What's a CPA...? Taxes, Deductions, Quarterlies and More with Paul Glantz, CPA

Hi there folks! Creatives Meet Business is an event and podcast series based out of Austin, Texas for creatives of ALL disciplines to get from zero to one in thinking of themselves as business owners (in the creative sector). This episode features Paul Glantz, an Austin-based CPA, who owns Launch Consulting, Inc. Launch Consulting, Inc. assists clients throughout the business process - from business consulting to entity selection to bookkeeping to tax preparation. For all of these reasons, Paul will be back for the next couple of episodes as we tackle LLC and Business Structures and a mystery episode. Without further adieu, let's tackle taxes! 0:00 to 2:08 - Ashland Opening Remarks and Intro of Paul Glantz, CPA 2:14 to 3:51 - What IS a CPA CPAs can focus in certain spaces like: Public Accounting, Taxes, Industry / Private Practice  CPAs in taxes help with compliance and filings and more 3:53 to 6:22 - Taxes and Who Can Prepare Them Taxes can be prepared by a tax service provider (like H&R; Block), an Enrolled Agent, or a CPA  CPA - has a vested interest in clients and looks for opportunities to save client money. Benefit in a CPA lies in the long-term relationship. 6:25 to 8:25 - Just Getting Started? Finding the Right CPA Main factors for choosing a CPA: Price - Find someone in your budget, but don't cut corners Familiarity with your industry - Tax is broad, you want them to be familiar with your industry and the deductions available for you Are you a more aggressive or conservative tax payer? Make sure they're comfortable with your style and vice versa. 8:27 to 10:25 - How do you minimize your bill with your CPA? Ask your CPA up front and have a conversation about it! Keep clean records Separate business from personal - have a business banking account and credit card 10:27 to 13:30 - What do you give your CPA (from your business) at the end of the year? Profit & loss statement, a balance sheet, general ledger  If you aren't using accounting software and are tracking for yourself, categorize your expenses on an annual basis Benefits of accounting software 13:32 to 14:30 - When's the Best Time to Hire a CPA? Best time to hire a CPA - during the year, beginning of the year or before the year-end. 14:32 - Getting More Advanced - Conversation Shifting to Taxes 15:03 to 17:10 - What's Deductible? General answer - anything ordinary and necessary to produce income or operate your business is a deductible expense If you're soliciting your business over: meals / drinks / tickets to a game / etc - 50% is deductible  Clothing is never deductible - unless it's a uniform 17:12 to 18:33 - What Does The IRS Want?? The IRS wants their cut!  Self employment tax 18:35 to 19:20 - Keep Your Receipts! 19:22 to 22:18 - How Do You Calculate Estimated Taxes? Check out Paul's Ultimate Guide to Estimated Taxes Safe Harbor Provision If you owe more than $1K, you're required to make quarterly deposits 22:20 to 23:20 - How do Estimated Taxes work with Expenses? IRS has worksheets that can help you Form you file - Form 1040-ES IRS Direct Pay link 23:24 to 24:27 - Ashland's Closing Remarks If you like what you hear, share the podcast with your friends, like and comment. To stay in the loop - follow us on Twitter, Facebook or subscribe to the newsletter. Stay tuned for more, we'll be posting another episode featuring Paul in the next couple of weeks. This next one will be all about LLCs and Business Structures and some solid business advice for getting started. Thanks! Ashland, Creatives Meet Business