R&A CPAs blog

Billing Fraud Schemes Lessons Learned

Many small business owners hire friends and family or have employees who have been with them for years. They may also have vendors they have become close with and do…

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Employers: Beware of Third Parties Promoting Improper Employee Retention Credit Claims

The Internal Revenue Service is warning employers to be wary of third parties who are advising them to claim the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) when they may not qualify. Some…

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Employee Retention Credit: Over but Not Done

The federal government’s Employee Retention Credit (ERC) proved to be a lifeline for many businesses and their employees affected by the COVID pandemic. The eligibility rules were complex and changed…

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I Bonds: Protecting Your Portfolio from Inflation

With a rising inflationary environment—the highest in four decades—investors are seeking shelter in low-risk investments to protect their portfolios. As a result, there has been record demand for I Bonds,…

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October 2022 Newsletter

I Bonds are a nearly risk-free diversification strategy to hedge against market volatility and there has been record demand for I Bonds.

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September 2022 Newsletter

Intra-family loans may be beneficial to you and your family. Click through for the details. | It’s one of the most sweeping and most controversial bills passed in recent years.…

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Intra-Family Loans: Transferring Wealth to Finance Future Generations

Over the past couple of years, the economy has been pulled in all directions. The effects have been seen through record-high home prices, higher interest rates, and inflation. While federal…

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businesswoman use laptop secure encryption to access data and do

Cybersecurity & Remote Work: 6 Steps to Protect Your Business

In 2020, the FBI reported 1.4 million cybercrime complaints, mostly identity theft, up from 651,000 in 2019. The Federal Trade Commission received 4.8 million cybercrime complaints in 2020, up from…

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August 2022 Newsletter

Portability is often an effective, go-to estate planning strategy that could make a considerable difference for taxes owed on larger estates, especially with today’s generous exemption amounts.

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Depositing and Reporting Employment Taxes

As an employer, you are required to uphold the responsibility of payroll taxes. As such, you must also ensure that you understand what the rules are, especially due to how…

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Can I Claim a Tax Deduction for that Donation?

December 18, 2025

Clarify which donations are tax-deductible. Understand 501(c)(3), churches, schools, and other exempt organizations. Know what qualifies for your tax deduction.

Taxpayer Right to Representation in IRS Matters

December 18, 2025

Understand your right to IRS representation. Learn how CPAs and authorized representatives help with audits, negotiations, and IRS compliance to protect your interests.

No More Paper Tax Refund Checks

December 18, 2025

Paper tax refund checks ended September 30, 2025. Learn about direct deposit, digital payment options, and how to ensure faster refunds with electronic filing.

November 2025 Newsletter

November 4, 2025

Meet Brenda Hays – Senior Human Resources Coordinator and Payroll Specialist

November 4, 2025

Brenda Hays is R&A’s Senior Human Resources Coordinator and our payroll specialist. She has been a member of the R&A team since 2012. Her role has expanded over the years to include administration, compliance reporting, and many human resources-related roles including benefits coordination, policy implementation, and new employee onboarding. Brenda also supports many of our…

What Home Improvement Tax Breaks Are Set to Expire and Which Remain in Effect?

November 4, 2025

If you’re thinking about making upgrades to your home, you may have an opportunity to claim valuable tax breaks. While not every improvement qualifies, there are a few exceptions, such as capital improvements or repairs for a rental property, medical modifications, or home office tax breaks. You can also earn tax credits for energy-efficiency projects,…

Time to Renew Transaction Privilege Tax License

November 3, 2025

You have likely received notices from Arizona Department of Revenue and the City of Tucson that it is time to renew your TPT license. License renewals apply and are valid for one calendar year, January 1 to December 31. All licenses must be renewed by December 31 of the current year to apply to the…

Business Fraud Case Study: How to Detect & Prevent Fraud

November 3, 2025

On June 25, 2025, Elizabeth Gutfahr, former Santa Cruz County Treasurer, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for embezzling and laundering approximately $38.7 million of public funds. Ms. Gutfahr, who served as the Santa Cruz County Treasurer from 2012 through 2024, began embezzling funds from the county in 2013 and continued to do so…

2025 End-of-Year Tax Planning is Crucial

November 3, 2025

Master 2025 tax planning with OBBBA strategies: charitable deductions, SALT caps, wash-sale rules & crypto tips. Minimize taxes before year-end.