LGH Consulting

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

Understanding how probate works — and implementing strategies to minimize or avoid it — can help you protect your assets...
08/06/2026

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.

If your child is heading to college this fall, tax breaks may be available. For example, you might be eligible for the A...
08/04/2026

If your child is heading to college this fall, tax breaks may be available. For example, you might be eligible for the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) of up to $2,500 per student for the first four years of college. But the AOTC is phased out for married joint filers with modified adjusted gross income between $160,000 and $180,000 (between $80,000 and $90,000 for heads of households).

If your child has a tax-advantaged education account, such as a 529 plan, tax-free withdrawals can be taken to pay qualified expenses. But expenses paid with tax-free withdrawals can’t be used to claim the AOTC.

Contact us to discuss these and other tax tips for your situation.

If you’re a single parent, creating a comprehensive estate plan is one of the most important steps you can take to prote...
07/30/2026

If you’re a single parent, creating a comprehensive estate plan is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your young children. Unlike households with two parents, there may be no automatic backup decision-maker, financial provider or caregiver if the unexpected happens. Most critically, your estate plan must designate a suitable, willing guardian to care for your children if the other parent is unavailable to take custody of them in the event you become incapacitated or die suddenly. Designate an alternate if your first choice can’t fulfill the duties. Your plan should also establish a trust for your children and address incapacity issues. If you have questions, contact us.

Your employees use Form W-4, “Employee’s Withholding Certificate,” to tell you how much federal income tax to withhold f...
07/27/2026

Your employees use Form W-4, “Employee’s Withholding Certificate,” to tell you how much federal income tax to withhold from their pay. Most forms are routine, but an altered certificate, unusual accompanying statement or IRS lock-in letter may require special handling.

Employers generally aren’t responsible for verifying the information employees provide on W-4 forms. However, you must reject invalid forms, apply proper withholding rules when no valid form is on file and follow IRS withholding instructions. Reviewing your payroll procedures now can help prevent costly errors. Contact us for guidance on W-4 compliance and other payroll withholding issues.

While many of your beneficiaries are likely capable of managing an inheritance responsibly, others may be vulnerable to ...
07/23/2026

While many of your beneficiaries are likely capable of managing an inheritance responsibly, others may be vulnerable to financial pressures, creditor claims or poor spending habits. A spendthrift trust can help. It prohibits a beneficiary from directly tapping its funds or transferring rights to someone else. The trust also generally can deny access to creditors. Under a spendthrift clause, the trust beneficiary relies on a trustee to provide payments based on the trust’s terms. Depending on those terms, the trustee may be responsible for making scheduled payments or have wide discretion as to whether funds should be paid, how much and when. Contact us for more details.

Have you made contributions to charity this year? Are you considering making more? If so, it’s important to be familiar ...
07/21/2026

Have you made contributions to charity this year? Are you considering making more? If so, it’s important to be familiar with the tax rules so you can maximize your tax benefit — or at least avoid finding out at tax filing time that your charitable deductions are smaller than you expected.

What you donate affects how much you can deduct and the limits that apply. For example, cash donations are generally deductible up to 60% of adjusted gross income (AGI) while property donation deductions are typically limited to 30% or 50% of AGI. And nonitemizers can deduct only cash gifts, subject to a $1,000 limit ($2,000 if married filing jointly).

Many additional rules apply. Contact us with questions.

New tax rules may significantly reduce the cost of providing child care to your employees. Starting in 2026, the employe...
07/20/2026

New tax rules may significantly reduce the cost of providing child care to your employees. Starting in 2026, the employer-provided child care credit generally equals 40% of qualified facility expenses (up from 25%), plus 10% of qualified resource and referral costs, up to $500,000 (up from $150,000). Small businesses may qualify for a 50% rate on qualified facility expenses and a $600,000 limit.

The credit may apply to operating your own facility, contracting with a qualified provider or participating in a jointly operated arrangement. But eligibility, additional limits and recapture rules require careful review.

Contact us for help evaluating your options and projecting the credit’s value.

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.

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585 S State College Boulevard
Anaheim, CA
92806

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