Hometown Accountant

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Hometown Accountant

For all your accounting, bookkeeping, consulting, business compliance, & tax resolution needs. Fully remote for your convenience!

Florida notary, bookkeeper, accountant, business consultant, payroll assistant & tax preparer.

01/09/2026

Hey small business owners, contractors, real estate agents, and freelancers! ☀️

Just a friendly reminder that the Q3 estimated tax payment deadline is coming up on September 15, 2026. Staying on top of your quarterly payments is one of the best ways to keep your business running smoothly and avoid any surprise penalties down the road.

Not quite sure what you owe or need help getting your numbers sorted out? We've got you covered! Here at Hometown Accountant, we believe professional tax support should be stress-free and accessible. We are always just a phone call or a text away to help you figure out your estimates and keep your bookkeeping on track.

Reach out to us today and let's cross this off your to-do list together! 📞💬

25/08/2026

Starting a business in Alachua County? Choosing your business structure is an important first step: and there isn’t one option that’s best for everyone.

A sole proprietorship may be simple to start, but it can leave you personally responsible for business obligations.

An LLC can provide liability protection and flexible tax treatment. An LLC may also be eligible to elect S corporation tax status, which comes with additional rules, payroll requirements, and filings.

The right choice depends on your goals, expected income, ownership, liability concerns, and how much administrative work you’re ready to manage.

Before filing, talk with a qualified professional who can help you look at the full picture: not just today, but as your business grows.

Hometown Accountant is here to help local Florida entrepreneurs move forward with confidence. Call or text us to schedule a conversation: https://www.hometownaccountant.com

18/08/2026

The IRS just released its 2026 inflation adjustments: and a few updates may matter to you as a Florida small business owner. 👀

Here are three updates to know:

1. Standard deduction: $32,200 for married couples filing jointly, $16,100 for single filers, and $24,150 for heads of household.

2. Employer-provided childcare credit: The limit increases from $150,000 to $500,000: or $600,000 for eligible small businesses.

3. Trump Account contributions: Businesses can make tax-free contributions of up to $2,500 per year to Trump Accounts for employees’ children under 18. The program requires a separate written plan and nondiscrimination rules.

These changes apply to tax year 2026, with returns generally filed in 2027. They may affect how you plan for compensation, benefits, business growth, and year-end decisions: but the right steps depend on your situation.

If you’re a client on our Tax Advisory Program, you can jump right onto our schedule to talk through how these changes may affect you.

Not a current client but interested in tax planning? Give us a call! We don’t do tax-only work, but we do provide tax planning for business owners who bring their bookkeeping to our firm.

We’re here to make the changes easier to understand and help you plan with confidence. 📞

13/08/2026

Big win for our business community! 🌟

Florida has officially extended the employer childcare tax credit through 2029! This is fantastic news for local business owners looking to support their hardworking teams.

Providing childcare benefits isn't just a kind gesture: it’s a powerful hiring perk that helps you attract top talent and keep your best employees right here in our community. Whether you're helping cover childcare costs or looking into startup credits for a facility, this extension gives you more time to leverage these benefits for your business.

At Hometown Accountant, we’re just a phone call or text away to help you figure out the details. Let’s make your workplace even more supportive and successful together! 💼🏠

11/08/2026

Florida small business owners: Florida’s new reemployment tax portal launched August 4, 2026. If you file unemployment insurance tax reports, take a moment to prepare for the updated system.

The new portal includes:
• RT-6: Employer’s Quarterly Report
• RT-8A: Corrections to quarterly or annual reports
• RT-7: Annual report for employers of domestic employees

To help stay compliant:
• Register for the new eFile and Pay portal early.
• Confirm your FEIN, reemployment tax account number, contact information, and banking details.
• Review your employee wage records before filing.
• Save or print your confirmation after each submission.
• Check official Florida Department of Revenue deadlines and instructions: don’t rely on an old login or workflow.

Learn more through the Florida Department of Revenue’s eFile and Pay Information Center: https://floridarevenue.com/taxes/filepayinfo/Pages/dash.aspx

Need help sorting through the change? Hometown Accountant is just a call or text away. We’re here to help Florida business owners stay organized and on track.

25/07/2026

No more guessing games, Florida!

The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is officially a permanent fixture in our state, and we couldn't be more excited!

For local families, this means one less thing to worry about when budgeting for the new school year. But for our amazing local retailers and small business owners, this is a real game-changer.

Gone are the days of waiting on the legislature to decide "will they or won't they." Now, you can plan your inventory, staff up, and launch your marketing campaigns months in advance with total confidence. No more last-minute scrambles: just more time to focus on serving your customers!

Whether you’re selling backpacks or tech, we’re here to help you navigate the tax specifics and get your business finances ready for the rush. Have questions about how this affects your filings? We’re just a phone call or text away!

Shelley H. Morales is your Hometown Accountant! Give me a call today to find out how you can leave the books to me & have more of your time free! 352-358-1413 [email protected] www.hometownaccountant.com/book-online/

24/07/2026

The office is closed to celebrate a very special lady’s 97th birthday. We will run payroll and bill pay cycles, but non-weekly services will be addressed starting Monday, August 3rd.

We will occasionally check the portal, where clients have the ability to leave a message or upload documents 24/7 at
hometownaccountant.clientportal.com

Anything emailed is handled after we catch up on the portal. (Always remember to never email sensitive information.)

Thank you for your patience as we dedicate some time with family to celebrate our oldest living family member. ☺️
~Gratefully, Shelley & Danny

Shelley Hurst Morales is your Hometown Accountant! www.hometownaccountant.com

21/07/2026

Great news for our food trucks and grillers! 🔥

Did you know that propane is now permanently tax-free in Florida? It’s a little win that makes a big difference for our local small businesses that rely on outdoor cooking and grilling. Whether you’re serving up the best BBQ in town or running a busy food truck, those savings on 20lb tanks add up for your bottom line.

At Hometown Accountant, we love looking out for those “hidden” exemptions and tax breaks that help our neighbors thrive. It’s one more way we’re helping our local entrepreneurs stay ahead.

Got questions about how these new tax rules affect your business? We’re just a text or a phone call away! Let’s keep Alachua County cooking. 🍔🚚

County

17/07/2026

Big news for everyone driving for work! The IRS just announced a mid-year jump for standard mileage rates, and it’s retroactive to July 1, 2026.

With gas prices staying high, the IRS is giving us a bit of a break. Here’s the breakdown of the new rates:
🚗 Business travel: Up from 72.5¢ to 76¢ per mile.
🏥 Medical & Moving: Up from 20.5¢ to 23.5¢ per mile.
❤️ Charitable: Stays the same at 14¢ per mile.

What does this mean for your bookkeeping? Since the change started mid-year, you’ll need to track your miles in two separate buckets: your trips before July 1 (at the old rate) and your trips from July 1 through December (at the new 76¢ rate).

We know split-year math isn't exactly how most of us want to spend our weekend. If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by the change or just want to make sure your 2026 taxes are set up correctly, we’re right here in Alachua County to help!

Give us a call or shoot us a text. We’ll help you sort through the logs so you can focus on the road ahead.

08/07/2026

If you paid penalties and interest on tax years 2019-2022 you have until Friday July 10th to make a claim to potentially get that money back.

***The IRS opened a self-service where you can do this yourself.***

Potentially billions of dollars are at stake if tens of millions of Americans claim Covid-era refunds after a recent court ruling that the IRS and Justice Department are appealing. In the meantime, the IRS is giving taxpayers an option to file a claim electronically before the July 10 deadline. The agency will only process claims if it loses in court.

~~~Refunds are not guaranteed due to ongoing legal action, but filing now protects your rights.
~~~You can file even if you’re not sure how much you paid (including the breakout of penalties vs. interest).
~~~You must act fast. You must download and complete form 843 and mail it with a postmark before or by July 10, 2026, to preserve your claim. (Get form here: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f843.pdf)

Hurry before the sun sets on this opportunity!!!

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http://www.hometownaccountant.com/

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