ebotCPA — The Entrepreneur's CPA
    ← Tax Planning

    Which tax strategies actually fit your business?

    Answer eight questions. The Finder tests each strategy against 2026 federal law, keeps only the ones that pay for themselves, and shows what each saves, what it costs, and what you keep. No email needed.

    Your business

    1. How is the business taxed today?
    2. Net profit before paying yourself
    From your last return or this year's books.
    3. Wages paid to employees each year
    $0 if it's just you.
    4. What kind of work?
    5. Your age
    6. Children aged 7–17 who could do real work for the business
    7. Yearly charitable giving
    8. Do you own the building the business uses?
    Building value (not land). $0 if you rent.
    More detail (optional)
    Market salary for your role
    $0 = we estimate it. The IRS expects a reasonable salary (Rev. Rul. 59-221).
    Qualified research spending (software, engineering)
    Tipped wages (restaurants)
    Property taxes you pay at home

    Your result

    Federal tax today$98,480
    Tax after the plan$66,944
    Tax saved this year$31,536
    Strategy costs + fixed fee$24,900
    Moved to your own accounts$81,164
    Net cash after costs$6,636
    StrategyTax savedCostNetFit
    S corporation election, salary $150,000IRC 1362; Rev. Rul. 59-221$6,454$3,000$3,454Fits
    Accountable plan, $8,000IRC 62(a)(2)(A)$1,536$0$1,536Fits
    Augusta rule, 14 days at $800IRC 280A(g)$2,150$500$1,650Fits
    Donor-advised fund, 3 years of giving, funded with stockIRC 170, 170(e)$1,377$0$1,377Fits
    Family HSAIRC 223 · $8,750 goes to your accounts$1,690$0$1,690Fits
    Safe-harbor 401(k): owner deferral, 4% to staffIRC 401(k)(12) · $24,500 goes to your accounts$8,015$10,900−$2,885Costs more than it saves
    Cash balance pensionIRC 401(a), 412; 401(b)(2) · $72,414 goes to your accounts$16,869$14,900$1,969Fits
    Plan total (fixed fee $6,500 included in costs)$31,536$24,900$6,636
    Building: if you buy or own your building, cost segregation can move large deductions into this year (IRC 168(k)).
    Children on payroll: 2 children paid $16,100 each for real work saves about $1,770 in family tax; the wages become their money (IRC 162; IRC 3121(b)(3)(A) for sole proprietorships).
    Lean plan only (no retirement plans): saves $12,687, net $4,187 after costs and fee.

    Complicated situation? See how we'd think it through

    Illustrative estimate for a married couple filing jointly in Texas under 2026 federal law (brackets, $32,200 standard deduction, Social Security wage base $184,500, 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax, QBI deduction with its phase-in). Each strategy is kept only if its tax saving exceeds its cost. Retirement contributions are your money, moved to your own accounts. Not tax advice; your facts decide. Fees are fixed and quoted before work begins; they never depend on the result.

    Questions people ask

    Is this a sales tool?

    No. It removes any strategy that costs more than it saves, and it says so when nothing fits. Many businesses only need the first two or three items.

    Why does it sometimes say to raise my salary?

    An S corporation owner must take a reasonable salary for the work done (Rev. Rul. 59-221). If yours is too low, fixing it costs tax but protects you in an audit. The Finder shows that honestly.

    What is "moved to your own accounts"?

    Retirement and health savings contributions cut tax today, but the cash leaves the business and goes into accounts you own. It is still your money, just not spendable this year.

    Where do the numbers come from?

    2026 federal law: IRC sections cited on each line, the 2026 brackets and standard deduction, the Social Security wage base and the QBI deduction rules. The engine is the same one we use with clients.

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