#604 Open Forum - HSA's, Picking a CPA, Venmo & More
Feb 11, 2025
auto_awesome
Dive into the world of tax strategies and investment insights! Learn how to choose the right tax advisor without falling for high fees. Discover the benefits of Health Savings Accounts and how to maximize their contributions. Get the scoop on upcoming changes in payment app reporting that you need to watch out for. Plus, explore the complexities of crypto IRAs and effective retirement portfolio management. With practical tips for small business owners, this discussion is both informative and engaging!
44:25
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Choosing the right tax advisor can significantly reduce costs, as their expertise should save more money than their fees.
Understanding Health Savings Accounts and their contribution rules can greatly enhance your financial strategies for healthcare expenses.
Deep dives
The Value of a Good Tax Advisor
A good tax advisor should save you more money than the fees you pay them, emphasizing the importance of finding the right professional. High fees shouldn't deter you, but it's crucial to ensure the advisor possesses the necessary credentials and knowledge of relevant tax strategies. Paying for a service provider lacking expertise can lead to suboptimal financial outcomes, making it imperative to conduct thorough research before committing. The relationship between a client and their tax advisor should be collaborative, with open communication about strategies to maximize savings.
Navigating the Health Savings Account (HSA)
An important detail regarding Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) is the ability to make contributions up until April 15th of the following year for prior year accounts, provided the qualifying insurance plan was in effect before the end of the previous year. Setting up an HSA account is distinct from the insurance plan itself; individuals can create an HSA with various institutions, not limited to their insurance provider. For families, the annual contribution limit increases, allowing for significant tax-advantaged savings for healthcare expenses. Understanding HSAs and their tax implications can greatly enhance financial strategies surrounding healthcare costs.
Identifying the Right Tax Professional
Finding a tax advisor can be challenging, especially when facing a wide range of fees and levels of service. A common scenario involves one advisor charging significantly more than another, leading clients to feel unsure about the value they are receiving. It's essential to establish a relationship with a knowledgeable advisor who not only prepares taxes but also provides ongoing strategic advice throughout the year. Engaging with a network of certified tax professionals can help ensure you find someone who understands your unique financial situation and can help optimize your tax strategy.
Best Practices for Business Taxation
Maintaining clear financial separation between personal and business activities is crucial to protect liability and ensure accurate tax reporting, especially for small business owners. Mixing personal accounts with business transactions can jeopardize the legal protections afforded by business structures like LLCs. It’s also important for business owners to understand the tax implications of their entity selection, such as whether to choose S-Corp taxation. Engaging in regular discussions with tax professionals can lead to better financial outcomes and compliance with tax regulations.
In this episode of the Main Street Business Podcast, Mark J. Kohler and Mat Sorensen answer your top tax and legal questions. From choosing the right tax advisor (without overpaying for empty credentials) to navigating HSAs, S corp taxation, and solo 401(k) limitations—this episode is packed with practical strategies to keep your business and investments in top shape. Plus, they break down how their Crypto IRA can help you leverage cryptocurrency in your retirement portfolio.
Here are some of the highlights:
Mark discusses the importance of choosing a good tax advisor and the potential pitfalls of high fees without proper credentials.
Mat clarifies the difference between an HSA account and an HSA-qualifying insurance plan, emphasizing that the account can be set up anywhere, including with Direct IRA.
Mark and Mat cover the benefits of self-directing an HSA account, including the ability to invest in various assets like crypto, real estate, and private companies.
Upcoming changes in 2025 regarding 1099-K forms for payment apps like Cash App and Venmo.
A workaround involving picking up FICA wages on a Schedule C and ensuring proper documentation on the 1120-S form.
The challenges of setting up an IRA LLC for buying crypto and recommends using the Crypto IRA product instead.
The process of transferring funds from a retirement account to a Gemini account for buying and selling crypto.
Mark and Mat encourage listeners to invest time in finding the right professional team for their business, including accountants and lawyers.