Tax & Accounting Services

At Smith Marion, we provide tailored tax and accounting services designed to support nonprofits and privately held businesses. We take the time to understand your operations, challenges, and goals—so we can deliver solutions that are both practical and strategic. From monthly bookkeeping to custom CFO services, our team ensures your financial records are accurate, timely, and aligned with your organization’s needs. For corporations, we offer comprehensive accounting and business advisory services to help you manage financial operations, improve efficiency, and support growth. Our tax professionals also work closely with you to develop smart, compliant strategies that minimize liabilities and respond to changing regulations. Whether you need day-to-day support or strategic financial leadership, Smith Marion is here to help you stay confident, compliant, and focused on the future.

Trust & Estates.

At Smith Marion, we help you plan for the future with personalized strategies that protect your assets and support your long-term goals. Whether you’re building an estate plan, managing a trust, or preparing for retirement, our team provides tax-efficient solutions tailored to your unique situation—so you can feel confident in the legacy you’re creating.

Partnerships.

At Smith Marion, we take the complexity out of partnership tax compliance. Our team understands the unique filing requirements and tax laws that apply to partnerships, ensuring your returns are prepared accurately and submitted on time. With a focus on precision and compliance, we help your organization meet its tax obligations while minimizing the risk of errors or penalties.

Corporations.

At Smith Marion, we provide the accounting, advisory, and tax expertise corporations need to thrive. Our integrated services help businesses streamline financial reporting, improve operational efficiency, and stay compliant with evolving tax regulations. Whether you’re scaling, restructuring, or planning for the future, our team delivers the insight and support to drive lasting success.

990 Filing

Form 990 is a key tool for demonstrating your nonprofit’s transparency and accountability. It provides donors, grantmakers, and other stakeholders with insight into how your organization allocates resources and carries out its mission. At Smith Marion, we ensure your 990 is accurate, timely, and clearly reflects the impact of your work.

Payroll

Payroll doesn’t have to be a burden. At Smith Marion, we take the stress out of payroll by guiding you through accurate processing, timely submissions, and compliance with tax and labor laws. Our expert team provides the support and advice you need so you can focus on what matters most—running and growing your organization with confidence.

Budgets

A strong budget is the foundation of smart decision-making. At Smith Marion, we help organizations develop clear, realistic budgets that align with their goals and resources. Our team works with you to create a financial roadmap that supports day-to-day operations, long-term planning, and informed leadership at every level.

Outsource CFO

Every organization needs financial leadership, but not every team requires a full-time CFO. At Smith Marion, our Outsourced CFO services deliver strategic insight and high-level financial guidance tailored to your goals. From budgeting and cash flow to forecasting and long-term planning, we provide the expertise you need to make informed decisions and drive sustainable growth.

OUTSOURCE

SUPPORT

Outsourcing Payroll Support in Tennessee - Smith Marion

Outsourcing payroll processing and accounting services to us can provide a multitude of benefits for your company. By entrusting us with tasks such as calculating, distributing, and reporting on employee pay and benefits, as well as bookkeeping, financial statement preparation, and budgeting, your company can free up internal resources and focus on other aspects of running the business that drive growth and profitability. This way, your company can focus on areas such as sales and marketing, product development, or customer service, without having to worry about the time-consuming and complex task of managing employee pay and benefits, and ensuring accurate financial reporting.

Outsourcing these services can also provide a level of expertise and experience that may be difficult to find or afford in-house. We have specialized knowledge of accounting regulations and compliance, as well as industry-specific experience that can help your company make more informed financial decisions. This can provide a level of assurance that your company is operating within legal guidelines and that your employees are receiving the pay and benefits to which they are entitled. Furthermore, outsourcing payroll processing and accounting services also means that your company can be confident that your employees will be paid accurately and on time, which can help to maintain positive employee morale and avoid any issues related to delayed or incorrect payments.

Utilizing our outsourcing services can provide a level of flexibility that may not be possible with an in-house team. For example, your company may only need accounting and payroll services on a part-time or occasional basis, and outsourcing allows you to scale your support up or down as needed, saving time, money and resources for your company.

Personal Tax FAQ’s

This is one of the most common client questions and one of the biggest sources of frustration. In most cases, the result is not caused by an error — it’s driven by changes in withholding, income, credits, or tax law.

Your tax outcome is based on the difference between tax withheld and your actual tax liability. Common reasons for changes include:

  • Income increases or changes in income sources
  • Expiration of temporary tax credits
  • Reduced withholding at work
  • Changes in filing status or dependents
  • Phaseouts of credits and deductions
  • Safe harbor payment rules

A different result does not automatically mean something went wrong — it usually means something changed.

All taxable income must be reported, even if you did not receive a tax form.

This includes:

  • Side gigs and freelance work
  • Cash payments
  • Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, and digital payments
  • Interest and dividends
  • K-1 income
  • Cryptocurrency transactions
  • Investment income
  • Rental income

The IRS focuses on income reporting accuracy, and missing income is one of the most common audit triggers. If you earned it, it likely needs to be reported — regardless of how it was paid or documented.

Not all expenses are deductible, even if they feel like they should be.

Common misconceptions come from:

  • Confusion between personal and business expenses
  • Misunderstanding standard vs. itemized deductions
  • Social media tax advice
  • Outdated tax rules
  • Lack of documentation

Deductions must meet IRS requirements for business purpose, substantiation, and eligibility. Just because an expense is helpful or work-related does not automatically make it deductible.

Claiming dependents is one of the most highly scrutinized areas of tax law and one of the most emotionally charged issues for families.

Eligibility is based on IRS dependency tests, including:

  • Residency
  • Financial support
  • Relationship
  • Age
  • Custody arrangements
  • Divorce and separation agreements

Duplicate claims, divorced parent situations, and shared custody arrangements require careful documentation and annual review. This is not something that should be assumed — it should be confirmed every year.

Possibly. Many people are surprised to learn that selling assets can create taxable income.

This includes:

  • Homes
  • Rental property
  • Investments
  • Businesses
  • Crypto assets
  • Land
  • Equipment
  • Collectibles

Taxability depends on basis, holding period, exclusions, and capital gain rules. Not all sales are taxable, but many are — and reinvesting the money does not automatically eliminate the tax obligation.

Every tax return is different. Tax outcomes depend on:

  • Income types (wages vs. business vs. investments)
  • Filing status
  • Dependents
  • Phaseouts
  • Credits
  • Deductions
  • Withholding
  • State taxes
  • Life changes

Comparing tax returns without understanding the underlying structure creates false expectations. A “better” result does not mean a more accurate return — it simply reflects different financial circumstances.

In general, tax records should be retained for 3 to 7 years, depending on the type of record and risk exposure.

Longer retention is recommended for:

  • Property records
  • Asset purchases and sales
  • Basis documentation
  • Business formation documents
  • Investment records
  • Real estate transactions

Good record retention protects you in audits, supports deductions, and ensures accurate reporting over time.

Yes. Creating an IRS ID.me account allows faster and more secure access to your tax information.

With an ID.me account, you can:

  • Access tax transcripts
  • View account balances
  • Review payment history
  • Retrieve IRS notices
  • Verify identity securely
  • Monitor IRS records

This simplifies tax resolution, planning, and compliance and gives you faster access to critical IRS data.

Business Tax FAQ’s

Many business owners are required to make quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid penalties and large balances due at filing.

Estimated payments generally apply if you:

  • Are self-employed
  • Own a pass-through business (LLC, partnership, S-corp)
  • Receive income not subject to withholding
  • Have investment or rental income
  • Exceed IRS safe harbor thresholds

Estimated taxes are based on projected income and tax liability, not just last year’s return. Missing estimates often leads to recurring balances due, penalties, and cash flow stress.

Not all business expenses are deductible, even if they feel business-related.

To be deductible, an expense must be:

  • Ordinary (common in your industry)
  • Necessary (helpful and appropriate for business operations)
  • Properly documented
  • Legally allowable under tax law

High-risk areas include:

  • Mixed-use expenses (home office, vehicles, phones)
  • Meals and entertainment
  • Travel
  • Personal expenses paid through the business
  • “Gray area” lifestyle expenses

Clear documentation and proper classification are essential for audit protection and compliance.

Filing and paying are two separate obligations.

  • Filing late can trigger failure-to-file penalties
  • Paying late can trigger failure-to-pay penalties and interest

Even if you cannot pay, filing on time significantly reduces penalties. Payment options may include:

  • Installment agreements
  • Short-term payment plans
  • Long-term payment plans
  • Partial payment arrangements

Early communication creates options. Waiting creates penalties, interest, and enforcement risk.

Often, yes. Asset sales are frequently misunderstood and can create unexpected tax liability.

Tax treatment depends on:

  • Asset type
  • Original cost (basis)
  • Depreciation taken
  • Holding period
  • Sale price

Sales may trigger:

  • Depreciation recapture
  • Capital gains tax
  • Ordinary income tax
  • State tax obligations

Even small asset sales can create tax consequences. Asset transactions should always be reviewed before or immediately after the sale.

This depends entirely on your business entity structure.

Different rules apply to:

  • Sole proprietors
  • Single-member LLCs
  • Multi-member LLCs
  • Partnerships
  • S-corporations
  • C-corporations

Entity structure determines:

  • Filing requirements
  • Tax treatment
  • Payroll obligations
  • Compliance exposure
  • Planning opportunities

Entity type should be reviewed annually, as growth and operational changes can change the correct filing structure.

Strong recordkeeping protects deductions, supports compliance, and reduces audit risk.

Key records include:

  • Receipts and invoices
  • Mileage logs
  • Payroll records
  • Bank statements
  • Credit card statements
  • Asset purchase records
  • Lease agreements
  • Contracts
  • Loan documents
  • Sales records

Good documentation is not just compliance — it enables planning, forecasting, and financial decision-making.

Tax reduction starts with planning — not filing.

Proactive strategies may include:

  • Timing income and expenses
  • Retirement plan contributions
  • Entity structure planning
  • Compensation planning
  • Depreciation strategies
  • Benefit structuring
  • Investment planning
  • Business growth strategy alignment

The best tax strategies are built before year-end, not during tax season.

Accurate, current financials are essential for planning, forecasting, and tax strategy.

When financials are current through the third quarter (October/November), it allows for:

  • Tax planning
  • Cash flow forecasting
  • Estimate accuracy
  • Strategic decision-making
  • Risk management
  • Expectation setting for tax outcomes

Late financials eliminate planning opportunities and force reactive tax preparation instead of strategic advisory support.

Contact Us

Let’s connect to discuss how we can support your business goals and help you navigate your financial journey with confidence.