ZAJ Accounting Services

ZAJ Accounting Services Virtual EA firm providing year-round tax support for savvy side hustlers and self-employed taxpayers.

Tax Tip of the Week: Got Mail From the IRS? Open It.One of the most expensive tax mistakes I see people make is ignoring...
05/14/2026

Tax Tip of the Week: Got Mail From the IRS? Open It.

One of the most expensive tax mistakes I see people make is ignoring IRS mail because they’re scared of what it says.

I get it. Seeing that envelope can make your stomach drop. But ignoring it doesn’t stop the process.

Most IRS notices are simply letting you know about:
✔ a balance due
✔ a change made to your tax return
✔ a request for additional information
✔ next steps you may need to take

Sometimes no response is needed. Sometimes action is required. But you won’t know which one applies to you if the letter stays unopened on the counter.

If you owe taxes, acting sooner may help reduce additional penalties and interest—and could give you more options to resolve the balance.

If you’ve received IRS notices or owe taxes, follow this page. I’ll be sharing more tips this week to help you better understand what to do next. Follow us.

Feeling stuck in your business? Not sure where you stand financially? Overwhelmed by your finances?Together, we can help...
05/09/2026

Feeling stuck in your business? Not sure where you stand financially? Overwhelmed by your finances?

Together, we can help you move forward and get results in your business.

Want to discuss working together? I’m currently accepting new clients. Schedule a time to chat with me!

Small Business Week – Tip #5: Use the Right ResourcesThere’s a lot of information out there… but not all of it is accu...
05/08/2026

Small Business Week – Tip #5: Use the Right Resources

There’s a lot of information out there… but not all of it is accurate or helpful.

Using the right resources can save you time, money, and a lot of stress.

The Internal Revenue Service provides tools every business owner can use to stay compliant and manage their tax responsibilities.

Here are a few you may find helpful as you navigate your business and taxes:

1. Business Tax Account - Manage balances, make payments, and view your tax records in one place.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-business-tax-account-helping-eligible-taxpayers-manage-their-obligations-online

2. Stay aware of current scams - The IRS “Dirty Dozen” list highlights common scams targeting taxpayers each year.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/be-aware-of-dirty-dozen-tax-scams-for-2026

3. Gig Economy Tax Center - If you earn income from apps, freelance work, or online sales, this helps you understand your tax responsibilities.
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/gig-economy-tax-center

4. Business tax resources - From deductions to filing requirements, having the right information helps you stay compliant.
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/business-taxes

5. SECURE 2.0 updates - Recent law changes may impact how businesses handle things like retirement plans and Form W-2 reporting.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/secure-2-point-0-act-changes-affect-how-businesses-complete-forms-w-2

Knowing where to get accurate information is part of running your business the right way.

👉 Follow this page for ongoing updates and guidance to help you stay compliant year-round.

Small Business Week – Tip #4: Protect Your BusinessIf something happened to your business today… would you be prepared?...
05/07/2026

Small Business Week – Tip #4: Protect Your Business

If something happened to your business today… would you be prepared?

Most business owners think about making money—but not protecting what they’ve built.

Disasters, data loss, and unexpected events happen. The businesses that recover are the ones that plan ahead.

Here’s what that looks like:

1. Go paperless—but keep backups: Store financial and tax records digitally, but also keep copies of critical documents in a secure place.

2. Document your business assets: Photos and videos of equipment, inventory, and valuables can support insurance claims and potential tax relief if something happens.

3. Know what relief is available: When disasters hit, the Internal Revenue Service may provide extended deadlines and tax relief—but only if you know where to look.

4. Protect your payroll and tax deposits: If you use a payroll provider, make sure safeguards are in place. Setting up systems to monitor your tax payments helps you stay in control.

The goal isn’t just to run a business—it’s to protect it.

👉Come back tomorrow for the last Small Business Week tip.

Small Business Week – Tip #3: Smart Tax PlanningIf you only think about taxes during tax season… that’s why you keep o...
05/06/2026

Small Business Week – Tip #3: Smart Tax Planning

If you only think about taxes during tax season… that’s why you keep owing.

Smart business owners don’t wait until April—they plan during the year.

Here’s what that actually looks like:

1. Work with your tax professional year-round
Tax planning isn’t a once-a-year thing. Ongoing guidance helps you adjust your strategy before it’s too late.

2. Take advantage of credits and deductions
Many businesses qualify for credits and write-offs—but if you don’t know about them, you don’t use them.

3. Pay your estimated taxes on time
If you’re self-employed or have business income, you’re expected to pay throughout the year—not all at once. Missing these payments can lead to penalties—even if you get a refund later.

4. Know your payment options if you owe. If you owe the Internal Revenue Service, you still have options:
• Online payments (bank, card, digital wallet)
• Payment plans
• Offer in Compromise

Ignoring it is what makes it worse.

5. Plan ahead if you have a gig or side income.
Income from apps, freelance work, or online sales is taxable—even if taxes aren’t taken out.

Skipping planning is why business owners stay stuck owing year after year.

👉 Follow this page and come back tomorrow for the next Small Business Week tip.

Small Business Week Tip #2: Best Practices for Small BusinessesIf your business isn’t set up right, your taxes won’t be...
05/05/2026

Small Business Week Tip #2: Best Practices for Small Businesses

If your business isn’t set up right, your taxes won’t be either.

Most small business owners don’t realize there’s a problem until they file their taxes and end up owing.

And by then, it’s already too late to fix what should’ve been set up from the beginning.

Here’s what needs to be in place from the start:

1. Classify your business correctly
Your entity (sole prop, LLC, S corp, etc.) determines how you’re taxed and what you’re responsible for.

2. Get your EIN
Your Employer Identification Number is how the Internal Revenue Service identifies your business.
It’s free to apply and required for most businesses.

3. Keep good records
You need a system that clearly tracks income and expenses.
This is how you:
• Know your numbers
• Capture deductions
• Stay ready for tax season

4. Hire the right tax professional
The right professional helps you file correctly, stay compliant, and avoid costly mistakes. At ZAJ Accounting Services, work is led by an Enrolled Agent with over 10 years of experience, ensuring your taxes are handled correctly.

Skipping these steps is why a lot of business owners end up fixing problems instead of building.

CTA:
👉 Follow this page and come back tomorrow for the next Small Business Week tip.

Small Business Week Tip #1: Avoid IRS ScamsIf you run a business or have side income, this is something you can’t affor...
05/04/2026

Small Business Week Tip #1: Avoid IRS Scams

If you run a business or have side income, this is something you can’t afford to ignore.

Small business owners are one of the biggest targets for IRS-related scams right now—and most don’t realize it until it’s too late.

With more businesses operating online, IRS-related scams are getting more convincing—especially with AI.

Here’s what you need to know to protect your business:

1. Watch out for common IRS scams
The Internal Revenue Service highlights these as some of the most persuasive scams right now:
• AI-enabled IRS impersonation calls
• New client scams & spear phishing
• Bad tax advice on social media
• Bogus “Self-Employment Tax Credit” promotions

2. Take proactive steps to protect your business
Use anti-virus/anti-malware software with automatic updates, require strong passwords, and enable multi-factor authentication. Only enter sensitive data on secure websites (https).

3. Educate your employees
If there’s a team involved, they need to know what to look for. One wrong click can expose the entire business.

4. Protect your EIN
Your EIN is your business identity. Keep it secure and make updates when needed to reduce the risk of fraud.

5. Report suspicious activity
If something doesn’t feel right, report it directly through the IRS fraud reporting page.

👉 Follow this page and come back tomorrow for the next Small Business Week tip.

05/03/2026

If you run a business or have a side hustle and still feel confused about your taxes… this week is for you.

Most small business owners don’t have a tax problem because they’re doing something wrong…they have a problem because no one ever showed them what to do.

So they:
• Guess their way through the year
• Wait until tax season to figure it out
• End up owing… again

That’s exactly why the Internal Revenue Service puts together resources for National Small Business Week—to help business owners understand their responsibilities, stay compliant, and plan ahead.

So this week, we are breaking it down for you in a way that actually makes sense—from avoiding scams to staying compliant
to putting a plan in place so you’re not caught off guard.

No fluff. Just what matters.

👉Follow this page and come back tomorrow for Day 1.

Staying ahead of tax deadlines helps you avoid penalties and keep your business running smoothly.Each month, we break do...
05/02/2026

Staying ahead of tax deadlines helps you avoid penalties and keep your business running smoothly.

Each month, we break down what’s due so you know what’s coming up and can plan accordingly.

Subscribe to the newsletter to get these monthly updates straight to your inbox and stay ahead.
https://zajaccountingservices.com/subscribe/

Tax Tip of the Week: Already Filed… Then Received Another Tax Form?If you filed your tax return and then received a W-2...
04/29/2026

Tax Tip of the Week: Already Filed… Then Received Another Tax Form?

If you filed your tax return and then received a W-2, 1099, or any additional tax document after the fact… this is something you don’t want to ignore.

That income was still reported to the IRS—even if it wasn’t included on your return.

Here’s what to do:

• Review the document to confirm the income and tax year
• Compare it to your filed return to see if it was already included
• If it wasn’t, determine whether it changes your income, credits, or tax liability
•If the change impacts your return, you may need to file an amended return using Form 1040-X.

Not every situation requires an amendment—sometimes the IRS will send a notice instead after they have corrected it, but if they don’t, you should. Doing nothing can lead to penalties, interest, or delays.

The goal isn’t to panic or rush… it’s to fix it the right way.

🎥 We’ll be sharing a step-by-step video later this week on how to amend your return if needed.

👉 Follow the page so you don’t miss it.

Address

Southside
Jacksonville, FL

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 7pm
Wednesday 10am - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+19049098531

Website

https://zajservices.thrivecart.com/12-steps-to-tax-filing-success/, https://nata

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when ZAJ Accounting Services posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to ZAJ Accounting Services:

Shortcuts

Share

Category