R&A CPAs blog

Ransomware is Targeting Small Businesses

During the pandemic, data breaches disproportionately affected smaller companies; they were targeted at twice the rate of larger businesses. Since the pandemic, those same smaller companies have been struggling with…

The Tax Implications of Independent Contractors

Are your employees really employees, or are they actually independent contractors? It’s not just semantics; the IRS makes a stark distinction. You don’t generally have to withhold or pay any…

10 Ways Outsourced Accounting Services Can Help Grow Your Business

Successful business owners will tell you that excellent accounting is the secret ingredient to growing their business. Why? Because having access to the right financial information helps drive better business…

May 2024 Newsletter

Rising property values in Arizona are prompting investors to implement 1031 exchange strategies to mitigate hefty capital gains taxes and reinvest for further growth.

Ensure Your Business Has Renewed Your Transaction Privilege License for 2024

R&A renews Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) licenses for clients for which we process sales tax. If you process your TPT renewal yourself and have not yet done so, Arizona Department…

1031 Exchange Rules for Real Estate Investors in Arizona

Arizona’s housing market has become a hotspot for real estate investors in recent years, fueled by its rapid growth and potential for significant returns. As investors expand their portfolios, rising…

Major Overtime Change Will Deeply Affect Employers

According to a Department of Labor release, a newly issued rule increases the salary threshold required to exempt a salaried bona fide executive, administrative, or professional employee from federal overtime pay…

April 2024 Newsletter

Now that tax season is drawing to a close, it may feel like a good time to declutter the accumulated piles of paperwork, but there are some recommended guidelines to…

How To Handle Cyberattacks

Every worker in a company has a part to play in pulling together to combat potential cyberattacks. Vigilance must extend well beyond the IT department, as employees themselves constitute a…

Payroll Myths Exploded

Are there any misconceptions that you’ve had about payroll? Did you end up finding out the reality of the situation after experiencing a series of unfortunate events? Hopefully, your answer…

What You Need to Know About Paying Household Employees

October 22, 2026

When you hire someone to do work in your home, they may be considered a household employee, and you might have some tax withholding responsibility when you pay them. You may have heard of this tax referred to as the “nanny tax.” These taxes are actually employment taxes and include social security, Medicare, and sometimes…

Update on Trump Accounts – Automatic Enrollment

October 22, 2026

Do you have a child under the age of 18? They most likely have a Trump Account now, whether or not you signed them up for one. The US Department of Treasury recently began automatically enrolling eligible children in the program rather than waiting for parents or guardians to apply. Even though your child may…

September 2026 Newsletter

September 24, 2026

Employee or Independent Contractor?

September 24, 2026

Suppose your business hires an outside person to complete a task. What is your tax withholding responsibility when you pay this person? The answer depends on the business relationship between you and the person doing work for you. Types of workers There are two kinds of workers: employees and independent contractors. (We know this is…

Payroll Security Best Practices for Small Businesses

September 24, 2026

Payroll systems handle large volumes of sensitive personal data, making them vulnerable to breaches. To safeguard this data, organizations need integrated security measures that minimize the risks of errors, fraud, and operational disruptions. AI can support these efforts by identifying processing issues and suspicious activity, but it is not a standalone solution. Effective payroll security…

Checking Your Federal Tax Withholding – Why, When, and How

September 24, 2026

If you are an employee, you know that various taxes are withheld from your paychecks. While you generally can’t change the amount of social security and Medicare taxes withheld, you can change the withholding amounts of federal and state income tax. In fact, the IRS encourages taxpayers to review their income tax withholding at least…

R&A Named a 2026 Top 500 US Accounting Firm

September 24, 2026

R&A is very pleased to share that we have been recognized as a Top 500 Firm in the US for 2026 by INSIDE Public Accounting based on US net revenue. INSIDE Public Accounting is a leader in practice management and CPA firm resources for the public accounting profession. Of this recognition, Phillip C. Dalrymple, CPA, CFE, and R&A Managing Partner said, “We are proud…

Trusts Can be Powerful Estate Planning Tools

September 24, 2026

You’ve probably had a check-up with your doctor or dentist in the last year as part of your routine practice of self-care. Preventive visits like this can detect and address potential health issues in their earliest and most treatable stages. We think of estate planning as preventive care for your life and loved ones. No…

Promises of Tax Settlements for “Pennies on the Dollar” are Often Too Good to be True

September 24, 2026

At R&A CPAs, we often find ourselves counselling individuals or businesses that are overwhelmed by large tax liabilities or mired in IRS bureaucracy. Like you, we see ads promising amazing “pennies on the dollar” settlement deals with the IRS touted by “professionals,” backed up by dramatic testimonials of success. These settlements refer to the IRS’s…