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Cybersecurity Alert: Don’t Let Tax Season Scammers Get the Last Laugh

As the April 15th tax deadline approaches, cybercriminals are having their own version of “busy season.” Unfortunately, they don’t file returns—they steal them. We’re seeing a rise in scams targeting both individuals and businesses during this tax season.

Here’s what you need to know to keep your data safe, your stress levels manageable, and your sense of humor intact.

Why Tax Season Is Cybercrime Season
The chaos of tax time creates a prime opportunity for scammers:

More financial activity online = more targets
People rushing to file = more hasty clicks
Sensitive data flying everywhere = hacker heaven
Everyone’s talking to the IRS = easier to impersonate them

Basically, it’s like a buffet for cybercriminals—and they didn’t even bring a casserole.

Scams to Watch Out For (and Maybe Laugh At, Just a Little)
Phishing Emails with a Tax Twist
These emails […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2025-04-01T19:28:18+00:00April 1st, 2025|cybersecurity, Tech|0 Comments

The Rise of AI Assistants: Your New Favorite (Digital) Coworker?

Remember the old days when work was just… work? You’d dig through spreadsheets, manually enter data, and try to remember which folder contained that one file from last quarter (spoiler: it was always in the wrong one). Remember when digital assistants were limited to setting timers and telling dad jokes? Thanks to emerging AI and automation, those days are fading faster than your New Year’s resolutions. Artificial intelligence is no longer just a sci-fi buzzword—it’s quickly becoming the most efficient, low-maintenance, and judgment-free coworker you’ve ever had. And unlike Steve from accounting, AI won’t eat your lunch from the office fridge.

Draft emails, reports, and proposals with a few prompts
Analyze spreadsheet data and extract meaningful insights
Transcribe and summarize meetings, highlighting action items
Help brainstorm ideas and overcome creative blocks
Automate repetitive tasks that once consumed hours of your day

The best part? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to reap these benefits. Modern AI tools are designed with user-friendliness in mind. If you can order takeout online or navigate social […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2025-03-18T20:16:32+00:00March 18th, 2025|Tech, technology|0 Comments

AI in Business: Current Applications and Future Opportunities

The business landscape is rapidly evolving with artificial intelligence (AI) becoming increasingly accessible and powerful. While large corporations have been early adopters, small and medium-sized businesses now have unprecedented access to AI tools that can dramatically improve efficiency and competitiveness. Here’s what business owners need to know about leveraging AI effectively in 2025 and beyond.

Current Business Applications

Document Management and Analysis

AI excels at processing and analyzing large volumes of documents – from contracts and invoices to emails and reports. Law firms are using AI to review contracts and identify potential issues in minutes rather than hours. Manufacturing companies are automating purchase order processing and inventory documentation. Wineries are streamlining compliance documentation and sales reporting.

Customer Service and Communication

AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants now handle routine customer inquiries 24/7, freeing up staff for more complex interactions. These systems can schedule appointments, answer product questions, and even handle basic troubleshooting. More importantly, they learn from each interaction to provide increasingly accurate and helpful responses.

Financial Analysis and Forecasting

AI tools are revolutionizing financial planning by analyzing historical data to identify trends and make predictions. Businesses can now get instant […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2025-01-28T21:04:45+00:00January 28th, 2025|AI, Tech|0 Comments

Business Website Expenses: How They’re Handled for Tax Purposes

Most businesses have websites today. Despite their widespread use, the IRS hasn’t issued formal guidance on when website costs can be deducted.

But there are established rules that generally apply to the deductibility of business expenses and provide business taxpayers launching a website with some guidance about proper treatment. In addition, businesses can turn to IRS guidance on software costs. Here are some answers to questions you may have.

What are the tax differences between hardware and software?

Let’s start with the hardware you may need to operate a website. The costs fall under the standard rules for depreciable equipment. Specifically, for 2024, once these assets are operating, you can deduct 60% of the cost in the first year they’re placed in service. This favorable treatment is allowed under the first-year bonus depreciation break.

Note: The bonus depreciation rate was 100% for property placed in service in 2022 and was reduced to 80% in 2023, 60% in 2024 and it will continue to decrease until it’s fully phased out in 2027 (unless Congress acts to extend or increase it).

Alternatively, you may be able to deduct all or most of these costs in the year the assets […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2024-07-30T17:28:53+00:00July 30th, 2024|business, deduction, expensing, Tech|0 Comments

The Rising Threat of QR Code Phishing: What You Need to Know

As technology advances, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. One of the latest methods they employ is QR code phishing, often referred to as “quishing.” This article explores the dangers of quishing, backed by current statistics and real-life examples that may be pertinent to both our clients and staff.

The Surge in Quishing Attacks

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of QR codes has surged due to their convenience for contactless transactions and information sharing. However, this rise in popularity has also made them an attractive target for cybercriminals. According to the 2024 Phishing Threat Trends Report by Egress, QR code phishing attacks have increased dramatically. In 2021, QR codes were used in only 0.8% of phishing attacks. This figure jumped to 12.4% in 2023 and has stabilized at 10.8% in early 2024 (Egress Email Security).

How Quishing Works

Quishing typically involves embedding malicious QR codes in emails, social media posts, or […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2024-07-16T21:00:17+00:00July 16th, 2024|Tech|0 Comments