Beyond the Receipts (Small Business Tax & Finances)

Growth is supposed to feel exciting. More revenue. More opportunities. More momentum. But what many business owners discover is that growth often creates new challenges before it creates new freedom. In this episode of Beyond the Receipts , Hope Brown explores the often-overlooked stage between startup and stability—the point where a business is succeeding, but the owner suddenly feels the weight...

As businesses grow, many owners assume the answer to confusion is more reports, more dashboards, and more data. But in reality, most stress doesn’t come from not having enough information. It comes from too many unknowns. In this episode of Beyond the Receipts, Hope Brown explores the mental weight business owners carry when too many things still feel unresolved behind the scenes — even when reven...

Tax season is over… but that doesn’t always mean things feel lighter. In this episode of Beyond the Receipts , Hope walks through what business owners often experience right after tax season. The quiet moment where the pressure fades, but the weight doesn’t fully lift. Instead of rushing to fix everything or avoiding your numbers altogether, this conversation focuses on what tax season actually gi...

If you’ve ever wondered what needs to be done before a tax return can be filed , you’re not alone. In this episode of Beyond the Receipts , Hope breaks down one of the most common sources of frustration during tax season: feeling ready to file, but being told that something is still missing. Most tax delays don’t happen because someone isn’t working hard. They happen because something isn’t clear...

If you’ve ever filed your tax return and then noticed your financial reports don’t look exactly the same, you’re not alone — especially as businesses grow more complex. In this episode, we break down why numbers often change after filing, the difference between bookkeeping and tax reporting, and why those changes usually signal completion — not mistakes . This conversation is especially helpful fo...

In this episode of Beyond the Receipts , Hope addresses one of the most common sources of stress and shame during tax season: filing a tax extension . Many small business owners wonder: “Is filing an extension a bad sign?” “Does a tax extension mean I’m behind?” “Why do accountants recommend extensions?” This conversation is here to bring clarity. A tax extension is not a failure. It doesn’t mean...

In this episode of Beyond the Receipts , Hope slows down one of the most commonly misunderstood phrases in small business finance: what “clean books” actually mean . Many business owners search for clean books for small business thinking it means perfection — or a sign that something is wrong. This conversation is here to clarify, not escalate. Clean books don’t mean perfect bookkeeping. They don’...

Many business owners reach a point where they’re working constantly, revenue is coming in — and yet things still feel heavy. This episode is for business owners who have moved past early growth and are navigating increased complexity. If your calendar is full, your business is active, but clarity still feels elusive, this conversation will help you understand why. We’ll talk about the difference b...

In this opening episode of Season 3 of Beyond the Receipts , Hope explores why tax season feels so overwhelming for small business owners — and why the phrase “I’ll fix it after tax season” shows up so often. Many business owners experience tax season anxiety not because they’re doing something wrong, but because tax season shines a light on areas that already feel heavy or unclear. This episode i...

In this insightful episode, our host Hope Brown welcomes Christi Venable, MA, NCC, LPC, LCPC, a national certified counselor and licensed professional counselor specializing in workplace mental health and corporate wellness through Smile Therapy Services. As entrepreneurs navigate the challenging business landscape of 2025, Christi joins us to share valuable strategies for maintaining mental wellb...

In this eye-opening episode, Hope Brown sits down with Enrolled Agent and Tax Resolution Specialist LuSundra Everett (The Home Biz Tax Lady) to demystify IRS audits and share practical strategies for protecting your business. Whether you've received an audit letter or want to prevent one, we discuss essential insights business owners can use. Guest Bio: LuSundra Everett is an enrolled agent an...

Join Hope Brown for a heartfelt look at how tax preparers work tirelessly to help their clients succeed. Learn insider tips that can save you thousands, discover why timing matters so much, and understand how building a strong relationship with your tax preparer can transform your business's financial future. Key Topics: Why we work long hours to serve you better How early appointments help us...

In this empowering episode, Hope Brown welcomes Cristel Sias, a dynamic small business advisor with a rich background in executive coaching and strategic business development. With over 17 years of experience, Cristel has been instrumental in helping business owners develop profitable strategies, injecting $234 million in revenue into the local economy through the Goldman Sachs Small Business Prog...

In this episode of Beyond the Receipt, host Hope Brown welcomes financial strategist Robin R. Haynes to discuss what business owners need to know about preparing for business loans. With over 26 years of experience in the financial industry and as a business advisor for the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Program, Robin shares invaluable insights on both personal and business credit readiness. Ke...

Welcome to Season 2 of Beyond the Receipts! In this season premiere, Hope Brown breaks down essential year-end tax and financial planning strategies that could save your business thousands. Learn the critical difference between reactive and proactive business owners, and discover exactly what you need to do before December 31st to minimize your tax burden. Key Timestamps 0:21 - Welcome to Season 2...

Feeling lost in the fog of running your small business? This episode of Beyond the Receipts Podcast cuts through the confusion and equips you with a powerful tool: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) . Think of KPIs as your personalized business compass. We'll show you how to set clear goals, define measurable metrics, and establish timelines to track your progress and propel your business forwa...

In this episode of Beyond the Receipts, we're delving into the 2024 IRS's Dirty Dozen list of tax scams released earlier this year. This is the must-know list if you want to avoid falling prey to the many tax scams out there. Picture phishing emails so convincing they could deceive even the most cautious among us, and phony pitches about employee retention credits that promised substantial...

Hey there, tax season warriors! Ready to dive into the trenches of financial management with me? In this episode of Beyond the Receipts, we're unpacking the wild ride that was tax season 2024 and gearing up for an even better 2025. While the wounds are still “fresh” join me as we uncover the invaluable "Lessons Learned" from the mouths of my amazing business owner tax clients this pa...

Ever wonder how you, the fearless entrepreneur, can rock your retirement planning? In the latest episode of Beyond the Receipts I was able to dive into this question with our very first guest on the pod, financial guru, Romy Pickron!  In my interview with her, we explored exciting options for solopreneurs and small businesses to stash away cash for their golden years. From IRAs to employee plans l...

Forget the last-minute scramble –  turns out, filing a tax extension is a total lifesaver if you need more breathing room. Here's the deal: both individuals and businesses can get an extension that buys you six whole months to file your return. That's huge! No more panicking over missing documents or scrambling to meet the deadline. An extension basically hits the pause button and lets you...

In this episode of Beyond the Receipts, we’ll dive deep into the world of Tax Planning versus Tax Preparation. Let me be your tax-savvy tour guide through the highlights. First off, tax planning isn't just for the big shots; it's a powerhouse for both small businesses and individuals looking to master the art of minimizing tax liabilities. One of the major keys to it is being proactive – t...

Picture this: A tax preparer who's got their hands on a well-organized treasure trove of financials and accounting wizardry. It's like handing them a golden ticket to a stress-free tax season. In this episode, we unravel the secret sauce behind a seamless tax preparation experience – and it all starts with keeping your financial house in order. But wait, there's more! We're not jus...

On this episode of Beyond the Receipts, we're cracking the code of S corporations. Forget boring tax jargon – we're breaking it down like you're sipping coffee with a financial bestie. We'll answer the burning questions: what are S corps, how do they save you taxes, and how do you pay yourself without tripping over the IRS red tape? Think you can just switch to S corp status and wa...

Dive into the latest episode of Beyond the Receipt that unravels the pivotal shifts in business regulations! Come 2024, LLCs and various entities are poised for a transformative change: they must now unveil crucial beneficial ownership information details to FinCEN. But here's the catch: overlooking this mandate could fetch hefty fines, soaring up to $500 daily, or even lead to unforeseen lega...

Join us in this episode of Beyond the Receipts, as wel delve into the intricacies of form 1099-NEC, a crucial document that businesses must file to report non-employee compensation. We'll break down the essentials, offering insights to help businesses navigate the compliance maze—from tracking payments and deciphering payment methods to making the most of e-filing platforms and seeking profess...