HCJ CPAs & Advisors | audit * tax * consulting

You’ve hit your 40s or 50s, and suddenly, retirement doesn’t feel like a distant mirage. It’s real. The countdown is on. But here’s the good news: You’re in a prime position to play catch-up and fortify your future, using smart tax strategies to stretch your...

In the realm of estate planning, naming beneficiaries is a critical step that ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your passing. However, the process doesn't end with simply naming beneficiaries; it's equally important to keep these designations up to date. Life...

As it does every year, the Internal Revenue Service recently announced the inflation- adjusted 2025 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical, or moving purposes. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2025, the standard mileage rates for...

Individuals and small businesses should consider various ways of starting off on the right foot for the 2025 tax year. W-4 Updates – If you are employed, then your employer takes the information from your Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form W-4 and applies it to the...

As 2024 winds down, tax professionals are gearing up to prepare and reconcile client accounts for the year ahead. QuickBooks Online (QBO) offers tools to simplify this process, helping business owners wrap up year-end details and ensure their books are tax-ready for 2025. Below, we’ll...

As the year draws to a close, small business owners have a unique opportunity to implement strategies that can significantly reduce their tax liability for the upcoming year. By taking proactive steps in the final months, businesses can not only minimize their tax burden but...

As tax professionals, we know that changes in leadership often bring shifts in tax policy, affecting everything from deductions and exemptions to estate taxes and business regulations. With President Donald Trump’s recent re-election, we may see updates to tax policy based on his prior administration's...

Retirement is your reward for a lifetime of hard work, but keeping more of your savings in retirement requires strategy. Many Baby Boomers unknowingly leave tax dollars on the table by missing out on tax-savvy moves. You’ve built up a lifetime of savings—now it’s time...