SMALL BUSINESS FINANCE – Your Guide to Business Tax Planning & CPA Tax Advice

Your rental properties may show big losses on paper, but that does not mean you can use those losses to lower your tax bill. The passive activity rules can keep them trapped for years. In this episode, Tiffany explains how Real Estate Professional Status works and why reaching 750 hours is not enough. You’ll learn the two tests you must pass, how material participation works, and when grouping sev...

The QBI deduction can let qualifying business owners deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income. Now it is permanent—but that does not mean every owner will get the full benefit. In this episode, Tiffany explains the new 2026 income thresholds and why service businesses face tougher rules. You’ll learn what happens when your income enters the phaseout range, how S corporations and owner p...

One business owner used $270,000 in investment losses to reduce his federal tax by about $64,000 in the year he sold his company. But was it true tax savings—or simply a bill moved into the future? Tiffany explains how direct indexing and tax-loss harvesting can help offset capital gains while keeping a portfolio invested. You’ll learn how lower cost basis, added fees, investment risk, and the was...

One business owner paid $21,600 a year for family health insurance. He thought he was getting the tax deduction—but a simple S corporation reporting mistake cost him about $7,000 a year. In this episode, Tiffany explains how the self-employed health insurance deduction really works. You’ll learn why the rules change for sole proprietors, partners, and S corporation owners. You’ll also discover thr...

Is your S corp salary putting your business at risk? Many owners pay themselves a small wage and take the rest as distributions. That may cut payroll taxes, but it can also raise an IRS red flag. Tiffany explains how the IRS decides whether your salary is reasonable. You’ll learn why the popular 60/40 rule is a myth, what happens when distributions are treated as wages, and how market data can pro...

Why do wealthy people often pay less in taxes? It is not always because they earn less. It is because they own assets and use the tax code differently. In this episode, Tiffany explains how business owners and investors use appreciation, borrowing, depreciation, cost segregation, and step-up in basis to protect and build wealth. You will hear real examples of people who accessed cash, lowered taxa...

Your September 15 estimated tax payment may be much larger than it needs to be. In this episode, Tiffany explains four tax strategies that can help business owners protect their cash flow and avoid costly underpayment penalties. You’ll learn how the IRS safe harbor rule works, why S corporation withholding can help correct missed payments, and how seasonal businesses can use the annualized income...

Many business owners work for years to build wealth but leave it exposed without realizing it. In this episode, Tiffany explains how a holding company can help protect cash, equipment, real estate, and other valuable assets from business liability. You'll learn when this strategy makes sense, how it works, common mistakes that can destroy its protection, and where tax planning opportunities may ex...

Think a cost segregation study automatically saves you thousands in taxes? Not so fast. In this episode, Tiffany Phillips, CPA, explains how cost segregation really works, who benefits most, and why a large deduction doesn't always mean immediate tax savings. You'll learn how tax strategies, passive activity rules, bonus depreciation, and timing all affect your results. Tiffany also shares when sh...

Many homeowners and real estate investors pay more in property taxes than they should. A missing exemption, incorrect property record, inflated assessment, or ownership change could cost you hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars. In this episode, Tiffany shares six legal tax strategies that may help you lower, freeze, defer, or challenge your property taxes. You'll learn how to check your homestea...

Business owners hear it all the time: "Just buy it. It's a tax write-off." But that's not how smart tax planning works. In this episode, Tiffany Phillips, CPA, breaks down the biggest myths about tax deductions under the new tax law and explains how bonus depreciation, Section 179, QBI, business debt, and estimated taxes work together. You'll learn why buying equipment just to save taxes can actua...

If you recently started an LLC, this episode is for you. Many business owners think filing the paperwork is enough—but that's just the beginning. Tiffany Phillips, CPA, explains the five biggest LLC mistakes that can lead to higher taxes, lost deductions, missed deadlines, and weaker liability protection. You'll learn how to separate business and personal finances, understand how your LLC is taxed...

Think every repair on your rental property is tax deductible? Not so fast. In this episode, Tiffany explains one of the biggest tax mistakes rental property owners make: confusing repairs with capital improvements. Learn how the IRS decides what you can deduct today and what must be depreciated over time. You'll also discover why good documentation matters, how safe harbor rules work, and simple t...

Your bookkeeping may look organized, but are the numbers actually correct? In this episode, Tiffany explains why every business owner should reconcile bank and credit card accounts each month. You’ll learn how reconciliation catches missing income, lost deductions, duplicate charges, fraud, and other costly errors. You’ll also discover why accounting software cannot replace human review—and how ba...

Think a luxury SUV is always a bad financial decision? Think again. In this episode, Tiffany Phillips, CPA, explains how the IRS heavy vehicle rules can dramatically reduce the real cost of certain business vehicles. You'll learn how the 6,000-pound rule works, when Section 179 and bonus depreciation apply, how business use affects your deduction, and why buying the "cheaper" SUV can sometimes cos...

Most business owners work hard to build wealth—but many pay far more in taxes than they need to. In this episode, Tiffany explains the powerful Buy, Borrow, Die strategy and how it can help high earners build wealth while reducing taxes legally. You'll learn how tax planning, short-term rentals, cost segregation, bonus depreciation, and borrowing against assets can work together to create long-ter...

Most business owners think tax season ends after they file their return. But that's when many of the biggest opportunities get missed. In this episode, Tiffany Phillips, CPA, shares seven powerful tax strategies that could help business owners keep more of what they earn. You'll learn about the Augusta Rule, heavy vehicle deductions, S-Corp health insurance, home office deductions, Solo 401(k)s, b...

If you own a home, you may be paying far more in property taxes than you have to. In this episode, Tiffany explains seven legal forms that can lower, freeze, or even eliminate your property tax bill. You'll learn about homestead exemptions, senior freezes, appraisal protests, disabled veteran benefits, and other tax strategies that many homeowners never use. She also shares common mistakes that co...

If you own an LLC, this episode could save you thousands of dollars. Learn the right way to pay yourself, when owner's draws make sense, and when an S-corp election may reduce your taxes. Tiffany explains these rules in plain English so you can avoid expensive mistakes and make smarter tax planning decisions. You'll also learn how tax strategies, business finance, and tax savings work together to...

This episode explains one of the biggest tax strategies available to real estate investors: cost segregation. Learn how one investor increased a $25,000 deduction to more than $221,000 in the first year and why that created nearly $47,000 in tax savings. Tiffany also explains who benefits most, how tax planning changes the outcome, and why passive activity rules matter before moving forward. You'l...

Most business owners hear about when to elect S-Corp status—but almost nobody talks about when it becomes an expensive mistake. In this episode, Tiffany Phillips explains when an S-Corp election can actually cost you more in taxes, penalties, payroll, and compliance than it saves. Learn how tax planning, tax strategies, and the right compensation plan can protect your business from costly IRS mist...

Think your business travel isn't fully deductible? Think again. In this episode, Tiffany Phillips, CPA, explains the tax strategies behind business travel that many accountants overlook. Learn how to maximize tax savings with meals, mileage, per diem rates, international travel rules, spouse travel, and proper documentation. Tiffany breaks down the IRS rules in plain English and shares real exampl...

 In this episode, I break down the real difference between a compliance CPA and a tax strategist, and why that gap could be costing your business six figures a year. We cover three real case studies of business owners who lost tens of thousands of dollars because their CPA did the bare minimum, the three pillars that separate a preparer from a strategist, and the exact questions you should ask to...

This episode explains how business owners can legally hire their children to create tax savings while teaching valuable financial skills. Tiffany breaks down IRS rules, payroll requirements, entity structure considerations, and how a Roth IRA can help turn today's tax strategy into long-term family wealth. Next Steps: ➡️ Overpaying your CPA and the IRS? Learn how to stop it in this free training:...

The tax rules changed, and many business owners still don't know how it affects them. In this episode, Tiffany Phillips breaks down four major tax strategies from the One Big Beautiful Bill that could create significant tax savings in 2026. This isn't theory. It's practical CPA advice with real numbers and real examples that can help you keep more of what you earn. If you're a business owner or re...