R&A CPAs blog

Small Business Owners May Qualify to Deduct Their Home Office Expenses

If you own a small business and “exclusively and regularly” use part of your home as your primary place of doing business, you may be able to deduct some of…

Can You Claim the Credit for Other Dependents?

If you’re taking care of adult children, relatives or parents, you know that this can create an additional financial strain. To ease it, the IRS offers a credit for dependents…

Credits vs. Deductions: What’s the Difference?

Tax deductions and tax credits can both help you, but that doesn’t mean they’re the same thing. Knowing how they work can help you understand your tax situation. Tax credits…

R&A CPAs Promotes Nathaniel K. Eggman to Shareholder

Tucson, AZ, January 26, 2022—R&A CPAs, one of Southern Arizona’s leading public accounting and business advisory firms, announced today that Nathaniel K. Eggman, CPA, PFS has been promoted to shareholder.…

Taxable and Nontaxable Employee Benefits

As the unemployment rate falls from its 2020 high, employees are switching jobs in record numbers. The new stability in the economy means workers have more leeway to shop around…

What’s the Tax Deal on IRAs?

IRAs—individual retirement arrangements—are among the most popular retirement savings vehicles. They can be used to reduce taxes on retirement savings, but how do they work? If you create a traditional…

Did You Know? R&A Can Assist Your Business with Human Resources Services

Human resources management is a complex and ever-evolving aspect of running a business. Our clients often look to us to assist them in their human resource decisions. In addition to…

Do You Need a Forensic Accountant?

If you discover money missing from your business, you may need a forensic accountant. Forensic accountants are qualified to investigate the source of missing money and determine whether you were…

Section 1031 Like-Kind Exchanges: When They Are the Right Choice

In very simple terms, a like-kind exchange is a tax-deferred transaction that allows one asset to be swapped with another, similar asset without generating a capital gains tax liability from…

Employee Retention Credit: New Guidance

In COVID Tax Tip 2021-123, the IRS clarifies some of the confusion surrounding the powerful but complex Employee Retention Credit. The IRS is addressing changes made by the American Rescue Plan…

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…