SE Hemmerich Tax and Accounting Services, CPA, LLC

12/12/2025

Stepped away from our computer screens last night to celebrate this Christmas season and our amazing team! ❄️🎄🩵 spent the evening at Blu Tansi with Carla, who guided us along in making festive centerpieces ✨🤍 thank you for opening up your hallmark movie-esque shop & all of your beautiful accessories & greens & lights for us to create something unique & special, and for all of your time & guidance! 🫶🏻💕 we had a blast!

& thank you to my team. Each of you is so special to me and I am so thankful for your dedication to excellence and to serving our clients well. Together we navigate this ever-changing “world” of taxes & payroll! ☺️✨

11/12/2025

Perks of working later - just stunning!! 💛✨💫🌟

09/26/2025

Excited for another night in paradise at the MHS block party! 🌴🏄🏻‍♀️🏖️⛱️🐠 Looking forward to seeing you all later this afternoon!! ❤️🖤🩶

09/22/2025

Love supporting CCS! 💙

We are grateful to our Firm Allies!

08/28/2025

✅ Hiring a New Employee? Don’t Forget These Must-Have Forms!

Bringing someone new onto your team? Make sure your onboarding process is compliant and complete! Here are the payroll forms you’ll need:

📄 Form W-4 – Federal tax withholding

📄 Form W-4MN – Minnesota state tax withholding

📄 Form I-9 – Employment eligibility verification

🏦 Direct Deposit Form – To securely pay your employee

💡 Pro Tip: Keep these forms securely filed and ensure everything is submitted on time for smooth payroll processing.

Need help setting up payroll or managing employee records? 📞 Let us handle the details so you can focus on growing your business.

👉 Message us or visit sehemmerich.com to learn more.

08/27/2025

📢 Your Guide to Minnesota Sales Tax 📢

Understanding sales tax in Minnesota doesn’t have to be complicated (though it feels like it at times)! Here’s a quick breakdown of sales tax in the state of MN:

🛒 Who Pays Sales Tax?

• The end consumer pays sales tax on taxable goods and specific services (e.g., restaurant meals, lodging, and certain business services).

• Businesses are required to collect the tax at the point of sale/service and remit it to the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

💰 Tax Rates

• General MN sales tax rate: 6.875%

• Local taxes (e.g., city or county) often apply, ex.:) Mille Lacs County has an additional 0.50% transit tax – so the total applicable sales tax rate in Mille Lacs County is 7.375%; some jurisdictions are over 9%

📦 Use Tax

• If your business buys taxable items or services without paying sales tax (e.g., online or out-of-state purchases), you may owe use tax on that purchase

🚫 Exemptions

• Items like unprepared food, clothing, and prescription drugs are exempt from sales tax

• Qualifying nonprofits or government entities are also commonly exempt from paying sales tax

❓ Questions? Give us a call to review your specific fact pattern to determine your compliance requirements! 💼

08/26/2025

📢 Earned Sick & Safe Time Reminder 📢

We wanted to remind you about MN's Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) law, effective since January 1, 2024. This law requires employers to provide paid leave to employees working in Minnesota for at least 80 hours per year. Here are the key points:

✅ Employees earn 1 hour of paid sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours annually (unless you offer more). OR –

✅ Employers can frontload paid-leave hours – providing either 48 hours of ESST or 80 hours. If 48 hours are front loaded, any unused hours at the end of the year need to be paid out. If 80 hours are front loaded, any unused hours are not paid out at the end of year year.

✅ ESST can be used for personal or family illness, medical care, domestic abuse situations, or closures due to weather/emergencies.

✅ You must provide a notice to employees about their ESST rights and include ESST hours (available and used) on pay stubs or electronically.

✅ Recent 2024 amendments clarify that ESST applies to employees expected to work 80+ hours yearly, and more generous PTO policies must comply with ESST rules.

Ensure your payroll and policies are compliant. Contact us for guidance on implementing ESST or reviewing your existing leave policies. We’re here to help you navigate these requirements smoothly.

08/07/2025

🎒📚 Back-to-School Tip for Minnesota Parents!

Did you know you could save money at tax time just by keeping your school supply receipts?

📝 Minnesota offers a K–12 Education Deduction and Credit for qualifying expenses like:

✅ Notebooks, pencils, folders

✅ Calculators, art supplies, required gym shoes

✅ Educational software & tutoring

✅ Required school supplies for class

💡 Pro Tip: Save every receipt for anything you purchase for your child’s K–12 education—even backpacks!

📂 Create a folder (physical or digital) now so you’re ready when tax season rolls around.

Need help with tax planning or want to make sure you’re maximizing your deductions? We’re here to help!

📞 Reach out to schedule a consultation.

08/06/2025

🔐 Do you have a SecureFilePro account? 🔐

We’ve been using SecureFilePro for past couple of years to safely exchange tax documents and financial information with our clients and have really found it helpful.

We encourage you to give it a try if you don’t already have an account set up!

✅ Safe, encrypted file sharing

✅ Easy-to-use client portal — access from any device

✅ Keeps your personal and financial data protected

✅ Reduces the risks emails pose to electronically transferred information

We’re here to help if you’re unsure how to use it or need a quick walkthrough. Utilizing this tool helps us all work more securely and efficiently!

📩 Not sure if you have an account or need your portal info? Just reach out — we’re happy to help!

08/05/2025

🌐 What You Can Find on Our Website: Secure File Portal 🌐

Continuing our website series, today we’re highlighting a key feature designed for your convenience and security — our Secure File Portal

This portal allows you to safely and easily upload important tax documents, financial files, and other sensitive information directly to us, anytime. No more worrying about email attachments or lost paperwork—your data stays protected and confidential.

To access, simply visit our website and click the Secure File Portal link. It’s fast, secure, and available 24/7!

💻 Check it out here: sehemmerich.com

Have questions about using the portal? Reach out anytime—we’re here to help!

08/01/2025

💸🏡 Minnesota Property Tax Refund Reminder! 📢

Did you rent or pay property taxes on your home in 2023? You may be eligible for a Minnesota Property Tax Refund—but don’t miss the deadline!

📌 MN property tax returns must be filed by August 15, 2025

This refund is available to:

✅ Homeowners who meet income and residency requirements

✅ Renters through the renter’s property tax refund (yes, renters qualify too!)

💡 Many people leave money on the table simply because they don’t file. If you paid property tax or rent in 2023, it’s worth checking if you haven’t already filed

📞 Need help determining if you qualify or filing your return? We’re here to assist.

07/31/2025

💼💰 How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Could Affect You

We selected a couple hot topic items to highlight that were included in The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) that was passed on July 4, 2025! We are still digesting this new tax bill…definitely helpful that we have some time before the end of the year to learn how it affects you and how to be proactive with your tax plan! Here’s a quick breakdown of how the new law could impact you:
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👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Individuals & Families

• State & Local Tax (SALT) Deduction cap has increased
You may be able to deduct up to $40,000 in state and local taxes on your 2025 return (up from $10,000). Think, property taxes, state income taxes, vehicle tabs, etc.

• Child Tax Credit Gets a Boost

The credit increases from $2,000 to $2,200 per child in 2025. Income limits still apply.

• Dependent Care FSA contribution limit increase

If your employer has a dependent care FSA benefit, starting in 2026, you can contribute up to $7,500 for daycare or after-school care — up from $5,000.

• New Deduction for Seniors (65+)

If you’re 65 or older, you’ll potentially get a new $6,000 deduction per person starting in 2025 ($12,000 for MFJ). Income limitations apply (MAGI $75k single taxpayers and $150k for MFJ).

• Vehicle Loan Interest May Be Deductible

From 2025 to 2028, you may be able to deduct interest on personal vehicle loans — this deduction is available for new vehicle purchases (used vehicles are not eligible) obtained after December 31, 2024, final assembly of the vehicle must have been in the U.S., and the deduction phases out if modified adjusted gross income is over $100k ($200k for MFJ).

• New Deductions for Overtime and Tip Workers

If you work overtime, you may be able to deduct up to $12,500 (or $25,000 for married couples) for your overtime pay. Keep in mind, this deduction is only for the “half” portion of the “time-and-a-half” component of the overtime compensation…not all of your overtime pay.

If you earn tips, you could deduct up to $25,000 of your tip income. The law specifies this deduction is only available for traditionally and customarily tipped industries.

These deductions apply for 2025 through 2028 and phase out at higher incomes.

• Charitable Donation Deduction – Even if You Don’t Itemize

Starting in 2026, you can deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 if MFJ) in charitable donations — even if you take the standard deduction.
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🌿 Energy Tax Credits Are Ending Soon

⚠️ Clean Vehicle Credit: Ends for vehicles bought after Sept. 30, 2025.

⚠️ Energy efficient home improvement credit: Ends for improvements made after Dec. 31, 2025. This includes solar projects for residential home improvements.

⚠️ Wind & Solar Projects: Must be up and running by end of 2027 to qualify for credits – this is for facilities only.
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🏢 For Small Business Owners

• QBI Deduction Made Permanent (would have otherwise expired at the end of 2025)

This popular 20% deduction isn’t going away — it’s here to stay for eligible businesses.

• Bonus Depreciation is Back at 100%

If you buy equipment or property after January 19, 2025, you can write off the full cost of the purchase
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📣 Final Thoughts

This tax bill includes a lot of updates and extensions that may result in you saving on your tax bill, which is great news for most of our clients!!

Every situation is different — so if you're unsure how this affects you, just send us a message or give us a call. We’re here to help navigate this together! ✅

While this is a lot of information, this is just an overview of the credits and deductions that we believe will impact you, our clients, the most. For all of the tax related changes that this bill impacts, you can visit:

https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jun/tax-changes-in-senate-budget-reconciliation-bill/?utm_source=mnl:au&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=03Jul2025