business bookkeeping services

5 Reasons You Need a Great Bookkeeper for Your Small Business

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Every business needs to keep accurate books, but many small businesses struggle to keep up and could use a little help to ensure things run smoothly all year round.

This blog will explain how S.H. Block Tax Services’ business bookkeeping services can help you and your team save time and money while minimizing stress and decreasing your chances of getting into hot water with the IRS.

Keep reading to learn five reasons you need a great bookkeeper for your small business.

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cpa vs tax attorney

CPA vs. Tax Attorney: What’s the Difference?

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Tax attorneys and CPAs often occupy the same space, but there are several key differences between the two professions. The purpose of this blog is to explain what tax attorneys and CPAs do while also detailing the distinctions between the two. Understanding those distinctions will help you plan your finances, submit your taxes, improve your tax standing, and overcome any potential issues with the IRS down the road.

Keep reading to learn the differences between a CPA and a tax attorney and how each can help you achieve your financial goals in their own way.

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estate administration process

What Is the Estate Administration Process in Maryland?

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The estate administration process involves the management and disbursement of an individual’s real and personal property after they’ve died.

When a loved one passes away, the last thing you want to have to worry about are back taxes or squabbling heirs. By focusing on the estate administration process beforehand, the family can ensure a smooth transition of all assets with minimal fees and taxes while helping to maintain existing relationships among family and friends.

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What Happens if I Default on My IRS Installment Agreement?

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Installment agreements can be a useful way to resolve your back tax problems, but can also lead to problems if you commit to larger payments than you can afford. The blog will explain what can happen if you default on an installment agreement, how to get right again with the Internal Revenue Service, and why you should have a tax professional help.

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advance child tax credit payments in 2021

Should I Opt Out of Advance Child Tax Credit Payments for the Rest of 2021?

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Most people who qualify for the advance child tax credit have automatically enrolled, but many people still aren’t fully aware of the tax implications. If you’re not careful, you could end up owing the credits back to the IRS when it comes time to file your 2022 income taxes.

Keep reading to learn more about the Advance Child Tax Credit and whether you should consider opting out of these payments for the last few months of 2021.

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maryland amended tax return

Everything You Need to Know About Amended Tax Returns in Maryland

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Many taxpayers think that once they file their tax returns, there’s nothing they can do to fix or update them. Thankfully, that’s not the case.

If you’ve made any errors or forgotten to include pertinent information on a recent Maryland or federal tax return, there’s likely still time to set it right by filing an amended tax return.

Keep reading to learn the essentials of filing an amended tax return in Maryland, including relevant deadlines, how to check the status of an amended return, and how to file one in the first place.

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maryland sales and use tax

5 Things You Need to Know About Maryland Sales and Use Taxes

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Understanding the subtle nuances of sales and use taxes can get tricky in a hurry — and accurately compiling, calculating, and filing sales tax returns can be even more difficult. But learning the basics of how these taxes work in the State of Maryland can set you on the path toward financial success.

In this blog, we’re going to help you learn more about Maryland sales and use taxes, and how you can streamline your tax filings in the future.

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offer in compromise calculator

Should I Use an Online Offer in Compromise Calculator?

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If you have a significant tax debt and are looking for the fastest, most affordable way toward a resolution, then you should consider an Offer in Compromise, which is a major component of the IRS’s “Fresh Start” initiative. But first, you have to know if the effort is worth the outcome—which means you have to understand how much you could potentially save through this program.

We wrote this blog to explain what an Offer in Compromise is, how to use an online Offer in Compromise calculator, and how a licensed tax professional can help.

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Small Business IRS Audit

Is Your Small Business Prepared for an IRS Audit?

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For years, small businesses have enjoyed relatively low audit rates, but that’s about to come to an end. The IRS recently announced they will increase small business audits by 50% in 2021 and have begun intense hiring operations to ensure they have plenty of specialized auditors to do the deed.

Whether you own a mom-and-pop shop, an online business, or are self-employed, the IRS will be looking at your financial records very closely this year — and in the future. Further, since recent tax law changes and COVID-19 stimulus programs have made bookkeeping more challenging and complex than ever, you might have made several mistakes without even realizing.

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statute of limitations irs tax liens

Is There a Statute of Limitations on IRS Tax Liens?

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Whether you owe a few hundred dollars or hundreds of thousands, tax debt can be extremely stressful and have serious adverse effects on your personal and professional life, especially when it leads to a tax lien. Thankfully, there are many ways to reduce or even eliminate your tax debt entirely—one of which is to allow the statute of limitations on your tax liability to elapse.

In this blog, we’re going to discuss the statute of limitations on IRS and Maryland tax liens, as well as how you can eliminate these liens before these deadlines expire.

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