I thought this picture might bring a smile to your face! So many of us are juggling work and family these days and sometimes, the holidays add stress to our lives instead of joy. I am going to encourage you to slow down and enjoy the present. The first step to being "in the moment" is to be grateful for all that is. Let's make a mental list together of things that we can be thankful for.
Lovely weather and cooler temperatures
Abundance of food available for the holidays
Gathering with friends and family
Freedom
Ability to connect with love ones around the world
This little exercise only took seconds and I am feeling much happier about the week ahead! Instead of overextending yourself, be mindful of what you can and want to do. This year may be one that you start new, less hassle-filled celebrations. Welcome the upcoming get-togethers as an opportunity to share your best self with those that you love. Happy Thanksgiving from my home to yours!
New on YouTube
Mashed potatoes are a standard guest at most Thanksgiving tables. Skip the instant mix and make your own dish from scratch. These velvety smooth potatoes will fill up your family and have them begging for more. Click here to watch the short video on how to prepare them!
If you are looking for something different, then this Pumpkin Feta Dip will fill the bill! It is a savory yet sweet concoction that pairs well with your favorite crackers or raw vegetables. Pumpkins are a favorite on Thanksgiving, so why not try something new for your grazing crowd? Click here to cook with me!
When the temperatures drop, soup becomes a mainstay for lunch at my home. This Roasted Carrot Soup is the perfect starter for your next gathering. The creamy and delicious flavor will please everyone at your dining table. Click here to watch how to make it.
If my mother was still alive, I'd be begging her to make Red Velvet Cake for Thanksgiving or at least tell me how she baked it. It was my favorite dessert and unfortunately she took her recipe to heaven. I have been on a quest to find a recipe that mimics her lovely cake. This one came VERY close so I am sharing it with you on Sunday afternoon on my YouTube channel, so stay tuned!
My husband asked me why I enjoy cooking so much? The answer was simple. I feel connected to my momma when I am covered in flour and creating something wonderful. She was more of a gourmet cook than I could ever hope to be, however I feel her presence every time I try something new. Thank you, Mom for all of those hours we spent in your kitchen together. You live on with me!
Find me on YouTube @charlsiepecoraro
Boss partner, Houston Horne has started a YouTube channel to help folks learn how to prepare for a move. In this video he shows the professional way to pack up your kitchen. Click here to watch and learn. I love all of the pro tips! Thank you so much for sharing! Find him on YouTube @handyguysmoving
Words of Wisdom from Richard Lindsey!
Richard Lindsey's "Real World" Business Strategy Note Year-end Opportunities For Businesses “Opportunities don't happen. You create them.” ― Chris Grosser
There are plenty of "standard" pieces of advice that any business should consider at year-end, when it comes to tax planning and business reporting. There are also recent and developing tax legislation changes that affect that advice.
What I have for you in this article falls in both of those categories. I always recommend a customized approach, which I provide to my clients, but this is a basis from which to start.
Clean energy For your business, there are 16 new or expanded tax incentives related to clean energy, and they're some of the most significant ever offered. Nontaxable entities such as not-for-profits, tribal entities, and government entities may qualify for elective payments rather than a credit. But to maximize these tax breaks, you may need to meet certain wage and apprenticeship requirements. It’s worth exploring before year-end what these incentives could mean for your business on your 2023 return.
Employee Retention Credit You’ve heard that the IRS has temporarily stopped processing any more claims for this credit through the end of the year while they sort out previous claims and identify the false ones. If you were planning to apply for the ERC, you'll have to wait until they sort out their backlog. I’ll write more on this soon.
Retirement plans The business reporting requirements for your retirement plan depend on its size and how many people are participating in it. Now, some businesses like to give year-end bonuses or contribute to their employees' retirement accounts. This can actually come with some tax benefits, which is a nice perk.
If your business still needs to get a retirement plan for your employees, consider looking into it for 2024. Even if you're a small company with 100 or fewer employees, you can easily set up something called a SIMPLE (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees) IRA. You can reach out to me for more details on that.
Tax documentation It's never too early to start getting organized for business reporting. You might need to fill out some additional forms, like W-2s or W-3s, quarterly state and federal returns, or IRS Form 1099-NEC. That last one comes into play if you've paid just $600 or more to independent contractors.
Also, start gathering all the paperwork for your deductions. It's a good idea to do this sooner rather than later because we want to make sure you get back as much money as possible. So, get your documents together, and we'll help you navigate through the tax season smoothly.
Debt, invoices, and expenses It's a good idea to follow up with your debtors and try to collect any outstanding payments by the end of the year. Having cash on hand makes managing your books much smoother.
Now, there are times when it might make sense to delay recording some income until the new year, especially if it could affect your taxes. The same goes for deductible expenses. For instance, if you're planning a significant business deduction, like buying new equipment, it could have a big impact on your taxes one year and an even bigger impact the next.
Richard A. Lindsey, CPA
Your Small Business Tax Expert
Author of Fairness or Folly, Crazy Little Shorts for These Taxing Times, and
Co-author of the Best-Seller, Breaking the Tax Code
Lindsey & Waldo, LLC
"You see the numbers, we look for the opportunities"
(251) 633-4070
Things Happening on the Gulf Coast
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Belligrath Garden's Annual Magic Christmas in Lights!
This is a holiday tradition everyone should do! Belligrath Gardens annual Christmas display opens on November 24, 2023 to the public. Here are some important details you should know!
Have a wonderful holiday week! I'll be back on the blog December 1st. I'll be taking a week off to celebrate with my family! ~ Charlsie
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