Albertson & Jones, P.A.

09/08/2026

Occupational fraud perpetrated by owners and senior executives can be particularly costly for businesses because these individuals usually have greater authority to override internal controls. To reduce fraud risk, familiarize yourself with the three sides of the “fraud triangle”: pressure, opportunity and rationalization. These factors generally enable fraud. Also establish strong controls and policies that prevent owners and executives from overriding them. And offer an anonymous tipline or web portal so that workers can report suspicions without fear of retribution. Call us at (910) 298-4856 for help assessing controls and investigating incidents.

09/07/2026

One of the easiest ways to reduce the size of your taxable estate is to take advantage of your gift tax annual exclusion. For 2026, you can transfer up to $19,000 per recipient gift-tax-free. And you can double the exclusion to $38,000 per recipient if you split the gifts with your spouse. But it’s critical to understand the rules of gift-splitting to avoid unintended tax consequences. To elect to split gifts, the spouse making the gift must file a gift tax return, and the other spouse must consent by checking a box on the return and signing it. Contact us at (910) 298-4856 for additional details.

09/03/2026

Sole proprietors: Are you on top of your federal tax obligations? Even if your business is small, tax compliance and planning are a big deal.

In addition to reporting business income and expenses, you may owe self-employment tax and need to make quarterly estimated payments. You might also need an employer identification number (for example, if you hire employees). State and local income, sales, payroll, and other tax requirements may apply, too. Careful planning can help you maximize deductions and choose the right retirement plan for your situation.

Contact us at (910) 298-4856 to learn more about the tax aspects of being a sole proprietor, including the reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

09/02/2026

Tax law changes have created new planning opportunities for 2026. A review of your expected income and expenses for the year, along with any significant life changes, may uncover strategies to reduce your taxes. Start the conversation before year-end for more time to take tax-saving steps. And if you extended your 2025 return, we can help you file before the Oct. 15 deadline. Call us at (910) 298-4856 to schedule an appointment.

09/01/2026

Businesses have long used bank lockbox services to accelerate collections and reduce work involved in processing checks. Now, technology enables lockbox users to automate many accounts receivable procedures. But other electronic payment methods, including ACH and credit cards, may provide less expensive, yet effective, solutions. To determine what makes sense for your organization, evaluate the volume of paper checks you receive. If it’s high, you might benefit from a lockbox service. Otherwise, consider accepting paper checks while steering customers to electronic methods. Talk to your bank about its services, and call us at (910) 298-4856 for help calculating your current payment-processing costs.

08/31/2026

08/31/2026

Effective job costing can help business owners make smarter pricing and budgeting decisions. By tracking the direct labor, materials and overhead tied to specific jobs or projects, you gain a clearer picture of profitability and operational efficiency. Without accurate data, it’s easy to underprice work, overlook cost overruns or misjudge your most profitable services. We can help you set up practical costing methods that improve financial insight and support better decision-making. Call us at (910) 298-4856 for more information.

08/27/2026

Recent tax law changes made the New Markets Tax Credit permanent. This program encourages private investment in economically distressed communities by offering federal income tax credits to qualifying investors.

If your business invests in a certified community development entity (CDE), you may be eligible for a credit equal to 39% of your investment over seven years. Alternatively, your business may benefit indirectly by receiving CDE financing for renovations, equipment, expansion or other eligible projects in qualifying low-income communities.

We can help you estimate the potential tax or financing benefits and comply with the applicable requirements. Call us at (910) 298-4856 to learn more.

08/26/2026

Grabbing lunch with a client doesn’t just build rapport. It can also trim your tax bill. Under federal tax law, you can generally deduct 50% of qualifying business meal costs. Whether you're dining with clients, partners or employees, these deductions can reduce your taxable income. Keep detailed records of the expenses, including receipts. Document the business purpose of each meal and the business relationship of the people you dine with. Contact us at (910) 298-4856 with any questions about this deduction.

08/25/2026

A business valuation prepared by a qualified professional can play a critical role in transactions and strategic decisions. These include business sales, M&As, litigation, estate planning and buy-sell agreements. Because valuation professionals analyze a wide range of qualitative and quantitative factors, the process can reveal opportunities to boost performance and maximize return on investment. Understanding key concepts — including fair market value, fair value, going-concern value, and valuation premiums and discounts — helps owners interpret results and make more informed decisions. Call us at (910) 298-4856 to learn more.