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Navigate Tax Season with Confidence: Essential Tips and Updates

As tax season approaches, many business owners find themselves preparing for the daunting task of gathering financial documents for their tax meetings. Whether you meet your tax advisor in person or virtually, the complexity of this process largely depends on your record-keeping practices throughout the year. Properly organized tax records not only facilitate smoother tax preparation but also allow your CPA to focus on optimizing your tax outcomes by:

  • Identifying all eligible deductions within legal guidelines,

  • Evaluating the most advantageous income reporting and deduction strategies for your business,

  • Reviewing and applying recent tax law changes, and

  • Discussing future tax-planning strategies to minimize liabilities.

Key Updates for 2025: With the implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), several pivotal changes will impact your tax return this year. Here’s what to look out for:

  • No Tax on Tips: A new deduction of up to $25,000 is available for cash tips in traditional tip-receiving occupations, phasing out above specific AGI thresholds.

  • No Tax on Qualified Overtime: Deduct up to $12,500 ($25,000 for joint filers) from overtime pay that exceeds the regular rate, within certain income limits.

  • Vehicle Loan Interest Deduction: You can deduct up to $10,000 in interest on loans for new personal-use vehicles purchased post-2024, subject to income phase-outs.

  • SALT Deduction Limit: The SALT deduction ceiling has been raised to $40,000, with progressive phase-downs for higher-income taxpayers.

  • Super Retirement Catch Up: Increased contribution limits for catch-up plans for individuals aged 60 to 63.

  • Child and Adoption Credits: OBBBA has increased the child tax credit and introduced a refundable portion for the adoption credit.

  • Section 179 Expensing and Bonus Depreciation: Expanded caps on immediate expensing of qualifying assets and 100% bonus depreciation maintain incentives for capital investments.

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Effective Tax Preparation: Start organizing your tax records early. Here’s a quick guide:

  • Create a secure space for storing tax documents like receipts and income statements.

  • Organize records by category: healthcare expenses, mortgage interest, donations, etc.

  • Complete any tax organizers or questionnaires promptly to uncover potential tax-saving opportunities.

  • Highlight any foreign financial interests or cryptocurrency transactions to ensure compliance with IRS regulations.

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Navigating Special Circumstances: Certain transactions require detailed attention and documentation:

  • Property Sales: Maintain records of purchase and sale dates, costs, and gains.

  • Gifted or Inherited Property: Document the original purchase cost and conditions of transfer.

  • Energy Credits: Provide necessary details for home energy investments to leverage available tax credits.

  • Charitable Contributions: Secure documentation for all donations to substantiate deductions.

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For advanced guidance and to ensure compliance with state-specific tax obligations, collaborating with a trusted, advisory-focused CPA firm such as ChesebroCPA is vital. Our expertise in construction bookkeeping and tax planning can help uncover significant savings while improving overall financial clarity. Set the foundation for successful tax preparation by leveraging informed advice and eliminating surprises in the financial landscape of your business.

Schedule a Complimentary Meeting
Learn how we can help serve your business needs.
Schedule Here
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