In this episode of Business by The Books, reformed corporate CFO and founder of Kickstart Accounting, Inc.'s Danielle Hayden gets honest about a tough but essential topic: Are you building a business that's truly healthy, or one that's just trying to pay as little as possible in taxes?

Danielle breaks down the real costs of trying to make every expense a "business expense." From dinners and vacations to board meetings and the Augusta Rule, she shares the financial habits that could be holding you back from long-term success and how to fix them.

Key Takeaways:

• Showing Zero Profit Isn't a Badge of Honor: Trying to pay nothing in taxes might save you in the short-term, but it can hurt you when you need a loan, want to sell your business, or attract investors.

• Every Meal Isn't a Business Meal: Unless the goal of your meeting is actually business-related, that dinner date with your spouse or lunch with your family where you mentioned work isn't a deductible expense.

• Your Family Isn't Your Board of Directors: Why real accountability partners and advisors are essential for growth, and why mixing family with "board meetings" on vacation doesn't count.

• Use the Augusta Rule Wisely: Just because you can use your home for meetings doesn't mean you should. Consider whether that setup establishes the professional environment you need for connection, collaboration, and innovation.

• Build a Business for Value, Not Just for Tax Savings: Your CPA works for you. You get to decide: Are you optimizing for paying less in taxes? Or are you creating a business that thrives, grows, and generates true wealth?

Topics Discussed:

(00:00) Intro: What Your CPA Wishes They Could Tell You

(02:26) The Problem with Turning Every Expense into a "Business Expense"

(03:29) Why Your Family Vacation Isn't and/or Shouldn't Be a Business Trip

(06:35) The Augusta Rule and Creating Professional Business Environments

(08:23) Choosing the Kind of CEO You Want to Be – Tax Savings or Long-Term Business Value

(10:03) Outro: Like, Share and Subscribe!

Resources:

KSA Tax Partners | https://ksataxpartners.com/

Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.:

https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/book-a-call/

Connect with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.:

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