S corporation over a partnership is that as S corporation shareholders, you won’t be personally liable for corporate debts. In order to receive this protection, it’s important that:Read More »ZCPA: Choosing an entity for your business? How about an S corporation?

April 18 is the deadline for filing your 2022 tax return. But a couple of other tax deadlines are coming up in April and they’re important for certain taxpayers: Saturday, April 1 is the last day to begin receiving required minimum distributions (RMDs) from IRAs, 401(k)s and similar workplace plans for taxpayers who turned 72 during 2022. Tuesday, April 18 is the deadline for making the first quarterly estimated taxRead More »Emil @ ZCPA: Two important tax deadlines are coming up — and they don’t involve filing your 2022 tax return

Every type of business needs at least a few insurance policies. Construction companies, however, tend to need many of them. After all, there are so many risks to guard against. Precisely which types of coverage your company needs will depend on factors such as its size, structure and specialty, as well as the geographic area in which you operate. To help you assess what you have and what you mightRead More »Emil @ ZCPA gives you an insurance policy glossary for construction business owners

Here are some of the key tax-related deadlines that apply to businesses and other employers during the second quarter of 2023. Keep in mind that this list isn’t all-inclusive, so there may be additional deadlines that apply to you. Contact us to ensure you’re meeting all applicable deadlines and to learn more about the filing requirements. April 18 If you’re a calendar-year corporation, file a 2022 income tax return (FormRead More »ZCPA – 2023 Q2 tax calendar: Key deadlines for businesses and employers

Did you make large gifts to your children, grandchildren or other heirs last year? If so, it’s important to determine whether you’re required to file a 2022 gift tax return. And in some cases, even if it’s not required to file one, you may want to do so anyway. Filing requirements The annual gift tax exclusion has increased in 2023 to $17,000 but was $16,000 for 2022. Generally, you mustRead More »Emil @ ZCPA: The 2022 gift tax return deadline is coming up soon

It’s been years since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 was signed into law, but it’s still having an impact. Several provisions in the law have expired or will expire in the next few years. One provision that took effect last year was the end of current deductibility for research and experimental (R&E) expenses. R&E expenses The TCJA has affected many businesses, including manufacturers, that have significantRead More »Emil @ ZCPA – Changes in Sec. 174 make it a good time to review the R&E strategy of your business

Have you bought stock in a company that later dropped in value? While you may prefer to forget such an ill-fated investment, at least you can claim a capital loss deduction on your tax return. Here are the rules that apply when a stock you own is sold at a loss or becomes completely worthless. Stock sales produce capital losses Stocks are capital assets and produce capital gains or lossesRead More »Emil @ ZCPA wrote: Claiming losses on depreciated or worthless stock

One of the not-so-secret ways to run a profitable construction business is to follow sound accounting practices. Mistakes in financial reporting can be costly, potentially leading to budget overruns, cash shortfalls, delayed projects, unpaid bills and underfunded payroll. Here are 11 ways to minimize the potential for such errors: 1. Separate project expenses. In as much detail as possible, distinguish job costs from general expenses to ensure the former areRead More »Emil @ ZCPA: 11 ways your construction company can avoid accounting mistakes

Under tax law, businesses can generally deduct advertising and marketing expenses that help keep existing customers and bring in new ones. This valuable tax deduction can help businesses cut their taxes. However, in order to be deductible, advertising and marketing expenses must be “ordinary and necessary.” As one taxpayer recently learned in U.S. Tax Court, not all expenses are eligible. An ordinary expense is one that’s common and accepted inRead More »Emil @ ZCPA wrote How to Protect the “ordinary and necessary” advertising expenses of your business

You generally must pay federal tax on all income you receive but there are some exceptions when you can exclude it. For example, compensatory awards and judgments for “personal physical injuries or physical sickness” are free from federal income tax under the tax code. This includes amounts received in a lawsuit or a settlement and in a lump sum or in installments. But as taxpayers in two U.S. Tax CourtRead More »ZCPA: Awarded money in a lawsuit or settlement? It’s only tax-free in certain circumstances

If you’re buying or replacing a vehicle that you’ll use in your business, be aware that a heavy SUV may provide a more generous tax break this year than you’d get from a smaller vehicle. The reason has to do with how smaller business cars are depreciated for tax purposes. Depreciation rules Business cars are subject to more restrictive tax depreciation rules than those that apply to other depreciable assets.Read More »ZCPA: Buying a new business vehicle? A heavy SUV is a tax-smart choice

If you’re getting ready to file your 2022 tax return, and your tax bill is higher than you’d like, there may still be an opportunity to lower it. If you’re eligible, you can make a deductible contribution to a traditional IRA right up until this year’s April 18 filing deadline and benefit from the tax savings on your 2022 return. Rules for eligibility You can make a deductible contribution toRead More »ZCPA: There still may be time to make an IRA contribution for last year