“If you don’t think
every day is a
good day, just try
missing one.”
—Cavett Robert, CSP,
CPAE, NSA Founder
BY THE
NUMBERS
ORGANIC
SEARCH
Google searches per day.
Smart Insights, 2017
Search queries that are
four words or longer.
WordStream, 2016
The number of words in an average
Google first page result.
Backlinko, 2016
Percent of clicks that go to the top
three Google results.
Ignite Visibility, 2017
Year-End Tax Tips to
Avoid Penalties in 2018
1ES TIMATE YOUR TO TAL TAXES.
Ask your tax preparer
or use a free tax service
to estimate your taxes
by entering an estimate
of your 2018 income,
deductions, and credits.
Take into account
increases or decreases
in your business and
changes in dependents, as
well as nonrecurring gains
or losses.
Subtract your expected
2018 withholding from
your total tax due to
determine the shortfall. For
2018 planning purposes,
you may either pay the
shortfall throughout
the year by increasing
withholding (on either
spouse if married filing
jointly) or you must pay
estimated taxes in April,
June, September, and
January.
IF YOU’RE KEEPING YOUR FINGERS CROSSED THAT YOU DON’T
HAVE A HUGE AMOUNT OF TAXES DUE come April 15, there is a
better way. Try these tips to be sure you don’t get surprised by an
unexpected tax bill each year.
2PAY ENOUGH TO AVOID PENALT Y.
Generally, you will
not be penalized for
underpayment if you
pay in as much as you
owed the prior year.
For estimated tax
purposes, you can then
subtract the expected
withholding for 2018
from the total taxes for
2017 to determine the
amount you need to
pay through estimated
taxes to avoid a penalty.
Avoid the penalty
by paying in four
installments, starting
with April 15, and make
sure the withholding
throughout the year
does not dip below the
2017 amount.
3SE T MONE Y ASIDE AS YOU GO.
If your only significant
taxable income is from
your company, divide
the estimated tax total
by your total business
revenue.
That will tell you
what percent of every
top-line revenue check
you receive should be set
aside for estimated taxes
in a savings account set
up specifically for this
purpose.
If your company
profits are increasing and
you are paying enough
to avoid penalty, as
described above, you will
be short on April 15, 2019,
when your 2018 return
is due. By setting aside
a percent of revenues as
you go, the shortfall will
be ready and waiting in
the tax savings account.