At Brannen CPA Services, we strive to help our clients thrive - both individuals and businesses. We’re able to provide superior service when we work in partnership with our clients. In this article we share 6 ways you can help the team at Brannen CPA Services facilitate your year-end tax prep.

When it comes to the holidays, it’s smart to have a budget that keeps you on track with your financial goals. Remember, being smart about your finances doesn’t mean you’re a Scrooge and can’t have fun, too! In this article, we discuss how you can plan for holiday gift-giving, merry-making, and traveling while still being mindful of your finances.

November is a good time to start your year-end planning. In this article we’ll review some tips to help you close out 2024 in a strong, positive position.

Qualified charitable distributions, also known as QCDs, are tax-free donations to a qualified charity that transfer directly from your individual retirement account (IRA). In this article we will go over how to make a QCD, the tax benefits of making one, and the deadline for communicating with our office to take advantage of this program.

Planning for the future is always a smart financial decision and 529 plans are a great tool for you to save for your kids’ college education. 529 plans are investment accounts designed for education savings that also provide tax advantages. At Brannen CPA Services, we want our clients to rediscover the strength in their numbers and we know that it always feels good when you can save your money in smart ways. In this article we provide an overview of the benefits of contributing to a 529 plan.

There’s an important tax deadline this month: October 15th is the deadline for individuals who successfully filed for an extension for their returns. Tax extensions can be a helpful tool when you need more time, but you don’t want to miss the October deadline as you may face penalties.

From insurance to fuel, there are expenses to driving and maintaining a vehicle. If you’re using your vehicle for business purposes, those expenses may be deductible. At Brannen CPA Services, we’re here to provide relevant insights to help our clients and we often get questions about the business use of vehicles. Perhaps you use your car exclusively for your business, or maybe you only need to use your car occasionally for work. Knowing what tax deductions you can take for this use depends on your specific situation. In this article, we outline what to know about using your car for business.

September 16th is the 2024 Q3 estimated tax payment deadline, with Q3 covering the period between June 1 - August 31. It is also the tax deadline for S corporations and partnerships that successfully filed for an extension. At Brannen CPA Services, our goal is to provide relevant insights and best practices for our clients. In this article we review how to calculate and pay your estimated taxes and provide resources for filing your business tax return.

For many people, a typical list of financial goals may include planning for retirement, saving for a child’s education or taking a vacation. It may not seem obvious to add a financial plan for wellness to your list, but thinking about how your physical and financial well-being are linked will only help you stay on track with your other financial goals as well. At Brannen CPA Services, we provide honest advice and relevant insights so our clients can find their strength in their numbers. In this article we discuss how investing in your health is a smart financial decision.

New parents have a million things to think about when they welcome a little one to the world…from diapers to daycare. It may seem like college is a long way off for your little bundle of joy, but the truth is it’s never too early to start saving for your child’s education. At Brannen CPA Services, our goal is to help our clients find their strength in their numbers. Just like learning the ABCs, you have to start somewhere and the earlier you start preparing for education expenses the better. In this article we discuss how you can save for your child’s education with some back-to-school budgeting tips.

Paychecks contain valuable information beyond your take-home salary and should be reviewed regularly. At Brannen CPA Services, we provide our clients with honest advice and relevant insights and we often remind our clients to regularly check their paychecks.

Keep yourself organized and on track with your financial goals by taking account of your tax situation throughout the year. We’re halfway through 2024, so it’s the perfect time to do a checkup.

While you’re making your plans for summer fun, it’s important to have an honest conversation with your partner or yourself about your financial situation. At Brannen CPA, our goal is to provide honest advice and relevant insights so our clients can find the strength in their numbers. Remember, being smart about your finances, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! In this article, we discuss how you can plan for summer vacation travel expenses and be mindful of your finances at the same time.

June 15th is the 2024 Q2 estimated tax payment deadline, with Q2 covering the period between April 1 - May 31. Please note that since June 15th is on a Saturday, the due date will fall on the next business day, which is Monday, June 17th. At Brannen CPA Services, our goal is to provide relevant insights and best practices for our clients and we often recommend that our clients make estimated tax payments to avoid surprises at tax filing. In this article we discuss why it’s important to pay your taxes quarterly.

Planning for the future is an important component of your financial and wealth management. Since there is no crystal ball showing the future, this planning can sometimes be tricky. At Brannen CPA Services, our goal is to help our clients thrive with helpful and honest insights. Reviewing your insurance policies as well as your retirement and estate plans is a smart way to ensure you are mitigating risk and staying on track to meet your financial goals.

At Brannen CPA Services, we are here to help small businesses thrive and something we recommend to many clients is to hire a bookkeeper. Why?, you may ask. Let us count the reasons! Read our blog to discover three reasons you should hire a bookkeeper for your business.

Important Tax Update! The IRS just announced tax relief for Mainers impacted by the severe storms and flooding that began on January 9, 2024. Both individuals and businesses now have until July 15, 2024 to file federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. This relief impacts people who live or have businesses in the following counties…

There are two important deadlines this month, one you’re probably already aware of, and one that may not have been on your radar. First, please note that if you are filing your tax return yourself, the IRS’s original deadline is April 15, 2024 and the Maine and Massachusetts filing deadline is April 17, 2024.

Please note this important update: some Maine residents now qualify for tax relief with the filing deadline postponed to July 15, 2024. More information here.

April is National Financial Capability Month. Originally designated as Financial Literacy Month, this national observance has evolved to help Americans have access to trustworthy financial education and develop an understanding of the financial services and products available. Speaking on the topic, our founder Karla Brannen, CPA, said, “Financial capability is a crucial skill in today’s world. Beyond financial health, it empowers individuals, reduces stress, and fosters a sense of security.”

This is a season of important deadlines, and we have another one for you to consider: April 15 is also the deadline for all 2023 HSA & IRA contributions. At Brannen CPA Services, we want our clients to rediscover the strength in their numbers and we know that it always feels good when you can save your money in smart ways.