R&A CPAs blog

What are the Rules for Record Retention?

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…

March 2024 Newsletter

Amid the backdrop of market realignment, higher interest rates, and shifting workplace habits, investors remain cautiously optimistic about their real estate allocations heading into 2024.

What Are the Tax Rules Around Day Care

You may be in for a tax break if you’ve been shelling out the bucks for day care. Among the tax credits and deductions available to parents and families, one…

Pension-Linked Emergency Savings Accounts: Help Employees Save for a Rainy Day

Employer-sponsored PLESAs encourage employees to save for emergencies by allowing them to put aside a portion of their pay for that purpose. Authorized under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022,…

Beware of Ghost Employees – and Other Payroll Fraud

Any employee can commit payroll fraud. An employee could submit false hours, claiming they worked overtime when they didn’t. On the extreme end, someone in your payroll department could create…

Payroll Tax Rates and Contribution Limits for 2024

Below are federal payroll tax rates and benefits contribution limits for 2024. Social Security tax In 2024, the Social Security tax rate is 6.2 percent for employers and employees, unchanged from 2023.…

The 1099 Story: Which Version Should You Be Using?

As each calendar year draws to a close, many businesses have to think about their tax filing responsibilities. It can be confusing to figure out which forms to send out,…

Reminder – Income from Short-Term Rentals is Taxable in Arizona

Many property owners in Arizona offer short-term residential rentals–lodging rental stays for less than 30 days—especially in the winter. Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) reminds property owners that the income…

January 2024 Newsletter

Click through for important information to take advantage of this credit and support qualified local organizations.

Less Than Two Weeks to Renew Transaction Privilege Tax License

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…

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…