Rafael Valentin, CPA, EA

05/26/2026

It's that time of the year where I am reviewing returns that people have either prepared themselves or have had other tax preparers file. I will say this (albeit a little biasedly): A good CPA is worth their weight in gold.

96.7% of the time, I am in the camp of paying the cost for the benefit of a professional's service (and I most definitely in that camp when any matter of finances is involved).

I recently onboarded a client that owned several rental properties where years of depreciation on these properties wasn't being deducted. We were able to locate these errors, submit the amendments and get this client back roughly $11k of taxes.

If you suspect that you aren't receiving every possible deduction afforded to you under the tax code, reach out to me!

04/30/2026

IF TAX SEASON FELT LIKE A SURPRISE…
you’re not alone.

Most people are:
• Filing without a plan
• Guessing what they owe
• Hoping they didn’t miss something

That’s not how it should be.

I created an offering where I work with individuals and business owners to:
✔ Stay ahead of taxes year-round
✔ Avoid surprises
✔ Make smarter financial decisions

If you’ve been thinking about getting more organized or strategic, now’s the time.

Message me or reach out below 👇
📞 504-335-7298
📧 [email protected]

12/01/2025

If you own a business, your goal in December should be to reach out to your CPA for projections and any last min tax advice. After one 30 min consult, a client was able to shave $9k off of their 2025 tax bill.

Schedule a consult: https://calendly.com/rafaelvalentin/30min

10/28/2024

Did you know that your tax returns can be reviewed, even if someone besides us prepared them? We can often find mistakes made by software or other preparers -- and amend your return for a more favorable outcome.

Did you leave money on the table?

10/25/2024

What are some ways an employer could make the pivot from remote work to in-office work more palatable for employees?

https://www.worklife.news/talent/workers-spending-more-than-60-daily-to-work-from-the-office/

10/24/2024

Do you really need to follow up with customers after a 🤑sale? It often doesn't yield immediate results (where's that instant gratification?!).

But following up is actually 🔑 key to effective sales because it shows your customers that they ❤️ matter to you even beyond the sale.

🙌🏻 Thank them for their business, 🤝 make sure their needs are met, and ❓ask open-ended questions about their experience. A quick ☎️ phone call or thank you email can go a lot further than you might think.

10/24/2024

Sales Strategies: Mistakes That Could Be Costing Your St. Bernard Parish Business

Your business can’t afford to lose customers in an inflationary environment, so identifying problematic sales strategies is key.

10/23/2024

You might feel like the IRS is only looking out for Uncle Sam most of the time, but they do think about you as a taxpayer sometimes too.

It's one reason for the 2025 tax adjustments, which they just announced yesterday: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-releases-tax-inflation-adjustments-for-tax-year-2025.

How do these help you?
🔹 Enjoy higher standard deductions this coming year, which means less of your income will be taxed. AKA: Keep more of what you earn.
🔹 You won’t have to worry about being bumped into a higher tax bracket due to inflationary wage increases.
🔹 Families, take note: Benefits like the Earned Income Tax Credit are increasing, which can significantly aid in managing household expenses.
🔹 Now’s the perfect time to start planning financially for next year, armed with all the insights on what’s changing for deductions and credits.

If you want help figuring out how to take full advantage of these changes, DM us.

10/22/2024

If your business was a plant, which customers would the dead stuff be -- the leaves that need to be pruned?

The health of your business often means staying focused on the ideal clients/customers you want to serve. Hanging onto less ideal clients can take time and resources that you could be directing for growth in other areas.

10/21/2024

The future belongs to those who plan for it today. 🌱
What’s one small step you can take this week to grow your wealth? 🚀