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You Outgrew Your Internal Controls
Between $1 million and $3 million in revenue the owner stops being able to see every transaction. These are the process controls that have to replace you.
The Employee Retention Credit Is Still Generating IRS Notices
The Employee Retention Credit began under the CARES Act and was broadened by later pandemic legislation, including the American Rescue Plan Act. For a stretch of 2021 and 2022 it was aggressively marketed — often by firms that appeared specifically to sell it, charged a percentage of the refund, and
Crypto Cost Basis: The Records to Fix Before January
Most of the attention on crypto taxes goes to the question of whether a transaction is taxable. That part is fairly settled: the IRS treats digital assets as property, so selling, trading one coin for another, or spending crypto on goods and services can all trigger a capital gain or
Your Tax Deadline Moved to November 2. Don’t Use All of It.
IRS disaster relief postpones most fall federal deadlines to November 2, 2026 for 21 Wisconsin counties. What moved, why Wisconsin follows interest-free, and why you should not use the whole extension.
Late-Summer Tax Planning for Wisconsin Farms: Equipment Timing & the Manufacturing and Agriculture Credit
Late-Summer Tax Planning for Wisconsin Farms: Equipment Timing & the Manufacturing and Agriculture Credit Wisconsin’s harvest season is approaching, and the tax and cash-flow decisions farm owners make in the next few weeks will shape what their 2026 return looks like far more than anything done in December. Equipment orders
Is Your Restaurant Ready for Summer? 5 Financial Checks Before June Gets Busy
Summer is the busiest—and most expensive—season for restaurants. Between seasonal staffing, higher food costs, patio operations, extended hours, and catering requests, small financial gaps can turn into major cash problems fast. The owners who come out of summer profitable aren’t always the ones with the most covers. They’re the ones
5 Signs Your Cost Accounting Is Killing Margins
Most manufacturing businesses don’t realize they have a cost accounting problem — at least not at first. It usually shows up indirectly: Margins start compressing Certain jobs feel harder to make money on Inventory never quite ties out Cash doesn’t line up with reported profit By the time someone asks,
May Construction Insights: Why Early-Season Decisions Matter Most
May Construction Insights: Why Early-Season Decisions Matter Most As construction activity accelerates in May, projects transition from planning into sustained execution. While warmer weather and longer days create momentum, they also introduce tighter labor availability, increasing material competition, and a reduced tolerance for error. Decisions that were once adjustable quickly
The Clock Is Still Ticking—Just Differently
What Evolving Estate Tax Rules Mean for Families and Business Owners Summary:Federal estate and gift tax rules have shifted again—but not in the way many planners expected. The long‑anticipated “sunset” of the doubled federal exemptions after 2025 did not occur. Instead, Congress increased and extended the exemptions beginning in 2026.
What the IRS Really Expects on Crypto This Filing Season
What the IRS Really Expects on Crypto This Filing Season Crypto is taxable property—trading, spending, or receiving it can trigger tax. [irs.gov] The IRS asks a digital‑asset question on the 1040—answer it accurately. [irs.gov] Third‑party reporting is expanding (more 1099‑style forms from platforms). Keep your own records to avoid mismatches.
Revocable vs. Irrevocable Living Trusts — Tax Treatment at a Glance
1) Revocable vs. Irrevocable Living Trusts — Tax Treatment at a Glance Revocable Living Trust (during grantor’s life) Treated as a grantor trust: the IRS “looks through” the trust; income and deductions land on the grantor’s Form 1040. No separate Form 1041 filing is required just because assets are titled
IRS Notices: What They Mean — and When a Side Activity Becomes a Business
🧾 IRS Notices: What They Mean — and When a Side Activity Becomes a Business Tax obligations don’t always end once a return is filed. Many taxpayers receive follow‑up correspondence from the IRS each year, often for routine reasons. At the same time, more individuals and business owners are earning
Sales & Use Tax Exposure Reviews: What Triggers Nexus Liability
Sales & Use Tax Exposure Reviews: What Triggers Nexus Liability? 🧾 Understanding where your business may owe sales or use tax is no longer straightforward. Since the Wayfair decision, nexus can be triggered by far more than just physical presence. ⚖️ The Wayfair Decision Changed Everything In 2018, the U.S.
After Filing Business Taxes: What Smart Owners Do Next
You filed your business tax return. Done, right? Not quite. For many business owners, this is actually where the most valuable insights begin.” The truth is, your tax return is one of the clearest snapshots of your business. And if you know what to look for, it can help you
Supporting Growth with Better Financial Planning: Integrating Budgets, Pro Formas, and Actual Results
Supporting Growth with Better Financial Planning: Integrating Budgets, Pro Formas, and Actual Results Creating a budget is one of the most important financial practices for any business. A well‑designed budget provides clarity, establishes expectations, and lays the groundwork for measuring performance. But budgeting alone is not enough—especially for companies navigating
JTA-CPA serves clients across Mount Pleasant, Racine, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Chicago, and the broader Southeast Wisconsin region. We provide a full range of professional services — including tax preparation, accounting, bookkeeping, business advisory, QuickBooks consulting, and assurance support — with a commitment to accuracy, transparency, and exceptional client service. As a local firm invested in our community, we’re here to help individuals and small businesses plan confidently, stay compliant, and make informed financial decisions.
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