Blog - Linkenheimer LLP CPAs & Advisors

There’s Still Time to Save 2025 Taxes

Just because it’s December doesn’t mean it’s too late to reduce your 2025 tax liability. Consider implementing one or more of these year-end tax-saving ideas by December 31.

Defer income and accelerate deductions

Pushing income into the new year will reduce this year’s taxable income. If you’re expecting a bonus at work, for example, ask if your employer can hold off on paying it until January. If you’re self-employed, you can delay sending invoices so that they won’t be paid until January and thus postpone the revenue to 2026.

If you itemize deductions, remember that deductions generally are claimed for the year of payment. So, if you make your January 2026 mortgage payment in December, you can deduct the interest portion on your 2025 tax return. Similarly, if you’ve received your 2026 property tax assessment and pay it by December 31, you can claim it on your 2025 return (provided your total state and local taxes don’t exceed the applicable limit).

But don’t follow this approach if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket next year. Also, if you’re eligible for the qualified business income deduction for pass-through entities, consider how this approach might affect […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2025-12-10T17:22:24+00:00December 10th, 2025|deduction, deductions, tax planning, year-end|0 Comments

California Employers: CalSavers Deadline is December 31, 2025

If you’re a California employer with at least one W-2 employee and you don’t already offer a qualified retirement plan, you’re required to either register for CalSavers or claim an exemption by December 31, 2025. CalSavers is the state-sponsored IRA program that allows employees to save for retirement through payroll deductions. Alternatively, you can satisfy the requirement by offering your own qualified retirement plan such as a 401(k), SEP, or SIMPLE IRA.

Not sure if this applies to you? You’re exempt if you’re a sole proprietor or business with no W-2 employees other than the owners, if you already sponsor a qualified retirement plan, or if you’re a government entity, religious organization, or tribal organization. If you’re exempt, you should still submit an exemption request to avoid receiving compliance notices.

If you’re not exempt, take action now. Businesses that don’t comply risk fines of $250 per employee if noncompliance extends 90 days or more after receiving a notice, and an additional $500 per employee if noncompliance continues past 180 days. Register or claim your exemption at employer.calsavers.com. Have questions about whether CalSavers or a […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2025-12-03T20:54:18+00:00December 3rd, 2025|business, ca, california, employer|0 Comments

Individual Q4 Estimated Tax Payment Reminder: January 15, 2026 Deadline

If you make quarterly estimated tax payments, mark your calendar: the final due date is January 15, 2026, which applies to income earned in the fourth quarter of 2025. This applies to self-employment income, investment earnings, rental income, capital gains, and any other income not subject to regular withholding. Year-end surprises like bonuses, stock dividends, or crypto gains may also require a payment.

Don’t forget about state estimated taxes. Most states that impose income tax also require quarterly estimated payments, and many follow the same January 15 deadline as the IRS—but not all. Check your state’s requirements to avoid unexpected penalties when you file.

The IRS strongly encourages electronic payment. You may pay online using IRS Direct Pay, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), or by using a credit card, debit card, or digital wallet. (Internal Revenue Service) These options give you instant confirmation and eliminate mail delays. Missing this deadline can trigger underpayment penalties when you file your 2025 return.

Questions about what you owe or whether you need to make a payment? Give us a call before year-end so we can help you […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2025-12-03T21:17:59+00:00December 3rd, 2025|deadline, estimated tax payments|0 Comments

The Great Starbucks Gift Card Incident of 2025 (And Why Your Holiday Inbox is a Minefield)

Picture this: Thanksgiving week at an accounting firm. Everyone’s wrapping up projects before the holiday, planning their Black Friday strategy, when suddenly—Christmas came early! A $25 Starbucks gift card lands in everyone’s inbox. “How thoughtful!” they all said. “The firm really gets us!”

Spoiler alert: The firm didn’t send it. It was part of our monthly employee phishing campaign tests.

A quarter of the team had already clicked that link, ready to fuel their pumpkin spice addiction, before someone asked the fateful question: “Hey, did anyone else’s card not work?”

Welcome to our very own holiday phishing attempt. Nothing happened (other than those who clicked the link got signed up for extra cyber security training), but watching some smart minds fall for a fake latte was… educational (and mildly entertaining).

Why the Holidays Are Hacker Christmas

Here’s the thing—that fake gift card didn’t work because we’re gullible (we do cyber security training for all staff, through out the year). It worked because it was PERFECTLY timed. During the holidays, our defenses are down and our expectations are […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2025-12-03T20:54:47+00:00December 2nd, 2025|AI, Tech|0 Comments

How Will Taxes Affect Your Merger or Acquisition?

Whether you’re selling your business or acquiring another company, the tax consequences can have a major impact on the transaction’s success or failure. So if you’re thinking about a merger or acquisition, you need to consider the potential tax impact.

Asset sale or stock sale?

From a tax standpoint, a transaction can basically be structured as either an asset sale or a stock sale. In an asset sale, the buyer purchases just the assets of a business. This may happen if a buyer only wants specific assets or product lines. And it’s the only option if the target business is a sole proprietorship or a single-member limited liability company (LLC) that’s treated as a sole proprietorship for tax purposes.

Alternatively, if the target business is a corporation, a partnership or an LLC that’s treated as a partnership for tax purposes, the buyer can directly purchase the seller’s stock or other form of ownership interest. Whether the business being purchased is a C corporation or a pass-through entity (that is, an S corporation, partnership or, generally, an LLC) makes a significant difference when it comes to taxes.

The flat 21% corporate federal income tax rate under […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2025-12-02T16:26:37+00:00December 2nd, 2025|M&A|0 Comments