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NORTON NEWSLETTER
THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
NortonAccountingServices.com 985-690-4498 Info@NortonAccountingServices.com DECEMBER 2025
EASE OF MIND • AVAILABILITY • FLEXIBILITY • INDIVIDUAL APPROACH • EXPERIENCE • TAX SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES
Make Tax Season Easier Now END-OF-YEAR MOVES THAT MATTER
December can be a blur. Between holiday travel, family plans, and year-end business decisions, tax prep often lands in the “do it later” pile. However, if you want things to go more smoothly next year (for you and for us), you can take a few simple steps now. We’ve put together a short list we recommend to every client this time of year to help save time, money, and stress later. First, if you’re claiming a high school- or college-age child as a dependent, be sure they know that, too. Every year, we have kids who file their own return using a free online tool and forget to check the box saying they’re listed on someone else’s return. That causes the IRS to reject the parent’s return, and fixing it can take weeks or sometimes months. Your child receives the same refund either way, but if they select the incorrect box, you forfeit the credit. Second, you need to keep receipts. This is especially important if you’re doing major renovations or upgrades on a property. The IRS is getting more aggressive about audits. If they ask to see receipts and you don’t have them, you’re out of luck. There’s an easy way to simplify this process. Create an email account just for receipts. Any time you get one, send it to the email
address. For paper receipts, just take a photo with your phone before emailing it. You’ll thank yourself if you ever get audited.
Third, if you establish a new company this year, please let us know. We can’t file an extension for a company we don’t know exists. The deadline for partnerships and S corporations is a month earlier than that for personal returns. If we miss it, the penalties add up fast. Just send us the tax ID and the name of the company, and we’ll take it from there. Fourth, if you have multiple companies or properties, it helps to create a simple flowchart. Draw it on paper if you want. Put yourself at the top and map out what you own and how the money moves. If things change, update the chart. It helps us report things correctly, file extensions on time, and avoid amending returns later because of missed details. Fifth, make a master property list. We’ve had clients add as many as a dozen properties we didn’t know about. If we don’t know what you bought or sold, we can’t report it. A good list should include every property you own, the LLC it’s held in, and any companies you're invested in, even if we’re not filing that return. We’ll be uploading a template to SmartVault soon to make this easier. Finally, if you think you’ll owe taxes and want to avoid penalties, let us know early. Filing an extension gives you more time to file, not more time to pay. We can’t calculate what you owe unless we have data, so if you’re looking to make a payment, send over what you can. A rough estimate is better than nothing.
Each year, we also share tips like these in our “12 Days of Tax-Saving Tips” email series. Most clients have already received it, but if you didn’t or would
like the full list, just reach out to our office and we’ll send it your way. Also, keep an eye out for the updated checklists and templates we’ll be adding to SmartVault. And if you have any questions, we’re here to help. –Bob Norton
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Full Fridge, Happy Wallet Slash Your Grocery Bill in Half With These Helpful Hacks
Is your grocery bill eating up more of your budget than you planned? You’re not alone. Shoppers today are looking for smart savings in the aisles without missing out on their favorite meals. Thankfully, you can keep your cart and wallet full with six clever hacks. From buying your staples in bulk to skipping delivery, these tips will help slice your receipt in half without cutting out the good stuff. Shop in-store. These days, you can have groceries delivered right to your front door without ever leaving your couch, but the convenience will cost you. Whether you’re using Instacart, Amazon, or another third-party app, delivery fees, tips, and markups on certain products can add up quickly. Skip delivery and shop in-store instead. If you are tight on time or don’t want to be tempted by extras you spot on the shelves, curbside pickup is a much more affordable option. Many major grocery stores offer free or very cheap pickup options. Buy in bulk. If you go through specific items frequently or faster, buy them in bulk to save money. You can get the most out of this cost-saving strategy by stocking up on eight weeks’ worth of shelf-stable items when they are on sale, so you don’t have to wait out another price drop. Though the item may
cost you more at the register, you’ll save money overall, making each item cheaper than you would pay individually.
Download the apps. Most stores offer apps that provide exclusive discounts and even points toward rewards. These include digital-only coupons, loyalty programs, and chances to score free products. Along with the app for your favorite store, many third-party apps can help you compare prices or earn cashback or rewards for scanning your receipt. Don’t drink your dollars away. While you don’t have to eliminate your favorite drinks completely, smart swaps can help you save on beverages. Instead of buying containers of iced tea, buy a whole box of tea bags that can make multiple pitchers for the same price. Skip bottled water and invest in a filtered pitcher or bottle to get clean water straight from your tap. Making your own drinks at home or choosing water is less expensive and usually healthier. Clip coupons. Sometimes, you can’t beat a classic. Clipping coupons is still a great way to save on your grocery bill. You can flip through any weekly circulars you receive in the mail or look for coupons right in the aisles of your favorite store. The store’s app will also have digital coupons you can load onto your digital loyalty card or phone to scan at the register. Stick to your list. Go in with a plan. When you create your shopping list ahead of time, you’ll be less likely to grab items you don’t actually need. It’s also smart to shop with meal prep in mind, as it can save you money in the long run. Fill your list with ingredients to make multiple meals you can eat throughout the week. Make sure you have a snack or lunch before you head to the store, because it’s harder to focus on your list if your stomach is growling. You don’t have to sacrifice your go-to meals and favorite foods to save money on your grocery bill. Planning ahead, taking advantage of sales, and cutting out expensive delivery fees can keep your kitchen stocked and your wallet balanced.
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TINY PUP, BIG HERO TRAILBLAZING CHIHUAHUA LED SEARCHERS TO LOST OWNER
When 85-year-old Barbara Crosby went missing in the California wilderness, no one expected her travel companion, her loyal dog Pancho, would become her savior. Spotted by residents in the area, the adventurous pup led rescuers straight to his owner, navigating a steep embankment that could have spelled disaster. The pair went missing on an early Saturday morning when Barbara, who has dementia, wandered away from her senior living home with the Chihuahua mix. Search and rescue teams immediately began to look for the at-risk adult but saw no sign of her throughout the day. As they were about to pack up for the night, multiple residents reported that they had spotted Pancho in the area. Thanks to details from these glimpses of the would-be hero, rescue crews could pinpoint Pancho’s travel path, which led down a 70-foot steep embankment off the road. After hiking to the bottom, they found him hiding under some brush and followed him to where Barbara lay sleeping nearby.
Due to the rugged terrain, the team had to utilize a litter and rope system to lift Barbara to safety and promptly take her to a nearby hospital. Though she was no longer in harm’s way, the crews couldn’t stop to celebrate too long. Pancho pulled a hound-ini act and ran off before rescuers could lift him out. Residents spotted the runaway dog the next day, just a short distance away. Dehydrated and exhausted from the ordeal, Pancho was taken to a veterinarian for treatment and is back to his old self. The county sheriff’s office recognized Pancho’s life-saving act in a special thank-you online, stating that his “loyalty and presence near Barbara’s location helped lead us to her, truly the unsung hero of this rescue.” They also thanked the search and rescue crews and the community members who shared their Pancho sightings. This Chihuahua’s keen instincts guided rescuers through tricky terrain, proving heroes come in all sizes. Thankfully, this duo’s adventure ended in tail wags and plenty of treats.
Ingredients • 1/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder, plus more for dusting CLASSIC ITALIAN TIRAMISU
TAKE A BREAK
• 1/2 cup white sugar • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1 cup brewed espresso • 1 tbsp vanilla extract • 5 large egg yolks, cold
• 16 oz mascarpone cheese, chilled • 1 3/4 cups heavy cream, chilled • 28 hard ladyfinger cookies
Directions
1. In a bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, espresso, and vanilla and set aside. 2. In a mixer, beat egg yolks and sugar until pale and thick, about 5 minutes. 3. Add salt and mascarpone cheese, and continue to whip. 4. Add the chilled heavy cream and continue to whip until light and smooth. 5. Dunk each ladyfinger in the espresso mixture to absorb the liquid and line a 7x11-inch oval baking dish with the cookies. 6. Top the first layer of cookies with half the whipped mascarpone mixture and spread it into an even layer. Dust with cocoa powder. 7. Repeat for another layer and then finish by dusting with cocoa powder on top. 8. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
Cardinal Cookies Frosty Gingerbread
Gifts Menorah Mittens Peppermint
Pinecones Sagittarius Snowball Yule
Inspired by WhatsGabyCooking.com
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
Year-End Tax Tips to Save You Stress
2
Simple Ways to Cut Costs in the Aisles
3
Pancho Becomes Lifesaver in Wilderness Rescue Classic Italian Tiramisu
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The Body’s Natural Reset Button
DEEP BREATHING IS YOUR SCIENTIFIC SHORTCUT TO STRESS RELIEF INHALE THE FACTS
When you feel angry or stressed out, a few deep breaths can be more powerful than they seem. A deep inhale is like a reset button for your body, sending signals to your nervous system, slowing your heart rate, and quieting the mental storm. Deep breathing isn’t just hot air; it’s scientifically proven to be one of the simplest hacks for calming the mind and body. Inhale deeply, and let’s explore what happens internally when you breathe back to balance. Most of the time, you don’t think about breathing; your body naturally handles this task as you go about your day. But when you control your breath, you trigger a rest and digest mode that slows your heart rate and sends more blood to your gut to help digestion. The brain manages breathing and heart rate in the same parts of the brain, and they work together. With each breath you take, your lungs expand and the pressure on your heart and blood vessels shifts. This rhythm directly links how you breathe and how calm or alert you feel. The slower and more relaxed your breath is, the less your internal systems are gearing up for a battle.
minor physical pain, such as headaches or an upset stomach. Pain stresses your body out, so easing your aches will help your parasympathetic nervous system take the reins and focus on recovery rather than alertness. To get the full benefits from this mindfulness technique, sit upright and take a slow, deep inhale through your nose. Place one hand on your belly and one on your chest to
feel your rib cage expand and your belly rise as the lungs fill. Keep this up until you feel a wave of calm come over you. So, next time you’re feeling on edge, inhale and see why, sometimes, the simplest science is a breath of fresh air.
Deep breathing reduces stress and triggers your blood pressure and nervous system to relax. It doesn’t just change your mental state; it can also ease
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