Cox & Company

07/16/2026

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?

Cash-basis businesses recognize income when received and deduct expenses when paid, providing greater flexibility in the timing of income and deductions. In contrast, accrual-basis businesses recognize income when earned and deduct expenses when incurred, regardless of the timing of cash receipts or payments.

Even if you meet the eligibility requirements, the cash method isn’t right for every business. And switching methods adds administrative costs. Contact us to learn more about each option.

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.

There also might be state tax consequences. Contact us to learn more.

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.

07/02/2026

07/01/2026

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.

06/29/2026

What’s the right entity type for your new business? Two popular options for closely held businesses with multiple owners are LLCs taxed as partnerships and S corporations.

Both offer pass-through taxation, meaning tax items pass through to the individual owners and are reported on their personal returns. But they differ in important ways, such as self-employment tax, loss deductions, ownership flexibility and eligibility requirements.

Before making your decision, contact us. Taxes play a pivotal role in this decision. We can work with you and your legal advisors to determine the optimal setup for your situation.

06/24/2026

If you’ve recently lost your job, you’re likely focused on replacing income and evaluating your next steps. But some tax implications related to a job loss may also require attention. For example, unemployment compensation and severance pay are generally taxable, at least at the federal level. And health insurance premiums you’d been paying pre-tax from your paycheck may now have to be paid after-tax — though you might be able to deduct them. There are also tax consequences to consider in relation to your retirement plan with your former employer or withdrawing funds from an IRA to replace some of your lost income. If you’d like guidance, contact us.

06/23/2026

Rising home values are leaving some homeowners with large gains when they sell. But that doesn’t necessarily mean a large tax bill. If you sell your principal residence and meet certain requirements, you can exclude up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for joint filers). Gain that exceeds the exclusion or doesn’t qualify for it, however, is subject to long-term capital gains tax (or short-term capital gains tax if you haven’t owned the home for more than a year). It also could be subject to the net investment income tax if your income is over a certain amount. Contact us before putting your home on the market. We can help you estimate the tax impact and discuss possible planning opportunities.

06/22/2026

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.

06/17/2026

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.