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Welcome to the Monday Minute, brought to you by our friends at Podium. The Monday Minute is your weekly reset to help you lead better, think clearer, and build your dealership with intention.Choosing the right business structure for your car dealership is one of the most important foundational decisions you'll make as an independent dealer. In this episode, we break down Sole Proprietor, Partnership, and LLC structures—and help you choose the right one for your dealership.WHAT WE COVER:Sole Proprietor structure and pass-through incomePartnership agreements (and why documentation is critical)LLC benefits: personal protection and flexibilityS-Corp vs C-Corp tax filing strategiesAligning your business structure with your dealership goalsACTION STEPS THIS WEEK:Get clear on your dealership goals - staying small or scaling up?Compare risk tolerance and tax implications of each structureConsult with a CPA and business attorney before decidingThis isn't about choosing the "best" business entity—it's about choosing the RIGHT one for how you want to operate and grow your car dealership. Build your foundation correctly, and everything else stands together.Be sure to review this week's Sunday newsletter at https://www.theindependentdealer.com where the full theme and exercises are laid out to help you work through this with your team. If you're not subscribed yet, sign up now.Let's build this together.SPONSORED BY PODIUM: https://www.podium.com
Setting up an IC-DISC the right way can mean the difference between maximizing tax savings and having issues down the road. In this episode of The IC-DISC Show, I sit down with Brian Schwam, IC-DISC specialist and tax attorney, to walk through the complete IC-DISC setup and compliance process from start to finish. This conversation was inspired by a CPA request for a comprehensive guide covering every step of the IC-DISC journey. Brian breaks down the entire process chronologically, from the initial consultation to determine if a business qualifies, through the critical formation steps that can make or break your IC-DISC. We cover proper capitalization requirements, the infamous 90-day election window, why non-interest bearing bank accounts matter, and the draconian 60-day payment rule that catches many businesses off guard. He explains the difference between simple and transaction-by-transaction calculations, sharing an example where detailed analysis increased a client's commission from $4 million to $17 million on $100 million in export sales. Whether you're a CPA learning about IC-DISC for the first time or a business owner considering this strategy, Brian's systematic approach demonstrates why working with a true specialist matters when navigating these complex regulations.     SHOW HIGHLIGHTS A detailed transaction-by-transaction calculation increased one client's IC-DISC commission from $4 million to $17 million on the same $100 million in export sales. Missing the 90-day election filing window requires a private letter ruling costing $35,000-$40,000 to fix, making it cheaper to just set up a new IC-DISC. The 60-day payment rule requires paying at least 50% of your estimated commission in cash or promissory note within 60 days of year-end to avoid disqualification. Setting up an IC-DISC with no par value stock is a fatal error that will cause the IRS to reject your election, regardless of everything else done correctly. A non-interest bearing bank account is essential because even $1.50 of interest income can disqualify your IC-DISC if no commission is paid that year. Export sales typically need to reach $3-5 million before an IC-DISC makes economic sense, though exceptions exist for businesses with exceptionally high profit margins.   Contact Details LinkedIn - Brian Schwam LINKSShow Notes Be a Guest About IC-DISC Alliance Brian SchwamAbout Brian TRANSCRIPT (AI transcript provided as supporting material and may contain errors) Dave: Good morning, Brian. Welcome to the podcast. Brian Hey, good morning David. Good to be here. Dave: So I, I now refer to you as the Bob Hope of the podcast because I believe that Bob Hope holds the record for the most appearances on the Johnny Carson Show. So that's why you're like the Bob Hope of the podcast. You have more appearances than anyone else with today's appearance. Brian That's good company to be in if you're of a certain, if you're of a certain age. Dave: Yeah. And I'm not even sure you and I are quite old enough to even be of that certain age. Brian I probably never saw him on Johnny Carson. Dave: Yeah, me too. So this is an episode that was requested by a CPA of one of our clients who was retiring and he had a new. Partner taken over and he said, Hey Dave, can you send over a link to the episode that just goes through all the details of the IC disc from start to finish? And I'm like, well, we don't have that episode, but it's a great idea. So that's what's behind this. So let's start at the very beginning. Somebody calls you up and says, Hey Brian, I need an IC disc, or I want an IC disc. What's the very first step? Brian Very first step for me is to say why. Dave: Okay, Brian tell me about your business. Dave: Okay. Brian You know, do you have qualified export receipts? Do you have qualified export property? That those are very complex areas. And some people might think they do when they don't, and others might think they don't when they do. Dave: Okay. Brian And more likely than not, they heard about IC disc from. Somebody they met at a, you know, business leader meeting or something and somebody said, oh, hey, I have an IC disc. You should have one. Dave: Okay. Brian And not everybody can utilize one, but there's many out there that can utilize 'em that do not. Dave: Okay. And do you charge anything for that consultation? Brian No, because to me it's just a fact finding. Dave: Okay. So step one, figure out if their fact pattern warrants having an IC disc. Brian Right? Right. Well, it's, it's actually, that's one step. If you deter, if we determine that yes, an IC disc makes sense because they do have qualified export property, they do have qualified export receipts, then we have to talk about volumes. Because, you know, if you have 500,000 of export sales, most like more likely than not. Disc isn't gonna make sense. Dave: Economic sense when Brian you factor Right. Economic, the Dave: costs Brian not right. There's not enough benefit to offset the cost at that, at that level, most likely. Of course. It [depends on what, what it is they're selling. Dave: Sure. Do you have a rule of thumb you typically use? Is it like three or 5 million where it typically makes sense or every case Brian For most, for most businesses, that's sort of the range that where it starts to make sense, but there are always exceptions to that. Dave: Sure. Brian So like I had a client that had, you know, 600,000 of export sales, but their bottom line profit was 80%. Dave: Okay. Brian So in that instance, hey, it made sense, but for most companies that have 600,000 of export sales, it, it probably doesn't make sense. Dave: Okay. So let's say they have 5 million of exports, good margins, looks like it makes economic sense. What's the next step then? Brian Well then we talk about what is the tax structure of that exporting company? Is it a flow through entity? Is it a C Corp? And how is it owned? Sometimes [00:04:00] it's owned by a foreign company that makes things way more complicated. Okay. It's owned by a combination of different shareholders, some of which are individuals, some of which are corporations. So that can be complicated. And sometimes it's just a, it's just a pass through entity that's owned by, you know, let's say it's an S corporation that's owned by a family owned. Dave: Sure. Brian You know, so you, you can have a lot of different fact patterns and that will dictate a lot of things with, with respect. Dave: Okay. Brian To how the disc is organized. Dave: Might that also be the time? You inquire as to whether multiple discs might make sense for their structure, or do you typically just focus on kind of getting the initial disc in place and then exploring that over time? Brian Probably the latter. Dave: Yeah. Brian Initially I, you know, the goal is, you know, do you have enough activity? Do you have the right kind of activity? What kind of benefit is it that you think you can, we can get for you? And then, okay, if the answer to all those are in the positive, then it's like, okay, how should this disc be owned based on what we're trying to achieve and where should it be set up? Because that also can have a lot of negative surprises if you set it up in the wrong place. Dave: Yeah. So let's say and I think there's some rules of thumb like if if the. Exporting company is a C corp, you typically don't want the C Corp to own the disc, is that correct? Brian That is, that is correct. And that's because a C corporation pays tax on a dividend. It receives from the IC dis, so effectively there's no benefit. Dave: Okay. So with a C corp, typically it would be the individuals, individual or [individuals that Brian are Oh, the, the shareholders typically, Dave: yeah. Brian You know, possibly a management group could be involved as well, but typically we're talking about the shareholders of the C corporation. Dave: Yeah. And the shareholders of the disc do not necessarily have to mirror the shareholders of the C corp. Right. Brian That is sort of up in the air. I, I prefer that to be the case, but it doesn't have to be the case. Dave: Yeah, like in a simple example, census C Corp owned by one person and when they set it up, they wanna add a couple key employees to it. Brian Yeah. That, that, that's probably fine. You know, there's some old revenue rulings out there from the early 1980s that have a bad fact pattern, which the IRS held that the structure created gift tax issues, but that was like a mom and a dad and a son and a daughter, and mom and dad set up a disc and then gave the stock to the son and the daughter. And, and so that, that's, I see that's a bad fact pattern. What you described is a completely different fact pattern. There's no donative intent in that fact Dave: pattern. Yeah. Okay. In Brian fact, that I have a client that started out where the disc and the C Corp was. It did have mirror ownership, but over time, that has changed dramatically. But still, there's no donor of intent because we have all these unrelated families that own shares in the company in this quote company. And when there have been redemption opportunities over the years, they have the choice redeemed, the disc shares redeemed. The, the C corp shares redeemed them both. So some of like kept their dis shares, but gotten rid of the C Corp shares and vice versa. But really without the donative intent, plus some court case you know, precedent, I, I'm not [00:08:00] so concerned about that issue. Dave: Okay. Now let's switch gears and let's say it's a flow through an S-Corp partnership et cetera. Do you typically want the individuals to own it in that situation? Say that the company has three shareholders, would you just make them the three owners of the disc? More often than not, no. Okay. And why is that? Brian Because it, you get the same benefit by making the disc a subsidiary of the S corporation without some of the extra complexity associated with having the disc be owned by the shareholders. Now that, that's, that's preferred, but there are also situations where that doesn't make sense. Dave: Okay. Brian So let's say the, the S corporation is in California and the shareholder lives in Texas, or Florida. Or Nevada. Dave: Okay. Brian So they might want that dividend income flowing directly to them so that there's [00:09:00] no state Oh. So that there's no state income tax on the dividend. Dave: Sure, sure. Brian Okay. Okay. Yeah. So again, it's just another fact you need to uncover in the process of trying to figure all this out. Dave: Okay, so you've met with the client, you've figured out a disc makes sense, you've dug further you figured out the ownership structure of the disc. That makes sense. So then I guess you have to figure out where to incorporate, huh? Brian Yeah. And that again, there are good states and bad states. Dave: Okay. Brian Some states will tax an IC dis as a regular C corporation, you wanna avoid those states. Some states don't have an income tax at all, and those are good states to deal with. Dave: Okay. Brian And the three, you know, I'd say there's three states that are predominantly viewed as positive, and that would be Delaware, Texas, and Nevada. Okay. They're all fairly similar. For filing. And, and none of them have a corporate income tax on the dis so that's, that's all good in terms of not adding additional costs to the, the structure. Dave: Okay. So I'm in Texas and thus you, it seems like most of my clients end up incorporating in Texas. Do you just so here we are January 8th. We're recording this of 2026. So do you just do you just get around to doing it anytime before the end of the year and then you could use the disc the whole year? Is that how it works? Brian It's not how it works. It's generally a prospective opportunity. So you wanna get that entity formed as quickly as possible. Dave: Okay. Yeah. I've had people, I've heard [00:11:00] people say that if you don't do it on January 1st, you just have to wait till the next year. Brian No. That, well, that's certainly not true. And from any date forward that you set it up, you can certainly get benefits or shipments. Okay. That they, but one other item that I forgot to mention earlier, they also like to ask if the, if the related supplier entity, which is the exporter, if they're an accrual based company or a cash basis, Dave: ah, Brian that's an, that's an incredibly important issue Dave: Sure. Brian Dealt with. That's why. Dave: Okay. Brian Because the disc is an accrual base taxpayer by default. Dave: Yeah. Okay, we'll get into that when we get further around the, Brian okay. Dave: I think about when I was a kid, there was a, there was a Saturday morning TV series I think called schoolhouse Rock. And one of the episodes was how, how a bill becomes a Law [00:12:00] And there's the whole steps, the Brian episode, everybody remembers. Dave: Yep. Yep. So everybody our age at least. Okay, so you've got the disc set up and say you do it in Texas and let's say they make the decision January 8th, takes a few days to, you know, just kind of get stuff, you know, information from the client set up. And let's say you get it set up January 15th, so then they're good to go, huh? They can just start using that disc and away we go. Anything else? Ha. That has to be done Or is it, is it that some Brian on the, on the surface, yes, that's true. Dave: Okay. Brian But beneath the surface, there's other things that have to take place. Dave: Okay. What's the next thing that has to happen after you've formed the disc? Brian Well, you have a, there's a 90 day window to file a disc collection with the IRS. That's probably the most critical thing that has to happen. You have to file an actual paper form with the IRS to elect disc status for the company, because the company, when you set it up, it's just a corporation. Without that election, it's not a disc. Dave: And that election, is this the famous form 48, 76 dash a, is that said election, Brian famous or infamous in some cases, Dave: yes. Yeah. Okay. So you have to, so you just well, you just go to the IRS website. Download the form, send it in, bing, bam. Boom. You're done. You're good to go. Brian Not exactly. Dave: Okay. That's the Brian first Dave: step. Brian Skip. That's the first step. But the I mean, first of all, when you're setting up the disc, you have to make sure you incorporate it properly. Dave: Okay. Brian I kind of glossed over that. Dave: And what are some of the elements of proper incorporation? Brian Well, for example, when you go to a, the Texas website or any other secretary of State website to organize the company, because it can be done all online, [00:14:00] like the default is always, you know, no par value stock, right. Brian If you just select the default, you are going to have a problem because Okay. Dis rules require, you know, par or stated value of $2,500 on the, issued an issued an outstanding stock of, of the disk. So I had a client that came to me years ago. They had set up a company in, well, they used Wyoming, which is also possible to use, and it's not a bad jurisdiction. And they had, he had his quote unquote friend that who was an attorney, set it up for him. And there were some issues with the DISC collection and it went back and forth and then ultimately took a look at the articles of incorporation and it had, you know, $1 power stock, 1000 shares. Dave: Ah, that's a problem. Brian That's, [00:15:00] yeah. So no matter what happened with the disc election and the back and forth with the IRS, the disc election was ultimately never approved because the entity didn't meet the requirement. Having enough outstanding capital stock. So you have to have one and it can only have one class of shares. So there are, you know, there are some hoops you have to jump through in terms of not doing things incorrectly or doing things correctly. So you have to make sure there's one class of stock, $2,500 par value. There can't be foreign sales corporation in the same patrol group, which years ago was a big deal, but now it's not really a big deal because those have been gone for many years and almost nobody has one left. Not, not really an issue there. And what, you know, those are the formation matters that, that mattered, that are important to make sure you, you meet when you form the entity. Okay? If it's formed wrong, right from the get go, you have a problem. If [00:16:00] it's formed correctly, then the next step is yes, file a disc election. Dave: And, but before you file the disc election, there's a step we're missing, right? Doesn't the DISC election require. To put the corresponding EIN for the distance. Oh yes. I mean, I just assumed we, yeah, you obviously you have to apply for an ID number for the new entity that does not come automatically with the incorporation. Brian 'cause that's done with the state as opposed with the IRS yes. Dave: Yeah. And that's become more challenging. It used to be pretty easy to get an EIN you could apply under a corporate name or Brian yeah. But there, there's a, you know, there is an online portal with the IRS to get an EIN for a domestic company. So it's not, it's not Dave: terrible. Yeah. Brian It's not terrible. Dave: Yeah. So you have the EIN that you need for the 48 76 ae. Brian Right. Dave: You have you have 90 days, Brian you have the proper capitalization. Dave: Yeah. Brian You figured out who's gonna own the disc because the, the disc collection is. Signed, you know, it's not just made by the disc entity. It's made by the disc entity, then consented to by the shareholder. So you have to make sure that all that takes place. I can't tell you the number of times where somebody filled out part one, the disc signed it, and then the shareholder forgot the consent to it. And if you don't do the 48 76 dash eight correctly, you get it filed timely. It's an extremely expensive fix to try and get that Dave: rectified. Brian Generally, you have to try to get a private letter ruling, which will grant an extension of time to file the late disc collection. Dave: Okay. Brian And that's that's an expensive process. It's a 25 to $30,000 exercise to [00:18:00] file the private letter, really. Plus you have to pay a user fee to the IRS of 10,000, 11,000. Dave: Wow. Yeah. It seems that seems inconvenient at, at best. Brian And for most companies, they're better off just setting up a second dose Dave: Sure. Brian As opposed Dave: to process, Brian because how much volume there is. Dave: Yeah. Yeah. And I understand the IRS itself refers to these as a, a paper entity. So I guess since it's a paper entity, that's it. No need to fuss around with a bank account or actually have to capitalize it with actual money is there. Brian It's, it's recommended, but you're right, it's not required. There's no requirement in the disk rules to set up a bank account. Dave: Okay. Brian So there it could simply have. A receivable receiv for the capital stock. And that can be, its working capital doesn't have to have a bank account, but that's sort of a misnomer that people think it must have a bank account. Okay. In the original regulations, that was a requirement, but when the regulations are finalized, the requirement was removed. Dave: Okay. But practically speaking, it you probably wanna have a bank account. Brian Yes. Practically speaking, it makes all the sense in the world to have a bank account, a non-interest bearing bank account. Dave: And why is the non-interest bearing important? Brian Well, it, it has to do with one of the annual requirements of a disc. That 95% of its receipts have to be qualified export assets. I'm sorry, receipts. And so let's say in a year the company decides. You can't always decide not to use the DIS even though you've got it in place. So let's say the company says, well we're not gonna use the, this year we had a loss. In our business there's no using. Dave: Okay. Brian We say, okay, and then the DIS bank account earned a dollar 50 of interest income. Dave: Okay, Brian well 100% of the receipts are now not qualified receipts. Okay. Income and no other revenue. If there was a non-interest bearing bank account, it would just have no receipts and then it would be fine. But the earning, the dollar 50 of interest would disqualify that. Dave: Okay. So non-interest bearing account and then I guess the dollar amount in the bank account, what you start with, $2,500 initially. Brian Yeah, pretty much keep it there forever. Dave: But, but it doesn't matter if you end up, oh, if you're a little lazy and you forget to distribute all the money and you end up with 50 grand at the end of the year, that, that's not a problem, is it? Brian It is. Dave: It is. Everything's a problem Brian with you, Brian, because everything, 'cause the, these rules are draconian and everything can become a problem. So a commission dis anyway, a comm, [00:21:00] you know, a paper entity commission dis doesn't need $50,000 of working capital. And the IRS would hold that, that that's not a qualified export out. Like having too much working capital in DIS will cause it to fail. The other test, which is the 95 qualified export asset test 2,500, you know, an amount of cash equal to the capital stock is fine. Dave: Sure. Brian Amounts above that start to, you know, raise questions as to whether. That's reasonable working capital or not? Given that the entity's a paper entity, it doesn't really have any expenses. Maybe some bank fees. That would be about it. In most cases, it really doesn't need cash sitting. Dave: Yeah. Yeah. So maybe 3000, 3,500 to account for some bank fees or, Brian yeah, at most, yeah, we start getting about 5,000. It really starts to [00:22:00] look questionable. Dave: Okay. Oh, I just realized, I think in the initial assessment there was a step we forgot and that's, do they want to make it a buy sell disc or a commission disc? What percentage of your clients are commission discs? Mine a hundred percent. That's Brian 99%. Dave: Yeah. So we're just stepping ahead assuming that it would be a commission disc, Brian right. I mean, the only time you would really have a buy sell disc. 'cause if you have a business where. They're buying inventory from unrelated parties. And all the inventory is manufactured in the US and all of it is export. Dave: Yeah. Brian Okay. That, that, that I do have, like I said, two clients that have adopted that structure. One was commissioned disc with an S-corp and they converted, they merged the S-corp into the disc and just became an operating disc. You know, and that's a little different than a buy sell disc. I mean, an operating disc. People think of buy, sell dis an operating disc for the same thing. They're really not. I mean, 'cause you could have a, the equivalent of a commission disc, but have it be by sell where it could buy product from its related exporter and then export it. Dave: Okay. Brian It's possible that, that, that tho that fact pattern, I don't have any clients in. Dave: Okay. Brian It's possible. Dave: Okay. So we've got the election filed and then at some point the IRS will send the taxpayer letter approving the election, right? Brian Correct. That is, that was true. Dave: And then so we've got the, the B and usually it makes more sense to have the disc bank account at the same bank as the operating company, right? Brian It typically does, Dave: yes. Yeah. And we'll get into that when we get further into the operation of the disc. Okay. So it's all set up. And elections filed, election approved. So now certainly we're done with incorporation and government governance matters, right? Brian No. No, Dave: not yet. Brian Not yet. Not yet. Okay. We still have to make sure there's a a call, a related supplier agreement or disc commission supplier agreement in place between the, the exporting entity or entities and the disc itself. This document is, it's not, again, it's not required in the regulations, but it is recommended. It gives the related supplier a lot of flexibility in how it uses the disc and if it uses the disc and it gives it unilateral powers to decide not to use the disc. It also lays out the, you know, sort of boil legal boilerplate language about an inter intercompany agreement between the two business. Dave: So you could just go to chat GPT and have them spool up a one page sales agent agreement. Is that right? Brian Maybe. I don't know. I haven't tried that 'cause I don't wanna teach chat GPT how to, how to do that, but because every time you ask it a question, you teach it, right? Dave: Sure. Brian General, no, it's a pretty specific agreement and it has very specific provisions in it. Provisions and so somebody that knows what they're doing really needs to draft them. Dave: Okay. Okay. So this is kind of pointing away from just having your general corporate attorney who's never heard of a disc, do all that quote paperwork. Brian Yeah. I never recommend. I always recommend that a specialist do it, namely myself take care of it. Dave: Okay. Yeah. 'cause you are, in addition to having an accounting background, you're also a tax attorney, correct? Brian Correct. Dave: Correct. Okay. Brian Yeah. And you know, some of the documents that need to be created, yeah. That can be done by a general corporate attorney like bylaws and those as well and or other organizational documents that aren't disc specific can only be done by any attorney. But but if, but really it doesn't make sense to split that work up amongst different attorneys. Dave: Okay. Sure. Brian It all sort of be done by the same party to make sure that it's, that everything gets taken here. Dave: Okay. Brian And timely because there's a 90 day window to get this, in my opinion, to get this all done. Dave: Yeah, to co to coincide with the election filing. Brian Right. Because typically I don't provide any of the documents, including the election, to the, to the client until all these things are done. Dave: Yeah. Oh, I see. Sure, sure. Because then there's, Brian you know, they have to sign the disc election and there's all these other documents they need to sign and put in a minute book. And so rather than piecemeal it, we just give it to them all at once. Dave: Okay. So they've got their binder with all their signed documents or a signed copy of the 48 76 A that was filed a copy of the approval from the IRS. So now finally, are we ready to get started using our disc? Is there. Brian Collection the I. Yeah. As you've probably seen in the news, things are changing at the postal service as far as postmarks and what they can be relied on as when something was considered filed. So they're not promising the postmark things that they, you drop them in the mail anymore. Dave: Oh, really? Okay. I hadn't heard that. Brian Yeah. So it's recommended to go, like, walk it to a counter and have it hands stamped with [00:28:00] a postmark. Yeah. But more importantly, and unfortunately not everybody listens to this, send the form certified mail return receipt requested. 'cause many times document is sent to Kansas City and they lose track. Oh, we never got your dis election. We can't process your dis return, whatever. And then there's proof that it was sent and then they have to, you know, find it basically. Dave: Okay. Or Brian at least accept it, maybe even if they never find. Dave: Yeah. Brian But there's one other thing about the disc and that we didn't talk about and, and I'm reminded of it because something you asked me in passing last week, which is something about the year end of the disc, the year end of the disc must coincide with its principal shareholder. So if I have a C corp that's a fiscal year, but the owners of the disc aren't gonna be [00:29:00] individuals, that disc will be a calendar year disc. Dave: Sure. Brian Not be a fiscal year company. And you know, if. It's owned by, let's say an S corp that has a fiscal year, then the disc will have a fiscal year. It, it must have the same year as its principalship. Dave: Okay. Yeah. Good. Thanks for the reminder of that. Brian And sometimes the disc collection gets filled out incorrectly. Somebody assumes one thing and, and then when a return is filed, the IRS, they're like, they, they dunno what to do. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Alright. Now finally, do we have a little bouncing baby disc to be delivered to its proud parents? I think so. Dave: Okay. Okay. Okay. Brian And that's usually, it's usually about three to five months after it was formed. Dave: Okay. Brian Is when it started eating solids. Dave: Okay. Alright, so now we've got the disc set up and 9:45 AM I'm, I'm sorry, I keep touching my watch and it says the time, apparently it's time to just take off my watch. Okay. So now, so let's just say that they have not yet set up the bank account. They've done everything else, and now it's time to set up the bank account so they, you know, call their local banker. They get it set up at the same bank, so it can be on the same online banking platform. And then they fund it. And does it matter where the funding comes, comes from for that bank account? Can they just like say the company. I mean, can just anybody fund it? Say there's three shareholders, can just one shareholder write a check for $2,500 to fund it? Or how does that all look? Brian Well, I mean, there, there will be a subscription agreement that shows how much each shareholder owes for their shares, and each shareholder should pay for them. Okay. Can't just be one. Dave: Okay. So we have the bank account set up, we're ready to go. And so now we're at the end of the year, or approaching the end of the year. Let's say we're in November of 2026. Anything we need to do before the end of the year Brian for an accrual based taxpayer? No. Okay. There's nothing paid to do, but before the end of the year. Dave: And what about for a cash basis? Brian For a cash basis, taxpayer, if we want a deduction in 2026. We need to pay the DIS in 2026, so Dave: we Brian would need to gather information in order to estimate a DIS commission for 2026 before the end of the year. Dave: Okay. So cash basis, that's what we need to do by the end of the year. Accrual basis. Basis, no. Do I need to do [00:32:00] anything by the end of the year? Brian You don't need to. You have an option to, if you'd like to, if you wanna have an idea of what the disc commission might be, or you actually wanna pay it before the end of the year, but there's no requirement. Dave: Yeah. And if you don't, and if you don't pay it by the end of the year, you get a deferral benefit Brian possibly. Dave: Yeah so say, say you did a hundred million of exports and your commission was $20 million. You just get to defer that whole thing till the next year, right? Brian No, Dave: no. Brian, all you say is No. Every good idea have you just say No. Brian It could defer 10% of it to the next year because only the income related to 10 million of export sales can be deferred, and it'd be a little less than 10% because the disc wasn't there the whole year. So we'd have to prorate that 10 million for the number of days the disc existed. And then some sliver can be deferred, but the rest of it is gonna be taxed to the shareholders as a deemed dividend Dave: in the current year. In the Brian current. Dave: Okay. Brian Then not taxed when physically distributed in the following. Dave: Okay, so we have an accrual tax payer. We get into the to 2027, and let's say they're extending their corporate return and they're planning to file that in August of 27. So we're done. We don't have anything else to do before August. Right? Brian That's not true either. Dave: Brian, Brian you're Dave: killing me. Brian Yeah, well, it, I mean, it depends. If nothing was done before the end of the year, then something needs to be done within the first 60 days after the accrual base taxpayer. Or, you know, let's say the cash base taxpayer says, I don't [00:34:00] care if I get my deduction next year, so I'm not gonna pay anything this year. Something needs to be paid at this within 60 days of the end of the year. Dave: So is this one of those things like the sales agent agreement, that that's just recommended? Brian No, this is required. Dave: Required. Okay. Brian Yeah. This is required. This is, this is one of the hot buttons the IRS will try to use to disqualify your disc. Dave: Okay. Brian So the disc accrues a receivable at the end of the year, even though it doesn't know the amount at the end of the year for all, for, for disc purposes and books an an accrual for the income at the end of the year. That accrual or the receivable is only a qualified export asset if, if the payment rules around that receivable or satisfy. Dave: Okay. Okay. Brian One Dave: rule Rules. Rules. There's always rules. Brian Yeah. It's very draconian. You have a 60 day rule and a 90 day rule. 60 day rule says you must pay a reasonable estimate of the disc commission to the disc within 60 days of the end of the year in cash or. It could be cash, it could be a note. Dave: And reasonable is just any old amount. You just put your finger in the air and ah, I think a hundred dollars is reasonable. Brian Again, that's not the case. There is a safe harbor for what is reasonable, and that safe harbor is f at least 50% of the final commission amount that you Dave: determine. But how do you know that in February Brian you have, Dave: if you're not preparing the corporate, Brian you have to try to compute an estimate before the end of FE Dave: and you have to nail it exactly at 50%. So if you think the commission's gonna be $1,217,412, you need to pay exactly 50% of that, Brian at least. [00:36:00] Dave: Oh, at least. So you could pay more. At Brian least you could pay more. And we always recommend maybe paying 75 to 80%. Dave: Okay. Brian Because if you pay whatever you pay. That amount is gonna be your limit. So if you thought it was gonna be a million and you paid 500,000 and it turns out to be 1,000,500, too bad. So sad, you only paid 500,000, you're capped at a million. Dave: Okay? I mean, that's the safe harbor. I suppose there might be circumstances where, where one could argue that they maybe the first year of the disc, and you know, they, they, Brian you can argue it, you can try to argue it, but there's no guarantee that the IS will accept any of the arguments. And the private letter rulings that exist from the 1970s would imply that they, they're really not going to accept just about any rationale for being reasonable other than that 50% bright [00:37:00] line safe harbor. Dave: Okay so you make the payment, Brian make that payment, and. Dave: Can you just book a journal entry? Do you, do you actually have to really move the money? It sounds like a hassle. Brian I mean, in, in general you have to, you have to either create a note or move cash. Dave: Okay. Brian Okay. Dave: But that might be a lot of money though. Like what if, what if it's like $2 million and million? The company only has a million dollars in the bank. Brian They could use the same capital multiple times. Dave: Oh, okay. Brian And roundtrip the money as many times as they need to, or like I said, use the, use the promissory note. Dave: Okay. Brian Short term promissory note to satisfy that requirement because it does say cash or property. Dave: Okay. So we get through February, we've made our, our 60 day payment. We've, we've, you know, sh sh we've, we, instead of doing 50%, we did about 80% of what we thought it was gonna be to give us some cushion, and now we can go take a vacation till the till the corporate returns ready. Brian Yeah. I, I, I think so. Dave: Okay. Brian I think so. Dave: Okay. So it's time to now. So it's time. Now, if they extend that corporate return, I guess they're gonna have to extend the disc return as well. Brian Well, the disc return is due September 15th as a matter of course. Dave: Oh, Brian are handy. There are no extensions. So really as far as the disc and its compliance goes, once you make that 60 day payment, there's really not much you can or should do or are able to do until the related entities tax return. Prepared. [00:39:00] So a lot of times they'll say, well, that's not gonna be done till September 15th, and we have to have a discussion about how that doesn't work because the disc return has to be done by September 15th, but in order to do the disc return, you need to basically a completed within it supplier returns. So then we have to work backwards from September 15th to figure out like when's the latest they can have that, that other return done in order Dave: to Brian get the disc return done. Now that's relatively easy in the past through context because all those pass through returns are also due September 15th on extension. Dave: Sure. Brian Whereas a C corporation, it's not so easy because the extended due date for a C corporation, if it's a calendar year is October 15th. So it may be that you have to file a disc return with a made up number on time and then amend it after. Okay. After September 15th. I've done that a number of times. Dave: Okay. So that makes sense. Brian Because as is good as CPAs are, they're deadline driven. So if a return is due October 15th, they're unlikely to have it done by the end of August. Dave: Yeah. Okay. So it's time to file the disc return. I assume the CPA firm probably has that disc return and their standard tax software with all the other forms. So you just have the CPA go ahead and prepare the disc return. I've looked at it, it's a short return. It's like 10 pages long. So you just go ahead and have the CPA prepare the disc return, then bing, bam, boom, you're done. Brian Could do that. Dave: Okay. Is there a drawback to doing that? Brian Yeah, it would probably be wrong. Dave: Okay. Why do you say that? Now, remember [Brian, we have a lot of CPAs who we have very good relationships with that we share clients, you know, saying that they're probably gonna do it wrong. I mean, heck, I don't really wanna annoy all my great CPAs we work with Brian Well, okay, but it, well, it's just a fact. It'll probably okay Dave: be Brian wrong because they might see one or two or three a year. They, they think they know what all the different terms on the district return mean, but they're not as familiar with that as they are with a S Corp return or a partnership return, or 1120. So they do what they think is right, and it may be right, it may not be right. So again, I, in my opinion, you want a specialist preparing the district return. Dave: Okay. Brian Okay. Because we know exactly how it's supposed to be filled out. And then if, if the calculation is done on a transaction by transaction [00:42:00] basis, there's this schedule P that gets attached to the return. Well, if you don't do a T by T, there's one Schedule P. If you do a T by T, there could be thousands of them. So I don't think CPAs and their software are equipped to complete thousands of schedule Ps and attach Dave: Yeah. Brian To the district. Dave: No, good point. And you're, you're getting your your enthusiasm to get to T by t had me, you got a little ahead of me. 'cause I was gonna ask, so client says, Hey, we have a desk. Our accounting department's busy. What's just the bare minimum of information we need to send you? What's the bare minimum? Brian Bare minimum would be qualified export sales. Dave: They just need to send you a number. Brian Yes. Dave: Then you take that number and how hard can it be? Right. Just take the, Brian it's not, it's not necessarily that hard at that point. Dave: Yeah. But say the profit on those sales [00:43:00] is the average profit of the company and taxable profit. And you compute the disc commission, you go through the Schedule P and compute the disc commission and pick the higher of the two numbers that you, that you compute. So you would just be like the final draft, corporate return and that total export number, you know, dollar amount for the year. And, and that's really all you need to, to do. That's Brian the bare bone. That's the bare bones, yeah. Dave: Okay. And that's what some people would call the standard calculation or a simple calculation, Brian I'd call it simple. Yeah. Dave: Okay. And that's also known as the 4% 50% calculation in some circles. Right. How does that work? Brian Well, it's also known as the safe harbor calculation in certain circles as well. Back to that, Dave: back to that safe harbor again. Brian Yeah. But that's actually not a safe harbor, so that's why I bring that up. Dave: Okay, well Brian that's the safe harbor calculation. I'm like, no, it's not. It's just the [00:44:00] calculation. There's nothing safe harbor about Dave: it. Okay. Brian Okay. It's just the rules that are found in the code and regs for computing and disc commission, and they're the two predominant methods. 4% of sales and the 50% of net profit, Dave: you just cherry pick whichever one works better. Brian Yeah, but the 4% method has limitations. So Dave: more limitations probably. Why? Why can't this just be simple? You said it was the simple calculation and now you're already telling me there's inherent complexity. Brian Even if it's simple, it's not totally simple. Dave: Okay. Okay, Brian so the, and I've seen this done wrong. Millions, well, not millions, hundreds of times, and I can say it is hundreds of times. Client computes the 4% method just by choosing 4% of sales. They don't look at what their net income is on the, on the [00:45:00] activity. They just say, oh, I'm allowed to use 4% of sales. The limit there is you cannot create a loss. There's something called the no loss rules. You can't create a loss with a disc commission if one doesn't already exist. So if the profit on, say, on the sales are 2% of sales, you can't take 4% of sales. You're limited to 2% of sales. And if, for example, you have a loss of the company, you're limited to zero. But I've seen situations where that's completely ignored. Dave: Okay? Brian Properly computed this commission of 4% of sales, but it should have been something less or possibly zero. Dave: Okay? So more complexity, but the good news, that's the extent of the complexity. One, schedule P, 4%, 50%, you know, make sure you, you don't create a loss. Now we're, we're all done. Pop. You [00:46:00] know what, what? Dusted and dusted and delivered we're, we're good to go. They've maximized their dis commission, right? And we're all done. They have a nice 10 page return to send to the IRS. Which by the way, can they file that electronically, that return? Brian Fortunately, there are no provisions for electronic filing of the disc return. It must be, Dave: what is this, the 1970s or something? Brian Pretty much Dave: Okay Brian with, with regard to the disc? Yeah. And, and some other forms. Yeah. But the, the, the benefit of that, here, I'll give you a benefit. The benefit of the fact that you must file a paper return is they can have an electronic signature on it. Okay. It doesn't have to have a wet signature. Dave: Okay? Okay. Brian So you could theoretically, for example, send your client the return using DocuSign, have them sign it. You print it, you file it for, Dave: okay. Okay. But, but now we're finally done. It's signed, it's done. And they say, boy, thank you very much, Brian. You've done, your team did a great job, and boy, I really appreciate, you know, we had 10 million of exports. We have all kinds of variability in our profit margins. And, but thank you very much. You, you created the amazing $400,000 or you calculated the 400,000 disc commission. Thank you very much. I couldn't imagine you went above and beyond. I couldn't imagine you could have done anything more. And then what do you say? Do you graciously say, oh, you're welcome. It was our pleasure. Brian I would graciously say, you know, we, we've just computed your minimum disc commission. Dave: Okay, Brian not your maximum. Because you have Dave: vast, lemme guess. Lemme guess. There's more complexity coming. Brian More complexity, which relies on more data being. Pulled from the client's [00:48:00] records to, to allow for a calculation of the DISC commission at a more detailed level, ideally at a line item by invoice level, Dave: line item. That sounds like a lot of work. Brian It can be. Can be a Dave: lot. What if the client says, our accounting department's busy? Sounds like we're gonna have to spend weeks gathering all this data for you. Eh, it's just, we're too busy, it's not worth it. What do you say then? Brian I gu I almost can guarantee you it will be worth it. Okay. Because looking at the detail is likely to cause at Disconnect commission to be anywhere from 50 to three, 400% higher than what it otherwise would've been. Now, unfortunately, in that first year, since you've already filed with a certain number, you're limited to two times what you paid in that 60 day window. But going forward. You know, there's no limit. Dave: Okay. Brian Whatever we compute can be your disc commission. So different industries have different amount of variability and t and transaction by transaction calculations have different impacts depending upon the industry, the profitability of the business, how many products they have, who they sell to. But it can vary. But I'll give you an example of one that we worked on recently where company had a hundred million of export sales. They took 4% of sales, and they've been taking 4% of sales year after year, after year, after year, after year, Dave: okay. Brian They brought us in like three weeks before the district return. Dave: Okay. Brian And we went through the calculations and we actually calculated 17 million Dave: as opposed to 4 million. Brian As opposed to four. Dave: [00:50:00] Yikes. That's a big difference. Brian It's a huge difference. And fortunately they were, you know, well, I mean they were very pleased with the result. And so now on a going forward basis, we're not doing 4% of sales. Dave: Okay? But you still have this. But if they were able to get a $17 million commission, then that means their corporate taxable income must have been at least 17 million. 'cause didn't I hear you say the disc commission cannot cause a loss. Brian It cannot cause a loss at the level at which you're computing the commission. So there's no, you're killing me, Brian. Just more complexity. Yeah. Well, it's very complex area. There's, there's no overall no loss rule. Like if you, you can, as long as you're meeting the rules as they're written, you can cause your entity to go into a loss position. Now, this particular instance, it did not do that, but [00:51:00] you could do that. Dave: Okay. And then if you get into a loss position, there are other non disc complexities that come into play that impact whether you want to maximize the loss in that entity or you want to target a particular loss in that entity. And that's not something that we get involved with, but we're certainly sensitive to it. Sure. Sure. And so you're saying for this client, even though I've heard some people say you've got the simple calc and then the hard calc. And so you'd wonder why would anyone do the hard calc? Well, it's because their commission went from 4 million to 17 million, which saved them hundreds of thousands of dollars. You created hundreds or millions of dollars with additional tax savings. Brian Right, right. Dave: Okay. Brian And by the way, after the first conversation we had with them, they said, oh [00:52:00] yeah, this is not something we can do. The accounting department said, this is not something we can do. Then the owner said, this is something you're gonna, Dave: it's funny how that, how that works. Okay. And then I'm guessing this extra work. You, you're probably gonna have to create another schedule P or two. So now the disc return, it's gonna be 10 pages. It's what? 20 pages? Is that kind of a typical page count? Brian No, it could be Dave: no. Brian Thousands of pages. Dave: Thousands. I mean, Brian, a ream of paper is 500. So thousands would be reams of paper. Brian Yes. I've had some returns that have like 15 binders of paper. Dave: Yikes. Brian Yeah. Just goes in a big box and I'm sure the IRS types, all those schedule Ps into their, Dave: I'm sure they do. Okay. So the return gets filed, so the return's ready. You take that box, you just slap a you print off a postal label online, drop it off at the post office. And you're done, right? You just give it to carrier, Brian understand, Dave: carrier, carrier your house or whatever. Brian Well, you can send it via FedEx. You can send it via UPS. And actually, in some ways, I think that might be better these days than the postal service. Dave: And why do you have to do that? Can you just slap, I mean, if you have your 15 binders, couldn't you just put a hundred stamps, you know, on the, the box and ship it in because they'll get it, right? I mean, it's not like they're gonna lose it or anything. Brian They might, they could very well lose it. And you definitely want proof of delivery and you want proof of mailing. So again, it's a certified mail if you're using the postal service or if you're using a private carrier like FedEx, you know, you get all that documentation about when it was shipped and when it was delivered.[00:54:00] Dave: Okay, well now at least we're finally done. Right? You ship it off. The CPA pulls the numbers from the disc return, puts it on the corporate and shareholder returns. Now we're done. It's gone to the IRS. We never have to think about it again. Right. Brian I'm not sure if that's a trick question or not, but in some ways that could be true, Dave: right? Yeah. But it, but I guess you could get audited, right? Brian Could get audited by an agent who has no idea what they're doing, which is typically the case. Dave: So that's why you want your CPA defending you in that case. 'cause then it's like the blind leading the blind. Brian No, I think it's better if someone with site is involved. So again, the specialist who did the disc work should represent the taxpayer or be involved with the representation of taxpayer in the case of the audit. Dave: Okay. Brian And the should be involved. Because really what's under, what's really in question is the [00:55:00] deduction on that entity's tax return. The dis itself doesn't pay tax. So they rarely audit a dis quote. Dave: Okay? So if I break it down, you to do it really right? You need a specialist to guide you on the initial structure of the disc. You need another specialist to set up the, the disc. You need another specialist to do all the paperwork, make sure the document's correct another specialist to prepare the return, and then another specialist to defend you. So is that about right? So do you need like five different people to make sure everything's done right? Brian? Isn't there some way that you could just have one person that could just do it all for you and be done with it? Brian Well, of course. Dave: Okay. Finally, finally, I get a simple answer, Brian right? So if you, if you engage a disc specialist, that [specialist should be able to do all that. Dave: Okay? Brian Okay. Now, not every disc specialist is created equally. Dave: Sure. Brian You know, I brought up during our conversation that there are some non disc things that can also add complexity to the situation. Not every disc specialist will be sensitive to those things. Not every disc specialist will understand those things. So the benefits that like our organization brings is that. Least myself in particular, I didn't always just do IC disc work. I, I, I have a well-rounded knowledge of all of the, of the tax world. And so I am sensitive to non disc things. You know, for example, you know, another example, oh, a company has a lot of export sales. You would think it's a no brainer. They should have a dis, they should use the dis. They should, they, they should want to convert that ordinary income to qualified dividend [00:57:00] income. Well, what if the S-corp is owned by an ebit? What if there are passive shareholders? All of those things impact whether the disc commission actually helps or hurts their tax situation. And I would get, I would venture a guess that, you know, if you went out and Googled, you know, I see this specialist, you would find a handful. At most that understand all that stuff and how all it all interplays together as opposed to the multitude of those that won't understand any of it. Dave: Okay. Brian So I think a, a disc specialist that is sensitive to all the other tax rules is, is definitely something that is valuable. Dave: And you probably want someone with some experience who's done maybe, you know, what a dozen disc returns in their career, maybe 50 if they're really good. Like how many, how many have we done organization wide? Probably Brian probably 10,000. Dave: 10,000? Well, that's a lot more than 50. Brian Yes. Over the years it's probably close to that number. And we've probably claimed billions of dollars of just deductions and saved clients, hundreds of millions of dollars of tax. And, and I'm proud to say that every dollar we've ever claimed we've. Okay. Dave: So Brian I've never had an adjustment from the IRS. Dave: Well, that sounds like a, a good a good record. So bottom line, Brian that's, that's the best you can come up with a good record. I'd say it's Dave: well, I didn't wanna say a perfect record. I didn't want to jinxy. Brian No, but it's, it's, it's, it's pretty outstanding record. Dave: Yeah. It's a, it's an impressive record Brian because there are also just providers out there that say, well, you know, Dave: it's the Wild West. Brian The wild west, the IRS doesn't really understand it, so let's be as aggressive as possible. And, and that's not the way we approach it. Dave: Yeah. Wow. Well, this has been this has been a lot. So really it's that simple. So the person who wants to just do all this themselves, we've laid out the whole playbook for them. Brian Yeah. The only simple thing they have to do is call us. Dave: There you go. That is it. Yeah. And, and oh, the other thing, not only are you the Bob, hope you now have moved from number two to number one for the most experienced icy disc guy. I know now that Neil Block is retired. Brian Well, that's, I don't know if that's a plus or not. Whether I'll take it just means I've been doing it a long time myself. So Dave: yeah, Neil was, I think my second, first or second guess. And and I was just happy. 'cause his billing rate back then was like $1,500 an hour. I was just glad I didn't get a bill a month later for him being on the podcast. But he, [01:00:00] he did it for exactly 50 years at one firm, baker and McKinsey in Chicago. He had one office, one phone number, like the whole 50 years. Brian Yeah. That's, Dave: that is something you don't see much anymore. Brian Definitely not, no. It's, but it's very, that's. That's very cool. And Neil is a very, you know, is a very intelligent savvy guy. Dave: Yeah, that is for sure. Well, Brian, anything else that we didn't cover that you can think of? Brian I can't think of anything. I think we covered a, a great deal here. Dave: Okay. Brian Can't think. Dave: Well, I, I'll let Brian we omitted. Dave: Well, great. Well, hey, thank you so much for your time. Really appreciate it. And I'll let you get back to your, your exploration of your yard there. Brian Yeah. I feel like, it's funny I shrunk the kids. Dave: I know. Well, hey, well, well again, thanks again, Brian. We all appreciate your time. Brian You're welcome. Have a good day. Dave: You too.
Tax Strategies and Planning Tips for Small Business Success as Tax Season Approaches Books4hospitality.com Solutionsbychs.com About the Guest(s): Douglas Carpenter is a seasoned financial expert with over 40 years of experience in accounting and financial consulting. He holds credentials as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Starting his career as the youngest registered stockbroker in America at age 17, Douglas has built an illustrious career across various high-level CFO and consulting positions. He currently owns and operates Comprehensive Accounting Solutions, specializing in tax-saving strategies and accounting services for small businesses, with a particular focus on the hospitality sector. Episode Summary: In this insightful episode of The Chris Voss Show, host Chris Voss welcomes Douglas Carpenter, a distinguished CPA and CFA, to discuss strategies for effective tax planning as we move into 2026. The conversation kicks off by highlighting the unique challenges of accounting in the hospitality sector and how Comprehensive Accounting Solutions provides tailored services to mitigate these complexities. Chris and Douglas dive into the importance of preparing for tax season early, discussing strategic planning that can save individuals and businesses considerable amounts in taxes. Douglas shares his extensive expertise on tax strategies, focusing on key elements like proper entity structuring and the nuances of different business setups, such as S-Corps and C-Corps. Douglas stresses the importance of regular evaluation of financial strategies and planning for cash flow and budgeting in small and medium-sized businesses. The episode offers valuable insights into how businesses can effectively manage and plan their taxes, preventing last-minute rushes and the often-fatal “head in the sand” approach to budgeting and cash management. This episode is a must-listen for business owners eager to optimize their tax planning for the upcoming year. Key Takeaways: Proper entity structuring and regular financial reevaluation are critical to maximizing tax savings. The difference between tax preparation and tax planning can greatly affect a business's financial health. Early organization and strategic planning can prevent rushed decisions and missed opportunities in tax deductions. Understanding new tax laws, such as the Secure Act, can offer additional avenues for financial optimization. Comprehensive tax solutions involve integrating tax planning with broader financial strategies for sustained success. Notable Quotes: “The important thing to remember, if you owe the tax, pay the tax, but don’t overpay the tax.” “Tax planning is very different from just getting your tax return done.” “Proper entity structure is a key area where business owners can save significantly on their taxes.” “Regularly reevaluating your financial strategy is crucial for making the most of your business’s tax situation.” “A well-prepared and organized approach to taxes is essential to avoid last-minute frustrations and missed deductions.”
Nurse inventors, this one's for you.
Most people are using ChatGPT to avoid thinking — not to become better leaders, investors, or business owners. In this episode, Erik Van Horn breaks down exactly how he uses AI as an advisor, not a yes-person. From family-office GPTs and tax strategy to deal analysis, franchise decisions, and leadership judgment — this is how AI should challenge your thinking instead of replacing it. If you're using ChatGPT to move faster without thinking deeper, this episode will make you think about how you use AI. Timestamps: 00:00 – ChatGPT Is Making Leaders Lazy (Better vs. Lazier) 01:27 – Why AI Becomes a "Yes Person" 03:54 – Using ChatGPT as an Advisor (Family Office GPT) 06:28 – Preparing for High-Stakes Franchise & Business Meetings 10:55 – LOIs, Deal Structure, and Saving Legal Costs 12:05 – Entity Structure, C-Corps, QSBS & Tax Strategy 16:54 – Why Most Business Owners Have Weak CPAs 20:03 – Augusta Rule: A Low-Hanging Tax Strategy 23:13 – Analyzing Financials & Company Performance with AI 31:04 – Leadership Decisions: Forcing AI to Challenge You Connect with Erik Van Horn:
In this special episode, we bring you a practical, high-context walkthrough of early-stage investing hosted by the San Diego Angel Conference (SDAC). With insights from the Pillsbury ECVC legal team and SDAC organizers, this session offers angel investors - both new and experienced - a clear breakdown of key financing instruments like SAFEs, convertible notes, and priced equity rounds.We cover the structure and implications of different entity types (C-Corps, LLCs, S-Corps), the nuance behind valuation caps and discounts, the benefits of pro rata rights, and the tax advantages of Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS). Whether you're gearing up for Fund 8 or thinking about writing your first check, this session equips you with the frameworks and real-world insights you need to invest smarter.Key Topics Covered* Why SDAC is building year-round investor education & networking events* Overview of startup legal structures: LLCs vs. C-Corps (and why Delaware still leads)* What investors should understand about SAFE agreements* How post-money valuation caps really work (and how they differ from discounts)* Why side letters can protect your upside: pro rata, info rights, MFNs, and more* How convertible notes differ from SAFEs and when they might be preferable* Real red flags on cap tables and what they tell you about a company's past* What to know about Zombie SAFEs (and how to avoid them)* Tax advantages of Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) and recent updates to eligibility* The evolving dynamics of angel rounds, bridge financing, and recapitalizationsLinks & Resources* San Diego Angel Conference Website* Qualified Small Business Stock Overview – IRS This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe
SMALL BUSINESS FINANCE– Business Tax, Financial Basics, Money Mindset, Tax Deductions
Most business owners set up an LLC and think they're done—but the wrong tax structure could be draining $15,000 to $30,000 a year from your profits. In this episode, Tiffany Phillips explains how sole proprietorships, S-Corps, and C-Corps really work, and how each impacts your taxes. You'll learn how to legally pay less, avoid self-employment tax traps, and make smarter business structure decisions that protect both your assets and your wallet. If you've ever been confused about LLCs versus S-Corporations, or why your CPA hasn't mentioned changing your election, this episode will make it crystal clear. Next Steps:
Maximize Your Business Tax Savings with Expert Tips from Douglas Carpenter Books4hospitality.com About the Guest(s): Douglas Carpenter is a seasoned financial expert with over 40 years of experience in the industry. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Douglas started his career as the youngest registered stockbroker in America at the age of 17. He has worked at a top four accounting firm and held various consulting and chief financial officer roles. Currently, Douglas owns and operates Comprehensive Accounting Solutions, providing a full spectrum of accounting services, particularly for small businesses and the hospitality sector. Episode Summary: In this engaging episode of The Chris Voss Show, Chris talks with Douglas Carpenter, a renowned CPA and CFA, about smart financial strategies for businesses as the year-end approaches. Douglas shares his extensive knowledge on tax-saving tactics, business accounting, and financial planning, aiming to help business owners maximize their tax returns and keep more money in their pockets. As tax season looms on the horizon, Douglas's expert advice is especially pertinent. Throughout the conversation, Douglas delves into various strategies for minimizing tax liabilities, discussing everything from different business structures like S Corps and C Corps to the importance of understanding cash flow and business accounting. He offers insights into how businesses can leverage opportunities for tax deductions, highlighting the need for strategic financial planning throughout the year. The importance of having a knowledgeable tax advisor is also emphasized, with Douglas warning against the risks of poorly managed finances and tax filings. Key Takeaways: End-of-Year Tax Strategies: Business owners should focus on maximizing their tax efficiency before the end of the year, utilizing strategies such as HSA contributions, equipment purchases, and appropriate salary distributions. Business Structure Insights: Choosing the right business structure (e.g., S Corp, C Corp) is crucial for tax efficiency and should align with your overall financial strategy. Professional Financial Advice: Engage a qualified CPA for expert financial advice and ensure you are not overpaying on taxes. Relying on professional help can unveil potential savings. Importance of Documentation: Meticulous record-keeping and proper documentation of business expenses are essential and can lead to significant savings if managed correctly. Cash Flow Management: Douglas highlights the critical nature of cash flow management for businesses, asserting that understanding and predicting cash flow are crucial for sustaining and growing a business. Notable Quotes: "Billionaires do pay taxes. They don't overpay taxes. You shouldn't overpay your taxes either." "What are you going to do different next quarter that you didn't do this quarter?" "Fulfill your obligations, but don't pay more than you absolutely have to. There's a lot more that people leave on the table than they realize." "Don't cheat on your taxes. It's not worth the risk when you can save in legal ways." "Cash flow is the lifeline of any business. Knowing where your business stands today and where it's headed is crucial."
Send us a textIf you've ever paid for business expenses out of pocket, like your phone bill, internet, or home office, and wondered if you can get reimbursed without paying more tax, this episode is for you.In this episode, you'll learn how an Accountable Plan lets business owners legally reimburse themselves and their employees tax-free. You'll also discover the 4 key rules every plan must follow to stay IRS-compliant, and the most common mistakes that lead to audit trouble.
Choosing the right entity taxation is not just a startup decision, it's a lever that can create or erase six figures as your business grows. In this episode, Jaime and Katina discuss the difference between an S Corp and a C Corp, how LLCs fit into the picture, and why entity choice should be reviewed over time, not just once when you file paperwork. Katina explains the tax implications of each structure, including when C Corp double taxation is actually worth it, how reasonable compensation works for S Corp owners, and the five-year lock-in rule when switching. We also talk about the types of businesses that should consider each approach and why service-based businesses often start with S Corp but shouldn't assume they'll stay there forever. If your business has grown and you've never re-evaluated your entity structure, this episode will help you know what to revisit with your CPA or CFO. This episode is for educational purposes only and not legal or tax advice.
Welcome back to The Entrepreneur's Journey. In this episode, Jason Gabrieli sits down with John Cavanaugh, CPA and tax attorney at Firenze Advisors, to discuss the foundational role that legal entity structure plays throughout the life of a business—from launch to scale to exit. They explore common pitfalls, how to adjust structures as businesses grow, and key planning considerations for exits, succession, and estate transitions. If you're a business owner thinking about growth or preparing for a future sale, this episode is packed with practical knowledge.Tune into this episode to also learn:● Why your legal entity structure isn't just paperwork—but the core of your business.● How and when to shift from LLC to S-Corp or C-Corp status.● The role of installment sales, trust planning, and QSBS in reducing tax liability.● What business owners often overlook when preparing for a sale or succession.What we discussed● [00:01:36] Why entity structure is foundational—and what most owners overlook.● [00:03:16] How and why business structures should evolve over time.● [00:05:06] The niche John fills: strategic planning across legal and tax.● [00:06:54] Real estate and multi-entity structures: liability and tax traps to avoid.● [00:09:01] Debt, partners, and why cross-collateralization needs careful planning.● [00:10:40] Transitioning a business: selling to outsiders vs. keeping it in the family.● [00:13:03] What surprises owners during due diligence and how to be prepared.● [00:16:45] Why planning ahead matters: using trusts and state residency smartly.● [00:18:11] Charitable trust and life insurance planning to reduce estate tax.● [00:20:31] Holding company structures: when and why to consider one.● [00:24:31] What clients usually miss: books, documentation, and cleanup.● [00:26:24] Installment sale example that saved significant taxes.● [00:30:07] Managing wealth post-sale and preserving it for future generations.● [00:32:06] The power of looking at your structure every 2–3 years.3 Things To RememberYour legal and tax entity structure should evolve as your business grows.Planning for sale or succession starts years in advance—don't wait.Holding companies, trusts, and installment strategies can drastically reduce taxes and protect assets.Useful LinksConnect with Jason Gabrieli: jgabrieli@HFMadvisors.com | LinkedInLike what you've heard… Learn more about HFM HERE Schedule time to speak with us HERE
Is an S corporation or a C corporation better for your business? Dr. Friday explains the pros, cons, and tax implications of each. Transcript G'day, I'm Dr. Friday, president of Dr. Friday's Tax and Financial Firm. To get more info, go to www.drfriday.com. This is a one-minute moment. I had a conversation the other day with a client about keeping his business either as a sub-S corporation, which is a pass-through, or a C corporation. Because the top rate for an individual could be 37% and a corporation is 21%. Sounds great. But then when you take money out of that corporation, you're still paying tax on the profits if you're getting a distribution. So you need to sit down and really do the math. Either you're gonna be drawing out all the money through payroll, which again you're gonna have to pay the tax rate on that at 37% if your income's that high, or you're gonna have to figure out if there's a better way of doing the distributions. Call us 615-367-0819. You can catch the Dr. Friday Call-in Show live every Saturday afternoon from 2 to 3 p.m. right here on 99.7 WTN.
Rent To Retirement: Building Financial Independence Through Turnkey Real Estate Investing
Click HERE to learn how to earn $10K/month in rental income & access 50% discount on RTR Academyhttps://landing.renttoretirement.com/evg-masterclass-replayThis episode is sponsored by…ECKARD ENTERPRISES:Build wealth through alternative investments in U.S. oil & gas with Eckard's tangible, tax‑advantaged energy assets: https://eckardenterprises.com/rent-to-retirement/BLUPRINT HOME LOANS:Get pre-approved with one of RTR's preferred lenders at https://bluprinthomeloans.com/renttoretirement/ FIGURE:Access your home equity in minutes—no refinance needed! https://go.figure.com/renttoretirement
Rent To Retirement: Building Financial Independence Through Turnkey Real Estate Investing
Click HERE to learn how to earn $10K/month in rental income & access 50% discount on RTR Academyhttps://landing.renttoretirement.com/evg-masterclass-replayThis episode is sponsored by…ECKARD ENTERPRISES:Build wealth through alternative investments in U.S. oil & gas with Eckard's tangible, tax‑advantaged energy assets: https://eckardenterprises.com/rent-to-retirement/BLUPRINT HOME LOANS:Get pre-approved with one of RTR's preferred lenders at https://bluprinthomeloans.com/renttoretirement/ FIGURE:Access your home equity in minutes—no refinance needed! https://go.figure.com/renttoretirement
Michael Wedaa - Augmentus Business Solutions On the Keeping the Details Correct: "If your address is your old business address with the Secretary of State or with the IRS or on one of the credit bureaus, there's an algorithm in a lot of banks that will give you an automatic denial." Money makes the world go 'round, and it does that by flowing. Money in your business, money out to employees, vendors, investments, and the ever present tax-man. But what if you could shuffle your money a bit to be able to improve the flow to the good things to build your business and your net worth and reduced the amount going to the less than good things? Would you want to learn how to reduce your tax burden, limit your liability and build your business credit?? The crazy thing is, a lot of these strategies are simple and effective. The crazier thing is that many entrepreneurs don't know about them or feel they are too small for it to matter. It matters. Michael Wedaa is the owner of Augmentus Business Solutions. Their purpose is to help businesses navigate the game of business to make and keep more money. He understands the nuances and differences between things like LLCs, S-Corps, C-Corps, and how you want your different business entities to be structured. Listen as Michael goes into detail on business credit, taxes and business entity differences. Enjoy! Visit Michael at: https://www.augmentusinc.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corp_llc_guru/ Podcast Overview: 00:00 Understanding Business Credit Types 07:23 "Ensuring Business Credit Readiness" 12:22 Boost Business Credit with Proper Address 18:05 Kid-Friendly Jobs and Saving Tips 22:51 Passive Income through Market Rent Strategy 31:32 Protecting Assets with Equity Liens 36:55 Strategic Lien Planning Explained 41:22 Real Estate Investing with Business Credit 46:18 Delaware Business Court Advantage 48:50 "Registered Agent Requirement for Businesses" 59:11 Asset Protection Through Liens 01:04:44 "Business Rogue: Advanced Corporation Hacks" Podcast Transcription: Michael Wedaa [00:00:00]: No, but, you know, business credit is what I wanted to talk about today. As you know, we focus on helping people get the most out of their corporation or llc. And one of the ways we help people do that is by helping them build business credit. And business credit is very different from personal credit. The rules are different. James Kademan [00:00:25]: You have found Authentic Business Adventures, the business program that brings you the struggle stories and and triumphant successes of business owners across the land. Downloadable audio episodes can be found in the podcast link found@drawincustomers.com we are locally underwritten by the bank of Sun Prairie Calls On Call, Extraordinary Answering Service, as well as the Bold Business book. And today we're welcoming Slash, preparing to learn from Michael Wedaa of Augmentus Business Solutions. And Michael, we're hitting a lot of things here. The business credit, I believe, is the main one. So let's just start out with what is business credit? Michael Wedaa [00:01:01]: Great. No, first off, James, it's great to spend some time with you again. It's been a while since we last. James Kademan [00:01:06]: Chatted, but it has, you know, it's funny. I'll just elude here a little bit. YouTube is moving into shorts and all that jazz because they're trying to compete with all the other social media things that have short videos. And so we just got fancy software, whatever to find shorts. And it's interesting because some interviews, you're like, yeah, there's a handful. And yours is like, ba, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam. All good stuff. So I'm so happy that we have you on here a second time because, well, good. James Kademan [00:01:34]: Now we get more content for the masses. Michael Wedaa [00:01:36]: Right? That's right. That's right. No, but, you know,
Send us a textSome entrepreneurs sell their companies and walk away with zero federal taxes. How? This is thanks to a strategy called QSBS.In this episode, tax strategist Alessandro of Get Dynasty breaks down Qualified Small Business Stock, new changes from the “Big Beautiful Bill,” and how founders can use trusts to multiply tax-free exits. If you're building or investing in startups, this could be the single most powerful tax break you'll ever use.
In this Tax Tuesday episode, Anderson Advisors' Barley Bowler, CPA, and Eliot Thomas, Esq., tackle ten listener questions covering essential tax strategies for business owners and real estate investors. They break down the enhanced contribution limits for solo 401(k)s, including the new employer Roth contributions and age-based catch-up provisions. The attorneys explain proper loan structures between shareholders and corporations, emphasizing documentation requirements and interest rate compliance. They cover installment payment reporting for private money loans, clarify the Augusta Rule (280A) for tax-free rental income from home meetings, and distinguish between deductible business expenses versus personal costs. Investment structuring strategies for AI and energy stocks are explored, along with C-corporation real estate ownership considerations. The episode concludes with discussions on the expanded SALT deduction limits, pass-through entity tax workarounds for high-tax states, and the new research and development tax benefits under recent legislation. Submit your tax question to taxtuesday@andersonadvisors.com Highlights/Topics: "What is the maximum that can be contributed to a solo 401k Roth as the employee and employer of my own business, what do I need to do to handle payroll for myself?" - Employee limits: $23,500 (under 50), $31,000 (50-59), $34,750 (60-63). Employer: 25% of compensation. Use professional payroll services. "I want to loan cash for my business to myself, since my spouse and I have regular W2 jobs that push our incomes into high, the highest tax brackets. Other than loaning money to myself to pay for rental property. Are there any other uses for those loan funds? What are the issues on the backend for repayment rights?" - Must have written documentation, regular payments, and applicable federal rate interest (4.22% for 2025). "I'm receiving installment payments on a private money loan from my borrower. Are these payments listed as income, even though the entire principal balance and interest haven't been paid yet? How do you show this on a tax return?" - Interest portion is taxable income as received. Principal repayment is not taxable. Report on Schedule B. "I have a C Corp and two LLCs. Can you clarify the tax allowance on Augusta meetings, please? Also known as 280A. I believe I was informed that I can deduct up to $1000 per month on these monthly meetings when held, is this still the case for 2024 and 2025?" - Fourteen days maximum per year regardless of entity count. Get three local quotes for reasonable rates. "Are the paid fees for business essentials and the Living Trust deductible as startup costs or operating costs?" - Business essentials are deductible (startup vs operating depends on timing). Living trust is personal expense, not deductible. “What strategies should I set to invest in AI or energy stocks?" - Wyoming LLC for passive investing. Trading partnership with C-corp for active trading and tax benefits. "A C corporation owns a disregarded LLC, which in turn owns real estate. The real estate is sold for capital gains that is incurred by the C Corp. Is this the best way to be structured?" - Never put appreciable real estate in C-corp unless flipping. For buy-and-hold, use Wyoming holding company structure. "Does the SALT (state and local tax) deduction of $40,000 apply to a joint tax return?" - Yes, $40,000 limit applies to joint returns. Phases out at $500,000 AGI but maintains $10,000 floor. "How does the new PTET (pass through entity tax) SALT (state and local tax) deduction work around policy work for high tax states like California? Are certain entities included like SSTBs (specialized service trader businesses)?" - Pass-through entities can pay state tax for federal deduction. Complex structures and publicly traded partnerships excluded. "How might the research and development (R&D) tax credit that's been affected by the big beautiful bill help me as a small business owner?" - Domestic R&D expenses can be deducted immediately (100%) or over five years. Foreign expenses still 15 years. Resources: Schedule Your Free Consultation https://andersonadvisors.com/ss/?utm_source=5-reasons-restructure-sole-proprietorships&utm_medium=podcast Tax and Asset Protection Events https://andersonadvisors.com/real-estate-asset-protection-workshop-training/ Anderson Advisors https://andersonadvisors.com/ Toby Mathis YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TobyMathis Toby Mathis TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@tobymathisesq Clint Coons YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ClintCoons
In this episode, Mitch and David look back at the 6th Core Episode from 3 years ago. They discuss the difference between a sole-proprietor, LLC, S-Corp, and C-Corp and which one could be right for you. They go over how to pay yourself, and what to set aside for taxes, the importance of discussing situations with an attorney or accountant. Not ready for a full blown CRM, this is a great option. Build jobs, bids, and invoice straight from the app. TW Job Calculator APPS https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tradewinsconsulting.jobcalculator https://apps.apple.com/us/app/trade-wins-job-calculator/id6744992264?platform=iphone Trade Wins by Trading Content https://www.facebook.com/groups/1309829410166761 If you have questions you'd like us to answer, please feel free to email them to AskMitch@MitchSmedley.com Thanks for listening and thanks for sharing! Enjoy the show! If you'd like more insight from Mitch and David, you need to check out Trade Wins. Trade Wins can help you start your business or take your newer business and get it to a very healthy level. For more information about Trade Wins, check out https://www.tradewinsconsulting.com/ FieldPulse is the Official Field Service Management Software of The Void Podcast. Their software is ideal for you and your business. For more information about how FieldPulse can benefit you, check them out here: https://www.fieldpulse.com/book-demo?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=TheVoid/TradeWins http://empowerpayments.com/TheVoid Contact us: askmitch@mitchsmedley.com
Send us a textCRO veteran Dylan Ander (Founder, heatmap.com) joins Jordan to spill the never-before-shared story of how he landed heatmap.com by acquiring an entire C-Corp—and why the name matters for brand authority, SEO, and inbound. We break down why GA4 falls short for eCommerce, how definitions (sessions, idle windows, engagement) skew your numbers vs Shopify, and what to use when you need buyer-truth, not vanity metrics.Dylan unveils element-level revenue analytics—Revenue per Click (RPC) and Revenue per Session (RPS)—plus the coming Revenue per View (RPV), so you can prioritize changes that actually increase cash, not just clicks. We dig into pixel-level behavior tracking (no cookies, no PII), AI insights that call out underperforming elements (e.g., a specific FAQ item), and how to catch bugs and bot traffic before they burn revenue.We also get tactical on replacing Google Optimize, the realities of SaaS pricing (and why “McDonald's pricing” works), and the rise of social search (TikTok as a top search engine) shaping product discovery more than LLM/Chat. If you own a P&L for a DTC brand—or you're the CRO/performance lead—this episode will make you money.What you'll learn→ How Dylan cold-outreaches to acquire companies & premium domains (the “urgent, must speak to founder” play)→ Why GA4 under-/over-reports vs Shopify—and how definitions (idle windows, engagement) distort truth→ The RPC/RPS (and coming RPV) metrics that finally connect elements → revenue→ Pixel-level behavior tracking (no cookies/PII) + AI insights that tell you exactly what to change→ Social search optimization (TikTok search often beats LLM/Chat for product discovery)→ Replacing Google Optimize and building reliable A/B workflows in 2025→ The real cost drivers behind SaaS pricing—and how to price without burning trust→ Bot/junk filtering and defining a “session” that reflects buyers, not noiseWho this is for→ DTC/eCommerce founders & growth leaders→ CROs, performance marketers, and Shopify teams→ SaaS operators curious about pricing, PLG, and analytics positioningTimestamp:00:00 Intro & why this convo matters for DTC02:00 The C-Corp acquisition story behind heatmap.com06:30 Exact-match domains, SEO, and the inbound engine09:20 GA4 vs Shopify: definitions that change your numbers16:30 RIP Google Optimize: reliable A/B testing in 202518:50 Element-level revenue: RPC, RPS (and RPV coming)22:30 Pixel-level tracking & AI insights (no cookies/PII)26:15 Catching bugs + filtering bots/junk traffic28:40 Social search: TikTok as a top product discovery engine31:20 SaaS pricing & the “McDonald's” strategy36:40 Who should use revenue-based heatmaps (and why)44:30 Contrarian analytics takes you need to hear55:10 Personal: life, music, and loving the gameGuestDylan Ander — Founder, heatmap.com (revenue-based heatmaps, funnels, analytics for ecom). Mentions his upcoming book, Billion Dollar Websites.
Trustway Accounting has released a free guide comparing LLCs, S-Corps, C-Corps, and Sole Proprietorships to help entrepreneurs choose the best business structure for taxes. The article breaks down pros, cons, tax implications, and switching strategies. Read the full article here: https://trustwayaccounting.com/post/llc-vs-s-corp-vs-c-corp Trustway Accounting City: Hoover Address: 1236 Blue Ridge Blvd Website: https://trustwayaccounting.com
When I first heard about the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” I knew we had to break it down for the MakingChips audience. This isn't just another tax update—it's a massive, 900-page piece of legislation with real implications for manufacturers like us. Whether you're thinking about buying equipment, expanding your facility, hiring more people, or selling your business down the road, the OBBB touches nearly every part of the decision-making process. That's why I called up my friends at CLA—Susan Roberts and Steve Combs—two tax pros who spend every day helping manufacturers figure out what's changing, what's staying the same, and what you need to do now. In this episode, we sort through what's “informational” and what's “actionable”—so you can stop guessing and start planning. We talk about everything from the return of 100% bonus depreciation, to how you can now expense R&D costs again (finally), to smart moves around entity selection and estate planning. There's even a little salt cap drama in there. If you want to get ahead before year-end—or avoid getting caught off guard—this episode's for you. Let's get into it and talk about how this “big, beautiful” bill can work for you… not against you. Segments (0:18) Grow your top and bottom-line with CLA (1:33) Learn more about Susan Roberts and Steve Combs (4:05) What's “informational” vs. “actionable” in the bill (7:42) Bonus depreciation is back—100% write-offs retroactive to Jan 19, 2025 (10:01) How cost segregation studies unlock more depreciation for recent building purchases (12:20) Why you shouldn't buy machines just for the deduction (13:45) QBI deduction (20%) made permanent (and what that means) (17:48) Entity selection: Is it time to consider a C Corp? (19:30) R&D can now be fully expensed—unlocking credits, cash flow, and retroactive deductions for everyday shop work (27:37) Why you should listen to Buy the Numbers (30:17) Interest expense deductions get easier for manufacturers in 2025 (32:00) Limitations on capitalizing interest into inventory coming in 2026 (33:21) Individual tax deductions: SALT cap increased from $10K to $40K (with phaseout) (38:02) Why PTET (pass-through entity tax) strategies still matter (40:39) Advanced manufacturing credit for semiconductors increased from 20% to 35% (42:09) Clarifying that buying tax credits is still an option for large C Corps (46:55) Estate exemption increased to $15M and indexed for inflation (48:02) Opportunity Zone deferral extended—now with rolling 10-year plan (50:10) Low-hanging fruit for 2025: R&D recapture, bonus depreciation, cost seg studies (53:40) The risk of unintended consequences without a tax advisor (55:01) Final verdict: Is the One Big Beautiful Bill actually beautiful for manufacturing? (1:01:16) Don't get burned by recruiters who don't understand manufacturing Resources mentioned on this episode CLA's Website Susan Roberts - Susan.Roberts@CLAConnect.com Steve Combs - Steve.Combs@CLAConnect.com Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Manufacturing Grants Made Simple Hire MFG Leaders Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube
Send us a textMixing active and passive income in one entity could be costing you thousands. In this episode, we break down why separating your income streams is essential. You'll learn how to structure your business the right way using S Corps, LLCs, holding companies, and even C Corps to unlock advanced tax strategies. From hiring your kids to slashing self-employment tax, this is the blueprint smart business owners use to keep more of what they earn.
In this value-packed episode, Matty A. is joined by Jonathan Feniak—attorney, educator, and founder of LLCAttorney.com—to walk through the essential strategies behind smart entity structuring. Jonathan breaks down everything from LLCs, S Corps, and C Corps, to revocable living trusts and asset protection.Whether you're flipping houses, investing in rentals, or running a growing business, the right structure can save you money, protect your wealth, and help you scale without legal headaches.What You'll Learn:How to avoid common mistakes when setting up an entityWhy LLCs are usually better than corporations for small investorsWhen to use S Corp or C Corp tax electionsThe truth about piercing the corporate veilHow to structure for fix-and-flips, rentals, and syndicationsWhy Wyoming is Jonathan's #1 pick for LLC formationEstate planning basics using revocable living trustsResources from Jonathan Feniak:Website: LLCAttorney.comLinkedIn: LLC Attorney on LinkedInTimestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Jonathan Feniak 01:30 – Why proper structuring is crucial 09:56 – Biggest entity mistakes 13:11 – LLC vs. Corporation: Breaking the myths 16:28 – Avoiding liability: Veil piercing & compliance 22:06 – Fix-and-flips, rentals, and holding companies 27:44 – Best states to form LLCs 35:25 – Real case studies of smart (and poor) structuringEpisode Sponsored By:Discover Financial Millionaire Mindcast Shop: Buy the Rich Life Planner and Get the Wealth-Building Bundle for FREE! Visit: https://shop.millionairemindcast.com/CRE MASTERMIND: Visit myfirst50k.com and submit your application to join!FREE CRE Crash Course: Text “FREE” to 844-447-1555FREE Financial X-Ray: Text "XRAY" to 844-447-1555
Key Takeaways: Strategic Compensation Planning: Paying salaries and offering bonuses to owner-employees can be an effective method for extracting funds from a C Corporation while avoiding the burden of double taxation. Tax-Efficient Benefits: Establishing benefits such as health insurance and 401(k) plans not only supports employees but also serves as a powerful tax-saving strategy for business owners. Real Estate Investment Cautions: While corporations can invest in real estate, direct ownership of residential property within a C Corp can lead to unfavorable tax treatment. Careful planning is essential to avoid pitfalls. Leveraging the QSBS Exemption: The Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) exemption allows for the exclusion or deferral of capital gains on the sale of qualified stock—an advantageous opportunity for startup founders and early investors. Importance of CPA-Led Exit Planning: Collaborating with a CPA is critical when preparing for a business exit. Proper tax planning can significantly enhance post-sale outcomes by optimizing entity structure, timing, and available deductions. Chapters: Timestamp Summary 0:00 Strategies for Extracting Business Value Without Excessive Taxes 2:39 Tax Strategies for Extracting Money from a Business 6:08 Tax Strategies for Selling Assets and Bonus Depreciation 7:34 Qualified Small Business Stock Exemption Benefits and Eligibility Powered by ReiffMartin CPA and Stone Hill Wealth Management Social Media Handles Follow Phillip Washington, Jr. on Instagram (@askphillip) Subscribe to Wealth Building Made Simple newsletter https://www.wealthbuildingmadesimple.us/ Ready to turn your investing dreams into reality? Our "Wealth Building Made Simple" premium newsletter is your secret weapon. We break down investing in a way that's easy to understand, even if you're just starting out. Learn the tricks the wealthy use, discover exciting opportunities, and start building the future YOU want. Sign up now, and let's make those dreams happen! WBMS Premium Subscription Phillip Washington, Jr. is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
Key Takeaways: Tax Structure Variations: C Corporations are taxed at the corporate level, unlike S Corps and LLCs, which pass profits and losses directly to their owners. Double Taxation Risk: C Corps face double taxation—once on corporate profits and again when those profits are distributed as dividends to shareholders. Compensation Strategy: Shareholders who are also employees can reduce double taxation by receiving salaries, which are deductible to the corporation. Separate Tax Filings: C Corps file Form 1120, and their profits/losses don't pass through to owners unless distributed. Loss Limitations: Corporate losses stay with the C Corp and cannot offset shareholders' personal income, unlike in pass-through entities. Chapters: Timestamp Summary 0:00 Exploring the Benefits of C Corporations for Entrepreneurs 2:05 Tax Differences Between C Corps, S Corps, and LLCs 4:54 Avoiding Double Taxation Through Strategic Income Distribution 6:08 Understanding C Corp Tax Implications and Shareholder Considerations 8:20 Exploring C Corp Benefits and Strategic Financial Planning Powered by ReiffMartin CPA and Stone Hill Wealth Management Social Media Handles Follow Phillip Washington, Jr. on Instagram (@askphillip) Subscribe to Wealth Building Made Simple newsletter https://www.wealthbuildingmadesimple.us/ Ready to turn your investing dreams into reality? Our "Wealth Building Made Simple" premium newsletter is your secret weapon. We break down investing in a way that's easy to understand, even if you're just starting out. Learn the tricks the wealthy use, discover exciting opportunities, and start building the future YOU want. Sign up now, and let's make those dreams happen! WBMS Premium Subscription Phillip Washington, Jr. is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
Picking the right entity can mean big tax savings. If you're a business owner, here's what you need to know to keep more money in your pocket. Subscribe for more tax and business tips! And remember...the #IRSSUCKSJohn Briggs | Tax Geniusinfo@incitetax.comVisit our website @ Incite Tax Schedule A CallFollow us on…FacebookLinkedInInstagramYouTube
Wondering how to save thousands in taxes while building legacy wealth? This deep-dive breaks down real tax strategies from cost segregation and paying your kids, to choosing between an S Corp or C Corp. Learn how one investor wiped out $500K in taxable income and why planning quarterly can make all the difference.Whether you're flipping homes, managing rentals, or scaling a service biz, this is the money game you can't afford not to play. Get access to our real estate community, coaching, courses, and events at Wealthy University https://www.wealthyuniversity.com/Join our FREE community, weekly calls, and bible studies for Christian entrepreneurs and business people. https://www.wealthykingdom.com/ If you want to level up, text me at 725-527-7783!--- About Ryan Pineda: Ryan Pineda has been in the real estate industry since 2010 and has invested in over $100,000,000 of real estate. He has completed over 700 flips and wholesales, and he owns over 650 rental units. As an entrepreneur, he has founded seven different businesses that have generated 7-8 figures of revenue. Ryan has amassed over 2 million followers on social media and has generat...
Felddog Summer: It is officially Felddog Summer! We got new Corey music on the horizon! Follow the Jim and Them socials like Instagram and Tiktok and comment #FelddogSummer to win some prizes. Corey On Ice: We start with Corey's Twitter that lays out what would be required for him to come on Jim and Them and we attempt to start watching Corey's old appearance on Dancing On Ice. Zeke: Zeke is upset over the show and decides to call in and call us bullies. COREY FELDMAN!, SHOW STOPPER!, LET'S JUST TALK!, DON CHEADLE!, BOOGIE NIGHTS!, JIM AND THEM IS POP CULTURE!, YOU KNOW THAT!, REAL ONES!, FELDDOG SUMMER!, NEW MUSIC!, HORIZON!, EXCITED!, STREET TEAM!, PACT!, WAIT!, UNALIVE YOURSELF!, 6/22!, 6/27!, CAST OF CHARACTERS!, NEPO BABY BODYGUARD!, COURTNEY FELDMAN!, ZEN!, ADRIEN!, HEATHER DAWN!, APPLAUSE-O-METER!, JAKE PERRY!, FREE ZEN SHIRT!, LET DOWN!, NEW MUSIC!, EXPECTATIONS!, HYPE!, DECEPTIVE DEBORAH!, FEELING FUNKY!, STREAM ISSUES!, VAMPING!, SHANE CULKING IN THE CHAT!, VAMPING!, GOBLINS!, COREY'S TWITTER!, 10K A MINUTE!, DOG POUND!, SNOOP DOGG!, GEN X ARE WE ADULTS YET!, CHANNEL!, GIVE COREY MONEY!, FRONT RAT TAIL!, 2012!, DANCING ON ICE!, UK!, CULTURAL IMPACT!, MAKE UP!, CAKED UP!, BUFFALO ASS!, MOONWALK!, FAIR!, ICE!, ZEKE!, BULLIES!, UNC!, OG!, ANGRY!, BUSINESS!, MILLION!, SMOKING A SQUARE!, GIMME YOUR LLC!, S-CORP!, C-CORP!, TRANSMISSION!, MS-13!, EL CHAPPO!, REAL MEN!, TRANSPHOBIC!, PROBLEMATIC!, KKK!, ARYAN BROTHERHOOD!, ALGORITHM!, CLOWNS!, ANDREW DICE CLAY!, ABUSE!, BRUCE LEE!, LIVE MUSIC!, JOHNNY LAWRENCE!, KARATE KID!, FUCK!, DUDE!, AMERICA!, FRIENDSHIP ARC! You can find the videos from this episode at our Discord RIGHT HERE!
In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with Adam Marsh and Gabrielle McGonagall from Giannuzzi Lewendon, one of the most trusted law firms for CPG founders. They break down everything early-stage founders need to know about setting up their companies, choosing the right entity (LLC vs. C-Corp), fundraising strategies, issuing equity to employees and advisors, and how to protect yourself from losing control of your business.Adam and Gabby also unpack key differences between SAFEs and convertible notes, the pros and cons of crowdfunding, the reality of secondary sales for founders, and why having the right legal advisors is crucial—especially as you scale. Whether you're raising your first check or dreaming of a major exit, this conversation will set you up with the legal fundamentals to do it smartly and safely.Ready to level up your founder knowledge? Listen now and get one step closer to building a company that lasts!Contact Giannuzzi Lewendon for a consultation at https://gllaw.us/Listen in as they share about:Choosing the Right Business EntityEquity Ownership and VestingFundraising MechanicsInvestor Rights and Founder ProtectionDilution and Secondary SalesLegal Expertise vs. AI ToolsEpisode Links:Website: https://gllaw.us/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-marsh-847a8571/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-mcgonagle-803b2b21/ Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics
Send us a textEvery dollar you save in taxes is another dollar you can reinvest in your franchise. But are you leaving money on the table? In this eye-opening conversation, CPA Michael Reeder reveals the tax strategies that have helped franchisees nationwide maximize their profits and build sustainable wealth.Michael brings 14+ years of specialized franchise accounting experience to the table, explaining how the right approach to entity structure, vehicle acquisitions, and compensation can dramatically reduce your tax burden. His "three bucket methodology" cuts through the confusion of LLCs, S-Corps, and C-Corps to help you make decisions based on your unique financial situation rather than one-size-fits-all advice.The discussion breaks down practical strategies that could save you thousands, including how to properly handle vehicle purchases (hint: "purchase and heavily finance" rather than lease), the potential restoration of 100% bonus depreciation, and how S-Corp owners can save approximately $17,000 in self-employment taxes on $200,000 of business income through strategic salary allocation.What makes this conversation particularly valuable is Michael's ability to translate complex tax concepts into actionable insights. He addresses common misconceptions about franchise fees (which must be amortized over 15 years) and explains how to capture tax benefits even when selling your business before the amortization period ends.Whether you're considering franchise ownership or already running your business, this episode provides the financial clarity needed to make informed decisions that align with both your short-term cash flow needs and long-term wealth building goals. Connect with Michael at readercpagroup.com to learn how specialized tax planning can transform your franchise's financial picture. The Franchise Insiders Podcast Schedule A Call Text: 305-710-0050 Take our FREE Business Builder Assessment
Key Takeaways: LLC vs. S Corp vs. C Corp = Different Tax Rules Think of your business like a costume—it can dress up as different types (like LLC, S Corp, or C Corp). Each costume changes how much tax you pay and how your money is handled. How You Pay Yourself Matters If you run your own business, you can pay yourself like a worker (salary) or take money out like an owner (distribution). Each way has different tax effects, so you want to choose smartly. Keep Up With the Rules Tax laws can change, kind of like rules in a game. You need to know the current rules to keep winning, but don't get so caught up in the future that you stop growing your business today. Plan Your Income and Deductions If you know how much money you're making and spending ahead of time, you can use that info to lower how much tax you owe. That's called “strategic planning,” and it saves you money. Think Big Picture With Your Finances Taxes are just one part of your business. To really succeed, you need to look at everything—how much you make, spend, save, and grow—like one big puzzle. Chapters: Timestamp Summary 0:00 Strategies for Entrepreneurs to Minimize Taxes Legally 1:39 Choosing Between LLC, S Corp, and C Corp for Business 4:27 Understanding Tax Implications of Paying Yourself in Different Business Structures 6:25 Strategic Tax Planning for Business Growth 8:32 Strategies for Managing Year-End Business Expenses and Taxes 9:26 Big Picture Strategies for Business Finances and Investment Advice Powered by ReiffMartin CPA and Stone Hill Wealth Management Social Media Handles Follow Phillip Washington, Jr. on Instagram (@askphillip) Subscribe to Wealth Building Made Simple newsletter https://www.wealthbuildingmadesimple.us/ Ready to turn your investing dreams into reality? Our "Wealth Building Made Simple" premium newsletter is your secret weapon. We break down investing in a way that's easy to understand, even if you're just starting out. Learn the tricks the wealthy use, discover exciting opportunities, and start building the future YOU want. Sign up now, and let's make those dreams happen! WBMS Premium Subscription Phillip Washington, Jr. is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
In this episode of Thrive LouD with Lou Diamond, Lou sits down with Scott Arden, CEO of Controllers Limited, to unpack the essentials of building generational wealth through savvy use of corporations, LLCs, and trusts. Scott shares his unique journey—starting his first business at age 19!—and what inspired him to become an expert in tax planning, asset protection, and estate planning.From busting myths about tax deductions and revealing insider strategies for reducing your tax bill, to discussing how to set your family up for long-term financial success, Scott breaks down topics that every entrepreneur, business owner, and even everyday listeners can benefit from. You'll learn about:Picking the right business structure (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp… or a combo?)Strategic ways to legally lower your taxesHow to hire your kids and give them a financial head startNavigating changing tax laws, even internationally or across statesThe surprising IRS codes that allow you to deduct things like golf clubs—or even your dog!Plus, stick around for the fun part at the end, as Scott shares his favorite movies, music, foods, and the new experiences he's loving lately.If you're interested in protecting your wealth, saving on taxes, and leaving a real legacy, this is one episode you don't want to miss!Check out Controllers Limited: www.controllersltd.comConnect with Scott: Instagram @ScottArdenCEO | Call (775) 384-8124 | Email: contact@controllersltd.comListen, learn, and thrive!
Dean Vance - Vance and Associates CPA On a the Brutal Truth About the CPA World: "It's the people who are not part of the orthodoxy who are outside the box that ask those, quote, unquote, 'silly questions', that actually dig in. 99% of this space has been following a fallacy about things." As an entrepreneur, the government rewards you, kind of, for building your business to create jobs and keep the economy moving. But these rewards are typically given as tax breaks that are not at the forefront of the minds of accountants. You know them the professionals that you trust to know the tax code to help minimize your tax burden. Dean Vance is a CPA that comes at this from a different angle. Dean has an eye and a mind for helping business owners navigate the tax code to make sure they are taking advantage of the opportunities the tax code offers them. Dean Vance of Vance and Associates CPA talks taxes, accounting, and small business finance. As a seasoned CPA with nearly thirty years of experience, Dean shares the ins and outs of tax strategy, the importance of tax planning, and why having someone regularly “look under the hood” of your business books can make all the difference. The conversation covers everything from the often-overlooked tax opportunities for small business owners—like paying your kids to work in your business—to the crucial role of systems, checklists, and company culture in building a successful business. Dean also gives listeners a peek behind the scenes of his own firm, discusses the value of industry specialization (“riches are in niches!”), and highlights the human side of accounting, including personality fit and team building. Along the way, James and Dean swap stories about navigating the real challenges and triumphs that come with entrepreneurship, making this episode a must-listen for business owners who want to stop leaving money on the table and start running a leaner, smarter operation. Whether you're dreading tax season or just want to better understand the numbers driving your business, you'll find plenty of practical wisdom—and maybe a little inspiration—in this week's conversation. Listen as Dean shares some tax tips, as well as offers you things to look for when searching for a professional to help you with you tax strategy. Enjoy! Visit Dean at: https://www.deanvancecpa.com/ Podcast Overview: 00:00 "From Bakery Job to Business Owner" 05:40 Atypical, Big-Picture CPA 12:48 Decoding Business Patterns Mystically 16:47 "Fridays: Cakes, Beer, and Nostalgia" 23:55 Law School Decision and Karma 30:43 "Tax Return Amendment Review Process" 33:21 Bookkeeping for LLCs and Corporations 38:16 "Bimonthly Financial Meetings Routine" 46:38 "Inside vs. Outside the Box" 50:56 Leveraged Medical Supply Deduction Strategy 56:37 The Rosetta Stone's Impact 01:02:57 Choosing a Trained Tax Strategist 01:04:03 Captive Insurance Company Basics 01:12:20 S Corp vs. C Corp for E-commerce 01:15:47 Client Assessment and Discovery Process 01:19:54 "Entertainer Computes Cost of Labor" 01:27:50 "Creedal Country: Merit Over Origin" 01:33:57 Basement Drywall Experience 01:35:56 "Opportunity and Ambition Dynamics" 01:44:42 "German Cultural Traits & Influence" Podcast Transcription: Dean Vance [00:00:00]: Third would be tax planning, I guess, generally. You want a professional who knows what they're doing to In go through your books and say, hey. Just like I mentioned with my with the the the prospect that that turns into a client was, you know, just have somebody who does this all the time. Right? Take a look at your books and take a look at your tax returns. Okay? Is there is there a fidelity between the closing of your books and your tax return? So you check all these different things, one. And then two, you can look at how they're situated legally, how how their entity is set up legally. Right? James [00:00:35]: You have found Authentic Business Adventures,
In this Read Listen Watch® (RLW), join host Karen Edwards and legal expert Ashlee B. Poplin, partner at Adams & Reese with extensive experience in civil litigation and construction law, as they discuss the essential legal aspects of starting and running a roofing business. From choosing the best legal structure (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp) for your company and understanding its impact on taxes and liability, to navigating the necessary licenses and permits required across different states, they cover it all. Learn how to minimize insurance costs while ensuring adequate coverage, the risks of operating without liability insurance and best practices for managing cash flow and enforcing payment from customers. Learn more at RoofersCoffeeShop.com! https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/ Are you a contractor looking for resources? Become an R-Club Member today! https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/rcs-club-sign-up Sign up for the Week in Roofing! https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/sign-up Follow Us! https://www.facebook.com/rooferscoffeeshop/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/rooferscoffeeshop-com https://x.com/RoofCoffeeShop https://www.instagram.com/rooferscoffeeshop/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAQTC5U3FL9M-_wcRiEEyvw https://www.pinterest.com/rcscom/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rooferscoffeeshop https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/rss #adamsandreese #RoofersCoffeeShop #MetalCoffeeShop #AskARoofer #CoatingsCoffeeShop #RoofingProfessionals #RoofingContractors #RoofingIndustry
Tax season is in full swing, and in this Tax Tuesday episode, Anderson Advisors attorneys Amanda Wynalda, Esq., and Eliot Thomas, Esq., tackle numerous listener tax questions with practical advice. They discuss the Section 121 exclusion for primary residences, explaining how married couples filing separately can each qualify for the $250,000 capital gains exclusion. They outline strategies for converting personal residences to rental properties using S-corporations and installment sales to maximize tax benefits. Amanda and Eliot clarify 401(k) withdrawal rules, explaining when penalties apply and options like the Rule of 55 and hardship withdrawals. You'll hear recommendations on optimal entity structures for real estate syndications, explanations of the short-term rental "loophole" for active income classification, and when to use trading partnerships versus simple LLCs for investment accounts. The episode concludes with a breakdown of key Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions set to expire in 2025, including individual tax brackets, standard deduction changes, child tax credits, and bonus depreciation, highlighting potential impacts for taxpayers. Submit your tax question to taxtuesday@andersonadvisors.com Highlights/Topics: "I understand that you can sell your primary residence and receive an exclusion from capital gains taxes on the first $250,000 if you're single and $500,000 if you're married filing jointly. However, I can't find any rules regarding if you're married filing separately. Could you please confirm if married filing separate also qualifies for the exclusion? Also, could you talk about how making improvements adds to the basis?" - Yes, both spouses filing separately can each get the $250,000 exclusion. Only one spouse needs to be on the title, but both must use it as a primary residence for 2 of the last 5 years. Improvements (new floors, additions, HVAC systems) add to your basis, which reduces taxable gain when you sell. "Can I use both cost segregation and bonus depreciation from an S-corp you sell your personal residence to for the Section 121 exemption? Also, what is the accounting treatment if you sold your personal residence to an S-corp using an installment sale?" - Yes to cost seg, no to bonus depreciation (not allowed for related-party transactions). For accounting, record the property as an asset on the S-corp with a liability for the note owed to you personally. You'll recognize all gain in year of sale (which is actually beneficial to utilize the Section 121 exclusion), and interest payments will be recorded as interest income. "Do I have to officially quit my job and be retired to take disbursements from my 401k? At what age can I take disbursements from my 401k? Are there any negative tax implications from taking early disbursements?" - You don't need to quit your job to take distributions if you're 59½ or older, though your specific plan may have different rules. Early withdrawals before 59½ incur a 10% penalty plus ordinary income tax, unless you qualify for exceptions like the Rule of 55 (if you leave your job at 55+) or hardship withdrawals for specific situations. "What is the best entity for tax purposes to invest in real estate syndications?" - A Wyoming LLC (disregarded) or partnership is typically best. This gives liability protection while letting income/losses flow directly to your personal return (important for using passive losses). Avoid S-Corps (reasonable wage requirements) and C-Corps (trap gains/losses on corporate return). "Regarding bonus depreciation and the short-term rental loophole, are either the 500 hours or 100 hours and, more than anyone else, material participation tests prorated for the year? For example, if a property is purchased and put into service in November, those hours would be difficult to achieve." - No, these hours are not prorated. You must meet the full hour requirements between purchase and December 31st. Consider using the "substantially all participation" test if you personally perform nearly all work needed, even if under 100 hours. "If I purchased an investment apartment and repaired windows, floors and incurred other miscellaneous expenses to make it ready for renters, can I write the expense off on my Schedule E? I didn't receive any income for that apartment as of yet." - You can only deduct expenses after the property is "placed in service" (available for rent). If not in service yet, these costs must be added to the property's basis and depreciated. The $2,500 de minimis rule lets you expense (not capitalize) individual purchases under $2,500, but only after the property is in service. "I'm starting to do wholesale investments. I'm still a W-2 employee, yet I will resign soon. Is it recommended that I start my LLC now, and why?" - Yes, start your LLC now for liability protection when entering contracts. Begin with a disregarded LLC in the state where you're wholesaling. Once established and generating consistent income, consider making an S-Corporation election to save on self-employment taxes. "I have a trading account, but I do not actively trade in it. Should I set up a trading partnership for it?" - If you're not actively trading, a simple Wyoming LLC for asset protection is sufficient. For active traders with significant expenses, consider the limited partnership structure with a C-Corporation general partner to shift some income and deduct expenses that aren't allowed on personal returns. Resources: Schedule Your Free Consultation https://andersonadvisors.com/strategy-session/?utm_source=the-best-entity-for-real-estate-syndications-and-maximum-tax-benefits&utm_medium=podcast Tax and Asset Protection Events https://andersonadvisors.com/real-estate-asset-protection-workshop-training/?utm_source=the-best-entity-for-real-estate-syndications-and-maximum-tax-benefits&utm_medium=podcast Anderson Advisors https://andersonadvisors.com/ Toby Mathis YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TobyMathis Toby Mathis TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@tobymathisesq Clint Coons YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ClintCoons
Keith introduces the three types of freedom: time freedom, money freedom, and location freedom, and how real estate investing can provide all three. He is joined by special guest, Loral Langemeier, a global wealth expert, who shares her journey from a $25,000 investment to becoming a millionaire through real estate and mentorship. Debt is Not Negative: Loral emphasized that debt is simply the cost of money and can be a positive tool when used responsibly. Tax Strategies for Wealth Building: She introduced the "tax trifecta" - understanding how you make money, how to activate tax code deductions, and how to invest in alternatives like real estate to reduce taxes. Active Engagement and Mentorship: Loral stressed the importance of actively engaging in your wealth-building journey, getting the right mentors, and continuously learning. She believes the difference between those who succeed and those who struggle is their level of active participation and willingness to learn from experts. Resources: Ask questions and make requests at AskLoral.com to receive free tickets, ebooks, and other resources. Show Notes: GetRichEducation.com/549 For access to properties or free help with a GRE Investment Coach, start here: GREmarketplace.com GRE Free Investment Coaching:GREmarketplace.com/Coach Get mortgage loans for investment property: RidgeLendingGroup.com or call 855-74-RIDGE or e-mail: info@RidgeLendingGroup.com Invest with Freedom Family Investments. You get paid first: Text FAMILY to 66866 Will you please leave a review for the show? I'd be grateful. Search “how to leave an Apple Podcasts review” For advertising inquiries, visit: GetRichEducation.com/ad Best Financial Education: GetRichEducation.com Get our wealth-building newsletter free— text ‘GRE' to 66866 Our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/GetRichEducation Follow us on Instagram: @getricheducation Complete episode transcript: Automatically Transcribed With Otter.ai Keith Weinhold 0:01 Welcome to GRE. I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, it's the first time that we have a certain legacy finance personality on the show. We're talking about how you can cultivate your own personal wealth mindset, how to creatively add value to your real estate and how to put your kids to work for big tax deductions and more. Today on get rich education. Since 2014 the powerful get rich education podcast has created more passive income for people than nearly any other show in the world. This show teaches you how to earn strong returns from passive real estate investing in the best markets without losing your time being a flipper or landlord. Show Host Keith Weinhold writes for both Forbes and Rich Dad advisors, who delivers a new show every week since 2014 there's been millions of listener downloads of 188 world nations. He has a list show, guess who? Top Selling personal finance author Robert Kiyosaki, get rich education can be heard on every podcast platform, plus it has its own dedicated Apple and Android listener phone apps build wealth on the go with the get rich education podcast. Sign up now for the get rich education podcast or visit get rich education.com Corey Coates 1:12 You're listening to the show that has created more financial freedom than nearly any show in the world. This is get rich education. Keith Weinhold 1:28 Welcome to GRE from the second state of Pennsylvania to the second to last State of Alaska and across 188 nations worldwide. I'm Keith weinholding. You are back for another wealth building week. This is get rich education, and coincidentally, they are the two states where I've lived my life. Every single one of us has a gap in our lives. There is a gap between who you are and who you could be. And today, my guest and I will talk about this some more. Look, there are people who should already be financially free, but they're not. Their residual income could exceed their expenses by now, yet they aren't financially free. It's not because they're lazy, it's not because they're stupid, it's because they're stuck in one of these three traps. Number one, they're working harder instead of smarter. Number two, they're playing small instead of playing to win, which is like paying off low interest rate debt instead of keeping their own money, like I discussed last week, or thirdly, investing in all the wrong things, or not investing at all. And the worst part is that these people don't even realize that they're doing it. Most people aren't even cognizant. They don't have any awareness of the gap. You're not going to make progress on closing a gap that you don't know exists, you've got no chance of hitting a bull's eye when you're aiming at the wrong target. And I think it helps to develop a structure in your life where you have to tell yourself, I better do a good job here, or else. Yeah, it's the or else part that's a motivator. Now, some people won't extrapolate that mantra beyond the workplace. The number one thing that keeps employees showing up at work is fear. They tell themselves, I better show up at work on time, or else, I better do a good job on this project, or else I better give a great sales presentation. Or else. Now that's all well and fine, but to close the gap between who you are and who you could be, tell yourself something on a higher level, like I had better get some residual income outside of work, or else I'm going to stay stuck in a soulless job forever, and I'll never get that time back. So you've got to set up the right for else consequence for yourself. And then, yeah, of course, there are smaller ones like, I better avoid eating kettle chips, or else I'll gain weight. Let's be mindful that there are three types of freedom. You've got three types time freedom, money freedom and location freedom. Real Estate Investing gives you all three. You can make an unlimited income. There's the money freedom part. You can remotely manage your property managers from anywhere. There's your location. Freedom. And since you're not directly responding to your tenant, your property manager is, well, there's your time, freedom, you've got a buffer from emergencies, once you get this dialed in, and it does take a few years, oh, now you've got the time freedom, the money freedom and the location freedom. What do you want to avoid only making a big income? It was recently reported that Wall Street bonuses were way up this past year. Okay, yeah, but how happy are those finance worker Manhattanites who wear an iron pressed button down shirt and a Patagonia vest for 14 hours a day. That's not time freedom for sure, and it isn't location freedom either, unless it's 100% work from anywhere. You know, in my life, I recently got a great reminder of this. It really hit me. I have this close friend. He was the valedictorian of our high school class. I think I brought him up before. He's still a tight friend. I mean, sometimes we go on vacations together. Well, we have a high school class reunion back in Pennsylvania this summer, and among him and our other like, closest group of friends, my tightest guys, I'm always encouraging everyone to, hey, spend at least a week together, because we can't all get together like this that often, and because I have the time freedom to kind of suggest that and even push for that. Well, my valedictorian friend, he is a surgeon in St Louis, and among this tightest knit group of friends, he's the only one that cannot get the week off so that we can all hang out together more after the reunion. Instead, he can only get three or four days. He's got to get back to work as a surgeon in St Louis. Now, I'm sure he's compensated really well, and he doesn't live a bad life, but as a surgeon, you know, it's just become blatantly obvious that he doesn't have either the time freedom or the location freedom. Yet I do as a remote real estate investor, even though it's not something that I studied in college, but my valedictorian surgeon friend, you know, he had a long educational path, you know, undergrad and med school and residency and a ton of training and all these years tied up in his medical education. Therefore, you know, sometimes when people do that, they feel obligated, like that's what they should do, that's what they have to do, because he's already put so much into it. But he only has one of the three types of freedom. And no matter what you went to school for, if you find out about something better, like a great business idea or remote real estate investing, you've got to consider pivoting into that and go into that if it makes sense for you, the world changes. It keeps getting faster, and you've got to change with it. So obtaining financial freedom through real estate helps you deal with an external locus of control issue where life is constantly happening to you, rather than something you can influence. When you're an employee, life happens to you more often than when you're the one pushing the buttons, when you control the three freedoms now, you are narrowing that gap between who you are and who you could be. I didn't mention it previously. Two weeks ago, I brought you the show from Las Vegas, Nevada, last week, from just outside Colorado Springs. And today I'm here in Anchorage, Alaska, where I'll be for a few weeks before heading to London, England, and then from there, on to Scotland. I plan to visit the former home of the father of economics when I'm in Edinburgh, Scotland, of course, that is Adam Smith, the author of The Wealth of Nations. I might tell you more about that at that time. Before we bring in our guest this week, a quarter recently ended. Here is our asset class rundown. The NAR reported that the median sale price of an existing home rose 3.8% year over year in February, marking the 20th straight month that sale prices increased year over year. Mortgage rates fell from 6.9% to 6.6 per Freddie Mac this is all year to date. Q1, the S, p5, 100 was down four and a half percent. The NASDAQ down 10 and a half percent. That's officially correction territory, as those tariff years dominated. The quarter interest rates of all kinds are a little lower yield on the 10 year, Tino falling from 4.6 to 4.2 despite inflation concerns, inflation hovering just under 3% for most of the quarter, Bitcoin down 12% oil is still super cheap, beginning the quarter where it ended near 70 bucks. Gold has been the star performer this year. Are up 17% just in the quarter, and for the first time in history, has searched the over $3,000 an ounce, its best quarter since 1986 in fact, this century, gold has now outperformed the S, p5 100 by two and a half times. Just incredible. There's our asset class rundown. Let's speak with this week's guest. This week's guest has been a long time, prominent, well known name, perhaps even a household name. She is a global wealth expert, six time New York Times, best selling author, and today, she runs integrated wealth systems and other alternative asset platforms since 1996 she's been involved in multiple areas of finance, mentoring, real estate investment, business development and gas and oil. And much like me, she teaches people her strategies on how to make money, invest money and keep money, but together, you and I can look forward to getting her spin today, and you've seen her seemingly everywhere over time, in the USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, the view Dr Phil in every major legacy network channel, many times she is on a mission to change The conversation about money. She was known as the millionaire maker from back when a million was actually a lot of money. Welcome to GRE Loral Langemeier. Loral Langemeier 11:31 hey, thank you. It's great to be here. Look forward to talking with your audience, Keith Weinhold 11:35 Laurel, though we're a real estate investing show and audience here, I think that you and I would agree that wealth building starts in the mind that most valuable six inches of real estate between our ears. What's your take on cultivating a wealthy mindset? Loral Langemeier 11:50 You got to hang out with millionaires. I said the fastest way to become a millionaire is hang out with them. Is for me. I knew that's what happened. 1996 Bob Proctor introduced me to Robert Kiyosaki, Sharon Lechter, I flew down, sat at her kitchen table. I walked out that day. I flew in as an exercise physiologist for Chevron, building fitness centers in their blue collar like offshore oil rigs, refineries like the sexiest places in the world, Kazakhstan and goal Africa. I went in as an exercise physiologist. I went out the next day as a master distributor with a cash flow game. And I jumped, I quit my job and said, I'm going to go follow this Japanese kind of game around. And I was teased and teased and teased. Keith because, I mean, Rich Dad, Poor Dad didn't really hit until 1998 so sort of this risky proposition. But like with anything you say yes, you figure it out. And I knew people asked me over the time. They said, What would have happened if Rich Dad, Poor Dad didn't hit, if it didn't become as big? I said, we just opened up another door that's such a message for people, their need to see the path of how to do everything before they move is honestly one of their biggest saboteurs. So for mindset, I think mindset also goes with knowledge, because I just know, having taught this, you know, just this whole millionaire hold like a millionaire maker book. And for all your listeners, I can give them a ebook copy of the millionaire maker. So love to give that out to everybody for free. However. You want to do that in the show notes, but becoming a millionaire is the same thing as take like you said, you got to learn to make money. As an entrepreneur, even if you have a job, you've got to learn to make money. You've got to learn to keep it through better tax planning, and you have to invest in alternatives, which is why real estate was my first millionaire status. And I've been a millionaire now in nine industries. So that's kind of exciting new hit nine industries this last year. So done in a lot of different categories. Real Estate was my first in 1999 and during that period, if it wasn't hanging out with Robert Sharon, Keith Cunningham, like Bob Proctor. I mean the guys. I mean when you're living around millionaires, the fastest way to not only get your mindset, but then your behavior and your knowledge levels just skyrockets because you're around I mean people who live it, and they're living it every day. I think those who sit on the bleacher seats, I call it Keith, where they're just watching, reading, but never getting in the game. They're the ones who like they're sitting in the oyster seats, right? They're just watching. They're not actually get on the playing field. Keith Weinhold 14:09 Sure, it harkens back to the classic Jim Rohn quote, you are the average of the five people that you spend the most time with. Laurel when it comes to mindset, one thing I think about is that every single day, 8.2 billion humans wake up, and every single one of us has this gap between who we are and who we could be, yet most of us make zero progress on this ever present gap. So when it comes to wealth mindset and finances, what can we do? Loral Langemeier 14:38 You gotta get a mentor and a coach. And I got a mentor and a coach when I was 17, what shifted me and really changed the whole trajectory of my life. I grew up at farm in farm girl in Nebraska, and at 17, I was going off to university, also going to play basketball. And so I went to one of those pre sports seminars, and Dennis Whateley was a speaker. And. And I ran to the front of the stage, and I got the book, Think and Grow Rich, and that I can tell you, a farm girl 17, going like, there's a whole other way to live. So instead of going to school to get a law degree, which is what I went into, which I still think I'd be a heck of a little debater and negotiator, but I do that enough in business now, I got a finance degree, and I just studied. And my first mentor at 17, I walked into a bank, and I remember asking the bank president, will you mentor me? Because rich people put their money here. I need to understand money, because I don't understand it. And I was never really raised in that conversation, which I would say, 99% of the planets that way. And I have taught and traveled this work since, you know, 1999 when I became a millionaire, Keith, I've put this work into six continents, all but Antarctica. So I know it works in principle. Everything we will talk about today works in every continent. The benefit is the United States has the most corporate structure, the best tax structure, the best tax strategist, stack strategies. So even my high net worth international clients end up, typically in Nevada, with a C Corp or some sort of asset company or trust, where then they can buy us real estate, US gas and oil and activate our tax code for them. So we do a lot of really high, high level international strategies. Just because I bent all over to do that, when very blessed to do that, it's interesting, because I think mentoring, you're not going to be taught this. And what drives me crazy when people say, and I'm sure you've heard this a million times on your podcast too, Keith, schools should teach this. No, they shouldn't. Parents, you need to teach it. You need to be more active in your household than your family. And instead of letting Tiktok raise your kids, you need to raise your kids. So I do a lot of work in this category, because my kids are now 18 and 25 raised them a single mom, but legacy work is critical, and that's why I have a game. I have a millionaire maker game. So from the cash flow game, I have a game, and I think the parents have got to put the conversation about money in the household, and they got to monitor like, what they say, you know, don't ever, ever say to a child. Don't ask for it, or, you know, or we can't afford it, because you can afford anything you want if you learn to make money. And I think Keith is part of this. I know we're in a real estate show, but you know, how many people want to be real estate millionaires and never make it? How many people want to do like you said, whatever, the life they're really meant to live? But again, I think they're in I don't think I know their environment, who they hang out with, who they spend time with, what they read there. Are they binging your podcasts and my YouTube channel, or are they binging Netflix and Hulu and watching John like how you feed your mind and what content, how many books you read? I don't care if they're ebooks audiobooks, but you've got to put new content in your brain all the time and be around the people making it happen. Keith Weinhold 17:41 Oh, that's great. Sure. To change yourself. You got to change your five, change your mentors, change your influencers, and, yeah, be that parent that teaches your children about money, and you don't have to teach that money is a scarce resource. I really just think that's one part of a mindset. That's where most people's mind goes when they think about money. They think about it as a scarce resource for one thing, and it's pretty counterintuitive with the mindset. I mean, if you want to be in the top of 1% you're probably going to be misunderstood and even iconoclastic. Loral Langemeier 18:13 Yep, I would agree. And you know, another thing with mindset that I think is interesting is, and again, I'm gonna go back to knowledge, about consuming the right knowledge. And on my YouTube channel, which is, you know, Laura Langmuir, The Millionaire maker, it's family friendly. It's for five years old and up. We actually have a YouTube journal, Keith, that we did, where it says, What day did you watch the video? What did you learn? What will you do? And in 365, days, because I'm there every day, here is your this. And that's what I tell parents. I said, get yourself and get your kids a journal and at least one lesson from every recorded, you know, video. So I would say, give me five to 10 minutes a day just for a new piece of content. And the biggest one that is searched on my channel. I want to relate this to real estate is people's mindset and understanding with debt. They have such a negative, negative relationship to debt. And I want to start with this. Debt is the cost of money period. It is not negative. I think it's the most positive thing you could do. And as a real estate investor, arbitraging debt, meaning, if you can get debt for two, 3% or 0% I have over 500 sources, I can get 0% financing for 21,24 months, that's free money that's not hard money, that's not 13% 14,15, that's free. And I would go into a million dollars of 0% debt I have, and I will at the end if I can invest it and make 10,12, 20, 30% so people need to learn, debt is your friend. If you use it in a responsible, organized and educated way, it is absolutely your enemy if you're using it to buy lifestyle crap. So like, debt is such a weird thing. Keith and I don't care how long I've had clients, if they grew up with a lot of debt and a negative impact around money, they can be a millionaire and still have this weird relationship to death. Oh my god, debt, and it's literally. They tremor. It's like it's just money, and there's plenty of it. It's just the cost of it. Or is it being paid to you, or are you paying it out and arbitraging that that range could build. I mean, that alone, if you just learned that strategy and applied it on top of your real estate strategy, would triple, if not 10x your portfolio, Keith Weinhold 20:19 like we say around here at GRE financially free beats debt free. You understand the difference? So does our audience. A lot of people don't. In fact, trying to retire your debt and slow your progress toward being financially free. I love it. Yep, you know what's funny, Laurel, just like you're coming on this show today, sometimes I'm a guest on other shows, and the way I've started to have the host introduce me to say, Hey, if you want your show to get some attention, say that our guest today, me has millions of dollars in debt, and he has from a young age that attracts attention. They think it's a negative thing. They don't know that my debt is outsourced to tenants. They don't realize a net worth statement. That's only the debt side of the column. We haven't talked about the asset side of the column, so it's really just an example of being paradoxical and iconoclastic. There we move beyond the mindset Laurel. I know you have some really actionable things on how you can help people build wealth quickly. Tell us about that. Loral Langemeier 21:16 So again, using debt is a massive piece of it. I'll just talk about some of the stories, like when I got into real estate in 1999 real estate in 1999 I lived in Marin, California, Sausalito, specifically right on the water. I shouldn't be on one side, right the San Francisco Bay. And got pregnant at 19 January, 8 was like, Oh, little sticks like, Oh, I'm gonna be my mom. And I knew I'd be a single mom. So I entered parenting as single mom, and I struck that, you know, another check for $25,000 seems to be the number for a real estate mentor that I've been kind of putting off. And I said, Oh, it's time. I said, so right now let's go. I have nine months. And he said, Why do we have nine months? I said, I'm really close to being millionaire, but I gotta hit millionaire status. And I need this much cash flow by my 34th birthday, which was June that year. I said, because in September, I'll be having a baby. And he went, what dropped the phone, and so he said, All right, so I wired him the money, and he said, meet me in Oklahoma City the next day. Yeah, well, there's a ticking clock. Yeah, there was my timeline nine months. But we went straight to the streets. And I think for the for me, I was privileged to be with a whole team, and I don't think I am a massive advocate. If you don't know what you're doing and you haven't done it, why take 100% risk in any industry that you've never played so I only got 15 20% of that run. But here's what I came with. In 1999 I knew how to build a database because Bob Proctor taught me that. So during the cash flow era, I bought my own inventory, took out debt, bought $500,000 of games, put them in my own warehouse so I could collect my own database. So from 96 to 99 I had acquired 18,000 people who had bought Rich Dad, Poor Dad books, cash flow, cash flow, 101202, all his the products, and I had my own financing. So I was doing my own product. I had my own stuff. And all this is a big backstory, because a lot of you in real estate don't have a database. And here's the value I brought to that team that earned me another almost 10, 15% of equity is I brought 18,000 people, and when they saw that, they're like, you could help us raise the money, I said, I don't know to raise money. And they said, we do so again, I bought my way into a team for 25,000 in a mentoring program. There's about 10 of us that met in Oklahoma City, went down to Norman, and within less than a month, we raised $16 million out of that database. They did. I didn't know how to do it again. I sat on the sideline, but highly mentored and guided. So I was on a winning team from the beginning. We bought so much real estate, and then we went into the remodel. And so right then it's like, well, let's own the construction company, so that way we could get better buys. We can buy for the whole street. We can buy for the whole apartment. So we bought we started construction companies. We started being the distributor of the windows and doors in Oklahoma. We did that in Kansas. Now we do flooring as part of the distribution. We've done stoves. I mean, you name it, if you're going to buy it, buy it from yourself, or some way that you get paid extra. And then, like I told you before we went on the show, I would have the property management company. So we would start that, which was then came along with the cleaning companies. Gotta have the cleaning companies, the cleaning crews, the hauling crews. You're gonna pay one 900 got junk, buy your own truck, lease your own truck, haul your own stuff, and then rent it out lease it to others. So when we say cash flow fast in real estate, I went all in. So I own 51% of every property management company, and I put a ad in the paper for an electrician or a plumber, because they were mine most of two expensive things. And so they became partners. And I just made a lot of stuff, quite frankly, but I made it up with a lot of mentoring and guidance, of which those guys are still great, great friends of mine. We still own a little bit of property together. We went to Mexico and did a whole run through Mexico. The team was the most vital part. And what I say to folks in real estate, if you want to go big is you better get a database. I just find key that so many people in real estate don't understand. The Association of having a database, and the way I describe it is, today I might not want to buy, but if you don't have my name, phone number and email, and you don't continue to market to me the day, I am ready to buy or sell, you're no longer on my radar because you're not keeping in touch with me. Your job is an agent, a broker, an investor, I mean, is to build this database of people who then will go along with you on a journey. And I can tell you, it was a very blessed to have done it that way, but that 18,000 is what helped me become a millionaire. Because I had the people. I didn't know what to do with them. I didn't know how to raise my I didn't know anything about a PPM. I knew nothing, but I learned it all, and I was under a very, very successful. You know, decades and decades of success team. So, you know, they were 20,30, years my senior, but boy, I learned. I really leaned into it. And I think people do buy into programs and mentoring communities, but they don't do the work. And I see it all the time, I don't know how many people, and I'm holding up my millionaire maker book, and then this latest one, which is how I made my kids millionaires on paper at 10, again, by using trust real estate. Put them in my real estate company, shareholders, Keith Weinhold 26:05 make your kids millionaires. Is the title of the book you just held on that second one. Loral Langemeier 26:10 That one's a 2022, that was my latest best seller, and how I did it with my kids. And again, this back to The Parenting. So I can go a lot of ways, Keith, but I think the do it fast is go wider. I think so many people just go into buying just the asset, and they don't like I'm in the cannabis space right now in Nevada, legal. I'm an illegal cannabis I have licenses and very similar, if you're going to go in and you say seed to sale, you own everything like so I mean, the guy who's running my farm, he owns the label makers. He owns the, I mean, if you name it, he owns the nutrient company, because you need nutrients for the plant you're going to own. You're going to own. So the more you own of what you do and you have to pay, the more you keep your cash flow. And again, I see that mistake with real estate people subbing all the work to so many people. It's like there's so much cash that just went out that could be at least a percent of that could have stayed home with you. Sure Keith Weinhold 26:59 100% there's an awful lot there. You're a big believer in vertical integration, in bringing in all these levels and stages of construction and management and so on, and bringing them in house. And yeah, it's interesting. You talk about the importance of the team. Here, we talk about how your team, whether that's your property manager, your mortgage loan officer, your 1031 exchange agent, how your team is actually even more important than the property itself. And yeah, when it comes to having a database these names Laurel, it's amazing, in a way, reassuring, in a high tech world with AI, that it still comes down to that primordial human connection of people and who you know you're the listener. As you've listened to Laurel, you could probably tell that she was a star student, which is why she's now a star teacher and mentor so much more when we come back with Laurel Langemeier, this is Get Rich Education. I'm your host. Keith Weinhold. you know what's crazy? Your bank is getting rich off of you. The average savings account pays less than 1% it's like laughable. Meanwhile, if your money isn't making at least 4% you're losing to inflation. That's why I started putting my own money into the FFI liquidity fund. It's super simple. Your cash can pull in up to 8% returns and it compounds. It's not some high risk gamble like digital or AI stock trading. It's pretty low risk because they've got a 10 plus year track record of paying investors on time in full every time. I mean, I wouldn't be talking about it if I wasn't invested myself. You can invest as little as 25k and you keep earning until you decide you want your money back, no weird lockups or anything like that. So if you're like me and tired of your liquid funds just sitting there doing nothing, check it out. Text family to 66866, to learn about freedom. Family investments, liquidity fund again. Text family to 66866. hey, you can get your mortgage loans at the same place where I get mine at Ridge lending group NMLS, 42056, they provided our listeners with more loans than any provider in the entire nation because they specialize in income properties. They help you build a long term plan for growing your real estate empire with leverage. You can start your pre qualification and chat with President Caeli Ridge personally. Start Now while it's on your mind at Ridgelendinggroup.com that's Ridgelendinggroup.com. Hal Elrod 29:43 This is Hal Elrod author of The Miracle Morning and listen to get it rich education with Keith Weinhold, and don't quit your Daydream. Keith Weinhold 30:01 Welcome back to get rich education. We have a well known name in the finance space. For decades, Laurel Langemeier with us. She has done an awful lot of real estate investing in her career, and as you can tell, she's got her own recipe, her own formula. She does things differently, she integrates. She brings things in house. Has multiple companies, and Laurel knows that you can be a profiteer when you serve the customer or the tenant, really, to the maximum amount. A lot of people have a gap there, and there's an opportunity cost. And Laurel, I know that one way you serve people is with Airbnbs in the Ozark region of Arkansas. Tell us about what you're doing there. That's really interesting. Loral Langemeier 30:41 So we bought pretty big houses, and a few of them we actually the one we were remodeling it, and that's when we really got to know the Ozarks. And there's a lot of tentacles. And so to get, like, from the properties we were buying to where you would rent a boat or a jet ski or get your watercraft, it was all the way around the lake. I mean, that's two lane roads, and it just took forever. And I thought, well, let's so we have another LLC that we bought some boats and jet skis. And again, when you get to know what do people really go to the Ozarks part that we call it the Redneck Riviera. They go to party. They go to party more than they need some bougie house to stay in. That's not what they really come they want to stay on the docks. So instead of putting a lot of money, we said, how can we force Do we have one property has 22 beds, so 22 people can sleep, but they just barely sleep there because they party. So we put more money in rehabs, into the dock, expanding the dock, big sound systems, a big bar, refrigerators, just made it super fun. And then when the tenants come, they don't just rent for the night. We also give them. We'll get your groceries and booze. We'll stock your bar down on the dock if you want. We'll pull up our boats and jet skis. So we had our own small fleet. Again, we just stacked on more service. So when the tenants arrived, a we got, you know, anywhere between depending on the boats and the jet skis and the tubes and all the ropes and everything they wanted, water skis. I mean, whatever they wanted to rent. Basically, we became like a rental company, and everybody freaked out, and they said, Oh my gosh, you're going to get killed in insurance. You're not. I mean, yeah, it's a lot more planning, and it's more work to get all that prepared. But that was anywhere between 500 to 1000 more a night in just the Airbnb. So again, why? If you're going to do one thing, do more for them, the more you serve a client, I don't care what area it is, yeah, the more you serve people, the more money you will make, because they're going to buy it, they're going to have to go get their booze on their own. They're going to have to go get groceries like that's a whole day of getting all that gear to their property versus, let us just save you a day on your holiday and let us do it all for you. There's so many creative ways that you could just serve people, and if you don't know what to do, ask them, What a novel concept. I do surveys all the time, like always doing polling and surveys. Hey, I'm a money expert. What do you want me to talk about? That's what right now, if you really look at a lot of my YouTube and a lot of my social media, people want reduced taxes. So like, I'm doing a heavy, heavy lift, because it was a survey that told me to do it, not just because Laurel decided to do it. And I think so many of you don't realize your audience will tell you what they want and how they want to be served. If you're listening, that's how you make money. And so many people as you know too Keith, that come as the entrepreneur saying, This is what I'm going to teach you. Well, nobody asked, nobody asked for that content. You wonder why it's not working. Is because you're pushing your agenda versus pulling and giving and serving their agenda? Keith Weinhold 33:23 Well, that is a great point. How do you know what people want? Two words ask them, which is exactly what you're doing there and the way that you're adding value and amenities onto a property there, like with what you're doing with Airbnbs in the Ozarks. It actually brings up a thought for another Jim Rohn quote. Jim Rohn said money is usually attracted, not pursued. Tenants are attracted to your rental units, new luxurious floors, and you'll soon profit when they compete over it. Loral Langemeier 33:52 Yeah, it's a lot of this stuff. It's not difficult. It's just different. And I use that saying all the time because people are like, Oh my gosh, it's so scary. He said, It's not scary. The only reason why people put fear and risk and that kind of negative energy and words, you know, language around, I think real estate or money or any of that, is the lack of knowledge. Because if they don't know, anything that you don't know is scary, like you and I talked before the show about aliaska. I mean, if you don't know how to ski and you try to go to aliaska, good luck. You would be scared out of your mind. But once you learn, it's exhilarating. And I find out with everything. So anything you approach and just notice the hesitation, is it because you need to learn it then lean in and find the best in class to teach you and like, shortcut your learning curve. You don't have to study for years and years and years and years. Becoming an entrepreneur is a decision right now, today, in two minutes, make a decision, and then get to work on what your offers are. You say, Well, what am I going to offer? People ask them, and they'll tell you what they're going to buy from you, because they're buying stuff all day long in this economy, they are buying and going to continue to buy. Keith Weinhold 34:56 If you yourself have a question for Laurel, you can always ask. Ask it at Ask loral.com L, O, R, A, L and Laurel, what are some of the more outstanding questions that you get over there, and how do you help them with some of the most important ones? Loral Langemeier 35:12 I'd say the number the biggest flood of content and questions right now is, how do we reduce taxes? I made up this term called the tax trifecta, because what affects your tax return is how you make your money. If you're just an employee, meaning a w2 like in America, that's what it's called. And Kiyosaki said it best in Rich Dad Poor about there's two tax systems. You're an employee, you're going to get tax pieces. You live on what's left. You're an entrepreneur, and you make money inside of a company. You activate 81,000 pages of tax code, and then you pay tax. So you decide how, where you want to pay tax. I call this living corporate life. So when how you make your money inside, what kind of a company? Right? And then activate the 81,000 pages of code for the deductions. Like I teach my people, they'll never go on a vacation. They're gonna have a business trip. And when you're in real estate, you can go anywhere in the world legally on a business trip, as long as you do what's required to actually make it a business trip by looking at real estate, and it's not that difficult. I mean, the reason I'm in a lot of different businesses is my kids have never been on a vacation. I don't take vacations because they're not deductible. I take business trips. So I teach families how to employ their kids. How to do all of that, like, how do you activate your kids? I mean, when my son was born in 1999 he was employed day one. He had Roth IRA By the second day of his life, and he was funded every day. And he's 25 now, just that one move made him a millionaire, just the one move of maximizing your Roth IRA strategically using it to invest in real estate. So I use a lot of participating notes. I did all sorts of different plays to grow their Roths tax free, tax deferred. So I'm super active about the whole family being in a real estate business. I think real estate is it's the first one I went after, and it's still the first one I tell lots of families. I mean, it's got to be in your portfolio. I still own a lot of commercial real estate, some residential, I said, in the Ozarks, but most of mine went commercial within the last especially COVID, I went all commercial for the most part, besides a few pieces of residential. Back to what do I that tax trifecta, how you make money, how you activate the tax code. And then the biggest one that nobody in financial planners will not tell you about it, your tax, your CPA, won't tell you about it. TurboTax is never going to tell you about it. It's how you invest in alternatives. So real estate, obviously, is a big one. Gas and oil is a massive one. Aviation, water rights, mineral rights, conservation easements, carbon credits, those are the ones that affect your tax, because you get the depreciation schedules. So it's how you make it, how you use deductions and how you invest collectively makes up your tax. And so those are the kind of questions key some category of that, like I told you before the show, I have a new guy that just joined by over $20 million of real estate and only a few LLCs, no S corp, no C Corp, no trust. I'm like, and then you have these ridiculous insurance agents who say insurance will cover it all. You don't need to have an LLC or an S corp RC. You do? You do too. I would never live on just insurance that is such as 1960s conversation, like you guys got to grow up? Keith Weinhold 38:17 Yeah? Well, you know, totally. And you mentioned Rich Dad, and it's really the Cash Flow Quadrant. And one thing that the Cash Flow Quadrant helps delineate is you touched on it your tax treatment. Tom wheelwright is the most frequent guest that we have ever had here on the show, being the tax guy coming from the rich dad school. And Tom wheelwright was really the first one to inform us that something like 98 to 99% of the tax code is actually a road map for where the deductions are. Only one or 2% of maybe are the tax tables and what you must pay almost all the rest of it, is this roadmap to give you a guaranteed ROI if you follow it, something that you don't usually get in investing. And you brought up a few interesting tax strategies there. I think one of them is how you employ your kids and get deductions that way, while your kids learn. Tell us more about that. Loral Langemeier 39:11 I mean, when Logan was two, I put him out. He was painting buildings. He was around all sorts of, you know, title companies and closing tables. And then my daughter's same thing. So I take them with me. There's again, part of parenting is they have to be involved in your life. And I think so many parents just leave their kids home. They leave them with the device or their phone or some iPad. None of us have it like if they're gonna sit at a time, you know, a closing table, then I want them if they may not know everything at that moment, but that experience in that environment of just being a natural environment for them to know, to do business deals. It changes them. Changes your kids drastically. And then fast forward, when my kids are 18, they get an LLC for their birthday, and they're added on shareholders in a bigger way, because then I use again the roadmap. Because, you know, well, I always. Laugh, I say, but people read fiction novels and junk whatever. I'm reading the tax code. I think the tax code is the most creative, freeing body of work that has ever been done. It's fascinating. It's so creative. My son's becoming a CPA because of it. So when my son went to school, he was on a football scholarship. He played for Georgia, Southern starting center five years because I'm a single mom and I only make $42,000 I don't even own a phone. I don't own a car. I don't own a home, actually, because it's held in LLC It's an estate property Keith Weinhold 40:32 I put or on paper or on papers. Loral Langemeier 40:34 No companies own it all and trust on it all. So I own nothing like I literally live Rockefeller style, and I teach people that this really was beyond the millionaire maker stuff. But my point with the kids is then when he goes to school. So instead of going every Friday to watch him play football, on a Saturday, I went on a business trip to see my son, and he and I actually are looking again. That's in states pro Georgia, where Georgia's other is buying some apartments that we can then back into, and then then we go to the athletic department, and we know how much they will guarantee rent paying scholarship men to live in our apartment, like there are so many cool ways, and that that's how my son will get involved. So during all of my trips to watch him, Yes, I took one hour to watch him play football. Otherwise, I went to see my business partner. So my point is, and when he came home, he had to come home, not to just come home, but he came home to see his business partner happened to be his mom. So there's a way to put your kids into these businesses early and put them through school, have school that can't be written off. And even though he's done a scholarship, all that travel was still not a deduction, unless we structured it as a deduction to the real estate company. There's so many strategies that I honestly, Keith, I made a lot of these up. And I went to, you know, my top tax team, and I said, why can't we do this? I said, I want this to be done. Tell me the legal way to do it, and then they would guide me. So then I just turn around and I teach other people that when you do your own taxes, number one, you're not educated enough to do your own taxes, so why people do Turbo Tax or even H R Block? I mean, that's where kindergarteners play. And if you want to be a millionaire, you have to get experts around the table that really know what they're doing. I mean, a proper tax strategist at the level we have, and I have, like, 28 people on my financial teams that integrate. I mean, they have masters of accounting. So they've gone to school five and six years. They've sat for four exams and had 2000 hours of audit. So whenever, like an engineer or somebody, even a real estate investors, try and do their own taxes, I'm like, it's a highly, highly skilled expertise. So anyway, I could go into the team approach. I don't think Keith, I know so many people are so close to getting it really all right, but their sequence is completely out of order, and they're just at call tax and invisible paying. You're just used to it. You're just used to paying it because you think you have to. And you've been scared by the media that it's this big, scary thing, and the IRS is going to come get you. It's like, no, they're not. This is legal to do all this stuff. You just have to do it right and document it right Keith Weinhold 42:57 right. And that's part of your team, your tax team, and that's another good ROI. If you pay a tax preparer and strategist 5k which is more than most people, maybe they're making you 10x that or more with their knowledge of the tax code. And for you, the listener that might find the tax code to be dry reading, you know, for a lot of people, you're probably right that it is dry reading. But if you think of it this way, if I act on what I read, then I am getting paid for what I'm reading here in the IRS tax code. Well, Laurel, do you have any just last thoughts, overall, whether that's about wealth, mindset or real estate or anything else, as we're winding down here Loral Langemeier 43:35 any question ever you just go to ask Laurel, A, S, K, L, O, R, E, L, ask questions. Make a request you can ask about I have online events. You can ask for free tickets. You can ask her ebooks. So ask her whatever you want. We're super generous on giving gifts away to especially our new listeners and new folks. But a lot of it's, I'm going to say it's active engagement. That's a term I've used as I walked into 25 and I look at the people I've made over 10,000 millionaires, probably 12, 14,000 by now. But the difference between those who make it and those who still struggle is active engagement. I'm showing this on your screen just to have it on video, but I got this magic wand because people say I have a magic wand. I said, I do. I naturally now officially have one, and it comes with pixie dust. But it doesn't really matter. It won't work. I can't just, you know, anoint you with my little wand, and all of a sudden it's magically going to change. You have to actively, like you said, study the IRS code, study my books like my millionaire maker is a blueprint for how to be a millionaire. So there's seven families in the book. Pick which one you're closest to and what you've done to yourself, and then start the pattern, and there's a pattern and a sequence for everybody, for seven different kinds of family, and what you've done to yourself. And I also live the last kind of words I would say to people is that I've been doing this way too long. I have no judgment, no criticism about what you did to yourself. A lot of people are ashamed or embarrassed, like I can't believe I'm this old and I should be farther along. So what now? What is my. Saying, so what happened or how you got here? What do you want to do about it now? So we start with a new, fresh line and stand and let's go and you can create anything you want with the right team around you and the right initiative. So just know you'll be actively engaged in this. This isn't me, doing it for you or to you. It's with you, and you have to own it. You have to own your own wealth. Nobody else cares about it more than you. Keith Weinhold 45:23 these strategies work as long as you do. Laurel, it's been a great mindspring of ideas for the listener here. Thanks so much for coming onto the show. Loral Langemeier 45:32 Thank you. Appreciate it. Look forward to hearing from many of you and helping you out. Keith Weinhold 45:35 Oh, yeah, a wide range of expertise from Laurel Langemeier there. And you know, we're talking about the awareness of the gap between who you are and who you want to be earlier. Really, there could be a gap between how you're utilizing your rental property currently and what it could be Laurel found more ways, for example, to serve her short term rental tenants in the Arkansas Ozarks with providing boats and jet skis dockside to her tenants. In fact, there's a book all about this called the gap and the gain. It was published about five years ago, and let me tell you what it's about and maybe save you 10s of hours of reading most people, especially highly ambitious people, are unhappy because of how they measure their progress. We all have an ideal. You have an ideal. I have an ideal. It's a moving target that is always just out of reach. Well, when you measure yourself against that ideal, you're in the gap. However, when you measure yourself against your previous self, you're in the gain measuring your current self versus your former self, that can have enormous psychological benefits. That's how you can feel like you're making progress, and that gives you confidence, and you make more progress. You might have only owned two rental properties last year, and you're going to have four this year. So you want to make that comparison, don't make the comparison that Ken McElroy has 10,000 units and you never will big thanks to the driven and experienced Laurel Langemeier, today, I feel like she has a narrow gap between who she is and who she could be. There is a lot happening here at GRE in our newsletter called The Don't quit your Daydream letter. I recently let you know about what chat gpts ai updates mean for real estate investors, and I showed you that before and after photo of how you can now tell AI to just renovate your rental unit, and within just a minute, it shows a pre and post renovation, it shows what the renovation would look like. AI is also being used for fraud, like to generate fake receipts or insurance fraud that makes a property look damaged when it really isn't. And every few weeks, I like to send you a good real estate map, like the recent one that I sent you, showing the cost of living by county and how that map was almost like a cheat code on how you can find the best real estate. Also here at GRE our free coaching is helping connect you with properties. Many of you are interested in BRRRR strategy properties lately, I recently reshot the entire real estate pays five ways course, and I updated it for today's times with today's numbers. I'm giving that away for free, those videos and even giving a free gift at the end of the course, I share those resources with you in the Don't quit your Daydream letter as well. And then, of course, I sent you details on the Great Investor Summit at sea cruise starting in Miami, sailing the Caribbean June 20 to 29th and how you can have dinner with me and the other faculty, like Robert Kiyosaki, Robert Helms, Peter Schiff, Ken McElroy and more. And this particular cruise event is not cheap to attend, although I don't make any money from the event, but our Don't Quit Your Daydream letter is totally free. I would love to have you as a reader, and you'll stay informed on all these Real Estate Investing Insights and trends and events and more, otherwise, you're really missing out. See, the reason that I write the letter is that I have visual things to show you that I cannot do on an audio medium here, like this, like those real estate maps. And before and after photos. I write the letter myself. You know so many other letters are now AI generated. I write this myself. It is all from me to you. And if you aren't already a reader, you can get the Don't quit your Daydream. Letter free right now, just text text GRE to 66866, and by the way, we don't text you the letter each week. That would be intrusive. The letter is emailed. It's just a convenient way for you to opt in. You can do that while it's on your mind again. Text GRE to 66866, and I'll turn it alternative way to get the letter is to visit get rich education.com/letter that's get rich education.com/letter. I've got a lot more for you next week. Until then, I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, don't quit your Daydream. Speaker 1 51:01 Nothing on this show should be considered specific, personal or professional advice. Please consult an appropriate tax, legal, real estate, financial or business professional for individualized advice. Opinions of guests are their own. Information is not guaranteed. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. The host is operating on behalf of get rich Education LLC, exclusively. Keith Weinhold 51:25 You know, whenever you want the best written real estate and finance info, oh, geez, today's experience limits your free articles access, and it's got paywalls and pop ups and push notifications and cookies disclaimers. It's not so great. So then it's vital to place nice, clean, free content into your hands that adds no hype value to your life. That's why this is the golden age of quality newsletters. And I write every word of ours myself. It's got a dash of humor, and it's to the point because even the word abbreviation is too long, my letter usually takes less than three minutes to read, and when you start the letter, you also get my one hour fast real estate video. Course, it's all completely free. It's called the Don't quit your Daydream letter. It wires your mind for wealth, and it couldn't be easier for you to get it right now. Just text GRE to 66866, while it's on your mind, take a moment to do it right now. Text GRE to 66866. The preceding program was brought to you by your home for wealth, building, getricheducation.com
SMALL BUSINESS FINANCE– Business Tax, Financial Basics, Money Mindset, Tax Deductions
Most business owners are paying way more in taxes than they should—and they don't even know it. In this episode, we reveal the #1 mistake that's costing entrepreneurs $10,000 to $20,000 (or more) every single year: picking the wrong business structure. Whether you're an LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp, your setup could be helping or hurting your bottom line. You'll learn the truth about how each entity is taxed, how to know when it's time to switch, and the exact numbers to watch for if you want to start keeping more of what you earn. If you're running a business and want to stop handing extra money to the IRS, this episode is for you.
C-Corps for Law Firm Owners are a Bad Idea. Law firm owner looking for bookkeeping and tax strategy help? We'd love to help. Click the link to set up a free call - https://bigbirdaccounting.com
If you want to learn more about public benefit corporations (PBCs) and the benefits of becoming one, this episode is for you! Host Carol Schultz dives into the intriguing world of PBCs with expert Marion Siboni, founder and CEO of La Creme de la Stem. Marion tells listeners why she chose to structure her company as PBC and how it integrates social goals into a traditional business model. Learn about the distinct advantages of this corporate structure over the typical C Corp and LLC, and why it might be the perfect choice for organizations with a mission-driven heart. Whether you're an entrepreneur grappling with corporate structure decisions or curious about how businesses can serve the greater good while turning a profit, this episode offers valuable insights and solutions. Connect with UsFind more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and Instagram.Want to be our next guest expert? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information. And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
In this episode of the Machine Shop MBA series, we go beyond vision boards and get into the meat and potatoes of launching your shop legally—with the right entity type and structure to support your short and long-term goals. Whether you're looking to stay solo, bring on partners, or position for future investment or acquisition, your business formation choice can be the foundation—or the friction—of your growth. In this episode, the team dives deep into the critical, yet often overlooked, process of legally forming a manufacturing business. The hosts, alongside experts Nick Vargosko and Brad Botcher from CliftonLarsonAllen, break down the most important steps in choosing the right legal entity, from sole proprietorship to S-corporation and LLCs. They also touch on how these decisions will impact your long-term goals, including potential exits and tax benefits. Why does the structure of your business matter? It's all about protecting your personal assets, optimizing your tax strategy, and setting your business up for future growth or eventual sale. The team discusses real-world examples and offers insights into what business owners often miss when it comes to entity selection. With the right foundation, your machine shop can thrive, but getting it wrong early could mean expensive and painful mistakes down the road. Tune in as we walk you through the legal nuts and bolts of starting your shop, with expert advice on how to build a business that can scale and survive. If you're planning on making chips, don't miss this critical episode that could shape the future of your manufacturing business. Segments (0:00) Introduction to Episode 2 of the Machine Shop MBA series (1:12) Learn how you can grow your top and bottom-line with CLA (3:50) Introducing Nick Vargosko and Brad Boettcher (5:39) The importance of long-term thinking in business formation (10:02) Overview of what a Sole Proprietorship is (12:02) Breaking down LLCs and the different election options (15:30) LLC vs Sole Proprietorship: Which one should you choose? (16:35) Why you need to complete the Top Shops survey (18:14) What to do if you chose the wrong structure (19:07) The difference between S-Corps and C-Corps (28:02) When to choose a partnership (and why it might offer flexibility) (29:47) What do you need to do to change your structure? (31:32) Horror stories when things have gone wrong (38:01) Why you need to check out Buy the Numbers Resources mentioned on this episode CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) Take The Modern Machine Shop Top Shops Survey Connect with Nick Vargosko on LinkedIn Connect with Brad Boettcher on LinkedIn Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube
Do you know the biggest hidden drain on your wealth? It's not bad investments, risky business moves, or even extravagant spending. It's tipping the government—paying more taxes than you actually owe.And that's just one of the four silent killers of efficiency that are quietly eating away at your financial future.I recently had the privilege of hosting an epic Montana Mastermind Skiing Adventure, where 25 high-level entrepreneurs came together to mastermind, ski, and talk shop. One of our guest speakers was my brother from another mother, the legendary Garrett Gunderson—New York Times bestselling author, wealth strategist, and straight-up financial genius.Garrett dropped some serious knowledge on the Four I's of Efficiency, a framework he shares with his millionaire and billionaire clients. And I'm about to break it down for you—so buckle up, take notes, and let's make sure you keep more of what you earn.These four areas are where most entrepreneurs unknowingly lose thousands (or even millions) of dollars over their lifetime. Fix these, and you'll be on your way to financial freedom.IRS – Stop Tipping the GovernmentThe IRS is the number one silent wealth killer. Taxes are likely your biggest business expense, yet most entrepreneurs don't have a solid tax strategy in place. If you're just handing over whatever your CPA tells you to pay, you're probably leaving a ton of money on the table.How to fix it:Be proactive, not reactive. Most CPAs are just paper pushers—they file your taxes but don't actively strategize for you. Work with a tax planner who can help minimize what you owe.Optimize your business structure. Whether you're an LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp, your choice of entity can save (or cost) you thousands every year.Maximize deductions. Home office, travel, business meals, health insurance—if it's a legitimate business expense, make sure it's written off.Leverage advanced tax strategies. Cost segregation on real estate, R&D credits, retirement plans—these aren't just for big corporations. They're for you, too!Happy Hustle Takeaway: The tax code is designed to benefit entrepreneurs. Learn the rules, play the game, and keep more of your hard-earned money—ethically, of course.Interest – The Hidden Cost of BorrowingDebt is sneaky. It's not just about what you borrow—it's about how much interest is quietly stacking up against you.How to fix it:Know your rates. If you've got debt above 8% interest, that's a red flag. Credit card debt at 20%+? That's straight-up robbery.Refinance smart. If rates drop or your credit improves, renegotiate your mortgage, car loan, or business debt.Pay off high-interest debt first. Prioritize the most expensive debts and get rid of them ASAP.Use low-interest business credit instead of personal credit. Protect your personal score and leverage better financing options.Happy Hustle Takeaway: Every dollar wasted on interest is a dollar you could be using to fund your dream life, travel, or invest in your next big idea.Investment Fees – The Silent Wealth DrainCompounding fees can quietly eat away at your investment returns over time. Even a "small" 1% management fee can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars over decades.How to fix it:Audit your investment accounts. Check your 401(k), IRAs, brokerage accounts—what are you actually paying in fees?Shift to low-fee funds. Index funds and ETFs usually have lower fees than mutual funds.Work with fee-only advisors. Avoid financial "advisors" who earn commissions from selling you products. Pay for advice, not someone's hidden agenda.Happy Hustle Takeaway: Compound interest can make you rich, but compound fees can keep you broke. Know what you're paying and eliminate unnecessary costs.Insurance – Protect Yourself Without OverpayingInsurance is crucial, but overpaying for coverage you don't need is just as bad as not having enough coverage.How to fix it:Conduct an annual insurance audit. Prices change, and so do your needs. Make sure your coverage is still the best fit.Insure for the catastrophic. Cover the big stuff—like life-altering events—not minor expenses.Raise your deductibles. This can significantly lower your premiums.Eliminate redundant coverage. Make sure you're not paying for overlapping policies.Happy Hustle Takeaway: Insurance is peace of mind, but it shouldn't drain your bank account. Be strategic and only pay for what truly matters.By optimizing these four areas, you'll not only stop the leaks but also create a stronger financial foundation for yourself and your business.If you want to dive deeper into these strategies, don't miss this episode. Trust me, this knowledge is worth thousands—probably more—so tune in and start Happy Hustlin your way to financial freedom!Connect with Cary!https://www.instagram.com/caryjack/https://www.facebook.com/SirCaryJackhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cary-jack-kendzior/https://twitter.com/thehappyhustlehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFDNsD59tLxv2JfEuSsNMOQ/featured Get a free copy of his new book, The Happy Hustle, 10 Alignments to Avoid Burnout & Achieve Blissful Balance https://www.thehappyhustle.com/bookSign up for The Journey: 10 Days To Become a Happy Hustler Online Coursehttps://thehappyhustle.com/thejourney/Apply to the Montana Mastermind Epic Camping Adventurehttps://thehappyhustle.com/mastermind/“It's time to Happy Hustle, a blissfully balanced life you love, full of passion, purpose, and positive impact!”Episode Sponsor: Magnesium Breakthrough from BiOptimizers (https://bioptimizers.com/happy)If you've been on a restricted diet lately or maybe even taken some meds to shed those pounds for the summer, I gotta warn ya—be careful! You might have unknowingly created a nutrient deficiency that could not only mess with your health but also jeopardize those weight loss goals.Did you know that over 75% of Americans are already deficient in magnesium? Yeah, it's wild! Magnesium is this powerhouse mineral that's involved in over 600 biological reactions in your body. It helps with everything from sleep to stress management to hormone balance—all key players in keeping your weight on track.And if you're still on those meds, you might be dealing with some side effects like sleepless nights, digestive issues, or irritability, which can totally throw off your commitment to your goals. Whether you're taking meds or not, setting up healthy habits is crucial to maintaining your weight over time. One of the best things you can do? Make sure you're getting all the magnesium your body needs.Don't let a magnesium deficiency derail your progress! Give Magnesium Breakthrough by BIOptimizers a shot. Unlike other supplements, this one's got all 7 forms of magnesium that your body can actually absorb, so you get the full spectrum of benefits.This approach will help you crush your goals and maintain a healthy weight while keeping your overall health in check. For an exclusive offer, head to bioptimizers.com/happy and use the promo code 'happy10' at checkout to save 10%. And if you subscribe, you'll snag amazing discounts, free gifts, and a guaranteed monthly supply.
Today, Anderson Advisors attorneys Toby Mathis, Esq., and Eliot Thomas, Esq., discuss topics including navigating inherited IRAs and potential Roth conversions to understanding crucial deadlines for spousal and non-spousal inheritances. The questions explore filing for trading LLCs with expenses but no income, leveraging C-Corps for medical cost reimbursements, and addressing real estate tax considerations including depreciation recapture. Key insights include combining 1031 exchanges with 121 exclusions when converting investment properties to primary residences, maximizing education and travel deductions in real estate transactions, and utilizing strategic business entities, defined benefit plans, and 401(k)s to shelter active income. Send your tax questions to taxtuesday@andersonadvisors.com. Highlights/Topics: “Can you roll an inherited IRA into a Roth IRA before the 10 year liquidation time limit is over? If so, will it be a taxable event?” - Typically no, especially for non-spousal inherited IRAs. “I took 2024 off, had no W-2 income, and did no trading.” “However, I had some trading expenses, monthly subscriptions. Do I need to file an individual 1040 return and/or Form 1065 for my trading LLC, even though I had no W-2 income and did no trading?” - Yes, file to account for trading expenses. “I am in the process of creating a trading partnership with the C-Corp. Due to an accident 20 years ago, I have high medical expenses and want to use the C-Corp to reimburse my out-of-pocket medical expenses. I have caregivers who work three hours per day. Can I reimburse myself for the salary? I pay them through the C-Corp. What other medical expenses can I reimburse?” - Yes, using Section 105 plan for reimbursements. “I have short-term rental property managed by a management company. Before the end of the year, I'm taking over management duties. Does the passive income switch to active or does the passive income stay passive?” - No, managing yourself doesn't change income to active. “When selling a rental property, do you have to pay 25% depreciation recapture tax on things that have been depreciated down to zero and have been gone or deleted for over a year?” - Yes, recapture applies to fully depreciated assets. “Can I apply both 1031 like-kind exchange and 121 exclusion to an investment property? Yes, with strategic planning for property transitions. “Can I sell my investment home, apply 1031, and make the replacement home my primary residence?” “When selling my primary residence, do seller concession expenses help stay within the $250,000 capital gain exclusion? Example, help buyer with closing costs, any repairs, et cetera. I have spent over $3000.” - No, concessions don't impact the exclusion directly. “I have spent over $3000 on different online real estate education programs. Can I deduct these as business expenses, or are only education expenses that are not online deductible?” - They are deductible only if related to continuing existing business education. “I attend a lot of investor's meetings in person, travel with my personal not business automobile. How can I deduct these costs as business expenses,” - Track mileage and use accountable plans for deductions. “How do I save on taxes when wholesaling properties?” - Use business entities and retirement plans strategically. Resources: Schedule Your FREE Consultation https://andersonadvisors.com/strategy-session/?utm_source=inherited-iras-can-you-convert-to-a-roth-tax-free&utm_medium=podcast Tax and Asset Protection Events https://andersonadvisors.com/real-estate-asset-protection-workshop-training/?utm_source=inherited-iras-can-you-convert-to-a-roth-tax-free&utm_medium=podcast Anderson Advisors https://andersonadvisors.com/ Toby Mathis YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TobyMathis Toby Mathis TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@tobymathisesq Clint Coons YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ClintCoons
In this special episode of The Liquidity Event, BKFi leaders John and AJ interview tax attorney Christopher Karachale about Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) - a powerful tax benefit allowing founders to exclude up to $10 million (or more) from capital gains taxes when selling shares. Key Timestamps: 1:50 - What is QSBS? The $10 million exclusion explained 3:16 - History of QSBS: From 1992 to today's 100% exclusion 8:15 - Qualification requirements: Company & shareholder criteria 11:13 - "Qualified trade or business" explained 12:18 - Prohibited business categories 14:14 - Tips for founders to qualify for QSBS 18:30 - LLC conversion strategies for QSBS 20:45 - Fixing past entity mistakes to qualify 22:54 - LLC to C-Corp conversion: FMV basis benefit 26:15 - 1045 rollovers: Strategy for selling before 5 years 29:04 - QSBS stacking: Advanced strategies with trusts 35:38 - Practical advice for early-stage founders Connect with us: Email: liquidityevent@brooklynfi.com Leave a voicemail: memo.fm/liquidityevent Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review! New episodes every Friday. #FinancialAdvice #IPO #StartupTips #AIInfrastructure #Entrepreneurship
Melissa Broughton is a tax and accounting specialist and the founder of Busy Bee Advisors, helping business owners and entrepreneurs get savvy about complex, even frustrating, tax and bookkeeping situations. Her background in corporate accounting and auditing complements her desire to serve as a financial translator, of sorts, to sole proprietors and small business owners so that they feel confident in their financial decisions. With her husband Eric, a tax professional, Melissa co-hosts a popular podcast, The Real Buzz: Taking the Sting Out of Taxes. She is a member of Business Network International, Rotary, FU Nights, Women in Consulting, and previously served as finance chair on the Sacramento Children's Receiving Home Board of Directors.
Docs Outside The Box - Ordinary Doctors Doing Extraordinary Things
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!On this episode of “What y'all say Friday” , we start off by sharing what it's like to juggle medicine and parenthood. We actually recorded this episode during our first child-free vacation since our honeymoon. We then answer questions from our listeners on whether our locum tenens business is incorporated as an S-Corporation or LLC. We shed light on the differences between LLCs, S-Corps, and C-Corps. Tune in for insights, and don't forget to check out our Tax Series episodes linked below! Timeline00:00 Introduction01:43 Our weekend getaway at a resort without the kids.06:35 Shoutout to Mr. Evans at the post office.08:16 Are we incorporated as an S-Corporation or LLC.15:52 The difference between a C-Corporation and an S- Corporation22:18 S-Corp vs. LLC when filing taxes.24:47 Handling your benefits such as 401k, disability insurance, health insurance, as your own employer.FREE DOWNLOAD - 7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7-considerations-before-locumsLINKS MENTIONED Tax Benefits of LLCs - How to use a LLC to save Taxes - https://youtu.be/M_VP0rWxDucDisability Insurance, Long-Term Care & Financial Planning Strategies - https://youtu.be/JJpLIj9tVbUQ&A and Suggestions Form - https://forms.clickup.com/9010110533/f/8cgpr25-4614/PEBFZN5LA6FKEIXTWFSend us a Voice Message - https://www.speakpipe.com/docsoutsidetheboxSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! https://darkos.lpages.co/newsletter-signup/ WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Have a question for the podcast?Text us at 833-230-2860Twitter: @drniidarkoInstagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.com
Send us a textThinking about converting your C Corporation to an S Corporation? Before making the switch, do you know about the Built-In Gains (BIG) Tax—and how it could cost you thousands if you don't plan ahead?In this episode, Mike Jesowshek breaks down the Built-In Gains (BIG) Tax, a critical consideration for business owners converting from a C Corporation to an S Corporation. He explains why this tax exists, how it prevents businesses from avoiding double taxation, and the conditions under which it applies. Mike walks through key scenarios where the BIG Tax may or may not apply, how to calculate it, and the best strategies for minimizing or avoiding it. [00:00 - 03:30] Understanding the Built-In Gains (BIG) TaxMike introduces the BIG Tax and its purpose in preventing tax avoidance.What is the difference of taxation for C Corps versus S Corps?Owners need to be aware of BIG Tax before making an S Corp election.[03:31 - 11:15] Calculating the BIG Tax & IRS ConsiderationsMike shares the three key conditions that trigger the BIG Tax.Fair market value vs. adjusted basis determines built-in gains.Mike discusses the step-by-step breakdown of how to calculate the BIG Tax.Proper asset valuation at the time of conversion is critical.[11:16 - 14:00] Strategies to Avoid the BIG TaxHold onto assets for at least five years to bypass taxation.Time asset sales in loss years to offset taxable gains.Utilize NOL (Net Operating Loss) carryovers from the C Corp.[14:01 - 17:32] When the BIG Tax Does NOT Apply and Final ConsiderationsMike shares scenarios where business owners don't have to worry about the BIG Tax.BIG Tax is not a reason to avoid an S Corp election—planning is key.What is the importance of documentation and fair market value assessments?Notable Quotes:“The BIG Tax exists to stop business owners from electing S Corp status right before a liquidation or sale to dodge double taxation.” - Mike Jesowshek, CPA“Holding onto your assets for five years after converting to an S Corp is the simplest way to avoid the Built-In Gains Tax.” - Mike Jesowshek, CPA“The BIG Tax is important to understand, but it's not a reason to avoid an S Corp election. With the right planning, an S Corp is still a powerful tax-saving strategy.” - Mike Jesowshek, CPACheck out this episode's blog post: https://www.taxsavingspodcast.com/blog/beware-of-hidden-built-in-gain-big-taxes-when-transitioning-to-s-corporationClick here to book a demo call or you can visit https://taxelm.com/demo/ ______Podcast Host: Mike Jesowshek, CPA - Founder and Host of Small Business Tax Savings PodcastJoin TaxElm: https://taxelm.com/-------Podcast Website: https://www.TaxSavingsPodcast.comFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/taxsavings/YouTube: www.TaxSavingsTV.com
In this episode of "The Encore Entrepreneur," Lori Lyons continues her "Building a Strong Foundation" series, focusing on the critical legal and financial aspects of running a business. Lori emphasizes the importance of choosing the right business structure, such as sole proprietorship, LLC, S Corp, or C Corp, to protect personal assets and ensure compliance. She highlights the necessity of contracts, separating personal and business finances, and effective cash flow management. Lori provides practical advice and personal anecdotes to guide entrepreneurs in establishing robust legal and financial systems, essential for protecting their businesses and facilitating future growth. Resources: Are you frustrated that your business isn't growing? "Messy to Magnetic: Unlocking the Secret to Effective Marketing" is a free course that goes over the top 10 mistakes small business owners make with attracting their ideal client and converting those clients to leads. Click here for your free gift! Join Lori's private Facebook group - Make Your Marketing Simple. Lori interviews her guests in the group (giving you advance listening!) and has a community of small business owners just like yourself to connect and grow their businesses. Join now! Schedule a Website Biz Accelerator call. Answer just a few questions and Lori will audit your website for the ONE biggest change you can make to your site to get more clients. Schedule here! Connect with Lori
It's 2017, I'm on the plane home from California. I just attended a conference, a mastermind with a virtual friend of mine, Chris Ducker, and I'm writing down the 5th value that I want for Organize 365®. The Power of Community: In community, everyone can learn to be organized, action is easier, and happens exponentially. Organize 365® believes organization is a learnable skill. I'm a CEO After the investment I had made in that 6 days in California, it sunk in, I'm a real CEO. I was making money and needed to structure my company to be able to purchase inventory. After considering our current phase of life and how I envisioned Organize 365® would grow, I was advised to structure it as a C-Corp. All the details and thought process I shared in this episode. I also decided on the way home that I was going to need to hire 7 contractors for areas that were not my strength. In community with these contractors I grew Organize 365® Virtual Friends I had a really hard time in the friends category really my whole life. I shared a really vulnerable time in my life in Catholic school where the girls weren't so nice to me. Maybe it was me? I was used to talking to adults. The place in my family where I was born had me surrounded by adults all the time. I had my successful female lineage, my father who owned his own business, and then the smart men on my dad's side of the family. I was so mature in conversation but naive in interacting with kids my same age. I finally had a pretty solid friend once I was married. Around 2012, my pit of despair, I was back to no community. My parents divorced and it kind of blew up the whole family, I ditched my friends so I would not be around negativity, we were in a tough parenting season so church had become less, and I wasn't teaching anymore. I didn't even have my Creative Memory parties anymore, the women I had scrapbook with once a month for years. So I turned to authors. I listened to their audio books. I gleaned all they were talking about and trying to apply it to my business. And then I found podcasts. Like, what? It was an endless supply of basically audiobooks. They were my virtual friends, Pat Flynn with Smart Passive Income, John Lee Dumas with Entrepreneur on Fire, Chris Ducker with Youpreneur, to name a few. I would mull over the questions Chris Ducker would ask his guests and then I would practice answering them. But then I got to thinking how the female lived experience is so much different than a male's. So I searched out women to follow and listen to. Life is so flat when you don't have friends. I couldn't seem to make any friends so this was what I had. I was always talking with them, they just couldn't hear my side of the conversation. Organize 365® Community Being such a fan of community and understanding community helps others to learn, I knew it had to be a core value of my company. I also knew that the growth I was expecting and the experience I wanted for my customers, I would not be able to hold the community together alone. I'm still very much involved with the Planning Days, Embrace, and other webinars n such. But you see team members running some of the clubs and other things. Life is better in community, connecting with other humans. EPISODE RESOURCES: The Sunday Basket® Sign Up for the Organize 365® Newsletter Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Share this episode with a friend and be sure to tag Organize 365® when you share on social media!
Ep 116 -
Many business owners are overwhelmed by the current marketing hype around S corporations, and it can be confusing to cut through the noise. I explain why, in certain cases, staying with a C corporation might be more beneficial. I also highlight key tax differences between the two corporate structures. From understanding flat corporate tax rates to the implications of double taxation, I break down the essential elements you need to consider. It's crucial to make an informed decision based on your business needs, and I encourage you to use this episode as a starting point for deeper research. Tune in as I clarify common misconceptions and provide actionable insights for your business's financial strategy. What You'll hear in this episode: [0:25] The Hype Around S Corporations [0:50] Understanding C Corporations [1:30] Tax Implications of C Corporations [5:50] Double Taxation Explained [6:10] Choosing the Right Business Formation [7:50] Investor Considerations If you like this episode, check out: Why You May Want a C Corp in Your Business Structure Simple S Corp Salary Guide for Beginners S Corp Salary Explained Like a 3rd Grader Want to learn more so you can earn more? Visit keepwhatyouearn.com to dive deeper on our episodes Visit keepwhatyouearncfo.com to work with Shannon and her team Watch this episode and more here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMlIuZsrllp1Uc_MlhriLvQ Connect with Shannon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/shannonkweinstein/ The information contained in this podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not individual tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional before implementing anything you learn.