Main Street Business

In this Open Forum episode of the Main Street Business Podcast, Mark J. Kohler and Mat Sorensen tackle real-world tax, legal, and business questions straight from small business owners and investors. From S corporations and QBI deductions to rental real estate, asset protection myths, HSAs, and retirement account strategies, this episode cuts through bad advice and explains what actually works under current IRS rules.
The discussion covers common traps like trying to deduct personal investing as a business, relying on so-called “privacy trusts” for asset protection, and using AI or the IRS hotline for nuanced tax advice. Mark and Mat break down why some strategies are too good to be true, how to properly structure entities across states, and what business owners should focus on in 2026 to build wealth while staying compliant.
If you’re a business owner, investor, or high-income professional looking to understand tax strategies, retirement planning, and asset protection the right way, this episode is packed with practical guidance and hard truths. Subscribe for more expert breakdowns, drop your questions for future open forums, and check out the next episode to keep leveling up your tax and business strategy!
You’ll Learn:
How S corporations and the QBI deduction really work for small business owners in 2026 — and when they don’t save you money.
Why treating personal investing as a business deduction is a tax mistake and what you can deduct legitimately.
The truth about asset protection strategies, “privacy trusts,” and when a holding company structure actually makes sense.
How to legally pay family members (like your children) through your business and what the IRS expects.
What the IRS Hot Topics are right now — from HSAs and retirement plans to rental real estate tax benefits.
How to avoid common pitfalls with solo 401(k)s, HSAs, and mixed-income strategies that cost people real dollars.
Practical, experience-based answers to real listener questions instead of theoretical or generic advice. 
Get a comprehensive tax consultation with one of our Main Street tax lawyers that can build a tax strategy plan with an affordable consultation that will leave you speechless!! 
Here’s the link - https://kkoslawyers.com/services/comprehensive-bus-tax-consult/?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=description-link&utm_campaign=main-street-business-podcast&utm_content=msbp606-open-forum-small-business-strategies-2026 
Grab my eBook 30 Unique Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know!
You don't want to miss this! Secure your tickets for the #1 Event For Small Business Owners On Main Street America: Main Street 360
Looking to connect with a rock star law firm? KKOS is only a click away!
Are you ready to get certified in EVERY strategy I teach? Start your journey with a FREE 15-minute discovery call to explore the Main Street Tax Pro Certification.
Check out our YOUTUBE Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/markjkohler
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Most entrepreneurs set goals every year… and most of them fail to follow through. In this episode of the Main Street Business Podcast, Mark J. Kohler and Mat Sorensen break down their proven, real-world process for building a strategic plan that actually works in 2026 and beyond.
You’ll learn how to think long-term without burning out short-term, why writing your plan down is non-negotiable, and how to reverse-engineer a 10-year vision into realistic one-year action steps. Mark and Mat walk through their exact eight-step framework, covering SMART goals, realistic capacity checks, quarterly execution, accountability, and why sharing your plan with your spouse or board can make or break your success.
If you’re a business owner, investor, or entrepreneur who wants clarity, focus, and momentum this year, this episode gives you a practical blueprint you can implement immediately. Subscribe for more Main Street business strategy, leave a comment with your 2026 goal, and check out future episodes for execution and scaling tactics!
You’ll learn:
Why most entrepreneurs overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what’s possible in ten
How to create a clear 10-year vision and reverse-engineer it into realistic 5-, 3-, and 1-year goals
The importance of writing your strategic plan down and why pen-to-paper thinking changes execution
How to use SMART goals to avoid vague plans that never get finished
When taking a step back financially is the smartest move for long-term growth
How to break big objectives into bite-sized, actionable steps you can actually complete
Why quarterly planning and realistic scheduling matter more than motivation
How accountability, board meetings, and sharing your plan with your spouse can dramatically improve results
Why your strategic plan should be flexible, reviewed regularly, and adjusted without guilt
Get a comprehensive tax consultation with one of our Main Street tax lawyers that can build a tax strategy plan with an affordable consultation that will leave you speechless!! 
Here’s the link - https://kkoslawyers.com/services/comprehensive-bus-tax-consult/?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=description-link&utm_campaign=main-street-business-podcast&utm_content=msbp605-create-your-annual-strategic-plan
Grab my eBook 30 Unique Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know!
You don't want to miss this! Secure your tickets for the #1 Event For Small Business Owners On Main Street America: Main Street 360
Looking to connect with a rock star law firm? KKOS is only a click away!
Are you ready to get certified in EVERY strategy I teach? Start your journey with a FREE 15-minute discovery call to explore the Main Street Tax Pro Certification.
Check out our YOUTUBE Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/markjkohler
Craving more content? Check out my Instagram!

Buying a new truck or piece of equipment before December 31 can feel like the ultimate year-end tax hack, but this episode breaks down why that decision can either save you thousands or create a painful tax bill you never saw coming. Mark J. Kohler and Mat Sorensen walk through the real math behind deductions, bonus depreciation, basis, and business-use percentages so you don’t fall into the traps many business owners hit when rushing into a purchase for the write-off. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should buy now, wait, or skip the purchase altogether, this conversation gives you the clarity you need.
You’ll learn how tax brackets, depreciation schedules, and financing choices impact your allowable deduction, why bonus depreciation isn’t always the smartest move, and how S-corp basis affects whether you can deduct anything at all. The guys also explain year-end timing strategies, the time value of money, and how to prioritize deductions that actually move the needle—while avoiding the mindset of treating tax planning like a last-minute school assignment.
If you want to make smart year-end decisions, hit like and subscribe for more practical tax and wealth-building strategies. Have a question about your specific situation? Drop it in the comments! And if you’re considering a major purchase before December 31, watch this episode before heading to the dealership or equipment lot.
You’ll learn:
How to avoid the biggest year-end tax mistakes business owners make when rushing to buy equipment or a new truck
Why “just because you can doesn’t mean you should” is the most important rule in year-end tax planning
The difference between a tax deduction and a tax credit, and why confusing the two leads to expensive decisions
How to calculate whether a year-end equipment purchase actually saves you money after factoring in your tax bracket
Why business-use percentage determines whether your vehicle deduction is $100,000 or $30,000
Why 100% bonus depreciation can become a trap if you finance equipment without having basis in your S corporation
Why contractors, doctors, and other high-income earners should not automatically take bonus depreciation in one year
Get a comprehensive tax consultation with one of our Main Street tax lawyers that can build a tax strategy plan with an affordable consultation that will leave you speechless!! 
Here’s the link - https://kkoslawyers.com/services/comprehensive-bus-tax-consult/?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=description-link&utm_campaign=main-street-business-podcast&utm_content=msbp604-year-end-equipment-purchases
Grab my eBook 30 Unique Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know!
You don't want to miss this! Secure your tickets for the #1 Event For Small Business Owners On Main Street America: Main Street 360
Looking to connect with a rock star law firm? KKOS is only a click away!
Are you ready to get certified in EVERY strategy I teach? Start your journey with a FREE 15-minute discovery call to explore the Main Street Tax Pro Certification.
Check out our YOUTUBE Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/markjkohler
Craving more content? Check out my Instagram!

These three retirement deadlines before December 31, 2025, could literally double your money overnight, unlock up to $70,000 of Roth contributions, and turn your accounts into a tax-free ATM for your future! In this episode of the Main Street Business Podcast, Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler break down powerful, little-known 401(k) and Roth strategies that most employees and small business owners are completely missing.

You’ll learn how to “match & out” your workplace 401(k) so you don’t leave free employer money on the table, how the Mega Backdoor Roth works using after-tax contributions inside your 401(k), and why high earners and oil rig workers were among the first to exploit it. The guys also cover critical year-end deadlines for setting up a solo 401(k), how to snag valuable small business tax credits, and smart ways to structure Roth conversions so you don’t accidentally bump yourself into a much higher tax bracket. They even touch on using your kids’ earned income to fund their own Roth IRAs and create generational tax-free wealth.

If you want to keep more of what you make, grow your retirement accounts faster, and stop relying on Wall Street or your employer to “save” you, this episode is your year-end checklist.

Listen to the end, then hit subscribe for more tax and wealth-building strategies, drop your questions in the comments, and share this with a friend or family member who needs to take control of their retirement before the year is over!
You’ll learn:
How to avoid missing the three major retirement account deadlines coming up before December 31, 2025
Why doing a “match & out” on your employer 401(k) can instantly increase your contributions using free employer funds
How the Mega Backdoor Roth works inside a 401(k) and why it allows up to $70,000 in Roth contributions
Why high-income earners, including oil rig workers, were early adopters of after-tax 401(k) strategies
The exact deadlines and setup requirements for opening and funding a Solo 401(k) for small business owners
How to use Roth conversions strategically without accidentally jumping into a higher tax bracket
How to use earned income for your children to fund their own Roth IRAs and create long-term tax-free wealth
Get a comprehensive tax consultation with one of our Main Street tax lawyers that can build a tax strategy plan with an affordable consultation that will leave you speechless!! 
Here’s the link - https://kkoslawyers.com/services/comprehensive-bus-tax-consult/?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=description-link&utm_campaign=main-street-business-podcast&utm_content=msbp603-3-year-end-deadlines
Grab my eBook 30 Unique Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know!
You don't want to miss this! Secure your tickets for the #1 Event For Small Business Owners On Main Street America: Main Street 360
Looking to connect with a rock star law firm? KKOS is only a click away!
Are you ready to get certified in EVERY strategy I teach? Start your journey with a FREE 15-minute discovery call to explore the Main Street Tax Pro Certification.
Check out our YOUTUBE Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/markjkohler
Craving more content? Check out my Instagram!

Are you missing out on one of the easiest 100 percent deductions available to business owners? In this episode of the Main Street Business Podcast, Mark J. Kohler and Mat Sorensen break down exactly how to structure a holiday party or company event so it becomes a fully deductible business expense. From the IRS rules under Section 274 to real examples of what qualifies, you’ll learn how to turn food, entertainment, awards, and even venue costs into a legitimate write-off.
Unlike generic tax tips online, this discussion dives into real-world application for small business owners — whether you have a growing team, a handful of employees, or a small staff running from your home office. Mark and Mat explain the three requirements every event must meet, the difference between 50 percent and 100 percent deductions, why culture and team-building matter for tax purposes, and the exact documentation you need to protect the deduction. They also walk through case law, common mistakes, and creative strategies like using the Augusta rule when hosting at your home.
Whether you’re planning a Christmas party, a summer barbecue, a team-building event, or an employee appreciation night, this episode will help you use the tax code to your advantage while still creating an event your team will love. By the end, you’ll know how to design an effective, compliant, and fully deductible company party that strengthens your culture and saves you money.
You’ll learn:
How to structure a company holiday party or event so it qualifies for a full 100 percent tax deduction
The three IRS requirements under Section 274 that determine whether meals and entertainment are fully deductible
Real examples of deductible events, including award lunches, themed parties, off-site gatherings, and interactive team activities
How to document business purpose properly and protect your deduction if the IRS ever asks for proof
Creative strategies like using the Augusta rule when hosting at your home to increase deductions legally
Common mistakes business owners make when planning events — and how to avoid losing the write-off
How to maximize tax benefits while still creating a memorable, effective event your team actually enjoys
Get a comprehensive tax consultation with one of our Main Street tax lawyers that can build a tax strategy plan with an affordable consultation that will leave you speechless!! 
Here’s the link - https://kkoslawyers.com/services/comprehensive-bus-tax-consult/?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=description-link&utm_campaign=main-street-business-podcast&utm_content=msbp602-write-off-holiday-party
Grab my eBook 30 Unique Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know!
You don't want to miss this! Secure your tickets for the #1 Event For Small Business Owners On Main Street America: Main Street 360
Looking to connect with a rock star law firm? KKOS is only a click away!
Are you ready to get certified in EVERY strategy I teach? Start your journey with a FREE 15-minute discovery call to explore the Main Street Tax Pro Certification.
Check out our YOUTUBE Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/markjkohler
Craving more content? Check out my Instagram!