Siepert & Co., LLP

08/10/2026

Former Siepert & Co., LLP partner, Robert "Bob" Keeler, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026, surrounded by his family. Bob served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967, including a year in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. When his military service ended, Bob returned to the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater on the GI Bill and graduated in 1971. That summer, he joined H. G. Siepert & Company in Beloit and passed the CPA exam on his first attempt. He helped expand the firm into Illinois by opening an office in 1974 and moved his family to Sycamore. He became a partner in 1980. After retiring from Siepert in December 2008, he worked part-time during tax season for several years and continued serving clients, including Dorr-Wood Ltd. in Woodstock. Bob will be greatly missed and his lasting memories will continue to be shared by those that had the opportunity to work along side him and learn from him over the years. Full Obituary Link:

View Robert "Bob" Francis Xavier Keeler's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/10/2026

Is an S Corporation Election Right for You? Consider reasonable compensation, profitability, and compliance to reduce self-employment taxes. Consult a tax expert to make an informed decision based on careful projections, not rough estimates. For additional information, click on the following article link: https://www.siepert.com/for-business/is-an-s-corporation-election-right-for-your-business/

02/10/2026

Important Update: The Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit has undergone significant enhancements. Eligible employers can now claim a general business tax credit ranging from 12.5% to 25% of wages paid to qualifying employees for up to 12 weeks of family and medical leave per taxable year. This is just an introduction to a complex series of rules. Business owners should work closely with qualified tax advisors to make sure they are properly applying the law. Click the link to access the full article and obtain detailed information. https://www.siepert.com/for-business/newsflash-enhancements-to-the-paid-family-and-medical-leave-tax-credit/

29/09/2026

Are you struggling with credit card debt? 🤔 According to recent data, 53% of Americans carry an average balance of $7,719. The good news is that you can make consistent progress on reducing this debt by allocating extra funds towards your balance each month. Click on the link to access additional information and read the full article. https://www.siepert.com/latest-news/are-you-relying-too-heavily-on-your-credit-cards/

22/09/2026

National Payroll Week takes place from September 7-11, offering an opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of America's workforce and the dedicated payroll professionals who compensate them. It is essential to recognize the significance of payroll management, as the intricate complexities of state and federal taxation, exemptions, and employee classifications underscore the critical role it plays in a company's operations. Click the following link to read the full article https://www.siepert.com/for-business/what-to-know-about-payroll-have-a-look-for-national-payroll-week/

16/09/2026

Maximize your philanthropic impact while optimizing your tax strategy with donor-advised funds. By contributing to a DAF, you can claim a deduction and recommend grants to charities at your convenience, often in a subsequent tax year. This flexibility has driven the growth of DAFs in recent years. Read the article to determine if a donor-advised fund aligns with your charitable goals. https://www.siepert.com/latest-news/is-a-donor-advised-fund-right-for-you/

12/09/2026

Effective July 1, 2026, the IRS has introduced new mileage rates: 76¢/mile for business purposes, 23.5¢/mile for medical and moving expenses, and 14¢/mile for charitable donations. To ensure compliance and maximize deductions, consult with a qualified tax professional. To read the full article and obtain additional information, click on the following link. https://www.siepert.com/for-business/irs-makes-rare-midyear-change-to-mileage-rates/

02/09/2026

The idea of a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work is not a new concept. However, pay transparency, or the practice of companies disclosing their employee pay structure, is relatively newer. The goal of any responsible organization is to be accountable to its employees. Whether or not pay transparency is legislated, it should be a company goal. Salary transparency fosters fairness, equity and job satisfaction for employees.

Company practice of pay transparency first came into affect in 2018. Learn why it matters for your business.

31/08/2026

Did you know 60% of small businesses shut down within 6 months of a cyberattack? 💸 Protect your business by implementing multifactor authentication, robust passwords, automated software updates, and regular backups. What's your cybersecurity plan? 💻 https://www.siepert.com/for-business/how-small-businesses-can-prepare-for-cyberattacks/

28/08/2026

Maintaining accurate payroll recordkeeping for compliance and audits is essential for more than just meeting labor and tax regulations. Good records provide a clear picture of earnings and deductions, strengthen budget planning, and build trust with employees. They serve as evidence in the event of a payroll audit, help identify irregularities before they become problems, and reduce the risk of costly fines.

Just as important, payroll records support employees when they need proof of income, whether for renting an apartment or applying for a loan. They also provide employees with proof of employment. Click on the link to read the full article and learn what records to keep and why.

Payroll recordkeeping for compliance and audits helps protect your business. Learn best practices with insights from Siepert & Co., LLP.