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Boutique tax advisory and fractional CFO services firm for stressed out business owners
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QSBS: overlooked Opportunity for Non‑Tech Founders
Does your Business Qualify for QSBS Most people assume QSBS, the tax rule that can eliminate up to $15M+ in capital gains, is a Silicon Valley thing. Something for software founders, venture‑backed startups, and tech insiders. But that assumption is wrong. QSBS applies to far more than tech, and many of the industries that qualify most easily are the ones least likely to know about it. If you’re building a consumer brand, manufacturing a product, developing hardware, or creat
Amanda Garcia
Jan 164 min read


SAFEs and QSBS: What Early‑Stage Investors Should Really Understand
Two acronyms can dramatically shape your returns Early‑stage investing is full of acronyms, SAFEs and QSBS. One determines how you invest. The other determines how much of your gain you keep. Understanding how they interact is essential for anyone investing early. This guide breaks it down simply and practically. 1. What Is a SAFE? A SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) is a contract that lets you invest money in a startup today in exchange for equity later, usually whe
Amanda Garcia
Jan 152 min read


4 Reasons to Consider Oil and Gas Investments for Tax Savings - Part 4
Oil and gas investments shine through unique tax perks like depletion (deducting resource exhaustion), percentage depletion (a percentage-based ongoing write-off), and IDCs (immediate expensing of drilling intangibles).
Amanda Garcia
Dec 24, 20252 min read


4 Reasons to Consider Oil and Gas Investments for Tax Savings - Part 3
Pass-through entities, such as partnerships, LLCs, and publicly traded partnerships (PTPs), can be powerful investment vehicles for individuals seeking to benefit from the tax advantages available in the oil & gas industry.
Amanda Garcia
Dec 22, 20252 min read


4 Reasons to Consider Oil and Gas Investments for Tax Savings - Part 2
These provisions: depletion, percentage depletion, and intangible drilling costs (IDCs) are powerful levers for the right investor and can significantly reduce taxable income if applied correctly.
Amanda Garcia
Dec 19, 20252 min read


4 Reasons to Consider Oil and Gas Investments for Tax Savings - Part 1
Investing in oil and gas isn’t just about riding the waves of energy markets; it’s also a strategic way to tap into unique tax advantages built directly into the U.S. tax code.
Amanda Garcia
Dec 17, 20252 min read


Understanding Tech Equity Compensation: A Deep Dive into Its Many Flavors - Part 2
AMT often sneaks up on employees who exercise ISOs The AMT Trap: Why My Dad Got Hit AMT often sneaks up on employees who exercise ISOs because: Regular tax doesn’t recognize income at exercise, but AMT does. If the company’s fair market value has risen significantly, even exercising without selling can create substantial AMT liability. This is why: Timing matters Quantity matters And projections matter a lot Tech Equity Compensation Is Powerful But Only If Tracked Well Most t
Amanda Garcia
Dec 15, 20252 min read


Is Your Business Financially Healthy? Why Busy Owners Can’t Afford to Guess
Without clarity on cash flow, profitability, operational efficiency, and risk, even a seemingly successful business can run into trouble, sometimes without warning.
Amanda Garcia
Dec 11, 20252 min read


Understanding Tech Equity Compensation: A Deep Dive into Its Many Flavors - Part 1
When I was taking my first accounting classes in college, my dad casually mentioned that years earlier he had owed this crazy thing called the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). He couldn’t understand why and nothing about his income felt unusual, yet he ended up with a much bigger bill than expected. As I learned more, it hit me: it must have been tied to the Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) he received when he worked at AOL (a bygone era of dial-up tones and CDs in the mail, righ
Amanda Garcia
Dec 10, 20252 min read


Balancing MSP Revenue Mix: How to Optimize for Stability & Growth
We have seen MSPs ride waves of hardware booms or project surges and then crash when margins erode, vendors change terms, or clients shift. The key difference between surviving and thriving is diversification: designing a revenue mix so no single stream controls your destiny. As your fractional CFO, we will walk you through how to map, benchmark, and optimize your revenue mix, so you can grow with more predictability, resilience, and margin discipline. The key difference betw
Amanda Garcia
Nov 20, 20254 min read


FAQ: Fractional CFO Services
1. What is a fractional CFO? A fractional CFO is a part-time financial expert who helps your business make smart financial decisions without hiring a full-time executive. They provide strategic guidance, forecasting, and KPI tracking on a flexible basis. 2. Why hire a fractional CFO? A fractional CFO gives your business high-level financial leadership at a lower cost. They help increase revenue, reduce costs, improve cash flow, and give actionable advice that makes an immedi
Meliora Consulting
Nov 17, 20252 min read


OBBBA 2025: Key Tax Law Changes Impacting Business Owners and Tech Companies
Understanding the OBBBA and What It Means for Businesses The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) represents one of the most significant overhauls of U.S. tax policy in recent years. Passed in July 2025, the law makes permanent many of the lower tax rates from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). More importantly, it introduces several business-focused tax changes that affect how U.S. companies invest, finance, and innovate. For business owners and technology companies, these upda
Amanda Garcia
Nov 6, 20253 min read


When and How to Start Planning Your MSP Exit Strategy
Planning an exit strategy early is essential to maximize the value of your MSP and ensure a smooth transition. In this guide, we’ll break down when to start, what to consider, and practical first steps to take today.
Meliora Consulting
Oct 14, 20253 min read


83(b) Elections: Smart Tax Strategy for Restricted Stock in California and Nevada
Filing an 83(b) election is a strategic financial decision for anyone receiving restricted stock in high-growth companies, from Silicon Vall
Meliora Consulting
Sep 30, 20253 min read


Tax Due Diligence in Tech Deals: What SaaS Founders and Private Equity Investors Need to Know
In technology deals, tax due diligence is not just about avoiding penalties. It is about protecting value, building trust, and keeping negot
Meliora Consulting
Sep 29, 20253 min read


Multi-State Tax Compliance for SaaS Startups in California and Nevada
SaaS startups in California and Nevada face complex SALT obligations that require careful planning.
Meliora Consulting
Sep 27, 20253 min read


Top SaaS Startup Tax Mistakes in California and Nevada and How to Avoid Them
Learn the most common tax mistakes SaaS startups make in California and Nevada. Discover strategies to avoid errors in expense classificatio
Meliora Consulting
Sep 27, 20253 min read


LLC Taxes Explained: A Complete Guide for Small Business Owners
Starting an LLC in Nevada is an exciting step for entrepreneurs looking to protect personal assets and establish credibility. But when it comes to taxes, many LLC owners are unsure about federal obligations, state filing requirements, and potential tax savings. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about LLC taxes in Nevada — from self-employment taxes to multi-state obligations. 1. Understanding LLC Tax Classifications LLCs are unique because they can choose
Meliora Consulting
Sep 15, 20253 min read
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