Small Business Tax Services
Running a small business is hard enough without tax headaches. Robert Johnson, EA, specializes in helping small business owners minimize their tax burden, stay compliant, and make smarter financial decisions.
Schedule C & Sole Proprietor Returns
If you're a freelancer, independent contractor, or single-member LLC, your business income is reported on Schedule C of your personal return. While the form itself is straightforward, maximizing your deductions requires expertise. We categorize every legitimate business expense, ensure your cost of goods sold is properly calculated, and identify deductions that are commonly overlooked, from home office and vehicle expenses to professional development and software subscriptions.
More importantly, we review whether your current business structure is still the most tax-efficient option. Many sole proprietors are paying thousands more in self-employment tax than they need to.
S-Corp Elections & Payroll
For business owners with consistent net income above $50,000–$60,000, electing S-Corp status can produce significant tax savings. As an S-Corp, you pay yourself a reasonable salary (subject to payroll taxes) and take the remaining profit as a distribution (not subject to self-employment tax). The savings on that 15.3% self-employment tax rate add up quickly. We handle the entire process: filing Form 2553 with the IRS, setting up payroll, calculating a defensible reasonable salary, and preparing your S-Corp return (Form 1120-S) alongside your personal return.
Estimated Quarterly Payments
Self-employed individuals and business owners don't have taxes withheld from a paycheck, which means you're responsible for making quarterly estimated payments to the IRS (and usually your state). Getting these calculations wrong costs you money either way. Underpay and you face penalties, overpay and you've essentially loaned the government money interest-free. We project your income each quarter and calculate payments that keep you compliant without tying up unnecessary cash.
Deduction Maximization
Every dollar of legitimate business deductions reduces your taxable income. We go beyond the obvious expenses to find deductions many business owners miss: the Section 199A qualified business income deduction, vehicle expenses using the method that saves you more (standard mileage vs. actual expenses), meals with clients and prospects, business insurance premiums, continuing education, and the often-overlooked self-employed health insurance deduction. Our approach is thorough but defensible. We maximize what you're entitled to without creating audit risk.
1099 Compliance
If you pay subcontractors, freelancers, or other non-employee workers $600 or more during the year, you're required to issue a 1099-NEC by January 31. Failure to file results in penalties that start at $60 per form and can reach $310 or more. We ensure you collect W-9s from all vendors, track payments throughout the year, and file all required 1099 forms accurately and on time. We also help you understand the rules around worker classification, and getting this wrong can trigger significant IRS penalties.
Let's Talk About Your Business Taxes
Whether you're a freelancer filing Schedule C or an established S-Corp, Robert can help you pay less and stay compliant.
Book a Free ConsultationSmall Business Tax FAQ
The general rule of thumb is when your net self-employment income consistently exceeds $50,000–$60,000 per year. At that point, the self-employment tax savings from an S-Corp election often outweigh the additional payroll costs and compliance requirements. We’ll run the numbers for your specific situation.
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal taxes, you’re required to make quarterly estimated payments (April 15, June 15, September 15, January 15). Failure to pay on time results in underpayment penalties. We calculate your estimates based on projected income to avoid penalties while keeping your cash flow intact.
Yes, if you use a dedicated space in your home regularly and exclusively for business. You can use the simplified method ($5/sq ft, up to 300 sq ft) or the regular method based on actual expenses. We help you determine which method provides the larger deduction.
At minimum: income records (invoices, bank deposits, 1099s received), expense receipts, mileage logs, home office measurements, and documentation for any asset purchases. Good recordkeeping is the foundation of tax savings, and you can’t deduct what you can’t document.
Yes. If you paid any individual or unincorporated business $600 or more for services during the year, you’re required to issue a 1099-NEC by January 31. Failure to file can result in penalties of $60–$310 per form. We handle 1099 preparation and filing as part of our business tax services.