Polk & Associates

09/01/2026

Business owners: No matter your objective, successful negotiations with another party depend on good preparation and maintaining a cool head. Here are some tips to consider. https://wp.me/p77IVw-35A

08/27/2026

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.

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 ac…

08/25/2026

Successful businesses grow because their owners use accurate and authoritative financial information to make informed decisions. That’s where an experienced financial advisor comes in.

Today’s business owners need a trusted financial advisor on their side. After all, you have a lot to keep track of. Staying on top of your finances requires up-to-date, accurate bookkeeping and reg…

08/20/2026

Charitable donations can be a powerful tax-saving tool. But there’s much to consider as you plan your giving for the rest of 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 f…

08/18/2026

Small business owners: New tax rules may significantly reduce the cost of providing child care to your employees. But how much can you claim, and which arrangements qualify? Here’s what you need to know.

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 expen…

08/13/2026

Certain “small” businesses have a choice of using cash or accrual accounting for tax purposes. If you’re one of them, which route should you take? https://wp.me/p77IVw-352

08/11/2026

Planning opportunities often become more limited as the end of the year approaches. Reviewing your tax picture midyear gives you more time to take steps to reduce or defer taxes.

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 t…

08/06/2026

Stress tests won’t eliminate all business risks, but they can help you plan for disruptions before they strain your cash flow or force hasty decisions. Here’s how to put stress testing to work for your business.

There’s no shortage of uncertainty for today’s business owners. It’s impossible to predict every disruption, but stress testing can help you identify vulnerabilities before they become costly probl…

08/04/2026

IRS or state tax problems don’t have to derail your business. Learn what steps you can take to make tax resolution feel more manageable and keep your business moving full speed ahead.

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 I…

07/30/2026

A winning scratch-off ticket or a slot-machine payout is worth celebrating, especially if it’s big. But there are also income tax consequences to be aware of. https://wp.me/p77IVw-34N