Empire Accounting & Tax Service LLC

Empire Accounting & Tax Service LLC Tax Preparation, Tax Resolution, Financial Statements, Payroll Preparation

Are rental real estate activities eligible for the qualified business income (QBI) deduction? The answer is a distinct “...
06/05/2026

Are rental real estate activities eligible for the qualified business income (QBI) deduction? The answer is a distinct “maybe.” This tax break allows eligible sole proprietors and owners of “pass-through” entities to deduct up to 20% of QBI. Pass-through entities include partnerships, S corporations and most limited liability companies. However, income from a rental real estate activity is QBI only if the activity rises to the level of a trade or business or meets an IRS safe harbor, which generally requires separate records, sufficient rental services and specific documentation. Various limits and other restrictions also apply. Call us at (630) 513-6086 to learn more.

If you’d like to help a charity for a period of time but ultimately benefit one or more heirs and potentially save gift ...
06/03/2026

If you’d like to help a charity for a period of time but ultimately benefit one or more heirs and potentially save gift and estate taxes, consider a charitable lead trust (CLT). You transfer assets to the irrevocable CLT and the charity receives payments from it for a term of years. When the term expires, the remaining assets are distributed to the CLT’s beneficiaries. The CLT assets can include publicly traded securities, real estate, business interests and even private company stock. Call us at (630) 513-6086 for more details.

Are tax problems weighing on you? If you’re facing IRS notices, unfiled tax returns or mounting tax debt, acting quickly...
06/02/2026

Are tax problems weighing on you? If you’re facing IRS notices, unfiled tax returns or mounting tax debt, acting quickly can make a difference. We can help you evaluate resolution options and work with the IRS to possibly reduce the burden. Call us at (630) 513-6086 to discuss your situation and explore next steps.

A mission statement is a concise, formal declaration of a business’s core purpose. The right one can serve as a rallying...
06/01/2026

A mission statement is a concise, formal declaration of a business’s core purpose. The right one can serve as a rallying cry for employees and a powerful marketing tool that attracts customers and drives revenue. So, whether you’re writing one for the first time or revising it during a rebrand, craft yours carefully. It can have a surprising impact on your bottom line. Please call us at (630) 513-6086 for help aligning your company’s core purpose with its financial parameters and strategic objectives.

Does your business provide complimentary on-site food and beverages for employees? The rules for deducting certain busin...
05/29/2026

Does your business provide complimentary on-site food and beverages for employees? The rules for deducting certain business meals have changed. Beginning in 2026, employers generally can’t deduct 1) meals treated as de minimis fringe benefits, or 2) employer-provided meals that are excludable from an employee’s income and provided for the employer’s convenience on business premises. For the 2025 tax year, generally the former were 100% deductible and the latter were 50% deductible. Contact us at (630) 513-6086 to discuss whether this change will affect your company and how to plan accordingly.

F**A taxes on W-2 wages are split equally between employee and employer. For self-employment income, you pay both halves...
05/27/2026

F**A taxes on W-2 wages are split equally between employee and employer. For self-employment income, you pay both halves, but the “employer” half is deductible. If you own and work in a business structured as a partnership, the income passing through to you for income tax purposes generally is also subject to self-employment taxes, even if it isn’t distributed to you. If your income exceeds certain levels, you also could be subject to the 0.9% additional Medicare tax. Call us at (630) 513-6086 to review your situation.

The stepped-up basis rules can reduce capital gains tax for family members who inherit your assets. Under these rules, w...
05/26/2026

The stepped-up basis rules can reduce capital gains tax for family members who inherit your assets. Under these rules, when your loved one inherits an asset, its tax basis is “stepped up” to its fair market value at the time of your death. If the heir later sells the asset, he or she will owe capital gains tax only on any appreciation after your date of death, rather than on the entire gain since you acquired it. Investment accounts, business interests, real estate and personal property are among the assets affected by the stepped-up basis rules. Call us at (630) 513-6086 for details.

Do you dream of retiring early? As in, really early? So do adherents of FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). Man...
05/25/2026

Do you dream of retiring early? As in, really early? So do adherents of FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). Many FIRE followers aim to retire in their 40s or even 30s! They make it happen by saving at least 50% of their current income, which some maximize by working second jobs. Obviously, this requires discipline and planning. But if early retirement is a priority, call us {Phone%} so we can help you make it happen.

The IRS has issued final regulations on the tax deduction for qualified cash tips. The legislation commonly known as the...
05/22/2026

The IRS has issued final regulations on the tax deduction for qualified cash tips. The legislation commonly known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” created the deduction of up to $25,000 per year for 2025 through 2028. Qualified tips generally refer to cash tips received by an individual in an occupation that “customarily and regularly” received tips on or before Dec. 31, 2024. The final regs list more than 70 eligible occupations. In addition to occupations previously listed in the proposed regs, the final regs add visual artists, floral designers and gas pump attendants. The final regs also provide clarifications to the definition of a qualified cash tip. For more details, call us at (630) 513-6086.

If the IRS audits your income tax return, you may need to produce documentation. In general, the IRS has three years to ...
05/20/2026

If the IRS audits your income tax return, you may need to produce documentation. In general, the IRS has three years to assess additional tax, starting from the date the return was filed or due, whichever is later. For example, if you filed your 2022 return by the April 18 deadline in 2023, the IRS generally has until April 18, 2026, to assess a tax deficiency. So you potentially can discard records related to that return after April 2026. But records should be held longer in certain situations. And you should keep copies of your returns forever. Call us at (630) 513-6086 with questions.

Address

2325 Dean Street Suite 200
Saint Charles, IL
60175

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+16305136086

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