A.M. Accounting Services LLC

Are you paying yourself and family members who work in your business reasonable compensation? The IRS requires compensation (including salaries, bonuses and perks) to reflect services performed and be comparable to compensation for similar roles in similar organizations. This is especially important for owner-employees and related parties. Payments to relatives may be deductible, but only if they represent reasonable wages for bona fide services and are well documented. Excess compensation may be reclassified as nondeductible distributions of income, while underpaying may raise payroll tax issues. Regularly reviewing compensation practices can help reduce audit risk. Call us at (602) 374-3436 for guidance.

Your business can show a profit on paper and still face cash shortages because profit and cash flow measure different things. Profit reflects revenue minus expenses, while cash flow tracks the movement of cash in and out of your business. Cash shortfalls are especially common for growing businesses. That’s because you typically must pay suppliers, vendors and lenders upfront, and then wait for customers to pay you. Understanding the difference between profit and cash flow — and how to account for each — can help you make smarter financial decisions. Contact us at (602) 374-3436 to learn strategies for improving cash flow management.

If your estate might exceed the federal estate tax exemption ($15 million for 2026), you’re probably concerned about future estate tax liability. A spousal lifetime access trust (SLAT) may help. A SLAT can allow you to remove wealth from your estate tax-free while providing a safety net if your needs change in the future. Essentially, a SLAT is an irrevocable trust you establish for the benefit of your spouse plus your children or other relatives. Your spouse is granted limited access to the trust’s funds during his or her lifetime, giving you indirect access. Call us at (602) 374-3436 to discuss whether a SLAT makes sense for you.