What Your CPA Wants You to Know

Hosted by Carson Sands, CPA & Teran Sands, MBA.

Business Entrepreneurship Education

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Episodes

114

Latest episode

Dec 2025

Language

EN-US

About the show

A podcast for entrepreneurs! We are a husband and wife team running our CPA firm together. We know just how difficult it can be to take your business dream to a reality. Our mission for this podcast is to guide, empower, and educate entrepreneurs in an easy-to-understand way! We want business owners to have the information that they need when they need it, AND without the hefty accounting invoices from a CPA! Follow along for practical advice, tips, and tricks from a CPA who knows what it is like to run a business, and strategies to keep your business thriving from an MBA! We will also show you how to run a business while keeping your family and sanity intact along the way! What are you waiting for???

Listen to episodes

60 recent

December 17, 2025Episode 11317 min

113. Your CPA-Approved Checklist To Crush December

Send a textWe share the exact year-end checklist we use with clients to cut tax surprises, choose smart purchases, and get January filings done without the scramble. Clean books, a clear tax projection, and a few organized documents can change your entire spring.• finishing bookkeeping and reconciling accounts• running a tax projection to estimate what you owe• timing major purchases before 31 December• preparing contractor W9s and 1099 data• listing assets over $2,500 and financing details• tracking business mileage on personal vehicles• gathering loan documents and interest totals• filing early to get more CPA attentionWe created a monthly accounting program where you hop on a one-hour call with us every month to tackle bookkeeping, tax planning, business decisions, basically anything you need. We have all the fine details in episodes 101 and 102 of this podcast if you want to check it out, or just email us at Carson@sandsco.netSupport the showCreate a STAN Store - Click here to try it out!Here's where you can find us! Shop our business guides!Our Instagram PageOur family page

November 26, 2025Episode 11232 min

112. Our CPA Betrayal List

Send a textWe share the CPA betrayal list: the habits that raise your bill, drag your return past deadlines, and create tax shocks. Practical fixes help you file on time, clean up your books, and save cash for taxes without the last-minute panic.Support the showCreate a STAN Store - Click here to try it out!Here's where you can find us! Shop our business guides!Our Instagram PageOur family page

November 12, 2025Episode 11119 min

111. Tax Updates: Gambling Income, Marketplace Insurance, & Homeschool Credits

Send a textWe unpack how gambling wins turn into taxable income even when you net a loss, why Oklahoma’s rules are especially harsh, and how marketplace health credits can trigger surprise paybacks. We close with a Texas update on tax-related credits for nonpublic education.Email us at Carson@sandsco.netSupport the showCreate a STAN Store - Click here to try it out!Here's where you can find us! Shop our business guides!Our Instagram PageOur family page

October 29, 2025Episode 11021 min

110. Ten Year-End Tax Moves to Cut Your 2025 Tax Bill for Business Owners

Send a textWe share ten year-end tax moves that actually save money when done before December 31, from bonus depreciation and retirement setup to the Augusta rule, income timing, and a no-drama plan to clean up your books. The focus stays on practical steps, clear timing, and spending only where it helps growth.• sending client gifts within deductibility limits to strengthen loyalty• timing equipment and vehicle purchases for 100 percent bonus depreciation• using year-end bonuses with clear metrics and expectations• setting up employer retirement plans before year-end even if funding later• applying the Augusta rule for tax-free home rental to your business• deferring income by timing invoices for cash-basis taxpayers• making charitable gifts or using donor-advised funds for flexibility• capturing mileage and home office deductions with clean records• cleaning and reconciling books to avoid duplicate income• scheduling a tax projection to choose the best moves nowOur clients love this plan. It's perfect if you're doing your own books, but want an expert watching over your shoulder and training you on everything you need to do. We have all the fine details in episodes 101 and 102 of this podcast if you want to check it out, or just email us at Carson at Sansco.net.Support the showCreate a STAN Store - Click here to try it out!Here's where you can find us! Shop our business guides!Our Instagram PageOur family page

October 15, 2025Episode 10914 min

109. All about the Backdoor Roth IRA

Send a textWe break down how high earners can legally fund a Roth IRA using the backdoor method, why it matters for business owners with variable income, and where people go wrong. We share the exact steps, the pro rata trap, and the one IRS form you must not miss.• difference between Roth and traditional IRA and why Roth can be better for many• who needs a backdoor Roth due to income thresholds and phaseouts• step-by-step process to contribute and convert quickly• role of advisors and importance of coordinating with a CPA• risks of direct Roth contributions when over the limit• business owner income swings and AGI versus take-home pay• the pro rata rule if you hold pre-tax IRA balances• filing Form 8606 to track non-deductible basis and conversions• the value of proactive planning before year-endWe created a monthly accounting program where you hop on a one-hour call with us every month to tackle bookkeeping, tax planning, business decisions, basically anything you need… or just email us at carson@sandsco.netSupport the showCreate a STAN Store - Click here to try it out!Here's where you can find us! Shop our business guides!Our Instagram PageOur family page

October 1, 2025Episode 10826 min

108. Think Like a Customer & Take a Profit-Driven Look at Your Business

Send a textAs two accountants, we are always critiquing businesses and seeing what their books look like. We do this even while on vacation. So, today we bring you our thoughts and how you can apply those to your business to drive PROFIT!• designing operations from the customer’s point of view• spotting bottlenecks in off-peak demand• capturing high-margin moments at the bar• simplifying menus for speed and throughput• stocking convenience retail that actually sells• low-cost experience wins that drive reviews• hiring, leases and expansion viewed through ROI• linking joy, simplicity and profit in daily decisionsWe created a monthly accounting program where you hop on a one-hour call with us every month to tackle bookkeeping, tax planning, business decisions, basically anything you need. The best part of this is it's at a reduced hourly rate... email us at carson@sandsco.netSupport the showCreate a STAN Store - Click here to try it out!Here's where you can find us! Shop our business guides!Our Instagram PageOur family page

September 17, 2025Episode 10722 min

107. How We Invest for Retirement as Accountants: Step-by-Step from Carson

Send a textWe walk through our sequence for retirement contributions! Here's how we invest our money as accountants!• Start with any employer matching funds available - it's free money and an immediate 100% return• Max out a Roth IRA if eligible ($7,000 limit for 2025, $8,000 if over 50)• Aim to save 15% of income for retirement (12-20% range is generally recommended)• Business owners should consider a Solo 401(k) rather than SEP IRA when operating as an S-corp• Solo 401(k)s allow both employee contributions (up to $23-24k) and employer contributions (25% of salary)• Once all tax-advantaged accounts are maxed, use a taxable brokerage account for additional savings• Coordinate retirement planning between your CPA and financial advisor, especially when changing salary levelsEmail us at carson@sansconcierge.net for accounting help or to schedule a monthly accounting call where we can help with bookkeeping, tax planning, and business decisions.Support the showCreate a STAN Store - Click here to try it out!Here's where you can find us! Shop our business guides!Our Instagram PageOur family page

September 3, 2025Episode 10617 min

106. Tax Laws Are Changing: Here's What You Need to Know!

Send a textThe big, beautiful tax bill brings welcome news for taxpayers with lower tax brackets being preserved, an increased standard deduction, and a higher child tax credit of $2,500 per child. Seniors will especially benefit from an additional $6,000 deduction per person regardless of whether they itemize or take the standard deduction.• Lower tax brackets from the Tax Cut and Jobs Act will remain in place• Standard deduction stays at $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 for married couples• Child tax credit increased from $2,000 to $2,500 per child through 2028• Seniors get an extra $6,000 deduction per person ($12,000 for married couples)• Tips now excluded from income tax up to $25,000 annually• Overtime is taxed only at your regular hourly rate, not at the higher overtime rate• Auto loan interest deductible up to $10,000 for vehicles finished in the USA• SALT deduction cap increased from $10,000 to $40,000 through 2029• 100% bonus depreciation returns starting January 19, 2025, through 2028• 1099 reporting threshold increased from $600 to $2,000 beginning in 2026• Income limitations apply to many benefits: $150K for singles, $300K for married couplesIf you found this helpful, please share it with a friend.Support the showCreate a STAN Store - Click here to try it out!Here's where you can find us! Shop our business guides!Our Instagram PageOur family page

August 20, 2025Episode 10520 min

105. All About Estimated Tax Payments!

Send a textEver been shocked by a massive tax bill in April? Let's not let that happen again! For business owners, freelancers, and anyone with significant non-W2 income, estimated tax payments necessary.The IRS rules have changed in recent years. While the IRS used to charge around 3% for missing these payments, that penalty has increased. Now more than ever it is important to make your estimated tax payments!The good news is that navigating estimated tax payments is manageable with the right approach. In this episode we walk you through how to make estimated tax payments and answer all the common questions we receive about them. Take control of your tax situation by planning ahead. Your future self will thank you! Share this with a friend who complains every April about owing too much – you might just save them from the next tax-time panic!Support the showCreate a STAN Store - Click here to try it out!Here's where you can find us! Shop our business guides!Our Instagram PageOur family page

July 30, 2025Episode 10429 min

104. From W-2 to 1099: Everything You Need to Know About Self-Employment Taxes

Send a textTransitioning from W-2 employment to receiving 1099 income fundamentally changes your tax situation and officially makes you a business owner, even if you're doing the same work as before.• Self-employment tax means paying both the employer and employee portions of Social Security and Medicare (15.3%) on top of income tax• Business expenses can be deducted against your 1099 income, reducing your taxable income significantly• Opening a separate business bank account is crucial for tracking income and expenses correctly• You can simply transfer money from your business account to your personal account as needed• Estimated quarterly tax payments are required to avoid penalties from the IRS• Consider setting aside 25-40% of income for taxes depending on your tax bracket• Health insurance and retirement planning now fall entirely on your shoulders• Once netting over $50,000 in profit, consider forming an LLC and electing S-Corporation status• S-Corps require more complex paperwork but can save significant money in self-employment taxes• Higher-earning contractors should work with a CPA rather than trying to handle everything themselvesCheck out our guides for new businesses and S-Corp owners in the show notes if you need step-by-step assistance navigating your new tax situation.Support the showCreate a STAN Store - Click here to try it out!Here's where you can find us! Shop our business guides!Our Instagram PageOur family page