J. Ott Business Solutions
  • Home
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Services
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
Select Page
The Hidden Risks of Commingling Business and Personal Funds

The Hidden Risks of Commingling Business and Personal Funds

by Joshua Ott | Oct 7, 2025 | Bookkeeping, Budgeting, Tax Planning

What You’ll Learn in This Post Why mixing personal and business funds causes serious tax and legal headaches. How commingled accounts can undermine your business valuation and credibility. Simple, practical steps to keep transactions clean and compliant. How Tacoma...
How to Pay Yourself as a Small Business Owner

How to Pay Yourself as a Small Business Owner

by Joshua Ott | Sep 30, 2025 | Budgeting, Business, Growth Strategy

What You’ll Learn in This Post The difference between salary, owner’s draw, and distributions for small business owners How each method affects taxes, cash flow, and lending potential Common mistakes Tacoma and Pierce County business owners should avoid Practical tips...
Year-End CPA Prep: What Tacoma Business Owners Can Do Now to Save Time (and Money)

Year-End CPA Prep: What Tacoma Business Owners Can Do Now to Save Time (and Money)

by Joshua Ott | Sep 22, 2025 | Tacoma Community, Tax Planning

What You’ll Learn in This Post Why CPA-ready books save Tacoma business owners both time and money. How reconciling accounts, payroll, and quarterly reports reduces errors and stress. The importance of organizing receipts and flagging outstanding invoices  Steps you...
Bookkeeping Basics Every Startup in Tacoma Should Know

Bookkeeping Basics Every Startup in Tacoma Should Know

by Joshua Ott | Sep 16, 2025 | Bookkeeping, Tacoma Community

What You’ll Learn in This Post Why bookkeeping is a critical foundation for startups in Tacoma and Pierce County. Common mistakes new business owners make when setting up their books. Four bookkeeping basics every startup should establish right away. How local support...

Quarterly Reporting in Washington: What Small Business Owners Need to Know

by Joshua Ott | Sep 9, 2025 | Bookkeeping, South Sound Spotlight, Tax Planning

What You’ll Learn in This Post Why quarterly tax and wage reports are required for Washington State employers.  The difference between “zero payroll” and “zero hours” — and why it matters for compliance.  Key information you’ll need to include in your filings to avoid...
Cash Flow Crunch? 5 Strategies to Stay Ahead Without Taking on Debt

Cash Flow Crunch? 5 Strategies to Stay Ahead Without Taking on Debt

by Joshua Ott | Sep 3, 2025 | Bookkeeping, Budgeting

What You’ll Learn in This Post Why cash flow is one of the most common challenges for Tacoma and Pierce County business owners. How forecasting can give you an early warning system for potential shortfalls. Practical ways to tighten up invoicing and speed up customer...
Understanding Washington State Business Taxes: What Every Business Owner Should Know

Understanding Washington State Business Taxes: What Every Business Owner Should Know

by Joshua Ott | Aug 26, 2025 | South Sound Spotlight, Tax Planning

What You’ll Learn in This Post: Washington State is unique in its approach to business taxes. While there’s no corporate or personal income tax, businesses still have several tax obligations to stay on top of. In this post, we’ll break down the main types of taxes you...
Year-Round Tax Planning: It’s Not Just a Q4 Job

Year-Round Tax Planning: It’s Not Just a Q4 Job

by Joshua Ott | Aug 19, 2025 | Budgeting, Growth Strategy, Tax Planning

What You’ll Learn in This Post In this post, you’ll discover why tax planning should be part of your business routine year-round. We’ll share simple, practical steps you can start using today to stay organized, reduce stress, and make smarter financial decisions....
Washington State Payroll Audit—How to Be Prepared

Washington State Payroll Audit—How to Be Prepared

by Joshua Ott | Aug 12, 2025 | Payroll, South Sound Spotlight

What You’ll Learn in This Post: Payroll audits can feel intimidating, but with the right preparation, they can be a straightforward process. In this post, we’ll walk you through why payroll audits happen in Washington State, what to expect during the process, and how...
The Real Cost of DIY Bookkeeping: When Saving Time Starts Losing Money

The Real Cost of DIY Bookkeeping: When Saving Time Starts Losing Money

by Joshua Ott | Aug 11, 2025 | Bookkeeping, Tax Planning

What You’ll Learn in This Post This post outlines the hidden costs of DIY bookkeeping for small businesses. Learn about the most common errors business owners make—like missed deductions, reconciliation mistakes, and misclassified expenses—and why working with a...
« Older Entries

Recent Posts

  • The Hidden Risks of Commingling Business and Personal Funds
  • How to Pay Yourself as a Small Business Owner
  • Year-End CPA Prep: What Tacoma Business Owners Can Do Now to Save Time (and Money)
  • Bookkeeping Basics Every Startup in Tacoma Should Know
  • Quarterly Reporting in Washington: What Small Business Owners Need to Know

J. Ott Business Solutions

Contact
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 569-0362

Accounting Services | Payroll | Quickbooks | Bookkeeping |
Tax Prep | M & A – Mergers & Acquisitions
​Serving all of Pierce County Washington and the Pacific Northwest

  • Follow
  • Follow

© 2025 J. Ott Business Solutions.  All Rights Reserved | Website Marketing by SEOServices.io