Purk & Associates, P.C.

06/01/2026

Thinking about donating a painting, sculpture or other work of art to charity? Read this first to help ensure your tax deduction will be what you expect.

05/29/2026

Tax credits reduce tax liability dollar-for-dollar. So, they can be more valuable than deductions, which reduce only the amount of income subject to tax. One tax credit that hasn’t been getting much attention lately but that can still be valuable for certain small businesses is the credit for providing health insurance to employees. Although it’s been available for more than a decade and generally can be claimed for only two years, some small businesses may still be eligible. These may include newer businesses as well as older ones that only recently have begun offering health insurance. The credit can equal as much as 50% of health coverage premiums paid. Contact us to learn more.

05/27/2026

05/27/2026

Claiming the maximum depreciation deductions you can on your 2025 income tax return will generally provide the greatest 2025 tax savings. But sometimes it may be better to depreciate business assets over a period of years, such as if you expect to become subject to higher tax rates. If you claim 100% bonus depreciation or Sec. 179 expensing today, you’re eliminating future depreciation deductions for those assets. And deductions save more tax when tax rates are higher. We can identify which depreciation breaks you’re eligible for, review your overall tax situation and help determine whether you should maximize depreciation-related breaks on your 2025 return. Contact us to get started.

05/25/2026

05/25/2026

If your business uses the accrual method of accounting and received advance payments in 2025, you may be able to defer reporting some or all of that income until 2026 for federal tax purposes. An advance payment is one received by a business before it provides whatever is being paid for. Examples of advance payments that may be eligible for this favorable tax treatment include payments for services, the sale of goods, gift cards, the use of intellectual property, the sale or use of computer software, warranty contracts and subscriptions. But complicated rules apply. Contact us for help determining if your business is eligible to defer 2025 advance payments.

05/22/2026

If you used one or more vehicles in your business during 2025, you may be eligible for valuable tax deductions on your 2025 income tax return. But the rules are complicated, and your deductions may be affected by factors such as the vehicle’s weight and business vs. personal use. The year you place a car, SUV, van, pickup or panel truck in service, you can choose to deduct the actual expenses (such as gas, insurance, repairs and registration fees) and depreciation attributable to your business use of the vehicle or claim the cents-per-mile deduction (with a depreciation allowance built into it). Heavier vehicles may be eligible for larger deductions. Contact us if you have questions.

05/20/2026

Many businesses offer flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for health care and dependent care. One potential drawback is the use-it-or-lose-it rule. Under IRS cafeteria plan rules, unused amounts generally are forfeited after any applicable grace period or permitted health care FSA carryover. Employers may retain forfeitures, often to offset plan costs. If not retained, the funds may be used to reduce the employee contributions that would be required to reach certain FSA balances for the next plan year or returned to employees, provided these amounts are allocated on a reasonable and uniform basis. Contact us to for help reviewing your plan and ensuring forfeitures are handled properly.

05/18/2026

Most businesses close their books on December 31 because it aligns with the calendar year. And it may seem easier for tax filing purposes.

But this approach isn’t right for every business. Some entities — such as construction companies, accounting firms and snowplowing operations — may have valid reasons for adopting fiscal year ends. Aligning a company’s tax year with its operating cycle can streamline reporting and support better planning.

If you’re thinking about changing your business’s year end, contact us to discuss your options. We can also guide you through the IRS approval process.