Vazin & Williams, Inc

10/24/2025

Cybersecurity is something that matters a lot in our business. (We're handling sensitive financial info, so we're vigilant to protect it at all costs.)

But it matters for your personal life as well, because you have sensitive info that needs to be protected from bad actors too.

Here's another cyber attack trick to watch out for.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/this-new-cyberattack-tricks-you-into-hacking-yourself-heres-how-to-spot-it/

10/23/2025

We get excited about HSAs in the tax business because…

𝟭. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘅-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲.
If you contribute through your employer's payroll, the money comes out pre-tax. If you contribute on your own, you can deduct the amount on your tax return, which lowers your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).

𝟮. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻.
You have until the tax filing deadline (usually April 15th) to make contributions for the 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳 (a longer window than 401(k)s). And if you’re 55 or older, you can contribute an extra 1K annually.

𝟯. 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝘅-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲.
Any interest or investment earnings inside the account are untaxed.

𝟰. 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘅-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲.....as long as you’re using the money for qualified medical expenses (think doctor visits, prescriptions, dental, vision). Before age 65, if you use HSA funds for non-medical expenses, you'll pay a 20 percent penalty in addition to ordinary income tax.

We welcome all questions on this topic. We're here to serve.

10/22/2025

For working parents who pay for childcare, the childcare credit is working more in your favor now. It now covers 50% of qualified expenses, up from 35%. That means up to $1,500 per child—though still only for two kids max.

If you haven't considered that in your tax filing, this is just one of the things we'll make sure you don't miss out on if you qualify.

10/21/2025

We’ve seen so many business owners come to us confused and stressed because their accountant didn’t communicate clearly throughout the year.

A missed deadline here, an unexpected IRS notice there… and suddenly, they’re scrambling to fix problems that never should’ve happened in the first place.

A good accountant doesn’t wait until tax time to talk to you.

They build communication into the relationship — with regular check-ins, proactive guidance before deadlines hit, and explanations that make sense in plain English.

That’s what keeps you confident and in control of your business — not constantly reacting to surprises.

We don’t believe accounting should be a once-a-year transaction.

It should feel like a partnership — someone walking with you all year long.

If that’s the kind of support you’ve been missing, we’d love to be that partner for you.

Let’s make sure you’re never left guessing about your finances again.

10/20/2025

Would you rather be your own boss or get paid a salary?

This article might have you questioning your answer.

https://www.inc.com/bruce-crumley/why-entrepreneurs-earn-more-than-salaried-employees/91248340

10/17/2025

Between now and 2028, you’ve got a planning window that could make a real difference in how your Social Security is taxed.

OBBBA added an extra deduction if you're 65 and older — $6,000 if you’re single, $12,000 if both spouses are 65+.

Important note:
Once your income (MAGI) tops $75K single / $150K joint, that deduction starts to fade away (gone completely by $175K / $250K).

If you stay under this threshold, the deduction could 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 that used to make Social Security taxable. It doesn’t make benefits tax-free — but it gives you room to plan smarter.

Use this window to:
• Manage your MAGI strategically
• Time your Social Security claiming
• Consider Roth conversions or charitable giving (QCDs)

DM us if you want to look at your situation more carefully.

10/16/2025

When was the last time you looked at how your business is structured?

It's pretty normal for business owners to set up an LLC or S Corp, then not touch it for years. But you wouldn't do that with your products/services or else you might miss out on serving your clients well.

In the same way, as your business grows, what 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 to fit can quietly start costing you money.

If your revenue’s up, or your team looks different than it did a few years ago, your structure might not be the most efficient one anymore.

An LLC taxed as a sole prop can pile on self-employment tax.

An S Corp that once saved money might now limit deductions.

Your entity isn’t permanent — it’s a tool. And tools need sharpening.

If your income has changed more than 25% since you formed your business, it’s time for an entity check-up.

DM us if that's you.

10/15/2025

We genuinely want to know. Share with us in the comments.

Sometimes giving voice to those fears is the first step toward overcoming them.

10/14/2025

The IRS gave you a small win for 2026 — but with the right planning, that “small win” can turn into something much bigger. 💰

The standard deduction is increasing again (now $32,200 for married couples), which means more of your income isn’t taxed at all. That alone might save a few hundred dollars… but if you plan ahead, it’s also a chance to:
Rethink whether to itemize or not
Adjust withholdings
Time deductions or income more strategically
Those are the kinds of moves that turn an automatic IRS update into real savings.

That’s what we help our clients do every year — look beyond the numbers and find the opportunities hiding in them.

And we can help you too.

IR-2025-103, Oct. 9, 2025 — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the tax year 2026 annual inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions, including the tax rate schedules and other tax changes. Revenue Procedure 2025-32 provides details about these annual adjustments.

10/13/2025

And the hits just keep on coming for the IRS... and anyone waiting on them to respond.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/08/irs-furloughs-workers-government-shutdown.html

10/10/2025

It’s not too late to separate business and personal funds. I’d recommend setting aside 1-2 hours per week to start tackling these steps:

1. Open a dedicated business checking account (and card) so new transactions stay clean.
2. Go through the last 3–6 months of bank and credit card statements and tag what’s business vs. personal. Pay special attention to meals, travel, vehicle, and home-office costs (the IRS scrutinizes these closely).
3. Start a habit of documenting personal-to-business transfers as an owner’s contribution or as a loan (with a promissory note if it’s truly a loan). And keep documentation for deposits.
4. Reimburse the business for personal charges you accidentally ran through the company account; book those reimbursements correctly (distribution/draw or wages, if needed).
5. Tighten your receipts and recordkeeping for meals, travel, vehicle, and home office. Note the amount, time, place, and business purpose. And for home office, be sure it meets the “regular & exclusive use” test.

Got a question about how to separate your business and personal accounts? Drop it in the comments below.

10/09/2025

Have you heard people say Social Security isn’t taxed anymore?

That’s not quite true. The IRS still taxes up to 85% of Social Security income, depending on your total income.

What 𝘥𝘪𝘥 change for 2025 is a new $6,000 deduction for taxpayers 65 and older — or $12,000 if both spouses qualify.

It doesn’t make Social Security tax-free, but it can reduce your overall taxable income (and sometimes eliminate your federal tax bill entirely).

This deduction lasts 2025 through 2028, so it’s worth reviewing your income plan early to make the most of it.