Qualified Small Business Stock Archives

Summer 2026 Tax Updates Business Owners, Investors & California Taxpayers Should Know

By Office Staff|2026-06-24T14:26:07-07:00June 24, 2026|Categories: Tax Planning|Tags: California Franchise Tax Board, Digital Assets, Employee Retention Credit, Qualified Small Business Stock, Tax Notices|0 Comments

Summer may feel like a quiet time for tax planning, especially after the spring filing rush. In reality, some of the most important tax planning windows open midyear, when business owners, real estate investors, individuals, and families still have time to make informed decisions before the end of the year.

This summer, several federal tax updates deserve attention. Some involve deadlines. Others are focused on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) account access, digital assets, qualified small business stock (QSBS), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), disaster relief, and Employee Retention Credit claims (refundable tax credits for businesses and non-profits that kept employees on their payroll during pandemic-related government shutdowns or significant revenue declines). And for California taxpayers, the state’s Franchise Tax Board (FTB) identity verification notices deserve a closer look.

In this post, we explain what has changed, who may be affected, and what steps you may need to take before the next tax season catches you by surprise. First up, summer deadlines.

Summer 2026 Tax Deadlines for Individuals and Business Owners

Two July deadlines stand out for taxpayers and business owners.

First, July 6, 2026, marks the deadline for certain Section 174 elections tied to research and experimental expenditures. These rules may matter for businesses with software development, product development, engineering, scientific research, or other innovation-related costs.

Second, July 10, 2026, marks an extended deadline tied to possible COVID-era refund claims for penalties and interest. This deadline stems from litigation involving whether certain filing and payment deadlines received automatic disaster-related postponement during the COVID-19 disaster period (Jan. 20, 2021 – July 10, 2023).

Here’s what that means in plain English: Some taxpayers who paid penalties or interest connected to COVID-era filing or payment timing may have a potential refund claim. The rules remain technical, and the IRS may challenge claims depending on the facts, so it’s best to ask about this during your Summer 2026 Mid-Year Tax Appointment with us here at SWC.

IRS Business Tax Account Access: What Business Owners Should Review in Summer 2026

The IRS has continued to expand online access for business taxpayers. For S corporations and C corporations, certain individuals, known as Designated Officials, can use the IRS Business Tax Account to view information such as Continue reading… Continue reading… Continue reading…

Midyear Tax Planning for Small Businesses: How to Reduce Your 2026 Tax Bill

By Office Staff|2026-06-12T12:32:06-07:00June 12, 2026|Categories: Business Taxes|Tags: 1099 Rules, Bonus Depreciation, Charitable Giving Strategies, Employing Family Members, Mid-Year Meeting, Qualified Business Income Deduction, Qualified Small Business Stock, Section 179 Deductions|0 Comments

If you’re like most small-business owners, taxes probably aren’t even a blip on your radar screen right now. After all, you just filed your tax returns on April 15, so why bring up taxes less than two months later?

The reason? Summer is the best time to take a fresh look at your business tax situation. With several months remaining in the year, you have time to make adjustments that could reduce your 2026 tax bill, improve cash flow, reduce tax liabilities, and help you avoid unpleasant surprises next spring. The important thing is to act before year-end. Many of the most effective tax-saving and wealth-building strategies work best when implemented well in advance, not in a last-minute scramble in December.

Last week, we presented forward-looking advice for saving on personal income taxes. This week, we shift our attention to helping small-business owners keep more of their hard-earned profits. The following tax-saving strategies and tactics can help you identify opportunities, evaluate your options, and position your business for a stronger financial finish to 2026.

Maximize Your Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction

One of the most valuable tax breaks available to many business owners is the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction. It allows many owners of pass-through businesses to deduct up to 20 percent of their business income right off the top. For example, if your business generates $100,000 in qualified business income, you may be able to deduct up to $20,000 and pay federal income tax on the remaining $80,000. Pass-through businesses (income passes through the business to the owners) include:

Sole proprietorships
Single-member limited liability companies (LLCs)
Partnerships
Multi-member LLCs
S corporations

Here are a few key details about the QBI deduction: Continue reading… Continue reading… Continue reading…

The Top 10 Reasons Why Business Owners Need to Meet With a CPA This Summer

By Office Staff|2024-06-13T12:12:39-07:00June 13, 2024|Categories: Business Taxes|Tags: Business Advice, Depreciation, Employing Family Members, Qualified Business Income, Qualified Small Business Stock, Tax Planning|0 Comments

A few days ago here on the SWC blog, we shared why it’s important for individual taxpayers to meet with their CPA over the summer. It basically boils down to being prepared. No one wants to learn in the first quarter of 2025 that their state or federal tax liability could have been dramatically reduced or altogether eliminated had they just met with their CPA for one hour in June, July, or August.

As a business owner, the same logic applies. Below are the top 10 reasons why you as a business owner, entrepreneur, or an investor with an ownership stake in a business should schedule a mid-year meeting with your CPA this summer.

Take Advantage of Depreciation Tax Breaks: Current tax laws offer generous depreciation deductions for qualifying assets. By discussing your plans with us, we can help you maximize your Section 179 deductions and first-year bonus depreciation, potentially saving you significant amounts on your tax return.

Time Business Income and Deductions: Strategically timing your business income and deductions can lead to substantial tax savings. Whether it’s deferring income or accelerating expenses, we’ll help you make the right moves to align with your financial goals.

Maximize the Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction: The QBI deduction can be a significant tax saver for owners of pass-through entities. We’ll ensure you understand the complexities and limitations of this deduction, helping you plan to maximize your benefits.

Continue reading… Continue reading… Continue reading…