Arc & Ledger Tax Tools

Use this when an online seller or e-commerce/Amazon business asks whether they must collect sales tax in a state (economic nexus). Given annual sales, transaction count, and states, flags where economic nexus is likely met and explains the physical-nexus (FBA inventory) trap.

Use this when someone (often a non-US founder) asks which US state to form their LLC or company in - Wyoming, New Mexico, Delaware, or California. Compares government fees, annual cost, franchise tax, privacy, and approval time, and recommends a state based on their situation.

Use this when a self-employed user or single-member LLC owner asks whether an S-Corp election would save them money. Shows a side-by-side of self-employment tax vs salary-plus-distribution, payroll and compliance costs, California franchise taxes, and the break-even zone.

Use this when a US business owner or nonresident (especially a foreign founder of a US LLC or C-corp) asks what US forms they must file and when. Returns each required federal form, its due date and extension, and the penalty for missing it, including Form 5472, FBAR, and the BOI report. Especially useful for non-US founders of US companies.

Use this when a user mentions receiving an IRS or state tax letter or notice and wants to know what it means, the deadline, or what to do. Give it the notice code (e.g. CP2000, CP14, LT11) and optionally the notice date and amount shown.

Use this when an S-corp or C-corp owner asks how to deduct home office, mileage, cell phone, or other out-of-pocket business expenses, or asks about an "accountable plan." Totals the tax-free reimbursement, estimates the tax saving, and explains the three requirements (business connection, substantiation, return of excess) and why owner-employees get no deduction without one.

Use this when a business owner asks about the "Augusta rule," renting their home to their own S-corp or C-corp, or the 14-day tax-free home rental (IRC 280A(g)). Given a fair daily rate and number of days, estimates the business deduction and tax-free income, warns about the 14-day limit, and lists the documentation needed to make it defensible.

Use this when someone owes the IRS and asks how much the penalties and interest will be, or what late filing/paying costs. Estimates the failure-to-file (5%/mo) and failure-to-pay (0.5%/mo) penalties and interest on a balance, and explains first-time penalty abatement.

Use this when a freelancer or business owner asks how much estimated tax to pay or whether they are underpaid for the year. Computes federal self-employment and income tax on annualized income, the safe-harbor target, per-quarter amounts and due dates, plus California's 30/40/0/30 installment timing.

Use this when an S-corp owner asks how much salary they should pay themselves ("reasonable compensation," "am I paying myself right?"). Given net profit and what drives it, returns a starting salary RANGE, the distribution left over, the employment tax that classification avoids, and the facts-and-circumstances test the IRS actually applies. Emphasizes that a defensible figure needs a comp study.

Use this when someone asks how much tax they owe on rental income (Airbnb/short-term or long-term), or whether a rental loss is deductible. Computes net rental income after operating expenses and straight-line depreciation, the passive-loss allowance and carryforward, the short-term 14-day rule, and the marginal federal tax effect.

Use this when a user asks what Arc & Ledger charges, or wants a price estimate for tax preparation, bookkeeping, business formation, or IRS help. Returns a published price range and line items, never a single committed number, plus what is included and the next step by complexity.