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Practical guidance on complex tax matters, business decisions, international reporting, and financial compliance.

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R&D Tax Credit: Who Qualifies and How It Works
Tax Credits
August 22, 2026

R&D Tax Credit: Who Qualifies and How It Works

Businesses investing in new products, software, manufacturing processes, engineering, or other technical improvements may qualify for valuable Research and Development (R&D) tax credits — and R&D does not have to happen in a laboratory. The IRS four-part test, which expenses count as Qualified Research Expenses, the payroll-tax election for startups, Form 6765, California's state credit, and the documentation that makes a claim defensible.

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What Happens If My Nonprofit Loses Its Tax-Exempt Status?
Nonprofit Tax
August 13, 2026

What Happens If My Nonprofit Loses Its Tax-Exempt Status?

Most tax-exempt organizations must file an annual Form 990-series return or notice, and missing that filing for three consecutive years automatically revokes federal tax-exempt status. What automatic revocation actually means, how IRS reinstatement works and when it can be retroactive to the revocation date, what happens to donations received while the exemption was gone, whether the organization owes federal tax for those years, and why local chapters need their own analysis.

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I Haven't Filed U.S. Taxes in 5 Years and I Live Abroad. What Happens Now?
International Tax
August 13, 2026

I Haven't Filed U.S. Taxes in 5 Years and I Live Abroad. What Happens Now?

Moving abroad makes it easy to assume your U.S. filing obligations ended when you left. For most citizens they didn't — the United States taxes worldwide income regardless of where you live. But five missing years doesn't automatically mean five years of disaster. Why the first step isn't filing five returns, how the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures work, the FBAR aggregate threshold that catches people with small accounts, and what to gather before your first conversation.

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Foreign-Owned U.S. Businesses: Tax Filings That Are Easy to Miss
International Tax
July 31, 2026

Foreign-Owned U.S. Businesses: Tax Filings That Are Easy to Miss

Starting a U.S. business as a non-U.S. owner creates real opportunities — and filing requirements many owners don't discover until an IRS notice arrives. Form 5472, partnership returns, withholding on payments to foreign owners and contractors, state and franchise filings, beneficial ownership reporting, payroll registration, and estimated taxes. Several of these apply even when the business earned little or nothing, and the penalties can be significant.

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Are You Paying Yourself the Right Salary From Your S Corporation?
Business Tax
July 30, 2026

Are You Paying Yourself the Right Salary From Your S Corporation?

One of the biggest mistakes S corporation owners make is focusing on lowering payroll taxes instead of paying a reasonable salary. If you actively work in your business, the IRS expects reasonable compensation for the services you perform before you take shareholder distributions. What the IRS actually looks at, why there is no magic percentage, what can happen when a salary is unreasonably low, and the moments when your compensation should be reviewed.

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What Happens When a Nonprofit Misses Three Years of Form 990 Filings?
Nonprofit Tax
July 22, 2026

What Happens When a Nonprofit Misses Three Years of Form 990 Filings?

When a nonprofit fails to file its required Form 990-series return for three consecutive years, the IRS generally automatically revokes its federal tax-exempt status — even if the organization was inactive or believed someone else was handling the filings. What revocation means for donors and grants, how reinstatement works, why the strategy should be decided before old returns are filed, and the California state filings that must be reviewed alongside the federal fix.

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US Expat Taxes Explained: What Every American Living Abroad Needs to Know
International Tax
July 15, 2026

US Expat Taxes Explained: What Every American Living Abroad Needs to Know

Living overseas doesn't mean your U.S. tax obligations disappear — the United States taxes based on citizenship, not residency. Here is how expat filing actually works: the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and Foreign Tax Credit, FBAR and FATCA reporting and how they differ, the information returns foreign business owners can't afford to miss, and the IRS programs that help you catch up penalty-free if you're behind.

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Moving Abroad? Here's Your U.S. Tax Checklist Before You Leave
International Tax
July 15, 2026

Moving Abroad? Here's Your U.S. Tax Checklist Before You Leave

The United States taxes its citizens on worldwide income — moving overseas doesn't end your filing requirements. Before you pack, work through this checklist: filing obligations and expat deadlines, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, the Foreign Tax Credit, FBAR and FATCA reporting, investment and business structure reviews, and the state residency traps that catch Californians most of all.

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The Biggest Tax Mistake Business Owners Make Before Selling Their Business
Tax Planning
July 7, 2026

The Biggest Tax Mistake Business Owners Make Before Selling Their Business

Selling a business is one of the most significant financial events many entrepreneurs will experience. Owners often focus on negotiating the purchase price — but the structure of the transaction can matter just as much for the wealth they ultimately keep. Asset sale or stock sale, entity structure, purchase price allocation, QSBS, state taxes: the most valuable planning opportunities must be addressed well before the deal closes.

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Ten Signs You're Paying More Taxes Than You Need To
Tax Tips
July 4, 2026

Ten Signs You're Paying More Taxes Than You Need To

Most people assume their tax bill is simply what they owe—but that's not always the case. Every year, individuals and business owners legally overpay thousands, or even tens of thousands, because they don't have a proactive tax strategy. The IRS won't tell you about every deduction, credit, or planning opportunity you may qualify for. Here are ten warning signs it may be time to take a closer look at your tax strategy.

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When Should You Change Your Business Entity? LLC vs. S Corporation vs. C Corporation
Business Tax
July 4, 2026

When Should You Change Your Business Entity? LLC vs. S Corporation vs. C Corporation

Choosing the right business structure is one of the most important tax decisions you'll make—yet many owners form an LLC and never revisit it, even as profits grow. The entity that made sense at $50,000 in revenue may cost you thousands more in taxes at $500,000 or $1 million. Here is how LLCs, S Corporations, and C Corporations compare, the signs it may be time to review your structure, and the factors to weigh before making a change.

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You Bought a Commercial Building. Did You Overpay the IRS?
Tax Credits
July 1, 2026

You Bought a Commercial Building. Did You Overpay the IRS?

Most commercial property owners assume their deductions are maximized — the returns are filed and the building is being depreciated. Yet two investors can own nearly identical buildings and end up with very different tax outcomes. The difference often comes down to cost segregation. Here is how it accelerates depreciation, why it improves cash flow, and whether a building you bought years ago may still qualify.

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Your CPA Said You Weren't Eligible for the R&D Tax Credit. Are You Sure?
Tax Credits
June 30, 2026

Your CPA Said You Weren't Eligible for the R&D Tax Credit. Are You Sure?

“My CPA told us we don't qualify for the R&D tax credit.” Sometimes that's correct — but surprisingly often, the business was never formally evaluated in the first place. Many manufacturers, contractors, software developers, and product companies perform qualifying activities every day without realizing it. Here is why a missed credit costs more than you think, and how a second opinion can reveal opportunities that were never considered.

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Why Your Bookkeeping Mess is Costing You Money
Bookkeeping
July 8, 2025

Why Your Bookkeeping Mess is Costing You Money

Messy books aren't just embarrassing - they're expensive. Poor bookkeeping leads to missed deductions, tax penalties, and sleepless nights during audit season. We recently helped a Newport Beach contractor organize 3 years of receipts and saved them $22,000 in taxes. Modern cloud software makes this easier than ever. Need help getting organized? Our bookkeeping team can clean up your mess and set up systems that actually work.

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What Business Owners Should Do After Receiving an IRS Notice
Tax Resolution
July 5, 2025

What Business Owners Should Do After Receiving an IRS Notice

Seeing an IRS notice in your mailbox can ruin your day, but ignoring it makes everything worse. Most notices are fixable if you act quickly. We've resolved over $8.2M in tax debt for California clients. The key? Respond immediately, gather your documents, and get professional help. Whether it's a payment plan, offer in compromise, or penalty abatement, we know exactly how to handle the IRS and protect your assets.

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LLC Tax Prep: Don't Let Elections Ruin Your Year
Business Tax
July 1, 2025

LLC Tax Prep: Don't Let Elections Ruin Your Year

Your LLC tax election determines how much you pay. Choose wrong and you could be overpaying by thousands. S-Corp elections, QBI deductions, and entity classifications all affect your bottom line. We recently saved an e-commerce LLC owner $18,000 annually by switching their tax election. The deadline for changes is strict, so don't wait. Let our CPAs analyze your situation and recommend the best tax strategy for your LLC.

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Why DIY Tax Software Isn't Enough for Your Business
Professional Services
June 28, 2025

Why DIY Tax Software Isn't Enough for Your Business

TurboTax works great for simple returns, but business taxes are different. Complex deductions, entity elections, and California compliance require expertise that software can't provide. We find an average of $25,000 in missed deductions that DIY software overlooks. When the IRS audits your business return, you'll want a CPA in your corner, not a chatbot. Our Newport Beach team has handled over 450 business audits with a 94% success rate.

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What Our Clients Say

Real feedback from businesses we've helped across California and beyond

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— Business Owner, California
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“I owed $180,000 to the FTB. Valoria reduced it by over 70% and helped me reinstate my business. Best decision I made for my company's future.”
— M.A., Los Angeles

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