Tax Q&A: Can I Deduct My Dog, Claim My Kitchen as a Home Office, and Ignore Venmo Income?

Can you deduct your dog, pay your child tax-free, or claim the kitchen table as a home office? Tax rules for small business owners aren’t always straightforward. Wrong assumption could lead to missed deductions or problems with the IRS. In this Q&A episode, Mike answersyour questions. He explains which expenses may qualify when a dog is used for marketing, how hiring children differs between an S corporation and a sole proprietorship, and what happens when a child turns 18. He also covers mileage tracking, missing receipts, home office requirements, unreported Venmo income, retirement plan deadlines, college funding strategies, and whether health-sharing payments qualify for the self-employed health insurance deduction.  👉 Get the Free Tax Savings Starter Kit Built for Small Business Owners: https://www.taxsavingspodcast.com/starterkit 🚀 Book your free demo call today. Click here or visit: https://taxelm.com/demo/ **Chapters** **00:45 Hiring Your Children Through an S Corporation** Mike explains how a child’s age and the business entity affect income tax, FICA withholding, W-2 employment, and 1099 contractor treatment. **05:03 Deducting Your Dog and Tracking Business Mileage** Learn which dog-related marketing expenses may qualify as deductions, which personal pet expenses typically don’t, and how to document business mileage. **09:10 Missing Receipts and Paying for College Through Your Business** Mike covers the documentation needed for expenses under $75, reimbursing personally paid business costs, and hiring a child to help fund college. **13:55 Retirement Deadlines and the Home Office Deduction** Review important retirement contribution deadlines and find out why working from the family kitchen table generally doesn’t qualify for a home office deduction. **16:28 Hiring a Teenager and Reporting Venmo Income** Mike explains W-4 and payroll requirements when hiring a 15-year-old, along with why business income must be reported even when no 1099 is received. **19:26 Health-Sharing Plans and Insurance Deductions** Find out whether health-sharing payments qualify for the self-employed health insurance deduction and how to compare their cost with potential tax savings. **Podcast Host:** **Mike Jesowshek, CPA – Founder and Host of *Small Business Tax Savings Podcast*** **Join TaxElm:** https://taxelm.com **🚀 Visit:**  https://www.TaxSavingsPodcast.com  **🚀 Check Out TaxElm:** https://taxelm.com/ **🚀 Join our Free Facebook Group:** https://www.facebook.com/groups/taxsavings/ **🚀 YouTube:** www.TaxSavingsTV.com **👋🏼 GET IN TOUCH** **You can Tweet @MJesowshek with any feedback, ideas, or thoughts about the lessons you've learned from the episodes. We want to thank you personally for tuning in 🙏** **🙌LEAVE A REVIEW** **If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more business owners find the show ⭐** **🎙 ABOUT THE PODCAST** ***The Small Business Tax Savings Podcast* is your go-to resource for cutting-edge tax strategies to help entrepreneurs legally slash their tax bills. Hosted by Mike Jesowshek, CPA, this show breaks down complex tax topics into clear, no-fluff insights so you can keep more of your hard-earned money.**