Do you and your spouse together operate a profitable unincorporated small business? If so, you face some challenging tax issues. The partnership issue An unincorporated business with your spouse is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, unless you can avoid that treatment. Otherwise, you must file an annual partnership return using Form 1065. In addition, you and your spouse must be issued separate Schedules K-1, which allocate the partnership’s taxable

At back-to-school time, much of the focus is on the students returning to the classroom — and on their parents buying them school supplies, backpacks, clothes, etc., for the new school year. But teachers are also buying school supplies for their classrooms. And in many cases, they don’t receive reimbursement. Fortunately, they may be able to deduct some of these expenses on their tax returns. And, beginning next year, eligible educators will have an additional deduction oppor

A major tax change is here for businesses with research and experimental (R&E) expenses. On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) reinstated the immediate deduction for U.S.-based R&E expenses, reversing rules under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) that required businesses to capitalize and amortize these costs over five years (15 years for research performed outside the United States). Making the most of R&E tax-saving opportunities The immediate domestic R&E

By purchasing stock in certain small businesses, you can diversify your investment portfolio. You also may enjoy preferential tax treatment, some of which is getting even better under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) that was signed into law in July: Qualified small business (QSB) stock now offers more tax-saving opportunities. QSB defined A QSB generally is a U.S. C corporation that meets two requirements, one of which has been eased by the OBBBA to allow more busines

Divorce is stressful under any circumstances, but for business owners, the process can be even more complicated. Your business ownership interest is often one of your largest personal assets, and in many cases, part or all of it will be considered marital property. Understanding the tax rules that apply to asset division can help you avoid costly surprises. Tax-free transfers Most assets — including cash and business ownership interests — can be divided between spouses withou

If you own an unincorporated small business, you may be frustrated with high self-employment (SE) tax bills. One way to lower your SE tax liability is to convert your business to an S corporation. SE tax basics Sole proprietorship income, as well as partnership income that flows through to partners (except certain limited partners), is subject to SE tax. These rules also apply to single-member LLCs that are treated as sole proprietorships for federal tax purposes and multi-me

Under current federal income tax rules, so-called personal interest expense generally can’t be deducted. One big exception is qualified residence interest or home mortgage interest, which can be deducted, subject to some limitations, if you itemize deductions on your tax return. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) adds another exception for eligible car loan interest. In tax law language, the new deduction is called qualified passenger vehicle loan interest.  Are you eligi