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Returning Value Blog

Jessica L. Pagan, CPA

Jessica Pagan has worked with Machen McChesney since 2003. She specializes in reviews, business and individual tax and construction accounting. She participates in core processes, mentoring and training at the firm.

Recent Posts

Choosing The Right Accounting Method For Tax Purposes

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Aug 17, 2018

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) liberalized the eligibility rules for using the cash method of accounting, making this method — which is simpler than the accrual method — available to more businesses. Now the IRS has provided procedures a small business taxpayer can use to obtain automatic consent to change its method of accounting under the TCJA. If you have the option to use either accounting method, it pays to consider whether switching methods would be beneficial.

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Posted in Business Tax

How To Avoid Getting Hit With Payroll Tax Penalties

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Jul 16, 2018

For small businesses, managing payroll can be one of the most arduous tasks. Adding to the burden earlier this year was adjusting income tax withholding based on the new tables issued by the IRS. (Those tables account for changes under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.) But it’s crucial not only to withhold the appropriate taxes — including both income tax and employment taxes — but also to remit them on time to the federal government.

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Posted in Accounting & Outsourcing

2018 Q3 Tax Calendar: Key Deadlines For Businesses and Other Employers

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Jun 18, 2018

Here are some of the key tax-related deadlines affecting businesses and other employers during the third quarter of 2018. Keep in mind that this list isn’t all-inclusive, so there may be additional deadlines that apply to you. Contact us to ensure you’re meeting all applicable deadlines and to learn more about the filing requirements.

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Posted in Business Tax

Putting Your Child On Your Business's Payroll For The Summer May Make More Tax Sense Than Ever

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on May 29, 2018

If you own a business and have a child in high school or college, hiring him or her for the summer can provide a multitude of benefits, including tax savings. And hiring your child may make more sense than ever due to changes under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).

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Posted in Business Tax

New Law Revives Six Key Tax Breaks

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on May 11, 2018

Extensions retroactive to 2017 tax year

The biggest news in tax circles is, of course, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) enacted late last year. But the TCJA isn’t the only important new tax legislation. With little fanfare, the Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA), a government spending measure, extended about 30 tax provisions that had expired at the end of 2016.

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Posted in Individual Tax

Four Key Changes For Depreciation Deductions

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Apr 05, 2018

New tax law revamps the rules

The new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 is designed to stimulate business growth by cutting corporate tax rates and enhancing tax benefits for acquiring business property. Under the TCJA, your company may be able to deduct the full cost of property placed in service in 2018 through a combination of rules relating to depreciation. The following is a brief overview of four favorable provisions in the new tax law.

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Posted in Business Tax

2018 Q2 Tax Calendar: Key Deadlines For Businesses and Other Employers

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Mar 26, 2018

Here are some of the key tax-related deadlines affecting businesses and other employers during the second quarter of 2018. Keep in mind that this list isn’t all-inclusive, so there may be additional deadlines that apply to you. Contact us to ensure you’re meeting all applicable deadlines and to learn more about the filing requirements.

Full Story

Posted in Business Tax

Defer Tax With A Section 1031 Exchange, But New Limits Apply This Year

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Mar 19, 2018

Normally when appreciated business assets such as real estate are sold, tax is owed on the appreciation. But there’s a way to defer this tax: a Section 1031 “like kind” exchange. However, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) reduces the types of property eligible for this favorable tax treatment.

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Posted in Business Tax

Last Chance for Key Tax Deductions

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Mar 01, 2018

Opportunities vanishing after 2017 returns

The new tax law enacted at the end of last year—the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)—provides numerous tax changes for individuals, including tax rate cuts and a higher standard deduction. Significantly, the TCJA also eliminates or modifies certain deductions, including the majority of itemized deductions, beginning in 2018. As a result, fewer taxpayers are expected to itemize returns in the future.

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Posted in Individual Tax

Claiming Bonus Depreciation On Your 2017 Tax Return May be Particularly Beneficial

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Feb 06, 2018

With bonus depreciation, a business can recover the costs of depreciable property more quickly by claiming additional first-year depreciation for qualified assets. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), signed into law in December, enhances bonus depreciation.

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Posted in Business Tax

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