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You’ve got a little bit of time until month-end close and a month or two until year-end obligations. It’s a good moment to take a breath ... but this is also the time to start thinking about what you want next year to look like, before getting into the weeds of...

Before I get into the slippery slope I'm referring to, how are things for you these days? How's business going? I'd love to hear an update... so click the email at the top of the page and send me a note to let me know.And on that note, I’d also love to hear...

There’s no better way to celebrate work than by taking a day off. The irony of the Labor Day holiday gets me every year, but I do hope that it provided a little extra rest on the front end of a busy fall season.I mentioned in one of my recent notes another piece of...

Private Foundations and Public Charities differ of public involvement. Public Charities usually receive most of their donations from the general public or government and taxpayers can usually deduct 20% to 60% of their adjusted gross income for charitable donations....

Umbrella Partnership Real Estate Investment Trusts (UPREIT) allows property owners to exchange their property for share ownership in an UPREIT, usually  are subject to Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 721 exchanges and are deemed a REIT under standard accounting...

Hiring your spouse can mean big tax savings but not if you don’t do it correctly. Here’s what you need to know. Compensate Your Spouse Primarily in Tax-Free Employee Benefits, Not Taxable Wages.  Cash wages are fully taxable so concentrate your spouse’s compensation...

Real estate, currency trades, and market timing  are the common denominators of how ultra-high net worth individuals grew their net worth last year. More than 500 private bankers, industry experts in real estate, wealth advisors, and family offices who were surveyed...

The way by which your tenants pay your rent bills can make a difference in how much profit you make month to month. Instead of focusing on simply ensuring all outstanding rent is paid, consider your monthly processing costs for rent: postage costs, paper, the cost of...

Are you getting the most out of your home-office deduction? If you’ve got a cleaning woman (or man) who keeps your house and office spic and span,  do you need to pay a “Nanny Tax” on this service or can you classify this expense as a Independent Contractor? The...

Since the release of ChatGPT in November of last year, headlines about AI in business have been incessant. One of the biggest controversies is whether or not AI is a threat to the job market. Lots of differing opinions on this one, and time will soon reveal...

We’re just over a month away from the MLB playoffs, and this year (like every year) has had its share of sketchy calls that fans and players have been unhappy about. While not everyone’s favorite summer pastime (the sports season that never ends still has more...

I suppose there’s never been an easy time to be in business. It’s tempting to look at the current economic situation and cite all the things working against business owners right now. And Google helps with that... My internet search this morning lent me the...

Remember three years ago when you depended on Zoom for work meetings and virtual schooling for your kids? While you’re probably really grateful the second one isn’t a reality anymore, the first one still had its appeal (unless something like this...

This year has been a less-than-fun rollercoaster in the world of finance.Well, good news on that front — no more recession bogeyman lurking under the bed, at least that’s what the Fed declared as they raised rates again last week. Doesn’t mean more interest rate...

Did you see the Barbie movie or Oppenheimer this weekend? Or jump in with the 200,000 other Barbenheimers and see both?In case you didn’t, your social media feed likely filled you in on what you missed (or didn’t, depending on your view of these things).What a weekend...

Raise your hand if you or your workers, in any way, still work remotely post-pandemic. It’s a common enough reality — maybe more so now even than 2020. Working in sweatpants from the comfort of your Atlanta home is infinitely better than dress shoes and...

A U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2023 report shows that home shelter, including rent, is the largest contributing factor to overall inflation increase. Over the 12-month period ending in May, shelter costs rose by 8.0%. Despite the increase in rents, renting is...

A tiny home is sized between 100 and 400 square feet (as opposed to the average American home size of 2500 square feet) and usually has large windows, high ceilings, and furniture that serves multiple purposes. Although tiny homes may be small, the decision to invest...

Though things might be tight economically for your Atlanta business, keep in mind, cutting corners can become a real issue.Take for example fake reviews that are so pervasive online. Some business owners are tempted to buy reviews to get their product or service seen...

There’s this comparative analogy about what makes something American that people like to use: “as American as apple pie.” But, I kind of think we should update that comparison to “as American as starting a small business.” Not as catchy, I know (or as yummy)....

We’re nearing June 30 (the mid-year marker), which is a very smart time to move into a different gear in examining your business’s financial situation.Because, like the good business owner that you are, I'm sure you kicked off Q1 with a bunch of exciting goals and...

Although it’s a relatively new federal holiday, Juneteenth carries with it a weighty significance.In the official declaration via the Emancipation Proclamation, Abraham Lincoln wrote:“I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated...

I’ve talked to you before about the ERC scams running rampant and how to steer clear of them, but there’s a recent update worth mentioning:They’re also partially responsible for the IRS’s delay in issuing ERC refunds — especially for small businesses.And funds...

Ever feel like the whole world is taking a summer vacation except you?That’s real: Small business owners can’t always afford to step away from the helm to take those long, glorious vacations you see on social media (maybe beach and Europe photos are already popping up...

Memorial Day doesn’t always mean rest for the small business owner — depending on what kind of industry you’re in.There’s often a lot of hustle around national holidays (special promotions, big sales, holiday weekend shopping). And debt ceiling deals to make,...

Memorial Day is next week. The unofficial start of summer.I like to remember that when things are unpredictable and even a bit hairy (like a shifty economy, bank failures, debt ceiling crisis), normal life still goes on. People will still prep their grills....

Now, I know that I recently started talking about the new FinCEN reporting requirement and promised a part two… which I’ll absolutely get to in an upcoming blog.But this time I wanted to take the opportunity to speak about the banking “crisis” that has a lot of...

We’ve been watching the unfolding banking “crisis” closely and evaluating what it means for our economy moving forward. Yes, seeing (numerous) banks fail can be unnerving, especially when the economy seems to also be careening toward a recession. The media,...

We’ve all got a bit of FOMO about FOMC’s (Federal Open Market Committee’s) big meeting this week, waiting to see if yet another interest rate hike will be coming. Most indicators say likely.Since March 2022, there have been NINE such increases to interest rates...

Before I dive into those smart pricing tactics your business will want to implement right now, let’s revisit something I wrote about last week: planning for a Q1 analysis. Have you jumped on it yet? If you haven’t, let me just say, how well your 2023 shapes up could...

 Unless you’ve been living in a cave like this woman, you know that business ownership is a tough gig right now — it’s nearly an Olympic sport to keep things running and moving ahead. But, despite all that, being a business owner is also pretty great....

It’s a bit of a dog-eat-dog world for businesses these days. (Feel that sentiment in your bones?)Inflation is pervasive. Supply chain issues still have you jumping through hoops to get products. The hunt continues for good help… proving the adage. Covid-era debts now...

Well, here we are — just like that, we find ourselves already a quarter of the way through 2023. While people everywhere are breaking out the deep cleaning sprays and scrub brushes to get a little springtime sparkle, you might want to be thinking about a similar...

It happened: Silicon Valley Bank sold. Well, at least part of it. The bank’s deposits, loans, and 17 branches — scheduled to reopen today — were snagged by First Citizens BancShares, a Raleigh-based bank. (About $90 billion of assets still remain with the Federal...

Firstly, before I jump into what business referrals could mean for your Atlanta business, I wanted you to see this. Even though I don’t normally talk about tax stuff … the explosion of shady flim-flammers gaming the Employee Retention Credit and making...

My quick take on SVB: Don’t let it rob you of your focus for building the business under YOUR control.In other words, let noise be noise … and focus on what’s most important: your immediate world.But I will say that this crisis is a perfect example of why you should...

Last week, I began asking you a series of questions about your business. Hopefully those have had some time to percolate in the business-owner-guru-strategist side of your brain. I'd like you to thoughtfully consider the new questions I'm raising today. Please do...

Something a little different for you today. A quiz you’ll actually find useful (unlike all those BuzzFeed ones about which vegetable are you most like). Taking a minute to examine your small business’s health this time of year will help shape how you reach for your...

Who can believe that it’ll be one year this week since the war in Ukraine began. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like there’s an end in sight — a heavy realization for those caught in the crosshairs of it all…Looking back to last February, I can say it’s been a...

It’s February and love is in the air. (So are taxes. And Super Bowls.)Flowers and chocolates showed up on desks and countertops this week with sweet little romantic notes. Restaurants set those sweetheart menus for their in-love diners. And if you’re one of the...

The big day is almost here. The Super Bowl. And maybe you’re not paying attention because you don’t really care about football, but here’s why you should…The weeks leading up to the Super Bowl — and of course, the event itself — mean big money for not only the...

It’s the end of January. Congratulations on making it through the first month of the year with all the pressures weighing on you. As you process your month-end close reports and start looking to February, remember that this is your opportunity to get a better...

Saw this on Twitter recently:See, solid bookkeeping is the most functional and crucial element of your business (besides making sales). If you don’t know what’s happening with money coming in and going out, you’re not funneling and arranging things in an organized...

Remembering and honoring Martin Luther King this week has me thinking once again about being a voice. It’s hard not to get inspired listening to the iconic words of the famous I Have a Dream speech (if you’ve never listened to the entire speech, it’s worth...

How is your year starting out? We’re into week 2 of 2023 … would love to hear back from you on what are the challenges you’re facing in your Atlanta business finances right now.Relatedly, what are your customer service goals for this year?One customer relations tool...

First of all, congratulations on making it through 2022. Pat on the back for sticking with it through the very real ups and the challenging lows. Many of our Atlanta clients went through the wringer … others had their best year yet.From a personal standpoint, I think...

I don’t know about you, but after the holidays (and I hope yours were filled with good things and happy times with loved ones), I’m always a bit tapped out on the spending. But in true governmental fashion, Uncle Sam is piling it on. Seems like Congress missed...

The 2022 clock is almost at midnight.An end to a still somewhat crazy year — “the crazy” seems like our new normal, post-2020, am I right? There were a lot of challenges this year and they were … exhausting. Keeping up with the changes and adjusting to the economic...

Ready for some yuletide cheer? No, I’m not just talking about my big tips for entrepreneurs. Inflation might have hit its peak this year. So say the “experts.” That particular category of people hasn’t exactly covered itself with glory of late … so, we’ll see how...

Let me start out by once again reminding you that we are nearing year-end (as if you really needed my reminder).And while Atlanta business owners like you are wrapping up things in 2022, you’re also at that optimal time to be thinking about what lies ahead in 2023....

Maybe I'm writing this today because the end-of-year crunch and getting tasks done is on our minds here at Team Mark Perlberg CPA PLLC.Really, we only have a little more than a month left before 2022 is in the rearview. And my business brain wants it all. to. slow....

This week is an opportunity.To comfort ourselves away from the noise of our clamoring-for-attention society with good food and (mostly?) good company ... for sure.But also, to pause. There's not many opportunities for that as a Atlanta business owner (without falling...

When I think about the holiday season, I think "calm before the storm." That's because in my profession, once mid-December hits, we're scrambling to handle EOY matters.My profession is pretty “calendar-driven.”For "normal" Atlanta business owners, this season can mean...

In the fashion of this season, I'm feeling particularly grateful. For many things, but especially because… Over the past few weeks and months, I've been reminded of how important the work we do here at Mark Perlberg CPA PLLC is. Not because it’s inherently noble...

Holiday creep. It’s real.Here we are in early November, and it feels like Christmas decorations and other holiday chicanery have already been upon us.Atlanta retailers are buckling in for what looks to be a rough shopping season, given current economic factors… BUT...

I’m always a little surprised (but mostly not) by the number of responses to these weekly writings from Atlanta business owners like you.Here’s a little insight into why I do this… an inside scoop. I'm certainly not a marketing expert, but I've discovered something...

Ever finished a meeting and thought That could have been an email? Yeah, I get that. Work meetings are one of those necessary evils that too often end up being time wasters rather than savers.But you can’t simply wave a magic wand and eliminate them (though, in...

As a Atlanta business owner, you carry the weight of your company on your shoulders. But the reward is this: when things go well – your profits are good, you’re meeting your business goals, you’re dreaming for the future, entrepreneurial FREEDOM is in the air –...

With the way that the economy is going, inflation, the market gyrations, etc ... ANY business seems like good business.Until it isn't.Consider ...Have you ever been in a Atlanta store when a customer starts yelling at the employee behind the counter for something...

Scrolling the 9/11 tributes in my social media and news feeds this past weekend served as an excellent reminder of how we all can bounce back from great difficulties. And the reminder seems especially poignant now as our nation (and Atlanta business owners like you)...

In today’s online-driven world, it’s no surprise that securing sensitive information is essential. Just like you cover your Atlanta business for other possible risks (property damage, theft, injury, etc.) so should you also be thinking of how to keep your business...

It seems like everywhere SMBs and retailers are short-staffed (and hiring). At the same time, with high inflation plaguing the country, other businesses are in the middle of layoffs.It seems as if these two realities would meet together, and establish an economic...

Fill in the blank: It takes a village to ______.While you’re probably thinking of child-rearing right now, I’d like to suggest that it applies to your Atlanta small business as well. And particularly during inflationary times. The 2020 world made it painfully obvious...

If you've been paying attention, I've been diving pretty deep into inflation-proofing measures for your Atlanta business. I want you to have the tools to not just survive these rollercoaster times, but also to thrive.The thriving starts with taking a good look at the...

Before I dive into discussing the pros and cons of a C corp, I briefly want to touch on some other things relevant to you as a Atlanta small business owner.Recession. The threat of it hangs in the air like a midwest thunderstorm. And as you anticipate it, you...

~Contact.FirstName~,Prepare, prepare, prepare. As a recession is bearing down on us all, figuring out how to prepare for economic downturns is something you should be concerned with in your business. I know I am.Now, while you and I can’t prepare for every...

Is your hustle muscle feeling strong right now? I hope so because if your business is going to make it moving forward, it’s going to have to be – at least for somebody on your business team. This inflationary environment virtually demands it (as does a likely...

As a small business owner, you’re battling on a lot of different fronts right now. You’re doing your best to keep employees happy, raise prices without driving away customers, pivot to alternative supply options as your current ones dry up, adjust for changing...

The unfortunate reality of things right now is that businesses across the board might need to raise their prices. Inflation’s increasingly pervasive effects, as well as continued supply shortages, demand that pricing models change – or at least be...

Everywhere I turn there’s a Atlanta business with a “Now Hiring” sign in the window. Are you seeing this too? Staffing is an issue in every industry across the country. Part of that? Making money isn’t the only reason people want a job. 2020 certainly shifted...

Today I want to start a series on how small businesses like yours can fight inflation. Because I know that’s one of the top concerns for businesses across the country right now. But I’d also like to know…How’s your business faring? I’m genuinely interested in how...

Time to discuss everyone’s favorite topic: BANK RECONCILIATION! Reconciling is a fundamental accounting process to maintaining accurate, compliant and complete records. in fact, we will not accept clients’ unreconciled records. Reconciliations ensures that money...

…payment methods!Try to come up with one thing that’s more important to your Atlanta business than taking in revenue smoothly. Yeah, I couldn’t, either.And making sure that revenue is coming in becomes almost an obsession when you’re feeling the squeeze of...

Because we’re talking cash flow management today… with a recession looming on the horizon and the effects of inflation being felt so hard in everyday life, it’s difficult not to freak out over what lies ahead for your Atlanta small business. But, some think...

Before I get into accounting methods basics today (a subject near to my heart) ... I hope you were able to get in on some Memorial Day activities this past weekend (though I know some Atlanta business owners are in the thick of things during this commemorative...

  Yes, inflation isn't slowing down, even here in Atlanta.Though it's not the main thing I'll be writing about today, I did want to point out this economic elephant in the room for my Fulton County business owner readers and clients, and not just speed...

In the arena of not-so-good news, along with so many other things these days, there’s a lot of chatter about a possible recession on the horizon. Just when you thought things might be looking up… Inflationary insults to injury for Atlanta business owners.These...

As a small business owner, you’re often preoccupied with all the things that go into running your Atlanta business – the daily logistics, managing employee workflow, paying the bills, bringing in more customers… making a profit. Let’s focus on that last one,...

If you’re a successful Atlanta business owner in this high-pressure time, you’ve learned to master the art of the pivot. Pivot on pricing, pivot on operations, pivot on hiring, pivot on supply, pivot on financials... Successfully pulling it off is impressive...

Apparently, it is National Small Business Week. And while I tend to think these kinds of “national weeks” or days, or what have you, are often pretty silly … well, as someone who has been in the trenches with the SMB community over the last few years, I...

There’s never a better time than now to start a deep dive into the financial practices of your business. Of course, the first place you always want to start is with cleaning up your books (and we’re here for that – if you’re ready: calendly.com/mark-perlberg-cpa).Then...

While most business owners are familiar with tax preparation services, few know what tax planning entails. Listed below are some key features of tax planning and topics to consider when determining whether a tax plan is necessary Tax Preparation Vs. Tax Planning Tax...

Every Atlanta business owner in today’s inflationary environment is looking for ways to economize and improve: overhead expenses, workload, staffing needs, office space, supply chains, etc. It all feels stretched. We’re *all* feeling it, even here in Atlanta.So it...

For as long as trade has existed, so has accounting. Goods are sold, profit is made, expenses are accrued, and everything gets recorded (presumably, ha!). And it wasn’t THAT long ago that electronic spreadsheets were considered “a big advancement” in...

The first months of 2022 have been somewhat of a whirlwind. And while people everywhere are breaking out the deep cleaning sprays and scrub brushes to get a little springtime sparkle, you might want to be thinking about a similar process for your business. You know,...

I can’t write without mentioning that somewhat awkward, somewhat shocking, somewhat moving star-studded Oscars event. There were some, well, memorable scripted (and *unscripted*) moments.One truly happy surprise was the best picture winner CODA (child of deaf adults)...

While we all helplessly watch the war in Ukraine, we are also seeing the toll it’s extracting on our economy… and small businesses. Oil prices are skyrocketing and supply chain disruptions are becoming regular fare.The shock of the last two years hasn’t really worn...

Well, it’s now *officially* spring. Of course, that means the end of those cold winter months and the start of warmer, longer days, but it also means the possibility of disruption and stormy weather (especially in the south this week).On a perhaps better note,...

Have you been able to keep your mind clear? Have you kept your time-limited output and attention focused on your Atlanta business? I hate to repeat myself, but this is so critical during these globally anxious days. Your business, your team – your FAMILY – is...

With the events of the past week and whispers of world war, it’s pretty easy to get caught up in the non-stop fear cycle. Watching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, anxiously waiting to see if China will invade Taiwan, hearing Turkey issue threats to Russia if they...

Did you know that about 20% of small businesses fail in their first year? That’s a daunting statistic for anyone starting a new Atlanta business. And, even scarier, is the reality that companies with owners younger than 30 are even more likely to tank....

Whether you’re partial to the Olympics or American football, this past week has brought some great athletic entertainment to many Atlanta homes and businesses. As we speak, the U.S. has managed to grab 16 medals – 7 of them gold. Among those gold medal winners...

Office space can be a big part of owning your own business. It can be a pretty big expense, too… And of course, the past two years might have changed how you do business in that Atlanta office – a lot. Maybe you have more people working from home. Maybe you’ve...

With all of the extra year-end bookkeeping and tax matters your business is trying to tackle right now, a social media storm is the last thing you need/want to deal with. But it's sadly the sort of thing that will not go away by itself. And how to deal with...

This past weekend’s NFL playoff games were maybe some of the best post-season games to watch in a long, long time… with some of the most unexpected outcomes. Who would have believed that all but one of the top teams from the regular season would be unseated from a...