Uncategorized Archives

12 Apr

Contractors—if you’re thinking about buying a personal vehicle in 2025, there’s a new tax perk worth knowing.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Starting in 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) lets you deduct up to $10,000/year of interest on a new auto loan. This applies whether you itemize or take the standard de

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🏗️If your family will eventually inherit your business property — shop, warehouse, yard, office, or land — there’s a powerful tax move that can save hundreds of thousands of dollars in estate tax.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

It’s called Special Use Valuation. 🌱 What it does Instead of valuing your property at its “highest and best use” (what a developer would pay for it), the IRS lets your heirs value

If your construction company donates to charity each year, be mindful that the OBBBA adds a new rule starting 2026 that could shrink your deductions.

12 Apr

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If your construction company donates to charity each year, be mindful that the OBBBA adds a new rule starting 2026 that could shrink your deductions.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

More specifically, C corporations will face a new 1% “floor” on charitable deductions. For example:If your company earns $1,000,000 and donates $10,100 in 2026: 1% floor = $10,000

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As we head into Thanksgiving🦃, I’ve been reflecting on this past year. It’s definitely been challenging — both personally and professionally. This year brought plenty of highs and lows, along with valuable lessons that shaped me in meaningful ways.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

But through it all, one thing has stayed constant: my gratitude for all of you. To my clients — thank you for trusting me with your businesses, your finances, and your goals. It me

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🦃 Thanksgiving Tax Tip for Contractors: Are Holiday Parties Deductible?

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Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

As we head into Thanksgiving, many construction business owners start planning holiday lunches, crew appreciation events, or year-end parties. It’s a great way to thank your team —

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🏗️ Contractors: Don’t Miss the $15,000 Retirement Plan Start-Up Tax Credit

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

If you run a construction business and don’t yet offer a retirement plan, the IRS is currently handing out one of the easiest tax credits available — worth up to $15,000 over three

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🚀 Rethinking Roth Strategy: Why Backdoor Roths Aren’t the Power Move People Think They Are

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Every year I see some higher-income earners asking about or rushing to do backdoor Roth IRA conversions, believing they’ve unlocked some elite tax strategy. But let’s be honest: th

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As we wrap up the year, here are some IRS-approved strategies contractors can use to reduce taxable income before December 31:

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Prepay Expenses (IRS 12-Month Safe Harbor) Cash-basis businesses can prepay up to 12 months of expenses—such as rent, insurance, or equipment leases—and deduct them this year. Exam

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Most construction firms overlook R&D tax credits, missing out on $50K+ annually. Here’s how to claim your share:

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Step 1: Identify Qualifying Activities → Look for unique design, engineering, or material innovations in your projects. Step 2: Document Every Detail → Keep thorough records of tim

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Most contractors I work with have money in the market, maybe a brokerage account, maybe some long-term holdings, maybe stocks you bought during the slow season. With the year wrapping up, there are a few easy tax moves you can make now that can save you thousands come tax time.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Here are the top ones worth your attention: 1. Stop Paying 40% Taxes When You Don’t Need To Short-term capital gains (selling stocks held <12 months) can get taxed as high as 40.8%

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I’ve seen clients go from nothing to thriving using these tax strategies:

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

1. 💡 Unlock Hidden Deductions Most contractors miss 50% of available deductions. Focus on equipment depreciation, accountable plan, a full GL review, augusta rule, and travel expen

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Contractors — here’s a tax loophole the stock market wishes it had.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

A lot of you have been dabbling in crypto the last couple of years. If you’re sitting on losses from any of those coins that didn’t quite “go to the moon”… there’s a year-end move

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A lot of my contractor clients hold significant crypto positions as liquidity reserves in their business, so I thought this may be relevant. Here’s one powerful year-end move most people don’t even know exists: tax-gain harvesting.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

If you expect to stay in a similar (or higher) tax bracket next year and you think your crypto will keep climbing, this strategy lets you: - Lock in today’s long-term capital gains

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Finding (and keeping) skilled workers has been one of the biggest challenges in construction the last few years. Starting in 2026, the IRS is quietly rolling out a major upgrade to a credit that can help you attract talent AND cut your tax bill:

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Employer-Provided Child Care Credit — BIG Changes Coming Right now, businesses can claim a credit equal to 25% of child care expenses, up to $150,000 per year. But starting in 2026

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If you’re in construction, trucking, or heavy equipment, and you’ve been thinking about adding 𝗘𝗩 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲-𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, now’s the time to move.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

The 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗩𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 (𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟯𝟬𝗖) gives businesses a 𝘁𝗮𝘅 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 $𝟯𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 for installing qualified fueling or charging stations. But here’

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Most construction businesses stagnate because they overlook these scaling secrets. Here’s how to unlock real growth:

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

1. Leverage Tech Tools: → Implement project management software. Boosts efficiency by 30%. 2. Diversify Services: → Add complementary offers. Capture new markets instantly. 3. Netw

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The underground construction AI tools that 99% will never discover:

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

See below 👇 1. Embrace Predictive Analytics for Cost Savings → Use AI to predict project costs with 90% accuracy. Example: A major firm reduced overruns by 20% using this method. T

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Here’s something most contractors haven’t heard yet 👇

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Starting in 2026, the IRS is making the Employer Credit for Paid Family and Medical Leave permanent, and expanding how you can claim it. Right now (through 2025), businesses can ge

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If you’re a contractor, builder, or developer sitting on appreciated real estate or equipment, here’s how you could turn your next project into a tax-free investment.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Here’s how it works 👇 The IRS’ Opportunity Zone program was just revived (and expanded) by the new One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA).This means contractors now have another shot to wi

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If you run your construction business as an S corp, LLC, or sole prop, you should know the Section 199A deduction (the 20% pass-through business deduction) is now permanent thanks to the new tax bill.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

But here’s the deal…If your 2025 taxable income goes over $197,300 (single) or $394,600 (married), that 20% deduction can phase out fast — or disappear completely. Here are 3 year-

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If you’re self-employed, the below is a quick recap of 2025 retirement plan contribution limits by plan type 👇

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

🔹 Solo 401(k) Employee deferral limit: $23,500 Catch-up (age 50–59 or 64+): +$7,500 ($31,000 total) Super catch-up (ages 60–63): +$11,250 ($34,750 total) Employer contribution: Up

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If you run a construction business — whether it’s just you, you and your spouse, or a small team, there’s still time in 2025 to turn your health coverage into a 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝘅-𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Here’s how smart contractors are using medical plans to save thousands in taxes before year-end 👇 ________________________________________ 🔹 𝟭. 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟬𝟱 𝗛𝗥𝗔 (𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻

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A few bits about cost segregation studies if you’re on the fence for 2025:

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Unlock Hidden Cash Flows Diving into cost segregation is like finding hidden treasure in your investment property. It can accelerate depreciation, converting buried value into imme

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Before the year wraps up, there are some serious tax-saving plays on the table — especially for contractors who run family-owned businesses. Here are five worth your attention:

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Put Your Kids on the PayrollIf your kids helped out on the job site or in the office, pay them a real wage (W-2) for their work. You get a deduction for the wages. Kids under 18 pa

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2025 just brought some serious write-off power back to the table that all contractors should know about as follows:

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

100% Bonus Depreciation is BackBuy new equipment, vehicles, or certain property after Jan 19, 2025, and you can deduct the full cost right away. No waiting years to depreciate it.