TAX INSIGHTS
Plain-language tax and bookkeeping articles for Washington individuals and small businesses.
Written by Inder Grewal, IRS Enrolled Agent
Individual Tax
Becoming a US tax resident on an H-1B often triggers a foreign account reporting requirement people don't know exists — with real penalties for missing it.
Jun 23, 2026 · 7 min read
Read Article →Jun 16, 2026
Individual Tax
Your RSUs get taxed at vest, not sale — and the standard 22% withholding almost certainly isn't enough. Here's what Washington tech employees need to know.
8 min read
Jun 9, 2026
Business Tax
Construction income rarely arrives on a steady schedule — which changes how the S-Corp decision, and the payroll behind it, actually works for a GC.
7 min read
Jun 2, 2026
Business Tax
Contractors leave real money on the table — not from complexity, but from assuming job-site work doesn't qualify for deductions it actually does.
8 min read
May 26, 2026
Bookkeeping
Gas stations and convenience stores run two businesses with different margins under one roof — and that structure creates its own bookkeeping mistakes.
7 min read
May 18, 2026
Business Tax
The rules changed in 2025 — bonus depreciation is back to 100% and permanent. Here's how rental property depreciation works for Seattle-area investors now.
8 min read
May 11, 2026
Business Tax
Washington doesn't tax real estate gains at the state level — so a 1031 exchange here is purely about deferring federal tax. Here's how the rules actually work.
8 min read
May 4, 2026
Business Tax
Bellevue adds its own B&O tax and Redmond its own licensing rules on top of the state's, and both draw tech contractors weighing S-Corp status.
7 min read
Apr 27, 2026
Business Tax
Washington has no income tax today, but B&O tax, city-level filing, and a unique payroll stack catch new Bothell business owners off guard. Here's what to know.
7 min read
Apr 20, 2026
Business Tax
Gas station and convenience store owners face extra IRS scrutiny on S-Corp salaries because the business is cash-intensive. Here's how to set a defensible number.
8 min read
Apr 14, 2026
Business Tax
Owner-operators and company drivers face completely different tax rules — especially on per diem. Here's what actually changes based on your status.
8 min read
Apr 9, 2026
Bookkeeping
The consequences of poor record-keeping aren't abstract. They're specific, expensive, and compound over time in ways that are genuinely painful to unwind.
7 min read
Apr 5, 2026
Business Tax
Most small business owners wait too long to hire an accountant. Here are the real signals that tell you it's time — before it gets expensive.
7 min read
Apr 3, 2026
Individual Tax
Not sure whether to file your own taxes or hire a pro? Here's the honest breakdown — when DIY works, when it gets expensive, and what a good tax professional actually does.
7 min read
Apr 1, 2026
Tax Planning
A return can be perfectly accurate and still cost you significantly more than it should. Here's what saving money on taxes actually means — and what your accountant needs to do to make it happen.
7 min read
Mar 30, 2026
Tax Planning
Preparation and planning aren't the same thing. Here's the real difference, the specific questions planning covers, and how to tell which one you're getting.
9 min read
Mar 28, 2026
Bookkeeping
Accounting software has gotten genuinely good. But there's a gap between what it does well and what it can't do at all — and that gap is where most small business owners lose money.
7 min read
Mar 26, 2026
Bookkeeping
Most small business owners have a vague sense that bookkeeping matters. Here's a straight answer on what a bookkeeper actually does — and when you need one.
7 min read
Mar 24, 2026
Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping prices vary widely for what sounds like the same service. Here's what actually drives the cost and what PBX charges.
7 min read
Mar 22, 2026
Individual Tax
CPA, tax preparer, tax accountant, Enrolled Agent — the titles sound interchangeable but only some are actual credentials. Here's the honest breakdown.
9 min read
Mar 20, 2026
Business Tax
There's a moment in every growing business when the financial help you started with isn't quite enough anymore. Here's how to recognize it.
7 min read
Mar 18, 2026
Business Tax
Most people have no way to evaluate whether their accountant is actually doing good work. Here's how to tell — beyond just hoping nothing has exploded.
7 min read
Mar 14, 2026
Business Tax
Most people have no idea what professional tax prep actually costs — or why the price varies so much. Here's an honest breakdown so you know what to expect before you call anyone.
7 min read
Mar 12, 2026
Bookkeeping
Bookkeeper, accountant, or both — and in what order? Here's the real logic behind the sequence, plus what it actually costs.
9 min read
Mar 8, 2026
Business Tax
The questions to ask before you hire a tax professional, and the red flags — before and during the relationship — that tell you something's wrong.
12 min read
Mar 6, 2026
Business Tax
Most people walk into their first meeting with a tax accountant not knowing what to bring or what to say. Here's exactly what to expect — and how to make the most of it.
6 min read
Mar 4, 2026
Tax Planning
Most people treat their accountant like a mechanic — they show up when something needs fixing. The business owners who get the most from the relationship do things differently.
10 min read
Feb 28, 2026
Bookkeeping
Handing off your bookkeeping to a professional feels bigger than it is. Here's exactly what the transition looks like — and how to make it go smoothly.
7 min read
Feb 24, 2026
Business Tax
Online accounting services are cheaper and more convenient. Local accountants offer relationship and local knowledge. Here's how to decide which one actually fits your situation.
7 min read
Feb 22, 2026
Individual Tax
Showing up unprepared to your tax appointment wastes time and can cost you money. Here's exactly what to bring — organized by situation.
6 min read
Feb 20, 2026
Bookkeeping
Disorganized financial records feel manageable right up until they aren't. Here's a simple system that works — and keeps working without much effort.
7 min read
Feb 18, 2026
Business Tax
Everything Washington State small business owners need to know about B&O tax, S-Corp election, quarterly payments, deductions, and payroll. Updated for 2026.
10 min read
Feb 16, 2026
Individual Tax
Freelancing gives you control over your work and full responsibility for your taxes — something most people discover is more involved than expected when the first 1099 arrives.
9 min read
Feb 14, 2026
Bookkeeping
Mixing personal and business finances starts as a convenience and turns into a problem. Here's why it matters more than most people realize — legally, tax-wise, and practically.
7 min read
Feb 12, 2026
Business Tax
The LLC vs. S-Corp question isn't really about legal structure — it's about tax treatment. Here's the actual framework for deciding which one saves you more money.
9 min read
Feb 10, 2026
Business Tax
Your S-Corp salary isn't just a payroll decision — it's one of the most scrutinized numbers on your return. Too low and you're an audit target. Here's how to set it correctly.
8 min read
Feb 8, 2026
Individual Tax
Certain things increase your audit probability — and knowing what they are lets you file confidently without taking on unnecessary risk. Here's what actually draws IRS attention.
8 min read
Feb 6, 2026
Business Tax
Section 179 and bonus depreciation both let you deduct equipment faster — but they work differently and the right choice depends on your income, your plans, and the year you're in.
8 min read
Feb 4, 2026
Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping mistakes don't announce themselves — they accumulate quietly. By the time they become visible the cost is usually higher than it would have been to prevent them.
8 min read
Feb 2, 2026
Individual Tax
One of the most common surprises for first-year business owners is a large April tax bill — plus a penalty for not paying throughout the year. Here's how quarterly estimated taxes actually work.
8 min read
Jan 31, 2026
Bookkeeping
Cash basis or accrual basis — most small businesses choose cash without thinking about it, and that's often right. Here's how to know for sure, and when it might be worth reconsidering.
7 min read
Jan 29, 2026
Bookkeeping
Most small business owners start by doing their own bookkeeping. But there's a point where DIY stops being smart and starts costing you more than it saves. Here's how to recognize it.
7 min read
Jan 27, 2026
Bookkeeping
Consistent monthly bookkeeping separates businesses that always know where they stand from businesses that scramble every April. Here's what a complete monthly process actually covers.
8 min read
Jan 25, 2026
Individual Tax
The home office deduction has a reputation problem. People avoid it out of vague fear when it's actually a legitimate, meaningful deduction — if you document it correctly.
8 min read
Jan 23, 2026
Business Tax
Missing a tax deadline means penalties that start immediately and compound monthly. Here's a complete calendar of business tax deadlines — with context for why each one matters.
8 min read
Jan 21, 2026
Individual Tax
Charitable giving and tax strategy can align well — but the benefit only materializes if you understand the rules. A lot of people either leave deductions on the table or claim them incorrectly.
8 min read
Jan 19, 2026
Tax Planning
Retirement contributions reduce your taxable income dollar-for-dollar — and most small business owners contribute far less than they're eligible to. Here's the full picture.
8 min read
Jan 17, 2026
Individual Tax
Most tax filing mistakes aren't dramatic — they're errors that happen because returns are complicated and most people are working with incomplete information. Here are the ones that come up most consistently.
8 min read
Jan 15, 2026
Tax Planning
Most people think about taxes once a year — in April. That’s tax preparation, not tax planning. And confusing the two is one of the more expensive mistakes a small business owner can make.
7 min read
Jan 13, 2026
Business Tax
Hiring family members can be a legitimate tax strategy — or a fast way to attract IRS scrutiny. Here’s an honest look at the rules, the real opportunities, and what can go wrong.
4 min read
Jan 11, 2026
Tax Planning
Most small business owners think about taxes twice a year — when quarterly payments are due and when the return is filed. A mid-year check-in costs 30 minutes and can save you thousands.
7 min read
Jan 9, 2026
Tax Planning
A marriage, a divorce, a new child, a home purchase, a business launch — major life changes have significant tax implications. Here’s what to do about each one before it costs you.
4 min read
Jan 7, 2026
Tax Planning
Tax law changes every year. Here’s what actually affects small business owners, S-Corp operators, and self-employed people in 2026 — not the generic stuff everyone already knows.
5 min read
Jan 5, 2026
Tax Planning
Most year-end tax content is a list of vague reminders that aren’t useful to anyone. Here’s what year-end planning actually looks like for a small business owner.
4 min read
Jan 3, 2026
Business Tax
Generic tax tips aren’t useful to anyone who’s been in business more than a year. Here are the specific places where small business owners consistently leave money behind.
4 min read
HAVE A QUESTION?
Articles cover general rules. For advice on your specific return or business, talk to us directly.