Rathel's Accounting Service

11/30/2025

Ray Rathel's Perspective: What Are The Most Important Cybersecurity Measures for Small Businesses?

Think your business is too small to hack? Think again. Learn the most important cybersecurity measures for small businesses to put in place.

11/28/2025

Streamlined Installment Agreement: A Tax Debt Repayment Option for Metro Atlanta Owers

Learn how the IRS Streamlined Installment Agreement helps you resolve tax debt under 50K with a simple payment plan and no financial disclosures.

11/28/2025

Don't forget to support your neighbors and friends tomorrow on Small Business Saturday.

Any local favorites the rest of us should know about?

11/27/2025

While we live in a world that feeds on a steady diet of complaint, may you find the riches in today's holiday. And not just today, but every day.

From our hearts to yours: Happy Thanksgiving!

We are grateful every day for the chance to serve you and be your go-to for so much of your financial guidance.

11/27/2025

How do you decide how much to pay yourself from your business?

Some owners move money when it’s there. But 𝘩𝘰𝘸 you pay yourself can change 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 you pay in taxes. For example, if you have an S-Corp, you should consider whether you're paying yourself...

Too much salary?
You’re overpaying in payroll taxes.

Too little?
The IRS can reclassify your distributions and send a bill for the difference.

The goal isn’t to pay yourself less.
It’s to pay yourself right.

That balance between salary and distributions is one of the most overlooked (and valuable) parts of smart tax planning. And of course the considerations change from one tax entity type to the next.

This is something that often needs guidance. We're happy to help with that.

11/25/2025

Taxes?
Budgeting?
Investments?
Bookkeeping?

We genuinely want to know (and offer our help if you're ready).

11/24/2025

The IRS just gave temporary relief on tip reporting.
Translation: a grace period (𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴).

Use it to get your books and payroll in shape for 2026.

DM us if you want help with that.

https://www.newsweek.com/irs-grants-relief-taxes-tips-11001835

11/21/2025

What do you think has been the biggest challenge for small business owners this year?
A) Hiring and payroll
B) Cash flow
C) Keeping up with tax changes
D) Burnout
E) Growing profitably

(Anything else we didn't list?)

11/21/2025

Headlines about fake CPAs are a good reminder — always verify before you trust.

Quick test: Search your CPA's name on your state’s Board of Accountancy site.

If they come up blank, that’s a red flag.

https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/10/30/michigan-man-charged-for-falsely-claiming-to-be-a-cpa/172057/

11/19/2025

First, focus on what it's saying.

The notice itself tells you a lot — what year they’re reviewing, what questions they have, and how long you have to respond.

Read it carefully before you pull any records or send anything in.

If the deadline’s close or the wording isn’t clear, call the number on the letter or reach out to an experienced tax professional right away.

We're a DM away.

11/18/2025

Cash flow matters, especially at year end.

If the invoices are stacking up, you might need to tweak your process. Because the longer they sit, the harder your business has to work to stay even.

A few ways to keep money moving this time of year:
1. 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝘆. The same day the work’s finished, get it out.
2. 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀. A small discount for payment within 10 days often gets results.
3. 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲. ACH, credit card, online portal. Reduce payment friction.

If you’re holding invoices that are 90 days or older, factoring might be worth exploring. You’ll lose a small percentage but gain immediate cash to cover what matters most.

And if there’s money sitting in old inventory or unused equipment, clear it out. Liquidating slow stock or selling what’s idle puts that money back to work before year-end.

A healthy cash cycle gives you options.
What would you do with a little more breathing room?