http://pantana-cpa.com/ Take a look at our recent blog posts and client newsletter articles. en-us Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0600 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=88 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=88 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=87 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=87 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/newsletter.php#2 Unfortunately, tax season is prime time for scams. From phony websites to fake IRS e-mail and the threat of computer viruses, this is a good time to be extra careful online. Learn how to avoid identity theft and how to protect yourself from scammers this tax season. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/newsletter.php#2 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/newsletter.php#3 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/newsletter.php#3 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/newsletter.php#1 From Roth conversions to changes in reporting capital gains and losses, there were a number of tax changes in 2011 that affected taxpayers. Wondering how these changes affect you this tax season? Keep reading to learn more. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/newsletter.php#1 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=86 Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=86 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=84 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=84 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=83 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=83 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=82 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=82 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=81 Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=81 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=80 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=80 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=79 Sun, 06 Nov 2011 08:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=79 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=78 Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=78 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=77 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=77 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=76 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=76 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=75 Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=75 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=74 Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=74 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=73 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=73 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=72 Sat, 16 Jul 2011 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=72 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=71 Sun, 10 Jul 2011 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=71 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=70 IRS Sat, 02 Jul 2011 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=70 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=69 Why do you care? Well for starters, people with a better credit rating enjoy significantly lower interest rates that can add up to thousands of dollars less in interest payments over the term of the loan. Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=69 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=68 To prevent parents from placing investments in their children's names to take advantage of the child's lower tax rate, Congress created, several years back, what is referred to as the â??Kiddie Taxâ?. Wed, 25 May 2011 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=68 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=67 Most small businesses have receivables that cannot be collected. These receivables can be from the sale of products, providing services to customers, or a combination of the two. Thu, 19 May 2011 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=67 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=66 With summer just around the corner, there is a tax break that working parents should know about. Many working parents must arrange for care of their children under 13 years of age during the school vacation period. A popular solution - with a tax benefit - is a day camp program. Thu, 12 May 2011 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=66 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=65 Whether you are working on your business part-time, operating as a sole proprietor, or starting a business with a more formal structure (such as a partnership or corporation) it's vital that you keep your business banking separate from your personal finances. Tue, 10 May 2011 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=65 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=64 There aren't that many different types of forms to keep straight in QuickBooks, but you likely don't use all of them. You probably use invoices and purchase orders frequently, and may fill out the occasional sales receipt or credit memo or estimate. But what about sales orders? You may find that they could make your bookkeeping more accurate and easier. There are only a few situations where they're needed, but they're the appropriate form to use at those times. Thu, 05 May 2011 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=64 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=63 If you are in business for yourself, or carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor or an independent contractor, you generally would consider yourself self-employed, and you will need to include on your tax return your income and allowable business expenses to determine your net profit. Your net profit is subject to both income tax and self-employment tax. Wed, 04 May 2011 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=63 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=62 Social Security Administration No Longer Mailing Out Earnings Statements to Workers Fri, 29 Apr 2011 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=62 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=58 Advance earned income credit has been repealed for 2011. Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=58 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=61 If you use independent contractors to perform services for your business or rental and you pay them $600 or more for the year, you are required to issue them a Form 1099 after the end of the year to avoid facing the loss of the deduction for their labor and expenses, and to avoid a monetary penalty. (This requirement generally does not apply for payments made in 2011 to a corporation.) Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=61 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=59 Are you required to file 1099's? Read this to find out. Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=59 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=60 The Internal Revenue Service has issued the 2011 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=60 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=57 Great job! Wed, 26 Jan 2011 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=57 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=56 Turn over a new leaf. Make a New Year's Resolution. Make a fresh start. Get your ducks in a row. All familiar cliches, but their message is valid: At this time of year, you probably feel like renewing your commitment to running a more successful, productive business. Tue, 11 Jan 2011 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=56 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=53 part of the new tax cuts for 2011, the Social Security (OASDI) payroll tax withholding for employees has been cut by a full 2 percentage points from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent of wages paid Tue, 11 Jan 2011 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=53 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=54 If you're like most taxpayers, you find yourself with an ominous stack of homework around TAX TIME! Unfortunately, the job of pulling together the records for your tax appointment is never easy, but the effort usually pays off when it comes to the extra tax you save Tue, 11 Jan 2011 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=54 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=52 For several years, Congress has failed to permanently resolve the nagging issue of the AMT, and instead, each year has applied a one-year patch without which an estimated 28 million taxpayers would be hit with this punitive tax. This year Congress applied a two year patch to the AMT. Tue, 11 Jan 2011 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=52 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=51 Congress, in an eleventh-hour compromise agreement worked out with the Obama Administration and the GOP Leadership, has extended many of the Bush era tax reductions. The following is an overview of the more frequently encountered tax changes that will have an effect on just about every taxpayer. Wed, 22 Dec 2010 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=51 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=50 The year-end brings the holidays and a barrage of charitable solicitations. It is also your last chance to make a charitable contribution and obtain a deduction for 2010. Thu, 02 Dec 2010 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=50 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=49 QuickBooks can't prepare your taxes for you, but many of its tools help shape your data to make tax deadlines less stressful and your returns more accurate than the days of pencil and paper. Thu, 02 Dec 2010 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=49 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=48 The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act of 2010, more commonly referred to as the HIRE Act, provides the following incentives to hire unemployed workers. Fri, 12 Nov 2010 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=48 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=47 Even if your sales are up, slow customer payments may be damaging your cash flow. Thu, 11 Nov 2010 09:00:00 -0600 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=47 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=46 The 2010 Small Business Jobs Act enacted September 27, 2010 includes an assortment of incentives and tax breaks for small businesses. Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=46 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=44 Learn how the 2011 credit card income reporting changes will affect you. Fri, 29 Oct 2010 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=44 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=43 Beginning for sales made in 2011, payment settlement entities will be required to report each businessâ??s payment transactions to the IRS. Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=43 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=42 Other factors that can create an AMT for the average taxpayer are discussed in the part 2 of this article. Thu, 21 Oct 2010 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=42 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=41 Congress originally implemented the Alternative Minimum Tax to impose a minimum tax on higher-income taxpayers who were avoiding taxes though tax shelters and other legal means. However, years of inflation without corresponding adjustment to the AMT components have, each successive year, caused an increasing number of taxpayers to be subject to the AMT. Mon, 18 Oct 2010 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=41 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=40 The latest release of QuickBooks is available with useful new tools and features. Fri, 15 Oct 2010 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=40 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=39 Planning to make an "energy-saving" improvement to your home? 2010 is the final year to take advantage of the tax credit available so you will need to act quickly as there are only three months left. Mon, 04 Oct 2010 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=39 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=37 Fri, 17 Sep 2010 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.pantana-cpa.com/blog.php?id=37