Taxes by Tara PC

Taxes by Tara PC Let's talk tax! I love to take stress out of tax preparation for my amazing clients. Thanks for looking at my profile.

I am a retired Bank Executive and spent my career in the Accounting field. I am a licensed CPA in the state of Utah but can file your taxes in any state. Please contact me if you have any questions!

Are you paying yourself and family members who work in your business reasonable compensation? The IRS requires compensat...
08/10/2026

Are you paying yourself and family members who work in your business reasonable compensation? The IRS requires compensation (including salaries, bonuses and perks) to reflect services performed and be comparable to compensation for similar roles in similar organizations. This is especially important for owner-employees and related parties. Payments to relatives may be deductible, but only if they represent reasonable wages for bona fide services and are well documented. Excess compensation may be reclassified as nondeductible distributions of income, while underpaying may raise payroll tax issues. Regularly reviewing compensation practices can help reduce audit risk. Call us at (801) 698-7173 for guidance.

If you and your spouse operate a profitable, unincorporated small business, you face some unique tax issues. The IRS wil...
08/07/2026

If you and your spouse operate a profitable, unincorporated small business, you face some unique tax issues. The IRS will generally classify your business as a partnership for federal tax purposes. So, you’ll have to file an annual partnership return and both you and your spouse must receive Schedules K-1, which allocate taxable income, deductions and credits between the two of you. You must also pay self-employment (SE) tax on your share of the net SE income passed through to you by the spousal partnership. Your spouse must do the same. The bottom line: Turn to us to keep your business in compliance with the IRS while you and your spouse keep the business running smoothly. Contact us at (801) 698-7173.

IRS penalties can add up quickly. Fortunately, some taxpayers may qualify for penalty relief. There are three main types...
08/05/2026

IRS penalties can add up quickly. Fortunately, some taxpayers may qualify for penalty relief. There are three main types of relief: 1) first-time penalty abatement for taxpayers with a strong compliance history, 2) reasonable cause relief for situations such as serious illness or natural disasters, and 3) statutory exceptions. These exceptions generally apply to penalties resulting from erroneous written IRS advice or to taxpayers affected by certain federally declared disasters or involved in military combat-zone operations. If the IRS has assessed a penalty on your account, contact us at (801) 698-7173. We can help determine whether you qualify for penalty relief.

The IRS is more likely to audit certain types of businesses, such as those that are primarily cash-based. Although you p...
08/04/2026

The IRS is more likely to audit certain types of businesses, such as those that are primarily cash-based. Although you probably can’t change the nature of your transactions, you can control the accuracy of your tax returns. Minimize errors by maintaining meticulous documentation. Generally, you should keep tax records for at least three years — the normal statute of limitations for an IRS adjustment. And don’t try to go it alone: Call us at (801) 698-7173 for help reducing the likelihood of attracting IRS scrutiny, as well as for support if your tax return is ever questioned.

You may be eligible for the Child and Dependent Care Credit if you pay for care so you can work. For 2026, the credit fo...
08/03/2026

You may be eligible for the Child and Dependent Care Credit if you pay for care so you can work. For 2026, the credit for lower-income taxpayers increases from 35% to 50% of the first $3,000 of qualified expenses for one child ($6,000 for two or more children). Some middle-income taxpayers may also qualify for a larger percentage than in prior years. Call us at (801) 698-7173 to learn how the updated rules may apply to your family.

Contributions to Section 530A accounts (also known as Trump Accounts) are now eligible for the gift tax annual exclusion...
07/31/2026

Contributions to Section 530A accounts (also known as Trump Accounts) are now eligible for the gift tax annual exclusion. If, for example, you contribute cash (including via check or EFT) to a child or grandchild’s account, that contribution won’t be subject to the federal gift tax or related reporting requirements, as long as your total gifts to the child for the year don’t exceed $19,000. Note that contributions from most sources are limited to $5,000 per year (not including the initial federal government contribution of $1,000 if the child qualifies), per Section 530A account. Also, the recipient must be under age 18 at the end of the tax year. Have questions? Call us at (801) 698-7173.

Tax planning requires more than preparing returns at filing time. We work with individuals and businesses throughout the...
07/28/2026

Tax planning requires more than preparing returns at filing time. We work with individuals and businesses throughout the year to identify tax-saving opportunities, address compliance requirements and respond to changing tax laws. Call us at (801) 698-7173 to schedule an appointment to discuss your tax needs.

Grabbing lunch with a client doesn’t just build rapport. It can also trim your tax bill. Under federal tax law, you can ...
07/27/2026

Grabbing lunch with a client doesn’t just build rapport. It can also trim your tax bill. Under federal tax law, you can generally deduct 50% of qualifying business meal costs. Whether you're dining with clients, partners or employees, these deductions can reduce your taxable income. Keep detailed records of the expenses, including receipts. Document the business purpose of each meal and the business relationship of the people you dine with. Contact us at (801) 698-7173 with any questions about this deduction.

The ultimate success of a business often comes back to decisions made at its inception. If you’re planning to start a bu...
07/24/2026

The ultimate success of a business often comes back to decisions made at its inception. If you’re planning to start a business, one key decision is choosing its structure, commonly sole proprietorship, C corporation, S corporation, partnership or limited liability company. In addition to owner liability variations, all have different tax requirements that can affect everything from hiring to cash flow to owner income. Another critical decision is choosing a tax year — either a calendar year or a fiscal year (12 consecutive months ending on the last day of any month except December). Call us at (801) 698-7173. We can help you make the best decisions for your current situation and your business’s future.

You’ll probably owe tax on your retirement income — how much depends on factors such as the types of retirement accounts...
07/20/2026

You’ll probably owe tax on your retirement income — how much depends on factors such as the types of retirement accounts you own and your other income sources. In general, retirees should withdraw funds from any taxable accounts first, tax-deferred accounts second and tax-free accounts last. But different withdrawal strategies may benefit you. The important thing is to start planning before you retire. Call us at (801) 698-7173 for help.

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Layton, UT
84041

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

Telephone

801-698-7173

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