How to Determine a “Reasonable Salary” as a Physician S Corp Owner

Illustration of a physician S Corp owner reviewing reasonable salary, pay stub, salary benchmarks, and compensation analysis with a tax advisor.

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…

Read More

What Happens If You Ignore Form 1099-S After Selling Your Home?

Illustration of a calculator, 1099-S tax form, house model, coins, and paperwork about a home sale tax issue

Selling a home can feel like the finish line. The closing is done. The money moved. You signed a stack of papers that probably felt too thick. Then a tax form shows up later and you think, maybe this does not really apply to me. That form is often Form 1099-S. If you ignore it,…

Read More

Home Office for Physicians: When It Counts for 1099 Work

Physician working from a home office on 1099 income tax planning and doctor tax planning

If you’re a physician with 1099 income, you’ve probably heard someone say, “Just take the home office deduction.” And you’ve probably also felt that little pause. Because it sounds simple. But it rarely is. A home office deduction can be real money. It can also be a mess if you claim it when you don’t…

Read More

Are Tax Planning Fees Deductible in 2026?

Illustration showing which tax planning fees may be deductible in 2026 for business, rentals, and personal tax work.

You pay for tax planning.You get the invoice.Then you pause and think… can I deduct this? In 2026 planning, the answer splits fast: Business and income-producing work: often deductible Personal-only tax work: usually not deductible on your federal return That’s the clean version. Real life is messier. The 2026 federal rule that blocks a lot…

Read More