Sold Nvidia, Apple, or Tesla Stock? Don’t Forget the Tax Bill
In a Nutshell If you sold shares of Nvidia, Apple, or Tesla and walked away with a profit, the IRS wants a piece. Here is the short version: Selling stock for a gain triggers a tax bill, even if you reinvest the money. Short-term gains (held one year or less) are taxed at your regular…
Read MoreWhy Tax Planning Matters More When You Have 1099 Income
In a Nutshell If you’re a physician with any 1099 income, the tax code gives you options that pure W-2 earners just don’t have. The three big moves are simple in concept: claim the deductions you already qualify for, set up the right business entity, then layer in advanced strategies once those basics are locked…
Read MoreThe Complete Guide to Quarterly Estimated Taxes
In a Nutshell Quarterly estimated taxes are payments you send to the IRS four times a year on income that doesn’t have taxes withheld. For 2026, the deadlines are April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15, 2027. If you’re a doctor with side income, run a private practice, or work as a locum…
Read MoreBest Tax Preparation Services for Physicians With Multiple Income Sources
In a Nutshell Physician tax preparation services aren’t just regular tax help with a fancy label. If you’re a doctor juggling a W-2 hospital job, some 1099 locum shifts, maybe a side telehealth gig, and a rental property or two, your taxes are not “regular person” taxes anymore. You need a specialist. The best tax…
Read MoreW-2 and 1099 Physician Income Safe Harbor Rules: A Beginner’s Guide
In a Nutshell If you’re a physician earning income from both a hospital job (W-2) and side gigs like locums or telehealth (1099), the IRS expects you to pay taxes as you earn, not just in April. The irs safe harbor rule is your shield against underpayment penalties. Pay either 90% of what you’ll owe…
Read MoreS Corp vs Professional Corporation (PC) vs PLLC: What Physicians Need to Know
In a Nutshell Picking the right business structure as a physician isn’t just paperwork. It directly affects how much tax you pay, how protected your personal assets are, and whether your state will even let you operate the way you want. Here’s the short version: A Professional Corporation (PC) is a formal corporate structure that…
Read MoreThe Accountable Plan Setup for Physician Practices: A Step-by-Step Guide
In a Nutshell An accountable plan is a written, board-approved policy that lets your practice reimburse you for legitimate business expenses you paid personally, tax-free. It works best for physicians running an S-corp or PLLC taxed as an S-corp, where you wear two hats: owner and W-2 employee. Done right, it can quietly move thousands…
Read MoreSolo 401(k) vs SEP-IRA vs Defined Benefit Plans: Which Retirement Setup Wins for Physician S Corps
In a Nutshell If you’re a physician running an S corp with both W-2 hospital income and 1099 side work, your retirement plan choice can shift your tax bill by tens of thousands of dollars a year. A Solo 401(k) usually beats a SEP-IRA for physician S corps because it lets you contribute more on…
Read MoreHow to Pay the IRS Online Without Making Costly Mistakes
In a Nutshell Paying the IRS online is faster, safer, and (mostly) free, but high-earning physicians make expensive errors all the time. The big ones? Missing quarterly deadlines, picking the wrong payment method, and forgetting that estimated taxes are a year-round game. Here’s what you need to know: The IRS now requires electronic payments for…
Read MoreHow to Determine a “Reasonable Salary” as a Physician S Corp Owner
In a Nutshell The IRS requires you to pay yourself a fair salary before taking distributions from your S Corp. “Reasonable” means what another physician with your specialty, experience, and workload would earn doing the same job. Pay yourself too little, and the IRS can reclassify your distributions as wages, plus add penalties and back…
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