LGH Consulting

LGH Consulting Our mission is to help clients maintain financial viability in the present while taking a proactive

It’s easy to focus on the excitement of a big win. But before you spend lottery, gambling or other winnings, be sure you...
07/14/2026

It’s easy to focus on the excitement of a big win. But before you spend lottery, gambling or other winnings, be sure you understand the tax impact.

Federal tax law generally treats such winnings as taxable income. Knowing the basic rules can help you avoid surprises when you file your 2026 return next year. For example, if you win more than $5,000, generally the payer (lottery agency, casino, etc.) will withhold 24% for federal tax purposes — which may or may not be enough to cover your tax liability — and send you and the IRS a Form W-2G showing the winnings paid and tax withheld.

IRS or state tax problems don’t have to derail your business. Many issues can be resolved when they’re addressed promptl...
07/13/2026

IRS or state tax problems don’t have to derail your business. Many issues can be resolved when they’re addressed promptly and strategically.

If you or your business receives a tax notice from the IRS or a state agency, don’t ignore it. Be mindful of the notice’s deadline and work with your tax advisor to prepare supporting documentation and an appropriate response. If you owe back taxes that you can’t pay in full, explore potential relief options, such as a temporary delay in collection due to hardship, an installment agreement or payment plan, or a settlement plan.

We can help you communicate with tax authorities and create a plan to get your business back on track. Contact us to learn more.

Do you operate a side gig in addition to your regular job? The way the IRS classifies that activity can have a significa...
07/09/2026

Do you operate a side gig in addition to your regular job? The way the IRS classifies that activity can have a significant impact on your taxes.

If the IRS treats the activity as a hobby, you’re required to report the income but can’t deduct most related expenses. If it’s treated as a business, you can generally deduct ordinary and necessary expenses — even if that results in a net tax loss. The IRS considers several factors when evaluating profit motive, including how you operate the activity, the time you invest, and your history of profits and losses.

If your side business isn’t yet profitable, contact us to discuss your situation. We can suggest strategies to help strengthen your position.

Summer is a good time to see whether your income, deductions and investment activity are lining up as expected. Reviewin...
07/08/2026

Summer is a good time to see whether your income, deductions and investment activity are lining up as expected. Reviewing your tax picture now gives you more time to take steps to reduce or defer taxes. For example, if you expect this year’s income to be near the threshold for a higher bracket, consider strategies for reducing your taxable income to stay out of that bracket. If you’ve realized, or expect to realize, significant capital gains this year, consider selling some depreciated investments to generate losses you can use to offset those gains. And if you’d like help evaluating these and other midyear tax strategies, contact us.

Self-employed individuals often miss legitimate tax savings because they fail to keep adequate records or misunderstand ...
07/06/2026

Self-employed individuals often miss legitimate tax savings because they fail to keep adequate records or misunderstand the rules. Don’t let this happen to you.

Follow this golden rule: Business expenses must be ordinary (common in your industry) and necessary (helpful and appropriate for the business). Of course, you can deduct supplies, materials, and employee payroll and benefits. But don’t overlook other deductible costs — such as for your home office, education, business meals and travel, and business vehicles.

We can help you identify qualifying business expense deductions and establish recordkeeping practices that support them. Contact us to learn more.

Will your Social Security benefits be taxable? A portion might be. How much depends on your provisional income, your ove...
07/02/2026

Will your Social Security benefits be taxable? A portion might be. How much depends on your provisional income, your overall income and IRS thresholds.

Provisional income is your adjusted gross income with some additional calculations. You may have to report up to 85% of your Social Security benefits as taxable income if your provisional income is over $34,000 ($44,000 for joint filers). If you file separately from your spouse who lived with you at any time during the year, the threshold is $0.

Smart tax planning can potentially reduce your liability. We can help project your provisional income and review your overall tax situation to identify strategies that make sense for you.

Understanding how probate works — and implementing strategies to minimize or avoid it — can help you protect your assets...
07/01/2026

Understanding how probate works — and implementing strategies to minimize or avoid it — can help you protect your assets and simplify matters for your family after your death. Probate is a legal procedure in which a court establishes the validity of your will, determines the value of your estate, resolves creditors’ claims, provides for the payment of taxes and other debts, and transfers assets to your heirs. A living trust (sometimes called a revocable trust) is generally the most effective tool for avoiding probate. It involves setup costs but allows you to manage the disposition of your wealth in a single document while retaining control and reserving the right to modify the trust’s terms.

Some small business owners assume that offering their employees a retirement plan is cost prohibitive. But two plans are...
06/26/2026

Some small business owners assume that offering their employees a retirement plan is cost prohibitive. But two plans are particularly suited to employers with fewer than 100 workers: SEP and SIMPLE IRAs. Only employers can make contributions to SEP IRAs — which provide high contribution limits — but you aren’t required to fund accounts when cash-flow constraints make it difficult. SIMPLE IRAs allow both employers and participants to make higher annual contributions than participants could with self-owned IRAs. Plus, your business’s contributions are tax-deductible. Contact us to review your budget and benefit needs and suggest an appropriate plan.

Are you thinking about selling your commercial or investment real estate? If the property has appreciated significantly,...
06/25/2026

Are you thinking about selling your commercial or investment real estate? If the property has appreciated significantly, a Sec. 1031 like-kind exchange may allow you to defer tax on some or all of the gain. With this transaction, you exchange the property for another qualifying property, generally deferring tax until the replacement property is sold.

But common misconceptions about Sec. 1031 exchanges can lead to missed opportunities or costly mistakes. For example, the property types don’t have to be identical, and receiving cash or debt relief (“boot”) may trigger taxable gain.

We can help demystify this tax strategy and determine whether it’s right for your situation. Contact us to learn more.

Address

585 S State College Boulevard
Anaheim, CA
92806

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 5pm
Tuesday 7am - 5pm
Wednesday 7am - 5pm
Thursday 7am - 5pm
Friday 7am - 5pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when LGH Consulting posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to LGH Consulting:

Share

Category