Insights
Practical tax and accounting insights
Plain-English guidance on taxes, bookkeeping, payroll and IRS issues from the team at Heaven & Alvarez LLC.
Year-End Tax Planning Checklist for Business Owners
Before December 31, review your profit, timing, equipment purchases, retirement contributions, and records. This checklist helps small business owners plan ahead.
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Month-End Close Checklist for Small Businesses
A step-by-step month-end close checklist that keeps your books accurate, your reports useful, and tax season far less stressful.
How to Prepare for an IRS Audit: A Step-by-Step Guide
An IRS audit letter is stressful, but it is manageable. Learn the audit types, what to gather, which deadlines matter, and what rights you have.
IRS Payment Plan Options Explained in Plain English
Can't pay your full tax bill? Here is a plain-English look at IRS payment plans, hardship status, offers in compromise, and penalty relief.
Small Business Tax Deductions Checklist: What People Miss
Home office, vehicle, startup costs, retirement contributions, and more. Use this checklist to catch deductions small business owners often overlook.
Why Clean Books Matter Before Tax Season Arrives
An article explaining how keeping books accurate throughout the year makes tax preparation smoother, supports tax planning and cash flow management, prevents payroll and sales tax issues, and leads to better decisions.
When Should a Small Business Owner Stop Handling Accounting Alone?
An article outlining signs that a small business has outgrown do-it-yourself accounting, such as unreliable reports, payroll burdens, tax surprises, messy QuickBooks files, missed deadlines, and mixed personal and business finances.
What to Do If You Receive an IRS Notice
A step-by-step guide to handling an IRS notice: do not ignore it, read it carefully, gather records, check whether it is correct, watch penalties and interest, and know when to contact a tax professional.
How Long Should You Keep Tax and Business Records?
Three years is the general rule, but some records need to be kept much longer. Learn the IRS retention periods and how to organize your tax files.
LLC vs. S Corp: Choosing the Right Structure in Georgia
An LLC is a legal entity; an S corporation is a tax election. Here is how they differ for Georgia owners and when electing S status may make sense.
Signs Your QuickBooks File Needs a Cleanup
Unreconciled accounts, duplicate vendors, and uncategorized transactions are warning signs. Here is how to spot a messy QuickBooks file and what a cleanup involves.
Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments: A Practical Guide
Self-employed or own a small business? Here is how quarterly estimated taxes work, when they are due, and how to avoid underpayment penalties.
Payroll Compliance Basics for Georgia Employers
A plain-English guide to payroll compliance for Georgia small employers, from worker classification and withholding to deposits, forms, and penalties.
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Articles are general information. For advice on your own taxes or business, talk with our team.