Uncategorized Archives

12 Apr

An IRS audit isn’t about whether you’re a good person.It’s about whether your numbers look believable.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Contractors face higher audit risk because deductions are larger, records are messier, and cash flow moves fast. Even legitimate expenses can become problems if documentation is we

Most contractors don’t get in trouble with the IRS because they’re dishonest.They get in trouble because they guess.

12 Apr

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Most contractors don’t get in trouble with the IRS because they’re dishonest.They get in trouble because they guess.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

If you’re running a construction business, no one is withholding taxes for you. That means the IRS expects you to pay as you earn—quarterly. Miss those payments and you don’t just

🚧 Contractors: The “inventory rule” can actually SAVE you taxes (when you use it right).

12 Apr

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🚧 Contractors: The “inventory rule” can actually SAVE you taxes (when you use it right).

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

If you’re buying materials in bulk — lumber, wire, pipe, fixtures, flooring, cabinets, roofing — you might be sitting on a big tax opportunity. Here’s the key: Inventory isn’t an e

🚧 Contractors: Stop getting smoked by quarterly tax penalties.

12 Apr

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🚧 Contractors: Stop getting smoked by quarterly tax penalties.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

If you’ve ever hit April and thought…“Wait… I owe HOW much?!”or“Why did the IRS penalize me when I paid my taxes?!” Here’s the truth: as a contractor, nobody is withholding taxes f

🚧 Contractors with a C-Corp: Stop putting your truck & equipment inside the company.

12 Apr

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🚧 Contractors with a C-Corp: Stop putting your truck & equipment inside the company.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Here’s a strategy more contractors should know (and do correctly): Personally own the asset… and lease it to your corporation. That can include:✔️ work truck✔️ trailer✔️ skid steer

🚧 Contractors: If your bookkeeping is a mess, your profits are too.

12 Apr

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🚧 Contractors: If your bookkeeping is a mess, your profits are too.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

You can build anything…but if your numbers aren’t tracked, your business will bleed money and you won’t even know where it’s going. Contractor finances get messy FAST: ✔️ deposits

🚧 Contractors: Should You Have an LLC? (The Real Answer)

12 Apr

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🚧 Contractors: Should You Have an LLC? (The Real Answer)

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

If you’re a construction contractor still operating under your personal name… or worse… as a “side hustle” with no business structure… You’re playing financial Russian roulette. Be

📌 Contractors: The “One Source of Truth” Fix That Stops Chaos Before It Starts

12 Apr

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📌 Contractors: The “One Source of Truth” Fix That Stops Chaos Before It Starts

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

If you’re running jobs off:📲 texts🗒️ notebooks📌 sticky notes📁 random photos🧾 scattered paperwork …it might feel manageable… Until it’s not. Because the real problem isn’t effort —

Contractors: The S-Corp “Loss Write-Off” Advantage Nobody Explains Simply

12 Apr

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Contractors: The S-Corp “Loss Write-Off” Advantage Nobody Explains Simply

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Most contractors think S-Corps are only about:💰 “Saving self-employment tax.” But here’s a different benefit that can matter a LOT—especially in early years or big equipment years:

🟣Contractors: S-Corp “Reasonable Salary” Can Make or Break Your Tax Savings

12 Apr

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🟣Contractors: S-Corp “Reasonable Salary” Can Make or Break Your Tax Savings

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Everyone wants an S-Corp for one reason: 🟣to reduce self-employment tax But here’s the part contractors mess up: 🟣You can’t just pay yourself $20K and call the rest “distributions.

🚧 Top 10 Tax Deductions Every Construction Contractor Should Be Taking (Keep more of what you earn 💰)

12 Apr

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🚧 Top 10 Tax Deductions Every Construction Contractor Should Be Taking (Keep more of what you earn 💰)

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Most contractors don’t overpay taxes because they make too much…They overpay because they miss deductions they’re legally allowed to claim. Here are 10 big ones to double-check in

If you spend $𝟯𝟬𝟬 on a holiday gift basket for a referral partner…

12 Apr

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If you spend $𝟯𝟬𝟬 on a holiday gift basket for a referral partner…

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

The IRS says you can deduct… ✔ $𝟮𝟱. Not $250. Not “most of it.” 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀. 😑 And believe it or not, this threshold has been in effect and unadjusted for inflation since 1

Uncategorized

Most contractors don’t realize this, but you’re uniquely positioned to dominate the BRRRR strategy.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

BRRRR = Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, RepeatAnd if you’re in construction, you already control the hardest part: the rehab. Here’s why contractors have a built-in edge 👇 🔨 BUYYou se

🚧 Contractors: Your Truck Might Be Creating a Hidden Tax Write-Off (or Tax Bill) 🚧

12 Apr

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🚧 Contractors: Your Truck Might Be Creating a Hidden Tax Write-Off (or Tax Bill) 🚧

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

If your company reimburses you (or your employees) for business mileage, read this carefully. Most contractors assume: “I get reimbursed for mileage, so the vehicle is personal and

🚧 Contractors: Three Quiet IRS Changes That Can Affect Your Cash Flow in 2026 🚧

12 Apr

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🚧 Contractors: Three Quiet IRS Changes That Can Affect Your Cash Flow in 2026 🚧

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

The IRS just finalized rules tied to SECURE 2.0, and while they sound “retirement-focused,” they matter more to construction business owners than you might think. Here’s what to kn

If you own a construction company, you’ve probably put personal money into the company at some point. Payroll was due, materials needed to be purchased, or a client payment was delayed.

12 Apr

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If you own a construction company, you’ve probably put personal money into the company at some point. Payroll was due, materials needed to be purchased, or a client payment was delayed.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

What many owners overlook is that how you structure that money matters. An owner loan and a capital contribution are very different, and each comes with distinct advantages and tra

🚧 When Construction Deals Fail: The Tax Fallout

12 Apr

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🚧 When Construction Deals Fail: The Tax Fallout

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Contractors often spend real money trying to buy:• Another construction company• A specialty trade shop• A competitor with crews & equipment When the deal dies, the big question is

🦺 Work Clothes & Tax Deductions for Contractors

12 Apr

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🦺 Work Clothes & Tax Deductions for Contractors

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Quick IRS rule:👉 Work clothes are not deductible unless they’re not suitable for everyday wear. ❌ Not deductible:Jeans, hoodies, T-shirts, flannels, Carhartt jackets, everyday boot

1031 Exchanges for Contractors & Builders

12 Apr

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1031 Exchanges for Contractors & Builders

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

If you’re a contractor or builder selling real estate and paying capital gains tax, there’s a good chance you’re overpaying. A 1031 exchange lets you sell investment or business pr

Construction Contractors: Stop Drowning in Travel Receipts

12 Apr

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Construction Contractors: Stop Drowning in Travel Receipts

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

If you run a construction company, you already know the pain:🚧 Crews on the road🏨 Hotels, meals, incidentals🧾 Lost receipts and messy expense reports There’s an IRS-approved shortc

If you’re a home builder, real estate developer, or manufactured home producer, there’s a powerful federal tax credit which will be expiring soon.

12 Apr

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If you’re a home builder, real estate developer, or manufactured home producer, there’s a powerful federal tax credit which will be expiring soon.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

The Energy Efficient Home Builder Credit (IRC §45L), a federal tax credit worth up to $5,000 per home or apartment unit. With passage of the OBBBA, this credit expires for homes ac

Closing out the year grateful for lessons learned and relationships built. Looking forward to what’s ahead. Wishing everyone a healthy, successful New Year in 2026.

12 Apr

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Closing out the year grateful for lessons learned and relationships built. Looking forward to what’s ahead. Wishing everyone a healthy, successful New Year in 2026.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

“Money is a cruel mistress — if you don’t pay attention to her, she will leave you for someone else.” 💸

12 Apr

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“Money is a cruel mistress — if you don’t pay attention to her, she will leave you for someone else.” 💸

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

This saying is very accurate. In my experience those who I’ve witnessed grow significant wealth and scale in a 2-5 year period count their money daily. On that note, with the new y

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗿

12 Apr

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𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗿

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Between job sites, crews, retainage, and cash flow swings, tax deadlines will sneak up on you. Here are the 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝘁𝗮𝘅 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 every construction business owner should plan for now

New Year Resolution Checklist for Contractors Who Want Better Numbers This Year

12 Apr

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New Year Resolution Checklist for Contractors Who Want Better Numbers This Year

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

1/8 Stop guessing your profits. Know them.Automate financial tracking with QuickBooks Online.→ Application: Sync bank feeds, credit cards, and vendor bills for real-time visibility