John P. Baker CPA

(360) 293-5841
 Home    john@johnbakercpa.com
· Welcome
· Calculators
· Calendar
· Planning Tools
· Track Refund

 
Business Owner
 Articles
  Benefits and retirement plans
   Disability income insurance for the self-employed
   Group health insurance: a valued employee benefit
   Health insurance for the self-employed
   Key employee life and disability insurance
   Life insurance for the self-employed
   Retirement plans for small businesses
   What employers need to know about workers' compensation insurance
  Starting a business
   Advantages and disadvantages of self-employment
   Choosing an entity for your business
   Hiring your first employee
   Qualifying for the home office deduction
   Tax planning for the self-employed
 Decision Tools
  Business planning basics
   2003 numbers
   Net worth calculator
  Choosing an entity
   Choosing a business entity
   Comparison of LLCs, LLPs, and professional corporations
   How C Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, and Limited Liability Partnerships Protect Personal Assets
  Tax planning
   Accelerating deductions/postponing income
   Accelerating income/postponing deductions
 FAQs
  Advertising a business
   How can I get free publicity for my business?
   How do I know where to advertise my business?
   What is the best form of advertising?
  Incorporating a business
   Can I change my business from a C corporation to an S corporation?
   Can I change my business from an S corporation to a C corporation?
   Should I incorporate my business?
  Noncompetition agreements
   I am buying a business. Can I make the seller sign a noncompetition agreement?
   My employer wants me to sign a noncompetition agreement. What is it? Is it legally binding?
   Why does the buyer of my business want me to sign a noncompetition agreement?
  Starting a business
   Don't most small businesses fail?
   How do I find good advisors such as lawyers and accountants to help with my business?
   Is buying a franchise a good way to get into business?
   Should I buy an existing business or start from scratch?
   Should I buy or lease assets for my business?
   What are the stages of business development?
   What should I look for in a business location?
  Valuing a business
   How can I determine what my business is worth for estate and gift tax purposes?
 
Special Situations
 Articles
  Caring for an aging parent
   Caring for your aging parents
   Do your parents need long-term care insurance?
   Facing the possibility of incapacity
   Housing options for older individuals
   Medicaid and nursing home care
   Medicaid and the principal residence
   Medicaid planning basics
   The sandwich generation: juggling family responsibilities.
  Divorce
   Dealing with divorce
   Health insurance and divorce
   Insurance concerns of divorcing couples
  Loss of a spouse
   Claiming life insurance benefits
   Organizing your finances when your spouse has died
   Social Security survivor's benefits
  Raising a family
   And baby makes three
   Baby on board: keeping your child safe in the car
   How much life insurance do you need?
   Planning a family? Get to know your health insurance policy
   Saving for retirement and a child's education at the same time
   Teaching your child about money
   Teaching your college-age child about money
   Teaching your teen about money
   The best ways to save for college
   When your child has special needs
  Unmarried couples
   Financial tips for unmarried couples
 Decision Tools
  Caring for an aging parent
   Housing options for aging parents
   Tips for caregivers
  Financial basics
   Auto loan payment calculator
   College funding options analyzer
   Credit cards--advantages vs. disadvantages
   Net worth calculator
   Personal cash flow worksheet
   Saving for your retirement
   Should you save in a 401(k) or a Roth IRA?
  Insurance basics
   Auto insurance analyzer
   Comparison of types of life insurance
   Disability income needs worksheet
   Homeowners insurance quiz
   Life insurance needs analyzer
   Which health plan is right for you?
 
Tax Planning
 Decision Tools
  General tax planning
   Accelerating deductions/postponing Income
   Accelerating income/postponing deductions
   Federal individual income tax fundamentals
   Remarriage with children: income tax considerations
  Tax credits and deductions
   Comparison of education tax credits and deductions
   General business tax credits
   Is my home mortgage interest fully deductible?
   Tax credit sampler
 FAQs
  General tax planning
   Am I having enough tax withheld from my paycheck?
   Are my Social Security benefits subject to income tax?
   Are scholarships and grants subject to federal income tax?
   Do I have to file a federal income tax return?
   Do I have to pay U.S. taxes when I work abroad?
   I don't have the cash to pay my taxes. What can I do?
   I have investment property. What does basis mean, and how do I determine the basis of my property?
   My spouse passed away this year. When I file my taxes, what filing status should I claim?
   What is my tax bracket?
   What is the alternative minimum tax?
   What is the basis of property received as a gift?
   What is the kiddie tax?
   What penalties and interest will I be charged for paying and filing my federal income taxes late?
   What's the difference between an "injured spouse" and an "innocent spouse"?
   Will I have to pay tax on my investment income?