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NORTON NEWSLETTER
THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
NortonAccountingServices.com 985-690-4498 Info@NortonAccountingServices.com SEPTEMBER 2025
EASE OF MIND • AVAILABILITY • FLEXIBILITY • INDIVIDUAL APPROACH • EXPERIENCE • TAX SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES
Staying on Top of Your Entities THE POWER OF A SIMPLE LIST
When clients ask about entity structure, I usually start with a basic question. Do you have a list of what you own?
The other issue is state annual reports. These aren’t tax returns. They go to the Secretary of State, and every state does it a little differently. Some base the deadline on your anniversary date, like Louisiana. Others, like Mississippi, expect it early in the year. Most states make the reporting process simple, but it’s still your responsibility. If you miss the filing deadline, the state may cancel your registration. If that happens, and you get sued, you might not even be allowed to defend yourself in court. So, my advice is simple. Keep a list. Know what entities you have, how they’re managed, and what they’re for. Maybe one LLC is managed by a trust. Maybe another is managed by your S corp. The more you understand your own structure, the easier it is for me to help you plan around it. At the end of the year, take a moment to review your structure. Make sure your list is up to date, and send it my way. That one step helps avoid two major headaches. First, I can’t file for an entity I don’t know about. Second, I can remind you to check your state registrations so nothing slips through the cracks there, either. It’s a simple review but keeps us ahead of the curve and out of damage-control mode. If your structure is getting more complex, sketch it out. My wife had me draw a diagram of my entities so she could see how they all worked together. I recommend it to everyone now. If you have more than a couple of entities, it’s the easiest way to ensure you’re not missing something. Finally, before you form a new entity, let’s talk. A lot of clients come to me after someone — usually a friend or random person online — tells them to set up an S corp or corporation without understanding the tax consequences. Sometimes that works out, but sometimes it locks up real estate in a way that’s hard to unwind.
It sounds simple, but you’d be surprised by how often the answer is “no.” People set up LLCs, corporations, and trusts for different purposes but lose track of them over time. Some forget which ones are active. Others can’t remember what each one is for. That’s a problem. If you don’t know what you have, you’re going to miss something important. The most common issue I see is filing deadlines. Every entity has a due date for its tax return or extension. If we don’t know the entity exists, we can’t file for it. And the IRS doesn’t go easy on missed partnerships. They’ll charge around $250 per partner per month for late filings, even if the entity doesn’t owe tax. I’ve seen people rack up thousands in penalties just because they forgot to send over a name.
It’s always better to keep things clear now than try to untangle a mess later. A little effort up front can save you a whole lot of trouble down the road. –Bob Norton
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FROM CHAOS TO CALM Actionable Tips for a More Organized Home Life
Family life these days can be stressful. Many parents must work more hours to make ends meet. They sign kids up for multiple activities to give them every opportunity possible. Meanwhile, video games and social media seep into every spare minute at home, stealing time family members might have spent resting or hanging out together. No wonder family life feels like a race with no finish line. But strategies to give yourself a little breathing room can be surprisingly simple. Here are six ideas to help everyone at your house feel calmer and more in control. Restore Routines Sticking to set times to finish chores can lend a sense of order. Setting homework, housework, and bedtime schedules can be calming for children. Teach your child to perform basic tasks at the same time every day, such as making their bed. For parents, planning set times to pay bills or shop for groceries can restore a sense of control. This strategy may seem obvious, but the rush to meet other commitments can easily eclipse common-sense habits. Plan as a Team Post a family calendar in a central location, such as on the refrigerator, and make updating it a shared weekly task. Some families with older kids use a digital calendar synced to everyone’s devices, but paper is better for teaching young children the process of collaborative viewing and updating. Set a time every week to huddle about the coming week. Include homework due dates, errands, activities, and household routines to make sure essential jobs get done. Delegate a household task to each child, and add due dates to the
by praising them for getting off to a calm, well-planned start. This skill, instilled early, can make your child’s adult working life far easier.
Set Limits FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is rampant among families. Parents often over-commit to too many activities in an effort not to miss any valuable opportunities. As difficult as it is to say no when your child asks to take part in too many activities, it is essential to preserve order. Establishing boundaries around your children’s commitments will teach them two valuable skills: setting priorities and valuing free time. Both are essential to a fulfilling, sustainable life. Don’t Procrastinate Much of the stress in families’ home lives springs from a mad rush to meet commitments in too short a time. Cultivate a habit of looking ahead at future deadlines and demands, and stop trying to save time by cutting it close. If your soccer player needs to arrive at practice on time, allow 30 minutes for the 20-minute drive. If your fourth grader needs supplies for next week’s fundraiser, shop for them this weekend rather than the night before the event.
Encourage Realistic Standards As odd as it may seem in our highly competitive culture, settling for less than perfection can go a long way toward de-stressing your home life. Setting perfectionistic standards can lead children to feel stressed and defeated before they start. Aim for positivity rather than perfection. Ask more questions rather than making demands. Say, “What is your plan for homework tonight?” rather than, “You need to get started on your homework.” This subtle change will empower your children to build a sense of personal mastery. As subtle as these changes may seem, they have helped countless families extract order from chaos. Try them yourself — and enjoy the sense of calm and control that will result!
calendar. Enjoy watching your kids learn teamwork, organizational skills, and accountability!
The 10-Minute Prep Teach your children every evening to plan ahead for the next day. Join them in a 10-minute planning session to lay out their clothes and gather all the necessary supplies. Reinforce the habit the next morning
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Jailbreak for Justice
How a Senior Hound’s Escape Changed Dozens of Lives
When a 10-year-old basset hound fled from her neglectful home, she didn’t just rescue herself from abuse and poor conditions; she ended up saving more than 30 other animals from unimaginable suffering. Hero, as she’s since been named, was in bad shape when animal rescuers first discovered her. Emaciated and dirty, her overgrown nails had twisted, making it painful for her to walk. She had a painful bladder infection and heartworms. Despite the pain she was in, she made a daring escape, and her ID tag led animal control to a house of horrors. Officers found 36 other dogs, a chicken, and a cat at the location, suffering from various ailments and signs of abuse. Some animals lived in small, dirty cages; others had injuries and signs of malnutrition. All of them were dirty and had a medical issue of some kind. It was clear they needed help. The Humane Society of Concord took in 15 of the dogs, including Hero, and other local rescues housed the rest. When the sad story of these neglected dogs reached the community, people heard the call and donated funds to help cover their medical and care costs.
gave her a last name, Salvare, which means to save and protect. They described her as “a friendly girl with the softness of a sweet old lady” who deserved a quiet home as she recovered. Hero has since found her forever home and was adopted the next day after the shelter searched for a new owner. Thanks to the kind and persevering hound, many other dogs from the home have also been adopted.
“Despite Hero’s sad backstory, she’s proof that dogs are resilient creatures that only show love that is unconditional,” the shelter wrote.
Hero may have started as a victim, but she ended a chapter of abuse as a rescuer. Her quiet bravery saved her and transformed the lives of dozens of others, proving that even in the darkest places, hope can come on four legs and floppy ears.
If it had not been for Hero’s life-saving feat, there’s no telling what would have become of her furry friends. The shelter that named her Hero even
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by TheShortOrderCook.com
Ingredients
Marinade • 2/3 cup red wine • 1/2 cup soy sauce or tamari
• 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1/4 tsp ginger powder • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/3 cup brown sugar • 1/4 cup sesame oil • 1 tbsp sesame seeds • 1 tsp minced garlic
(optional, for a spicy marinade)
Meat • 1 1/2 lbs flank steak
1. In a large bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. 2. Place the flank steak in a large, rimmed dish. Pour the marinade over the meat. 3. Refrigerate and allow to marinate for 15 minutes. Flip and let marinate for another 15 minutes. 4. Preheat grill to 400 F. 5. Add the meat to the grill and cook for 3–5 minutes on each side. Leave the grill lid open to avoid overcooking. 6. For a medium-rare steak, remove from grill at 130 F internally, and for medium, remove at 140 F. 7. Let the meat rest on a cutting board for 5–10 minutes. Then, slice across the grain into thin pieces and enjoy! Directions
Apples Aster Coffee Constitution
Foliage Grandparents Labor Lunchbox
Pirate Sapphire Virgo Waffles
985-690-4498 • 3
Norton Accounting Services, LLC
THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
NortonAccountingServices.com 985-690-4498 Info@NortonAccountingServices.com
1527 Gause Blvd. Ste. 132 Slidell, LA 70458
INSIDE 1
Entity Structure Mistakes to Avoid
2
6 Steps to a Smoother Family Life
3
One Dog’s Daring Escape Uncovered a Nightmare
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak
4
Have a Chat With Yourself — It’s Good for You
Talking to Yourself Isn’t Crazy — Really! IT’S SELF-CARE!
Find Lost Items Faster Have you ever lost your keys and started saying, “Where are my keys?” as you look around? That’s not just habit — it’s science at work. A study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that speaking the name of a lost object out loud can speed up the search process. When you vocalize what you’re looking for, your brain can use verbal and visual cues, helping you locate the item more efficiently. Improve Mental Health What you say to yourself matters. Practicing positive self-talk — like encouraging yourself after a mistake or giving yourself a confidence boost — can reduce stress and improve emotional resilience. Phrases like “I can handle this!” or “Let’s take it one step at a time!” support a healthier, more optimistic mindset. Here’s the bottom line: Talking to yourself is a powerful tool for improving focus, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. As long as the self-talk is constructive and kind, don’t hide it — embrace it instead. So, go ahead and have a chat with yourself. Your brain will thank you.
You’ve probably caught yourself muttering under your breath or talking out loud when no one else is around. While it may feel strange, research shows that talking to yourself is perfectly normal and can be good for your mental well-being. Gain Mental Clarity When you talk to yourself out loud, your brain slows down and organizes thoughts more clearly. This is especially helpful when you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or need to make a tough decision. Saying things out loud forces you to process information more deeply, almost like giving yourself advice from a trusted friend — after all, who knows you better than yourself? Boost Focus and Performance If you sometimes talk yourself through a difficult situation or task, keep it up! Research shows verbal cues can sharpen focus and improve task performance. Athletes, for example, often use motivational self-talk like “Keep going!” or “You’ve got this!” during training and competition. That same technique can help you power through a challenging work project or stressful situation with more confidence and drive.
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