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NORTON NEWSLETTER
THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
NortonAccountingServices.com 985-690-4498 Info@NortonAccountingServices.com NOVEMBER 2025
EASE OF MIND • AVAILABILITY • FLEXIBILITY • INDIVIDUAL APPROACH • EXPERIENCE • TAX SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES
LEVELING UP YOUR TAX PLAN INVESTMENT CREDITS YOU MIGHT MISS
A lot of my clients are real estate investors. It’s a group we know well, and we’ve built a business around helping them make smart decisions. But lately, we’ve been helping clients expand their toolkit. Through our team’s family- based office, we’re exploring more advanced strategies that go beyond rental losses and 1031 exchanges. As we get closer to year-end, everyone’s thinking about taxes. That’s a good instinct, but it has to come with a plan. Some of the most powerful strategies I’ve seen aren’t the kind you can
Historic rehabilitation credits are another great tool, especially here in Louisiana. If you invest in restoring a historic building, you can qualify for a 20% federal tax credit based on the rehab costs. In Louisiana, you get a state credit on top of that, and both are available to investors. These projects take time, so you can’t wait until the last minute. But if the numbers work, you can end up with a great property and significant tax savings.
We also talk with some clients about oil and gas drilling credits. These are legal and can offset W-2 income, but I tend to be more cautious. In most cases, you’re just out the money. The deduction might be good, but the return isn't there if the investment doesn’t pay off. That’s why we always tell clients to do their homework and focus on strategies that provide both a tax credit and clear financial upside. Even more advanced options exist for clients with high incomes or large capital gains. One involves leveraging borrowed funds to create a basis for investment losses. The idea is to invest through a structured partnership that allocates losses in the early years and income later on. If it’s properly structured, you can get deductions now and cash out later. But it takes time (usually 15 years) and is not for every investor.
pull together in late December. They take prep work and coordination, and most importantly, they need to make financial sense beyond the tax benefit.
At Norton Accounting Services, we help clients use taxes as part of an investment strategy. These options lower your tax bill and produce long-term income or gains. One example we’re exploring is solar energy credits. You set up an LLC and invest in solar panels installed on buildings, whether commercial, residential, or a mix. The property owners pay you for the electricity, and part of that is prepaid. Because you’re buying
equipment, you can depreciate the panels and claim a credit. Depending on the structure, you may even carry those credits back to offset past income. When it’s done right, this kind of setup can generate a 20% return.
All of these tools are part of the planning conversation we’re having through our team-based family office. I’m sharing them now because I want people to know they have options. The fee
One option we’re seeing more interest in is producer movie credits. You’ve probably seen the long list of executive producers as credits roll by at the end of a movie. Most of them didn’t help make the film. They helped fund it. In return, they get federal and sometimes state tax credits, along with a small ownership stake in the film. If the movie takes off, the studio often buys out your ownership later. But even if it doesn’t, you still get the credits, and many opportunities come with strong returns. We have a specialist on our team who helps identify legitimate options and walks clients through the participation process.
for planning is often more than covered by the savings these strategies generate. You don’t have to just settle for basic deductions. If you’re interested, call us so we can talk about the bigger picture and ensure your plan is working for you. –Bob Norton
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FROM THANKFUL JARS TO TURKEY TRIVIA Fill Your Holiday With Gratitude and Games The holidays are a magical time that brings together loved ones and a little chaos. Between the pie-making and travel plans, it can be easy to forget what we’re gathering to celebrate. This Thanksgiving, let’s not just carve the turkey, but also carve out time for mindful traditions the whole family can enjoy. From sharing what you’re thankful for to hosting a family Thanksgiving talent show, this year is the perfect chance to create new traditions that deepen connections and spark laughter. Get ready to gobble up the fun together. GATHER FOR GRATITUDE Thanksgiving is all about honoring what we are grateful for in life, and it can be a fun activity for you and your children to share. You can gamify gratitude in several ways, like creating a thankfulness jar where everybody adds slips of paper describing what they most appreciate. You can take turns reading them after dinner and even make a guessing game out of who wrote what. It could be as simple as gathering around the table for breakfast and everyone saying one thing they’re grateful for. TURKEY DAY TRIVIA There’s no better way to digest after the big Thanksgiving feast than having fun. Pick out some of your favorite board games or a deck of cards for a post-meal game night. You
Beauty Balancing Act
KEEP YOUR SKIN’S PH IN CHECK AND SHINE ON
If you’re still breaking out even with a great glow-up routine, the pH of your products could be the sneaky culprit. Your skin has a natural sweet spot on the pH scale. When beauty products push it too far off balance, irritation, acne, and dryness can all flare up. So, what’s the science behind your skin care, and could your beauty aids be more foe than glow? UNDERSTANDING YOUR SKIN’S NATURAL PH Everyone’s pH is unique, and knowing what it takes to bring yours back into balance could be the key to healthier, clearer, and more radiant skin. The pH scale goes from 0 to 14, and 5.5 is ideal for most adults. It provides enough acidity to balance your skin’s naturally occurring oils and protect you from harmful bacteria. If your pH levels become too high or too low, it throws everything off in your skin barrier. SIGNS YOUR PH IS OFF Common signs that your skin is too acidic or too basic are dryness, flakiness, acne, sensitivity, and chronic skin issues like eczema. If your skin is extra dry, unusually dull, frequently irritated, or has uneven or rough patches, it likely means your pH has gotten too high. If the balance has dipped too low, you might see excessive oil, stickiness, more breakouts, and extra sensitivity to beauty products. CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRODUCTS Not all skin care products are created equal, but thankfully, most rinse-off and leave-on skin care products are already pH-balanced. Products labeled as such are formulated with a pH between 4 and 7, the range of healthy, normal skin. As you look for new beauty aids, read the labels, looking for bottles marked “pH balanced” or products designed for sensitive skin. You always want to opt for cleansers made for the face because bar soap or other body soaps usually have a higher pH level and can strip your skin of its helpful oils. OTHER TIPS Along with pH-balanced products, eat a healthy diet with alkaline foods like kale, cayenne pepper, garlic, carrots, cabbage, and apple cider vinegar. If you have hard water, which can damage your skin, try using filtered or distilled water when you wash your face.
could test everyone’s knowledge with a holiday-themed trivia competition or create a scavenger hunt around the house. No matter the game, ensure everyone from
grandparents to kids can join in. Keep it focused on connection, not just winning. If you want to go all out, challenge all your guests to be ready with their best skills for a family talent show. A SOUNDTRACK TO THE STUFFING Create a perfect soundtrack you can play while everyone helps with
the cooking or winds down after dessert. Before the big day, ask everyone in the family to add one or two
songs to a Thanksgiving playlist. Prompt them to pick tunes that remind them of the season, happy memories, the joys of being together, or even their favorite dishes. You can keep adding to this list in subsequent years, turning the songs into a playable family history.
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ANCHORS AWEIGH, BELLY RUBS AHEAD
Meet the Navy’s First Full-Time Morale Dog
For one special soldier, the mission is clear: Provide comfort, lift spirits, and stand by his crew, four paws at a time. Raider, a 1-year-old Lab mix from an animal rescue in San Diego, isn’t your typical recruit. He’s about to make waves as the first full-time morale dog on a Navy ship, and he could transform life at sea for hundreds of sailors. With a wagging tail and unwavering loyalty, this pup is ready to serve his country in the most heartwarming way. The nonprofit Shelter to Soldier has been training shelter dogs as service animals for veterans since 2012, with a mission to “save lives, two at a time.” Though the organization partners dogs with individual veterans, it began bringing therapy dogs to Navy ships for special training outings and made a discovery. Crew members felt a special connection with the pups and kept asking, “Can we take this dog on deployment with us?” Raider is the first canine cadet for the job. He was adopted from Labs and More Rescue and has been deep in training since April. This new furry crew member has been working hard on learning to use a “potty patch” on board and special safety gear like booties for his paws and eye protection.
mental health of sailors and Marines,” according to the nonprofit. Raider will join a team of five handlers and live full time on the USS Makin Island in his own room. Crew members will get their wish, and any time the base deploys, he’ll be along for the ride. Known for his goofy personality and affinity for belly rubs, he’s already bringing cheer to the base and inspiring others to follow in his pawprints. The nonprofit is busy training morale dogs for other ships. “Everyone is just really excited to have a furry companion to go with them when they’re underway,” Director of Operations and Training Nicky Moore said, adding, “What makes you happier than a dog?”
Along with getting his sea legs, he’s learning various commands that will help in his role, which is “designed to support the emotional wellness, morale, and
Pumpkin Dump Cake
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by CookiesAndCups.com
Ingredients • 1 (15 oz) can pure pumpkin • 1 (10 oz) can evaporated milk • 1 cup light brown sugar • 3 eggs • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 box yellow cake mix • 1 cup coarsely crushed graham crackers or pecans • 1/2 cup toffee bits (optional) • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside. 2. In a large bowl, add pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice. 3. Stir to combine and pour into the prepared pan. 4. Sprinkle the entire box of cake mix on top, followed by nuts or graham crackers and toffee bits. 5. Pour melted butter evenly on top. 6. Bake for 45–50 minutes, until the center is set and edges are lightly browned. 7. Serve warm or at room temperature. Directions
Apples Basketball Black Friday Election
Kindness Leaves Nap Parade
Pie Scorpio Topaz Veteran
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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
Smart Tax Moves for Investors
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Whisking Up New Traditions This Thanksgiving Cracking the Code to Clear, Happy Skin How a Rescue Dog Is Lifting Spirits at Sea Pumpkin Dump Cake
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Want to Know Your Grandkids Better?
Small Questions, Big Connections
The Interview That Builds a Grand Relationship Most grandparents want nothing more than to spend time with their grandchildren, get to know them, and foster a close and positive relationship. But it’s not always
The questions should reflect the kids’ ages. You don’t want to ask anything too complicated of a 5-year-old or dig too deeply with a teenager, as they will get uncomfortable. The goal is to learn more about them and their interests, not their deepest, darkest secrets. Younger kids will enjoy answering questions about their favorite colors, games, animals, movies, school subjects, and more. Older kids can handle more detailed questions, relating to their passions, ideal careers, favorite family stories, and values. Keep in mind that you are not there to judge or even comment on their responses or views. You just want to gather information to establish a stronger relationship. Once you’ve made it through your list, or they’ve grown tired of answering questions, it’s time to flip roles. Encourage your grandchildren to ask questions about your career, your childhood, their parents as kids, family history, your favorite vacations, and life experiences. They might already have questions in mind that they want to ask you! Focusing on stories and things they can relate to will capture their attention best.
easy to carve out time, especially if the grandchild is shy or lives on the other side of the country. So, how can grandparents better connect with their grandchildren while learning more about them and their interests? Have an interview! The first thing to do is determine the best interview method. It depends on the children’s ages, preferred methods of communication, and the distance between them and their grandparents. Some can sit together in the same room, while others will need to use video calls,
phone calls, or letters sent by mail or email. Once you determine the best mode of communication, it’s time to put the questions together.
Learning more about each other will lead to a stronger, more loving grandparent-grandchild relationship!
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