Welcome to the Parker Franklin Tax LLC blog — a resource created to help individuals and small business owners better understand taxes, IRS requirements, and smart financial decisions. These articles are designed to break down complex tax topics into clear, practical guidance you can actually use.

From personal and business tax planning to IRS notices, audits, and representation, this blog covers timely topics that affect taxpayers throughout the year — not just during tax season. Whether you’re looking to reduce future tax liability, stay compliant, or understand an IRS letter you’ve received, you’ll find straightforward explanations and helpful insights here.

Small Business & Self-Employment

Small business and self-employment taxes require more than basic filing. This section covers estimated taxes, deductions, entity structure, bookkeeping, and compliance strategies to help freelancers, contractors, and business owners reduce taxes, improve cash flow, and avoid costly mistakes.

What Records Small Businesses Should Keep for the IRS (Houston & Clear Lake, TX Guide)

One of the fastest ways a small business gets into trouble with taxes isn’t underreporting income—it’s poor recordkeeping . For many small business owners in Houston, Clear Lake, League City, and surrounding Southeast Texas , the biggest risk isn’t an audit itself, but being unprepared if questions ever arise. When records are missing, unclear, or inconsistent, even legitimate deductions can be disallowed. The good news? You don’t need to keep everything . You just need to k

6 days ago5 min read

How to Handle Back Taxes as a Small Business Owner (Houston & Clear Lake, TX Guide)

Discovering that your business has back taxes can feel overwhelming. Many small business owners immediately worry about audits, bank levies, or losing their business altogether. The reality is far less dramatic—and far more manageable—than most people think. Back taxes are extremely common among Houston, Clear Lake, League City, and Bay Area small businesses, especially newer ones. Cash flow changes, misunderstood tax rules, missed deadlines, or rapid growth can all lead to

7 days ago4 min read

Common Tax Mistakes Made by First-Time Business Owners (and How Houston Businesses Can Avoid Them)

Starting a business is exciting—but for many first-time business owners in Houston, Clear Lake, League City, and the surrounding Bay Area , taxes are where that excitement often turns into stress. The truth is this: most costly tax mistakes aren’t caused by bad intentions—they’re caused by bad assumptions. New business owners assume software will “handle it,” assume their income is too small to matter, or assume they can fix everything later at tax time. Unfortunately, the t

7 days ago5 min read

Small Business Tax Deadlines Every Houston Owner Should Know

Short answer first: Missing tax deadlines costs Houston small business owners money through penalties, interest, and lost planning options. Most problems are not caused by high taxes, but by missed or misunderstood deadlines . Knowing the calendar creates control. For business owners in Clear Lake , Houston , League City , and Friendswood , staying ahead of deadlines is essential—especially in industries like aerospace services, medical practices, and professional consulting

Jan 53 min read

What Expenses Can a Houston Small Business Deduct?

Running a small business in Houston or the Clear Lake area comes with no shortage of expenses. Between rent, equipment, vehicles, software, and professional services, costs add up quickly. The good news is that many of these expenses may be tax deductible , reducing your taxable income and lowering your overall tax bill. The challenge for most Houston small business owners isn’t spending money — it’s knowing which expenses are deductible, how to document them properly, and ho

Jan 55 min read

Sales Tax vs. Income Tax for Texas Businesses: Two Very Different Beasts That Get Confused All the Time

Texas business owners often lump “taxes” into one mental bucket, but sales tax and income tax live in completely different worlds. They are governed by different rules, collected in different ways, enforced by different mechanisms, and—most importantly—misunderstood for very different reasons. One is transactional and mechanical. The other is analytical and strategic. Treating them as interchangeable is how small mistakes quietly snowball into expensive ones. Texas adds an

Jan 55 min read

Schedule C vs. LLC vs. S Corp: Which Is Best in Texas?

Short answer first: There is no single “best” structure for everyone. The right choice depends on profit level, risk tolerance, and long-term goals . In Texas, many business owners stay on Schedule C too long, form an LLC without tax planning, or elect S corp status before it actually makes sense. For business owners in Clear Lake , Houston , League City , and Friendswood , especially in aerospace services, medical consulting, and professional trades, choosing the right stru

Jan 33 min read

The Small Business Guide to Tax Deductions

Houston & Clear Lake, Texas Edition Table of Contents Maximizing Small Business Tax Deductions in Houston Commonly Missed Write-Offs for Clear Lake Business Owners Understanding the “Ordinary and Necessary” Rule Frequently Asked Questions Maximizing Small Business Tax Deductions in Houston, TX Small business owners across Houston and the Clear Lake area work hard for every dollar they earn. Every legitimate tax deduction directly reduces taxable income—and your overall tax b

Jan 13 min read

Small Business & Self-Employment

What Records Small Businesses Should Keep for the IRS (Houston & Clear Lake, TX Guide)

How to Handle Back Taxes as a Small Business Owner (Houston & Clear Lake, TX Guide)

Common Tax Mistakes Made by First-Time Business Owners (and How Houston Businesses Can Avoid Them)

Small Business Tax Deadlines Every Houston Owner Should Know

What Expenses Can a Houston Small Business Deduct?

Sales Tax vs. Income Tax for Texas Businesses: Two Very Different Beasts That Get Confused All the Time

Schedule C vs. LLC vs. S Corp: Which Is Best in Texas?

The Small Business Guide to Tax Deductions

16821 Buccaneer Lane Suite 116,
Houston, TX 77058

346-627-8520

Parker@parkerfranklinea.com

HOURS

Mon-Fri: 10am - 4pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Small Business & Self-Employment

What Records Small Businesses Should Keep for the IRS (Houston & Clear Lake, TX Guide)

How to Handle Back Taxes as a Small Business Owner (Houston & Clear Lake, TX Guide)

Common Tax Mistakes Made by First-Time Business Owners (and How Houston Businesses Can Avoid Them)

Small Business Tax Deadlines Every Houston Owner Should Know

What Expenses Can a Houston Small Business Deduct?

Sales Tax vs. Income Tax for Texas Businesses: Two Very Different Beasts That Get Confused All the Time

Schedule C vs. LLC vs. S Corp: Which Is Best in Texas?

The Small Business Guide to Tax Deductions

16821 Buccaneer Lane Suite 116, Houston, TX 77058

346-627-8520

Parker@parkerfranklinea.com

HOURS

Mon-Fri: 10am - 4pm ​​Saturday & Sunday: Closed ​​

16821 Buccaneer Lane Suite 116,
Houston, TX 77058

Mon-Fri: 10am - 4pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed