Why doesn't my CPA mention most tax strategies?

It's not because they're hiding something.

It's because they're paid to prepare your return — not to reduce taxes.

Tax preparation and tax planning are two completely different services.

Preparation – "Here's what you owe based on what happened."

Planning – "Here's how to change what happens to owe less."

Most CPAs are excellent at preparation.

They're trained for it.
They're efficient at it.
It's what they sell.

But tax planning? That requires a different skillset, a different mindset, and different tools.

Stryde was explicitly built for tax planning.

Our team analyses your business against 30+ tax incentives to find what you're missing.

Your CPA can still file your return. But Stryde makes sure you're not overpaying!!

Living with grit.

Grit is “the combination of passion and perseverance for long-term goals.”

I’m not just talking about being tough or grinding through. But standing for something you believe in despite the struggle. 

It's the CEO choosing to work with ethical labor standards, even when pressured by shareholders to chase higher profits.

It's the mom pursuing a classroom that includes her child with special needs, even though she might get labeled "too much” by some parents.

It's my teammates at Stryde who stay in the fight against rising business cost day after day even after seeing some business' fail.

I think Churchill was spot on.

We must stand for what's right. 

Even if some might say you’re wrong.
Even if progress might take years.
Even if it might cost you. 

Sometimes it's good to have enemies!!

 

We recently came across this quote:

"If you have enemies, good. It means you stood for something at least once in your life." — Winston Churchill

At first I thought, “How can it be good to have enemies?”

But look what happened to Churchill.

British generals questioned him.
Americans doubted his competence.
His own government nearly voted him out.

But he stood by his convictions.

By the end of his life, the same people who once criticized eventually came to respect him. Not because he softened his stance, but because he held to it.

As someone who can be a bit of a people pleaser, that really convicted me.

Use these magic words, if you're like my brother who likes to yell at people on the phone!!

 

Say you’re calling customer service because you need help. Maybe your bill is wrong, your service is down or you want a refund. Instead of a person, a cheerful AI voice answers and drops you into an endless loop of menus and misunderstood prompts. Now what?

That’s not an accident. Many companies use what insiders call “frustration AI.” The system is specifically designed to exhaust you until you hang up and walk away. You want a human. For starters, don’t explain your issue. That’s the trap. You need words the AI has been programmed to treat differently. Nuclear phrases: When the AI bot asks why you’re calling, say, “I need to cancel my service” or “I am returning a call.” The word cancel sets off alarms and often sends you straight to the customer retention team. Saying you’re returning a call signals an existing issue the bot cannot track. I used that last weekend when my internet went down and bam, I had a human. Power words: When the system starts listing options, clearly say one word. “Supervisor.” If that doesn’t work, say, “I need to file a formal complaint.” Most systems are not programmed to deal with complaints or supervisors. They escalate fast. Technical bypass: Asked to enter your account number? Press the pound key (#) instead of numbers. Many older systems treat unexpected input as an error and default to a human If direct commands fail with AI, be a confused human. The Frustration Act: When the AI bot asks a question, pause. Wait 10 seconds before answering. These systems are built for fast, clean responses. Long pauses often break the flow and send your call to a human. The Unintelligible Bypass: Stuck in a loop? Act like your phone connection is terrible. Say garbled words or nonsense. After the system says, “I’m having trouble understanding you” three times, many bots automatically transfer you to a live agent. The Language Barrier Trick: If the company offers multiple languages, choose one that’s not your primary language or does not match your accent. The AI often gives up quickly and routes you to a human trained to handle language issues. Use these tricks when you need help. You are calling for service, not an AI bot.

The more valuable it becomes long-term.

 

If your calendar controls your company, your company owns you.

Your team mirrors your standards. If they’re sloppy, distracted, or waiting… ask where they learned that.

Micromanaging feels like leadership, but it’s actually insecurity in action.

The less your business needs you daily, the more valuable it becomes long-term.

Replacing yourself doesn’t mean you’re lazy.

People don’t rise to the level of your expectations.

They rise to the level of your systems.

Replacing yourself doesn’t mean you’re lazy.

It means you're building something bigger than you.

If you’re the answer to every problem, you're also the bottleneck.

A real business doesn’t ask you for permission.

It shows you results.

"Success is not just about what you accomplish in your life, it’s about what you inspire others to do." — Unknown

Leadership or Babysitting?

Your time is too valuable to spend putting out the same fires every week.

Build systems.

Train killers.

And stop calling babysitting "leadership."

Your business will thank you later.

As Zig Ziglar said: “You don’t build a business. You build people. Then people build the business.”

They buy what they want.

People don't buy what they need. They buy what they want. Once they're in your world, that's when you give them what they need.

You already earned their trust. They like you and listen to you, otherwise they wouldn't have pulled out their wallet for you.

But after that first sale is where most of us (maybe even you) just let them drift away.

Meanwhile the smart biz owners build simple no-brainer monthly offers around the wants their customers already told them about… and deliver the needs that actually fix the real problems.

Once you really understand that, recurring revenue stops being some complicated mystery and becomes the easiest money in your business.

So here's my gut-check question for you:

If you went through your list of customers, could you build a recurring offer in under 48 hours based on what they wanted from you?

If the answer is yes but you still haven't done it... there's your leak.

Recurring revenue

If someone paid you once, they’ll pay you again

If you stay in the conversation, they’ll stay in your world.

Recurring revenue isn’t advanced, it’s overlooked

Most people don’t need more tools. They need better follow-up.

You’re already doing the hard part

Acquiring customers is the toughest game. Serving them again is where it gets simple.

People buy what they want — not what they need

Sell them what they want. Deliver what they need. That’s how you keep them.

Fund your freedom

Monthly offers don’t need to be fancy

Keep it simple. One promise. One transformation. One click to pay.

Rookie entrepreneurs chase. Pros retain.

Retention is the fastest path to scaling sustainably.

A single offer can fund your freedom

One dialed recurring product can make payroll, cover ads, or pay your mortgage.

Customers drift when you disappear

Stay present. Stay valuable. Stay top of mind.

Don’t overthink.

List 3 offers your past customers would buy again

What are they still struggling with? What would make their life easier?

Write an email to your current customers

Don’t pitch. Just check in. See what they need. You’ll be shocked who replies.

Sketch a recurring offer in 10 minutes

Don’t overthink it. Pick one thing and put a monthly wrapper around it.

Massive LinkedIn shift!!

Linkedin now rewards conversation over content.

And not any comments, specific types of comments that extend conversations, spark depth, and activate multiple interest clusters.

This isn’t speculation- it’s backed by the newest Algorithm Insights Report (Oct 2025).

Here’s what the data shows:

1. Comments are now the #1 signal for post visibility.

LinkedIn weighs comment depth, comment diversity, comment quality more heavily than likes or reactions.

2. A single thoughtful comment extends a post’s lifespan by days.

Comments spark “micro-threads,” which increase dwell time and push content back into feeds for 2–5 days, sometimes weeks.

3. Commenting 8–12 times per day across 4–7 profiles protects your reach.

Creators who comment consistently experienced 14% less decline in reach even when posting the same amount. This means: Your comments are your insurance policy against algorithm declines.

4. Comment quality now matters more than comment quantity.

LinkedIn downranks, “Great post!”, generic praise and AI-sounding comments. But it boosts comments that use personal examples, insights, questions and frameworks. 

So what does this mean for you as a recruiter?

Your commenting strategy is now part of your inbound lead strategy.
Most recruiters think they need to post more.
But the algorithm doesn’t reward more.

It rewards meaningful, consistent conversations.

And conversations start in the comments.

If you want your content to be seen again…
If you want your niche to discover you…
If you want LinkedIn to finally understand your expertise…

Start by becoming a top commenter in your niche.

Why don't those in accounting and finance explore the specialized tax incentives available for their business owner clients?

There are a few common (and mostly non-malicious) reasons you often don’t see accounting/finance folks proactively mining niche tax incentives for their clients:

*Focus and incentives are misaligned

Many accountants/bookkeepers are measured on compliance accuracy, bookkeeping timeliness, audit readiness, payroll/tax filing, and “don’t get sued.”

Tax-incentive hunting is more like tax planning/business strategy, which may not be how they’re compensated or evaluated.

*Specialized incentives require specialized expertise

Most credits/deductions/incentives have narrow eligibility rules, documentation standards, and sometimes filing schedules (or forms) that aren’t “default” knowledge.

If the incentive is state-specific, industry-specific, or depends on detailed facts (contracts, wages, R&D activities, energy projects, location, ownership structure), generalists often avoid it to reduce errors.

*Liability and “risk cost”

Pushing for an incentive they don’t fully understand can create:

compliance errors, disallowance risk, penalties/interest, and reputational risk with the client if something goes sideways.

Many professionals prefer to “stick to what they know” rather than take on uncertain technical risk—especially when the incentive’s benefit depends on future audit interpretations.

*Time and workflow constraints

Incentive discovery takes time: client interviews, documentation review, fact pattern mapping, and sometimes coordination with attorneys/CPAs who specialize in that area.

Busy firms often prioritize work that is already scoped, billable, and predictable.

*They may assume someone else already handles it

Owners often have a tax preparer, tax attorney, or tax strategist who “owns” tax planning.

In some firms, tax planning is intentionally separated from bookkeeping/cash-flow/reporting roles.

*Communication gaps

Incentive eligibility can hinge on operational details (hiring plans, capital projects, supplier relationships, research activities, software development, energy usage, etc.).

Accounting/finance teams may not be embedded enough in day-to-day operations to get those facts early—so they don’t know what to look for.

*Regulatory complexity and change

Incentives can change due to legislation, state budget cycles, and evolving guidance.

Keeping up is hard; firms may rely on specialists so they don’t have to maintain that knowledge internally.

*Client behavior and demand

If clients don’t ask, don’t provide operational detail, or resist proactive planning (“just file the return”), firms will default to reactive compliance.

Fortunately, a free online app (nothing to download) uses a two-step process: “screen for eligibility” first, then “deep diligence” only on the likely matches and prepares everything for the accountant/CPA,tax preparer to submit and in almost 25 years, nothing has been challenged by the IRS.

Let prospects sell themselves!

Here's a problem:

Are you asking questions to check boxes.

Not to understand what's really going on.

If so, you"ll get objections like:

I need to think it over.

Call me back next quarter.

Let me talk to my team.

Send me more information.

It's not a timing problem. It's not a budget problem.

It's a discovery problem.

The prospect never opened up. Never told you the truth.

Here's the shift:

Stop asking: "What's your budget?"

Start asking: "Because of [problem], what are the negative ripples effects you’re seeing it have on the business?"

Stop asking: "Are you the decision maker?"

Start asking: "Can you walk me through how decisions like this typically get made in your org?"

Stop asking: "Are you interested?"

Start asking: "If you don't solve this in the next 6-12 months, what happens?"

Same call. Different questions. Different outcome.

The psychology:

When they say it out loud, they believe it.

When you say it, they resist it.

Your job isn't to convince. It's to guide.

Puppy Dog Close

This close probably got its start back in the days when pet shop owners encouraged those parents,of the children who wanted the pet, to take it home and see how they liked the pet. You can probably figure out how this story ends if you’ve ever experienced this concept.

This close is obviously not applicable for every product or service, but when it is possible try the following:

If you are selling a service, offer a small trial service for free and if the customer likes your work, they then agree to hire you. Magazines use this type of offer most of the time when they are marketing to new subscribers. 

Anyone in the appliance industry can use this close also. You can offer the individual the floor model to take home, use it for a week, and if it doesn’t fit their needs, bring it back.  Of course, you’ll have a few individuals who won’t purchase, but I’ll put my money up that the majority will.

Tell your customers who can’t make up their minds to buy or not to buy, to try out your product for a week for free, and if they don’t like it then they can return it, no questions asked.  

Most people, once they “have” something in their possession, will feel that they own it and therefore want to keep it once the week is up.

This vaccine works like immunotherapy.

A pancreatic cancer diagnosis is typically grim, with just 13% of patients living for more than five years after being diagnosed. But new data from a clinical trial showed that seven out of 16 patients who were given personalized mRNA vaccines responded to the treatment—and are still alive six years later.

How it works: The vaccine works like immunotherapy. After cancerous tumors are surgically removed from an early-stage pancreatic cancer patient, they’re used to create a vaccine that trains the patient’s immune system to fight off lingering (or future) cancer cells. It’s the same mRNA technology that was used in the Covid vaccine, which studies estimate saved millions of lives:

Scientists warn that mRNA still needs to be studied more as a cancer treatment. A larger Phase 2 trial is in progress.

Earlier this month, Revolution Medicines also reported that a separate treatment, a pill called daraxonrasib, has nearly doubled a pancreatic cancer patient’s life expectancy compared with chemotherapy.

Despite doctors saying mRNA technology is safe, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other Trump administration officials have questioned the technology, and put research dollars in limbo. In February, the FDA said it wouldn’t review a new flu vaccine that used mRNA technology, but quickly reversed its decision following backlash.

The Testimonial Close

After you have collected all of your testimonials, put them in a binder, and when appropriate you can leaf through them to show a potential customer or a present customer who had the same hesitancy problem.

Let me give you an example:

Customer: “I’m not sure about how your company will service me. That’s the only thing that keeps me from purchasing your product.”

You:  “You know, Mike, most people feel the same way as you do and one of our customers in particular expressed that concern to me before he bought. But he found out that his concerns were never realized and in fact, he wrote us this letter thanking us for doing such a good job for him.”

This will reinforce the prospects’ purchasing decisions.

The Total Honesty Close

People actually DREAD having to deal with salespeople.  So why not be an advisor or counselor to them.  Spend a great deal of time finding out what they want to do and accomplish. Then show them how your product or service can fill their needs.  

Then do something that “no one” expects you to do, and tell them all the negatives about minor things that may mean your product isn’t the right one for them.

If you want to gain instant credibility with someone who is a potential client. Do this and watch all the sales pressure just melt away.  You are no longer a pushy, obnoxious, or greedy salesperson.  

You have become a confidant and trusted advisor to the prospect.  

Let me give you an example:

Suppose you came into my car dealership and wanted to buy a sports car. I ask you all the necessary questions to find out what you really want and the benefit you want to receive.

I have just qualified you for how much money you want to spend and how you will spend it. Then I show you a car and as we are driving around I mention a few reasons why you might NOT want to own this car.

What do you think might happen?

Look at it this way. If you are selling a great product or service, the negatives of what you are offering will probably be very small. Don’t keep them a secret, just tell your customers upfront about any negatives.

I’ve experienced this quite often. The negatives you tell them won’t make any difference in their buying decision.

Keep it simple, just be totally honest with your prospect and tell them everything they need to know to make the buying decision. If you do tell them a few reasons why they may not want to buy your product, you will probably get the sale and more importantly, you will get tons of referrals because your customer will TRUST you.

Another reason for being honest is that after you’ve asked the questions to find out how they want to benefit from the purchase, and after using the Total Honesty Close, besides creating a customer, you have led them into purchasing the product or service that they truly desire and will create a long term customer who will be coming back more often and purchasing more from you.

Nice "CPA" problem!!

Your CPA is a nice person.

They remember your kids' names.
They're pleasant on the phone.
They get your return filed on time.

But nice doesn't save you money.

I talk to business owners every week who say the same thing:

"My CPA is great. Really nice person."

Then I look at their return and find $30,000, $50,000, sometimes $100,000+ in missed opportunities.

Being nice and being strategic are two different things.

A nice CPA will file an accurate return based on what you give them.

A strategic tax advisor will save you thousands each year. 

You can have both. But you have to ask for it.

GMG helps business owners find deductions you didn't know existed, implement strategies you've never heard of, and structure your business to minimize taxes legally.

Want to find out what your nice CPA has been missing? Just answer 3 simple questions!

This Habit Keeps Agents Stuck at the Same Income.

When was the last time you did something that felt even a little uncomfortable?

Routines can feel safe…
But “safe” is often the silent reason production stays flat.

Your comfort zone protects you from risk—
But it also blocks bigger cases, stronger referrals, and the income jump you keep aiming for.

Everybody has a personal thermostat.
When something feels unfamiliar, you pull back.
But growth only happens when you push past that first moment of discomfort.

So here’s your challenge:

Do one thing this week that raises your “business temperature.”
Use a new script.
Try a different networking approach.
Ask for the referral you’ve been avoiding.

It only takes one stretch to shift momentum.

Pick ONE action you’ll do in the next 90 days.

Make it non-negotiable.

Start with this simple mindset shift, and you'll see the difference...

A philanthropic strategy for entrepreneurs.

This is a charitable advantage for business owners, but not the only one.

Did your CPA might tell you that if you donate appreciated stock instead of cash, you get a double tax benefit.

You deduct the full fair market value of the stock

You avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation

Suppose you have $50,000 in stock that you originally bought for $20,000.

If you sell it and donate the cash, you'll pay capital gains tax on the $30,000 gain — potentially $7,000+ in taxes — and then donate what's left.

But if you donate the stock directly, you skip the capital gains tax entirely while deducting the full $50,000.

Yep, the same donation to the charity and thousands more in your pocket.

Has anyone walked you through all the local, county, state and federal programs available for your U.S. business?

Got 60-seconds to run the free app on your phone or computer?

Easing the Pain of Business Losses

For income tax purposes, a business loss generally occurs when a business’s deductions for the year exceed its revenue. Any business, whether new or established, can face losses. Fortunately, the net operating loss (NOL) deduction can turn the pain of a loss this year into tax savings for next year and, perhaps, beyond.

Tax inequities can exist between businesses with stable income and those with fluctuating income. The NOL deduction helps address those inequities. It essentially lets the latter average out their income and losses over the years and pay tax accordingly.

When it comes to business losses, the rules are complex, especially the interaction between NOLs and other potential tax breaks. Our unique, free online app will show you deductions and benefits 98% of business owners are unaware of, then if you want, we'll go get them and then submit the paperwork to you or your CPA to file with no upfront fee!!

Or

What is the Research & Development Tax Credit?

 

The Research & Development Tax Credit (R&D Tax Credit) is an often misunderstood and highly underutilized federal tax credit. It can significantly impact businesses, but owners don't tend to claim the R&D credit because they either are unaware of it or think it doesn't apply to them.  

 

The R&D Tax credit was enacted in 1981 to stimulate innovation and encourage investment in development in the United States.  The PATH Act of 2015 officially made the R&D Tax Credit a permanent addition to the U.S. tax code.
 
The R&D Tax Credit is a credit on your income tax return, not a deduction. That means, dollar-for-dollar, you can reduce your tax liability and deduct eligible R&D expenses.  The credit can be used for all open tax years, meaning the last three years, plus the current year.  Additionally, you can carry forward any unused credit for up to 20 years, making the credit beneficial year after year, aiding in improving cash flow and earning power for years to come.

How Much Do I Qualify For?

Tracking this data manually.

When a prospect replies fast, books a call, or keeps the conversation going… it’s rarely just luck.

It’s because you reached out at the right moment, when the problem you solve was already on their mind.

So.. How do you know when lead is actually open to talking to you?

There are a few common clues that show buying intent is rising:

• Company’s hiring? New teams are likely rethinking tools and processes.
• New funding? Budgets are open, and growth pressure is on.
• Past customer in a new role? Familiar trust, new budget = time to reconnect.
• Visited your website? They’re exploring solutions, and you’re on their radar.
• Engaged with a relevant LinkedIn topic? They’re open to discussion.

 

A-player

 

1. Audit your team.
   Who’s driving results? Who’s draining you?

2. Write out the cost of a recent bad hire.
   Time. Energy. Money. Be honest.

3. Make a list of roles you’re underpaying, and what it’s costing you.
   It might shock you.

4. Commit to finding one A-player before the end of the year.
   Even if it costs more. Especially if it does.

Let your team carry the weight with you.

1. Hire for who they are, not just what they do.
   You can train skills. You can’t train hunger, ownership, or self-awareness.

2. Overpaying the right person is still cheaper than replacing the wrong one.
   Ask me how I know.

3. Leadership starts with letting go.
   You can’t lead if you’re micromanaging. Let your team carry the weight with you.

4. It’s your job to build a team you trust.
   Not one you tolerate.

Dedicated to K.B.K. The Best!! #9

Hiring cheap is the fastest way to go broke.

Everyone talks about saving money. Nobody talks about what it costs to fix cheap work. Or chase people down. Or carry dead weight on your payroll while you do all the heavy lifting.

You don’t save money when you hire cheap. You just delay the expense and multiply the headache.

If you want to grow a real business, you need real players. Not project babysitters.

Not energy vampires. Not warm bodies filling a seat.

It costs more up front. But it saves your business. Saves your sanity. Saves your future.

Hiring your children?!?

Most business owners have no idea this is even possible.

And the ones who do think it's "shady" or "risky."

It's neither.

The IRS explicitly allows it. And it can save you tens of thousands.

Here's how it works.

You hire your kids to do legitimate work in your business.

Marketing, social media, filing, data entry, website updates — anything age-appropriate and documented.

You can pay them up to $14,600 per year.

That income is completely tax-free to them (under the standard deduction).

And it's a full business deduction for you.

If you're in the 24% tax bracket and have two kids?

That's $7,008 in tax savings every single year.

Over 10 years? $70,080.

And your kids? 

They're building work experience, learning about business, and earning money for college or their future.

But here's the catch...

It has to be done correctly.

Proper documentation.
Reasonable wages.
Legitimate work.

Your CPA should be walking you through this setup.

But most never mention it.

They either don't know about it or don't want to deal with the paperwork.

So you keep overpaying while your kids sit on the sidelines.

Last month, I talked to a business owner with three teenagers.

He'd been paying full tax rate on $43,800 in income that could've been shifted to his kids tax-free.

For five years.

That's $52,536 in unnecessary taxes.

"I had no idea this was allowed," he said.

Most don't.

If you're a business owner with kids, this strategy alone could cut your tax bill significantly.

But you need to implement it before December 31st for it to count for the year.

BusinessRefund.com

 

"Why didn't my CPA tell me about this?

One real estate investor had three rental properties.

All doing well. Cash flowing nicely.

And bleeding $40,000 a year in unnecessary taxes.

Here's what happened...

His CPA was depreciating everything straight-line over 27.5 years.

By the book.
Perfectly compliant.
Completely wrong approach.

Because here's what they never told him about cost segregation:

When you buy a rental property, the IRS doesn't make you depreciate everything the same way.

The building? 27.5 years, or now over 5 years!!

But the carpet, appliances, landscaping, and electrical fixtures?

Those can be depreciated in 5, 7, or 15 years.

Cost segregation identifies these components and accelerates the depreciation.

For this investor, that meant taking $120,000 in depreciation this year instead of spreading it over three decades.

That's an extra $40,000 back in his pocket right now.

Not in 2045.

Now.

"Why didn't my CPA tell me about this?" he asked.

Because most don't know tax planning.

It's specialized knowledge that requires an engineer or cost segregation expert.

Most CPAs just stick to the standard method because it's easier.

But "easier" costs you tens of thousands.

If you own rental properties and your CPA hasn't mentioned cost segregation, you need to hear this…

You're leaving massive deductions on the table.

And the best part? 

You can do a cost segregation study on properties you've owned for years and amend prior returns.

We only have days left to implement this strategy for 2025.

Want to see how much you're missing? We'll analyze your properties for free.

Note: And if you have single-family homes and it's an asset that is generating income, you can take expenses against that income, including depreciation and even BONUS DEPRECIATION.