RKB Accounting & Tax Service, LLC

RKB Accounting & Tax Service, LLC No annoying tax professional lingo. Just straight, authoritative and friendly expert advice. Visit u Contact us today for more information!

RKB Accounting & Tax Service, LLC is a local CPA firm offering a variety of accounting services for individuals and business in the La Crosse area. In business since 1984, RKB specializes in income tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services for industries such as retail, construction, restaurants, healthcare, breweries, start-ups, and nonprofits.

The deadline for Q3 estimated tax payments is September 15, 2026. This payment is based on income earned from June 1, 20...
09/01/2026

The deadline for Q3 estimated tax payments is September 15, 2026. This payment is based on income earned from June 1, 2026, through August 31, 2026. For those who make these payments, staying current can help minimize potential penalties and make year-end filing more manageable.

If you would like assistance confirming the amount to pay or reviewing payment options, please contact our office. We are happy to help.

Educator Classroom Expense Deduction – Did You Know?Eligible K-12 teachers, instructors, counselors, principals and aide...
09/01/2026

Educator Classroom Expense Deduction – Did You Know?

Eligible K-12 teachers, instructors, counselors, principals and aides who pay for classroom supplies out of pocket may deduct up to $350 of qualifying expenses per year. Married couples filing jointly who are both eligible educators may deduct up to $350 each, for a combined maximum of $700.

You do not need to itemize deductions to claim this deduction. Be sure to keep receipts and other records for any classroom expenses you plan to deduct.

Important tax deadlines are approaching in the second half of the year. Staying ahead of key Q3 and Q4 dates can help bu...
08/27/2026

Important tax deadlines are approaching in the second half of the year. Staying ahead of key Q3 and Q4 dates can help business owners avoid penalties, manage cash flow, and prevent last-minute filing stress.

Our team works with business owners year-round to monitor deadlines, review financials, and implement proactive tax strategies. If you have questions about estimated payments, extensions, or year-end planning, now is the time to start the conversation.

Contact our team today to schedule a consultation and keep your business on track for a smooth, well-planned tax season.

Major Higher Education Tax Credits Now Require Valid SSN – Did You Know?The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) and L...
08/24/2026

Major Higher Education Tax Credits Now Require Valid SSN – Did You Know?

The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) and Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) help many Americans pay for higher education. For eligible students pursuing a degree or other recognized credential, the AOTC can cover up to $2,500 in tuition, required school fees and certain course materials per year. Meanwhile, the LLC can offset up to $2,000 per tax return for qualified education expenses for eligible students taking higher education courses for a variety of reasons.

Beginning with tax year 2026, the taxpayer claiming either the AOTC or LLC (and spouse, if filing jointly) must have a Social Security number (SSN) valid for work in the United States that was issued before the due date of the tax return, including extensions. If the eligible student is not the person claiming the credit (for example, if the student is that person's dependent or spouse), then the student must also have a valid SSN issued by that deadline. Other qualification requirements, such as income limits, remain in effect. A tax professional can help you determine whether the higher education expenses you pay for yourself, your spouse or a dependent qualify for a tax benefit.

Seasonal Employers - Did You Know?Summer is a peak time for many businesses to hire seasonal employees. In general, the ...
08/18/2026

Seasonal Employers - Did You Know?

Summer is a peak time for many businesses to hire seasonal employees. In general, the same federal tax rules apply to these workers as to permanent staff. Employers typically must withhold federal income tax and F**A (Social Security and Medicare) taxes and pay the employer share of F**A. Employers subject to FUTA must also pay federal unemployment tax on taxable wages.

Seasonal employers often must file Form 941 (Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return) for quarters in which they pay wages. However, they generally do not need to file for quarters in which they paid no wages and have no employment tax liability. If this applies, check the "Seasonal Employer" box on every Form 941 you file.

Employment taxes generally must be deposited monthly or semiweekly, based on the applicable lookback period. FUTA follows separate deposit rules and generally must be deposited when accumulated FUTA tax exceeds $500 for a quarter. Federal tax deposits must be made electronically, including through EFTPS.

You ever hear all those accounting terms and feel a bit 😵 Here’s a quick 101 on some of the most important terms:🖋️ Acco...
08/18/2026

You ever hear all those accounting terms and feel a bit 😵 Here’s a quick 101 on some of the most important terms:

🖋️ Accounts receivable and payable: Accounts receivable tallies how much customers or clients owe you for your goods or services. Accounts payable records how much you owe your suppliers or other creditors.
🖋️ Balance sheet: A balance sheet records how much you own (your assets), what you owe (your liabilities), and any shareholder or owner equity.
🖋️ Cash flow statement: This statement explains all the income you generate and all the expenses you pay over the given time period.

If you need accounting help, don’t hesitate to reach out! And spread this knowledge by sharing this post with your friends.

Expense Deduction Rules for Personal Property Used for Business – Did You Know?Many self-employed people may qualify to ...
08/11/2026

Expense Deduction Rules for Personal Property Used for Business – Did You Know?

Many self-employed people may qualify to reduce their taxable income by deducting business expenses. In general, you must allocate expenses related to mixed-use property based on your "percentage of business use." But how is this percentage calculated?

For many types of equipment, your business use percentage may be based on a reasonable measure such as time or output. For example, if you use your computer for 30 hours a week in your freelance work and 20 hours a week for personal purposes (total of 50 hours), then your business use percentage would generally be 30/50 = 60%. Meanwhile, if you have a printer and print 400 pages for business reasons and 100 pages for personal reasons (500 pages total), then your business use percentage would typically be 400/500 = 80%. Therefore, you could generally allocate 80% of shared costs like ink and paper to business use.

On the other hand, business percentages for vehicles should be based on mileage, not time. So if you drive your car 4,500 miles this year in the course of your self-employment work, and 10,500 miles for all other purposes (total of 15,000 miles), then your business use percentage would be 4,500/15,000 = 30%. Alternatively, if eligible, you may choose to use the standard mileage rate and calculate your vehicle deduction based on your qualifying business miles instead of deducting your share of actual vehicle expenses. Be sure to keep records that support your business use percentage, such as mileage logs, usage records, or other documentation showing how the property was used for business and personal purposes.

August often brings a natural pause. It marks the stretch just past the halfway point of the year, where we reflect on w...
08/10/2026

August often brings a natural pause. It marks the stretch just past the halfway point of the year, where we reflect on what’s working and what’s growing. For many business owners, that reflection leads back to one key area: the people who make everything possible.

The most successful businesses are rarely built on systems or strategies alone. They are built on people who feel supported and valued, and are continuously developing. When you invest in your team, your clients, and the relationships that matter most, the results tend to take care of themselves.

As we move through this month and look ahead to what is next, we want to hear from you: What is one way you are investing in your people or your relationships this August? Share it in the comments. We would love to cheer you on!

New IRS Automatic Exemption from Penalty ProgramBeginning in summer 2026, the IRS is implementing a new system that will...
08/03/2026

New IRS Automatic Exemption from Penalty Program

Beginning in summer 2026, the IRS is implementing a new system that will waive certain failure-to-file, failure-to-pay and failure-to-deposit penalties for eligible taxpayers with a strong compliance history. To qualify for the Automatic Exemption from Penalty (AEP) program, a taxpayer generally must have met all filing and payment deadlines for the previous three years, or 12 consecutive quarters for quarterly filers.

Unlike First Time Abate, eligible taxpayers will not need to request AEP relief. The IRS will apply it automatically and send a notice. For eligible returns due on or after January 1, 2027, AEP will replace First Time Abate, although reasonable-cause relief will remain available.

Not all IRS penalties qualify for automatic relief. For example, information-return penalties and accuracy-related penalties generally will not qualify. AEP applies only to eligible penalties, not to the underlying tax or interest due.

Did you file a tax extension? While filing a tax extension gives you additional time to complete your return, there are ...
08/03/2026

Did you file a tax extension? While filing a tax extension gives you additional time to complete your return, there are important steps to take to stay on track. Swipe through for an overview.

Need help navigating your extension or preparing your return? Contact our team today!

Address

1314 Johnson Street
La Crosse, WI
54601

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16087826433

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