HCJ CPAs & Advisors | audit * tax * consulting

Closing out the year smoothly begins before December arrives. For business owners using QuickBooks® Online (QBO), now’s the time to move beyond last-minute scrambles and step into structured, tax-ready bookkeeping and planning. With new features and increased IRS scrutiny, lining things up ahead of year-end...

This is our annual reminder that if you use workers other than employees to perform services for your business and pay them $600 or more for 2025, you are required to issue each one a Form 1099-NEC after the end of the year to avoid facing penalties...

As the year draws to a close, taxpayers with substantial stock holdings have a unique opportunity to engage in strategic planning to optimize their tax positions. This article explores various strategies, including understanding the annual loss limit, navigating wash sale rules, recognizing gains and losses,...

The holiday season is a time of giving, and while the joy of gifting is often its own reward, there are ways to make your generosity even more impactful through strategic tax planning. By understanding the tax implications of certain gifts, you can maximize the...

As the leaves turn and we all begin to look ahead to 2026, small businesses and accountants know that closing the books on one year correctly sets the tone for the next. With evolving tax rules and new QuickBooks® Online (QBO) features rolling out, here are key...

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are a highly effective tool in the tax planning toolkit, particularly for retirees who must take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). By directing a portion or all of an RMD directly to a charity, taxpayers can...

You finally have a year where sales are up and the books show a profit—yet your bank account feels like it missed the memo. You’re working harder than ever, but cash seems to disappear the moment it hits your account. If that sounds familiar, you’re not...

Growth Feels Great—Until It Doesn’t At first, running your business feels simple: money comes in, bills go out, and if there’s something left over, you’re doing fine. Then growth happens. More clients. Bigger projects. Higher payroll. Maybe even a second location. Suddenly, cash doesn’t flow the way it used...

You’ve lost money — now you’re wondering if you can at least get a tax break for it. You believed in your business. You invested in an S-corporation — maybe as a founder, maybe as an early investor — and now things have gone south. The company’s...

The IRS is going through what you might call an identity crisis. Thousands of employees have been laid off right in the middle of tax season, including auditors, tech staff, and even customer service reps. Throw in yet another commissioner swap and a partial reset on their...