Small Business Tax Savings Podcast | Jetro And Associates

Can you deduct free food, rent your house to your business or avoid double taxation with a C Corp?In this Q&A episode, Mike answers rapid-fire tax questions submitted by business owners across industries. From restaurant deductions to partnership restructuring, foreign contractors, co-mingled expenses, and advanced C Corp investing strategies, this episode walks through what’s legal, what’s smart, and what’s risky. If you want clarity before you file, this is the one to listen to.

If you're already giving to charity, you're leaving thousands of dollars in tax deductions on the table. What is a donor-advised fund and why should you care? Mike sits down with Adam Nash, CEO of Daffy, to break down how Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) work and why they can be a powerful tax strategy for business owners and high-income earners. If you regularly give to your church, your kids’ school, your alma mater, or other charities, this episode shows you how to give more strategically, reduce taxes, and increase your impact.

When should you pay yourself? Paying yourself on the wrong payroll schedule can create IRS red flags, cash flow crunches, and painful cleanup later.In this episode, we break down monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll for S Corp owners. You’ll learn what the IRS actually expects, how reasonable salary works, why quarterly “true-ups” can create cash flow problems, and how to structure payroll to stay compliant without overpaying in taxes.We also cover catch-ups, slowdowns, bonuses, zero payroll returns, and a critical but often-missed strategy involving self-employed health insurance and HSA contributions that can reduce FICA taxes.If you’re an S Corp owner trying to pay yourself the right way and avoid IRS attention, this episode walks you through exactly how to do it. 

Paying yourself wrong can trigger IRS issues, messy books, and unexpected tax bills. In this episode, we break down exactly how LLC owners should pay themselves in 2026 based on their entity type and tax election.You’ll learn the 3 primary ways business owners get paid: owner draws or distributions, payroll, and guaranteed payments. We explain which payment methods are legally allowed for single-member LLCs, partnerships, and S corporations, and why running payroll as an owner is prohibited unless you have an S corporation election.We walk through how each method is taxed, how it shows up in your financial statements, and why owner draws do not reduce business profit even though they reduce cash. 

You formed your LLC. Good job.But many business owners unknowingly make critical mistakes after formation that quietly destroy liability protection, trigger audits, and limit growth.In this episode, Mike walks through the 10 most common LLC mistakes business owners make in 2026 and explains exactly how to fix them. From mixing personal and business finances to ignoring tax planning and misclassifying owner compensation, this episode gives you a practical framework to audit your business and protect it the right way.If you want your LLC to survive and thrive, not just exist on paper, this episode shows you what to fix now before it becomes expensive later.

Thinking about forming an LLC in 2026? In this episode, Mike breaks down how to set up an LLC step by step, what “free” really means, state filing costs, common mistakes to avoid, and why an LLC can act as an insurance policy for future S Corp tax savings. Perfect for new and growing business owners who want clarity without the confusion.If you want a clean, simple business setup that protects you now and gives you flexibility later, this episode gives you the roadmap without the legal confusion.

If you are already behind on your taxes in January, there are four tax tasks you cannot skip.In this episode, we break down the four financial tasks every business owner needs to complete in January to start 2026 clean and organized. Mike explains why unfinished bookkeeping leads to missed deductions and unnecessary stress, how to properly review your financials, and why most tax issues begin long before filing season.We also cover the importance of creating a simple financial summary document, meeting the January 31 1099 deadline, and building a proactive tax plan early in the year instead of scrambling in December.If you want 2026 to be more profitable and less stressful, this episode shows you exactly where to start.

Are you still guessing when it comes to 1099s? Most business owners are. And every January, that confusion turns into stress, penalties, and last-minute cleanup that could have been avoided.In this episode, Mike Jesowshek breaks down everything small business owners need to know about 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC forms, who needs one, who doesn't, the deadlines and the penalties that add up fast. If you want January to feel calm instead of chaotic, this episode gives you the clear rules and simple process to get compliant without overthinking it.

Happy Holidays, and thank you. This episode is a personal thank-you to the Small Business Tax Savings Podcast community. We reflect on nearly eight years of the show, including over 400 episodes and more than 1.5 million downloads.  At the core of this podcast is one mission; Helping small business owners pay the least amount in taxes legally, without stress or confusion.  Let’s make 2026 the year you get proactive about tax planning from the start. If this podcast has helped you in any way this year, there are a few small things you can do to help us continue helping more business owners:- Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen- Subscribe to our YouTube channel- Share this podcast with another business owner- Follow us on social media to stay connectedIf you’d like to go deeper, you can download our Tax Savings Starter Kit. Inside, you’ll find:- A complete list of common business deductions- Real case studies showing how business owners saved $5,000–$25,000- Access to a bonus disco

Send us a textDo you really have your tax planning handled? The thing is, many business owners are making a critical mistake that will become even more expensive by 2026.In this episode, Mike Jesowshek, CPA, sits down with Mark J. Kohler to expose the biggest tax planning failure business owners make. Confusing knowing strategies with actually applying them. Mark explains why tax savings disappear at the implementation level, how poor execution creates long-term consequences, and why retirement accounts are one of the most overlooked areas where this mistake shows up.

Send us a textIf you’re a new business owner, you've probably wondered if you are doing any of this correctly.Should you get an LLC? Do you file a Schedule C? Can you hire your kids? Does a home office hurt you when you sell your house?In this episode, Mike walks through real questions from listeners and gives clear answers to the tax issues that confuse most new entrepreneurs. From 1099 income and deductions to home office rules, the Augusta Rule, and hiring your kids, this Q&A hits the topics every early-stage owner struggles with.

Send us a textYear-end is the last chance to lock in major tax savings for your business.In this episode, Mike walks through the exact steps business owners need to take now, from S Corp requirements and accountable plans to AGI phaseouts, QBI planning, and the Augusta Rule.You’ll also learn how to hire your kids correctly, hit retirement deadlines, use timing strategies as a cash-basis filer, harvest tax losses, and document every move so you enter tax season clean, organized, and ready.

Send us a textWhat if you could buy a computer, a machine, or new equipment and deduct the entire cost in the first year instead of waiting 5, 10, or even 30 years? Thanks to major updates in the One Big Beautiful Bill, you can now take a full write-off upfront.We break down how depreciation works, when to expense versus capitalize, and how the updated bonus depreciation and Section 179 rules give owners more control over their tax bill.You’ll learn how to time asset purchases, when to avoid front-loading deductions, and why every business needs a written capitalization policy.

Send us a textMost S Corp owners follow the right steps, but still pay more tax than they should. A business earning over 300K can lose thousands simply by underusing core strategies.In this live case study, Mike Jesowshek, CPA, reviews a seven-figure business with an S Corp structure, a salary in place, and a record year of profit. You will see why this owner paid 30K in taxes and how that number can be reduced.If you feel like your tax plan has stopped working, this breakdown gives you a clear blueprint for moving from basic strategies into advanced tax planning.

Send us a textWhat if you could pay your kids a salary, take a business deduction, and teach them real financial skills at the same time? In this episode, Mike Jesowshek, CPA, explains how to legally hire your children in your business, what the IRS actually allows, and how to do it correctly so you avoid audits and penalties.You’ll learn the rules for paying your kids under age 18, how to document their work, how much you can pay them tax-free, and how this strategy can double as a wealth-building tool through Roth IRAs.

Send us a textIf you’ve ever wanted to move money from your business to yourself without paying extra tax, this episode is for you.In this episode, you’ll learn how the Augusta Rule, also called the 14-Day Home Rental Rule, lets business owners rent their personal homes to their own business and receive that income completely tax-free. You’ll also learn exactly how to document it, what proof the IRS expects, and the common mistakes that can get this strategy disallowed.

Send us a textIf you’ve ever paid for business expenses out of pocket, like your phone bill, internet, or home office, and wondered if you can get reimbursed without paying more tax, this episode is for you.In this episode, you’ll learn how an Accountable Plan lets business owners legally reimburse themselves and their employees tax-free. You’ll also discover the 4 key rules every plan must follow to stay IRS-compliant, and the most common mistakes that lead to audit trouble.

Send us a textA single medical bill can wipe out your profits. But health expenses don’t have to drain your cash flow. In this episode, you’ll learn three powerful ways to turn your medical costs into legitimate tax deductions. From self-employed health insurance and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to Section 105 reimbursement plans and employee health benefits, these strategies can help business owners save thousands while staying fully IRS-compliant.

Send us a textTrusts aren’t just for the rich. Every family can benefit from one. A revocable living trust can simplify estate planning, avoid probate, and create a foundation for generational wealth.In this episode, Mike Jesowshek, CPA, sits down with Jack Fiveash, attorney and co-founder of The Co Letter, to talk about how families can use a simple trust and LLC structure to build long-term stability, protect assets, and involve their children in smart financial stewardship.They cover how to start a revocable trust, the ideal timing, what it costs, and how it ties into a broader family office structure that preserves both wealth and values.

Send us a textIf you earn over $250,000 or plan to sell a highly appreciated asset, this episode could save you hundreds of thousands in taxes. Most business owners stop at basic deductions and retirement plans, but the wealthy use strategies that go far beyond that. In this episode, we break down the five categories of advanced tax planning, when they apply, and how to use them the right way.