IRS letter on your desk?We take over contact with the IRS.IRS Audit RepresentationExams, appeals, collections, penalty reliefBusiness TaxPlanning and compliance for mid-size companiesIndividual & Family TaxHigh-net-worth, multi-state and cross-borderOffshore Disclosure & SDOPFBAR, PFIC and Streamlined filingsTaxpayer Rights in an IRS AuditYour rights, step by stepAudit & AssuranceAudits, reviews, 401(k) plan auditsGovernment Contracting8(a), DCAA, incurred cost submissionsMergers & AcquisitionsDue diligence, QoE, valuations
Government contractorsDCAA, rates and incurred costGovernment Contractors & TechnologyIT, professional services, federal primes and subsReal Estate & ConstructionOwners, developers, contractorsMedical Practices & ClinicsPhysicians, urgent care, clinics, dentalHealthcare StaffingTravel nurse, allied and per diem agenciesRestaurants, Retail & HospitalityFranchises, multi-unit, hotels, e-commerceSoftware & SaaSRevenue recognition, sales tax, R&DRestaurantsTip credit, payroll and sales taxRealtors & AgentsCommissions, S corp and deductionsStaffing & IT CompaniesIT staffing, software, multi-state payroll
New YorkMidtown Manhattan officeWashington, DCOffice · 20 F St NWNew YorkOffice · Avenue of the AmericasNorthern VirginiaHeadquarters · AshburnTexasDallas, Houston, Austin, San AntonioCaliforniaLos Angeles, Bay Area, San DiegoRaleigh, NCResearch Triangle and CharlotteChicago, ILChicago, Naperville, SchaumburgBoston, MABoston, Cambridge, WalthamSeattle & Redmond, WASeattle, Redmond, BellevueAtlanta, GAAlpharetta, Johns CreekPhiladelphia, PAKing of Prussia, Cherry HillDetroit, MITroy, NoviColumbus, OHDublin, WestervillePhoenix, AZChandler, Tempe
Tax strategy · Retirement plans
A cash balance plan is a defined benefit plan that lets owners make contributions far above 401(k) limits, often six figures a year for owners in their 40s, 50s and 60s, all deductible to the business.
Serving United States, Virginia, Washington, DC, Maryland.
What we handle
A cash balance plan credits each participant with a pay credit and an interest credit each year, but legally it is a defined benefit plan. Contributions are based on actuarial calculations and the section 415(b) benefit limit, so older, high-income owners can contribute much more than in a 401(k). Combined with a 401(k) and profit-sharing plan, total deductible contributions can be very large.
The plan must cover eligible employees and pass nondiscrimination testing, contributions are required each year within a range, and an actuary certifies funding. Plans of professional service employers with 25 or fewer participants are generally exempt from PBGC coverage. The plan is a long-term commitment, best for businesses with steady profits.
Speak with an advisorWhere we help
Caps the annual benefit, which drives how much older owners can contribute.
Minimum funding rules require annual contributions within an actuarial range.
Contributions are deductible to the employer within limits.
Small professional service plans are generally exempt from PBGC coverage.
Our approach
A senior advisor reviews your facts and documents.
Scope, fees and timeline in an engagement letter.
Returns, elections and forms prepared and reviewed.
IRS contact and planning all year.
Questions
If your question isn't here, call (703) 880-8412 and you'll reach a person.
Owners age 45 or older with consistent high income and few employees, such as physicians, dentists, attorneys, consultants and successful business owners.
It depends on age, income and plan design. Owners in their 50s and 60s can often contribute well into six figures a year, on top of 401(k) contributions.
Yes, eligible employees must be covered, but design can keep their cost modest relative to the owner's benefit.
Contributions are required each year while the plan is active, but plans can be amended or terminated if business conditions change.
Latest updates
Authorized representatives can now make balance-due, amended return, extension, proposed assessment and federal tax deposit payments for business clients online. Appropriate authorization for the client and tax matter is required.
Source: IRS (IR-2026-134)
For 2027 the joint-return standard deduction rises to $33,200, the estate tax basic exclusion to $15,480,000, the annual gift exclusion to $20,000 and the Section 179 expensing limit to $2,640,000. Our advisors recommend revisiting year-end gifting and equipment purchase plans with these figures in mind.
Source: IRS (IR-2026-133)
All 6,576 nominated census tracts, including 2,594 rural tracts eligible for enhanced benefits, become Opportunity Zones on January 1, 2027 for ten years. Investors with capital gains should review the new map before committing funds.
Source: IRS (IR-2026-132)
Related
Tax strategies supported by the Internal Revenue Code and Tax Court decisions.
Learn moreHeadquartersAddress, local tax issues and the full range of services in Northern Virginia.
Learn moreHow AI-assisted analysis helps business owners plan taxes during the year: entity and salary scenarios, retirement plan comparisons, depreciation timing and estimated payments, reviewed by experienced advisors.
Learn moreGuideA practical guide to S corporation tax savings: how self-employment tax savings work, a worked example, reasonable salary, costs that reduce the benefit, QBI and state tax effects, and when the election does not make sense.
Learn moreGuideHow a solo 401(k) works for self-employed owners and consultants: employee and employer contributions, Roth options, deadlines for setting up and contributing, and how it compares with a SEP IRA and cash balance plan.
Learn moreGuideA year-end tax planning checklist for business owners and families: salary and distributions, retirement plans, equipment and bonus depreciation, PTET, estimated taxes, charitable gifts, capital gains and documentation.
Learn moreTax strategyHow 100% bonus depreciation under IRC section 168(k) and cost segregation studies work in 2026 for commercial buildings, rentals, hotels and medical offices, with the Tax Court cases that set the limits.
Learn moreTax strategyThe research credit under IRC section 41 and immediate R&E expensing under section 174A: who qualifies, the four-part test, the $500,000 payroll offset, documentation, and the Tax Court cases that decide R&D claims.
Learn moreStart a conversation
Tell us what you're facing. A senior advisor will reply within one business day with a clear next step.