Racine, Wisconsin, has long established itself as a beacon of industrious spirit and forward-thinking innovation. With a robust business environment, this vibrant city on the shores of Lake Michigan pulses with energy and opportunity. With a rich history rooted in manufacturing, Racine has seamlessly integrated its traditional strengths into a modern economy driven by sustainability and technological advancement.
Racine's diverse business landscape offers a
promising array of industries, from cutting-edge manufacturing and health care services to emerging businesses in renewable energy and technology. Internationally recognized brands call Racine home, bolstered by a supportive community that fosters entrepreneurship and growth. In recent years, sustainable practices have taken the forefront, with local companies leading the way in renewable resources and eco-friendly innovations that power the city's ongoing
Racine, Wisconsin
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Hello Racine, Wisconsin • Winter Issue |5
transformation.
The Racine Development Authority, alongside various local initiatives, actively cultivates an environment where innovation thrives, ensuring that new ventures find their footing alongside established enterprises. This collaborative spirit is evident in Racine’s emphasis on fostering young talent, evident in its partnerships with educational institutions offering tailored programs...
Racine, Wisconsin
Racine, Wisconsin: A Hub of Industrious Innovation and Growth
Racine, Wisconsin, has long established itself as a beacon of industrious spirit and forward-thinking innovation. With a robust business environment, this vibrant city on the shores of Lake Michigan pulses with energy and opportunity. With a rich history rooted in manufacturing, Racine has seamlessly integrated its traditional strengths into a modern economy driven by sustainability and technological advancement.
Racine's diverse business landscape offers a promising array of industries, from cutting-edge manufacturing and health care services to emerging businesses in renewable energy and technology. Internationally recognized brands call Racine home, bolstered by a supportive community that fosters entrepreneurship and growth. In recent years, sustainable practices have taken the forefront, with local companies leading the way in renewable resources and eco-friendly innovations that power the city's ongoing transformation.
The Racine Development Authority, alongside various local initiatives, actively cultivates an environment where innovation thrives, ensuring that new ventures find their footing alongside established enterprises. This collaborative spirit is evident in Racine’s emphasis on fostering young talent, evident in its partnerships with educational institutions offering tailored programs designed to meet the rapidly evolving demands of the workforce.
Whether you are a business owner, entrepreneur, or career-seeker, Racine, Wisconsin, offers a dynamic setting filled with opportunity, making it an ideal place to plant the seeds of success and watch them flourish.
Not Every Business Expense Is Deductible: Here's What to Know
As tax professionals, we frequently encounter confusion around business deductions, particularly those tied to meals and vehicle use. While these categories may seem straightforward, the IRS maintains strict criteria for what qualifies as a legitimate expense.Take business meals, for example. A meal
is not deductible simply because it occurred during work hours. If you are dining alone or without a client, colleague, or professional contact, it is generally considered a personal expense. To be deductible, the meal must involve a business discussion or a clear professional objective, and the
6 | HelloRacine, Wisconsin • Winter Issue
Not Every Business Expense Is Deductible: Here's What to Know
As tax professionals, we frequently encounter confusion around business deductions, particularly those tied to meals and vehicle use. While these categories may seem straightforward, the IRS maintains strict criteria for what qualifies as a legitimate expense. Take business meals, for example. A meal is not deductible simply because it occurred during work hours. If you are dining alone or without a client, colleague, or professional contact, it is generally considered a personal expense. To be deductible, the meal must involve a business discussion or a clear professional objective, and the setting must be conducive to that purpose.
Vehicle use presents similar issues. Many taxpayers operate under the assumption that mileage can be deducted so long as the vehicle is sometimes used for work. In practice, only the mileage directly tied to business activity qualifies. Commuting from home to a primary work location is typically considered personal. However, trips to client sites, meetings, or business-related errands are eligible. Accurate recordkeeping is essential; without a contemporaneous log, deductions may be disallowed.
To substantiate these types of expenses, the IRS expects detailed documentation. This includes the date, location, business purpose, and names of individuals involved in a meal, and a mileage log for vehicle use that notes origin, destination, and reason for travel.
These habits, while tedious to establish, protect the integrity of your return and reduce the likelihood of adjustments during an audit. Tax compliance rests not only on knowing what is allowed but also on demonstrating intent and documentation. In both meals and mileage, the strength of your deduction depends largely on the quality of your records.
Darlene Lotz
location is typically considered personal. However, trips to client sites, meetings, or business-related errands are eligible. Accurate recordkeeping is essential; without a contemporaneous log, deductions may be disallowed.To substantiate these types of expenses, the IRS expects detailed documentation. This includes the date, location, business purpose, and names of individuals involved in a meal, and a mileage log for vehicle use that notes origin, destination, and reason for travel.These habits, while tedious to establish, protect the integrity of your return and reduce the likelihood of adjustments during an audit....
setting must be conducive to that purpose.Vehicle use presents similar issues. Many taxpayers operate under the assumption that mileage can be deducted so long as the vehicle is sometimes used for work. In practice, only the mileage directly tied to business activity qualifies. Commuting from home to a primary work
Accurate recordkeeping is essential; without a contemporaneous log, deductions may be disallowed.
About the Author
Mark Leeder, Rick Kutch, and Darlene Lotz are experienced CPAs at 415 CPAs, offering expert tax planning, accounting, and financial advisory services. With decades of combined experience, they deliver personalized, strategic guidance to individuals and businesses, helping clients optimize cash flow, ensure compliance, and achieve long-term financial success.
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FEATURED STORY
What Most People Get Wrong About Retirement Age
by Michael McKinney
Most people envision retiring around age 65 because it feels like the traditional age to stop working. This expectation comes from decades of Social Security rules and company pension plans that set 65 as a marker. While it has become ingrained as the normal age, the truth is that retirement readiness has less to do with turning a certain number and more to do with whether your finances and lifestyle goals align.The belief in a fixed age can lead to two very different mistakes. Some people leave work too soon, assuming 65 is safe, only to discover that their savings and
8 | HelloRacine, Wisconsin • Winter Issue
Michael McKinney
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Michael McKinney, CFP® | CRPC, is the owner and financial advisor at Edward Jones, where he provides personalized financial planning and investment strategies to help clients reach their financial goals. With years of experience in the industry, Michael specializes in retirement planning, wealth management, and risk management, offering expert guidance tailored to each client’s unique needs. His commitment to building long-term relationships and providing comprehensive advice has earned him ...
investments cannot sustain the life they want. Others stay in the workforce longer than they need to, not realizing they already have the resources to step back earlier. Retirement works best when it is driven by personal readiness, not a date on the calendar. Your plan should reflect your circumstances, not someone else’s timetable, because financial security depends on many factors unique to each person.What truly matters is whether your savings, investment growth, and income streams can support you through what may be decades of life after work. This includes looking at how your retirement accounts, taxable
Hello Racine, Wisconsin • Winter Issue |9
What Most People Get Wrong About Retirement Age
Most people envision retiring around age 65 because it feels like the traditional age to stop working. This expectation comes from decades of Social Security rules and company pension plans that set 65 as a marker. While it has become ingrained as the normal age, the truth is that retirement readiness has less to do with turning a certain number and more to do with whether your finances and lifestyle goals align. The belief in a fixed age can lead to two very different mistakes. Some people leave work too soon, assuming 65 is safe, only to discover that their savings and investments cannot sustain the life they want. Others stay in the workforce longer than they need to, not realizing they already have the resources to step back earlier. Retirement works best when it is driven by personal readiness, not a date on the calendar. Your plan should reflect your circumstances, not someone else’s timetable, because financial security depends on many factors unique to each person. What truly matters is whether your savings, investment growth, and income streams can support you through what may be decades of life after work. This includes looking at how your retirement accounts, taxable savings, and any real estate holdings contribute to steady cash flow. Your asset allocation, meaning how your money is spread across stocks, bonds, and other investments, affects how reliable that income will be over time. Even small adjustments to your portfolio can change how long your savings last, so periodic reviews are essential to keep your plan on track. Social Security also plays a crucial role. Understanding your full retirement age and how claiming benefits earlier or delaying them affects your monthly income can have a long-term impact. For some, claiming early makes sense if income is needed sooner, but delaying benefits often results in a much higher lifetime payout. Knowing your options, such as spousal benefits or partial claims, helps you make the most of this resource. For couples, coordinating benefits is especially important because one decision may influence the other’s financial security later in life. It is also important to remember that Social Security was designed to supplement retirement income, not fully replace it, so it should be part of a larger strategy. Retirement planning should also reflect how you want to live. Someone who dreams of frequent travel will need more resources than someone who prefers a quiet life at home. Being clear about housing costs, healthcare expenses, and recreation helps test whether your plan fits your vision. Healthcare, in particular, is a major factor. If you retire before 65, you may lose employer coverage and need to buy insurance until Medicare begins. Even after 65, planning for premiums, deductibles, and unexpected medical needs is critical. Long-term care, often overlooked, is another expense that can significantly impact a budget if not prepared for. Considering these costs early can help you avoid financial surprises later. Life often brings surprises, so building flexibility into your plan matters. Having an emergency reserve, the option to work part-time, or the ability to adjust spending if necessary creates a safety net. This flexibility also helps if markets dip or personal circumstances change. Rather than locking into one path, you can adapt as needed. Thinking ahead about these “what ifs” allows you to react to challenges without derailing your entire retirement plan. Flexibility is one of the most valuable tools a retiree can have because it allows decisions to be made with confidence even in uncertain times. A modern approach to retirement involves estimating your income needs first, then testing whether your resources can cover them for potentially 30 years or more. Running scenarios for retiring at 62, 65, 67, or later reveals how different ages affect cash flow and taxes. Reviewing your Social Security strategy carefully ensures you get the most out of it. For many, a phased transition, reducing hours before fully retiring, eases both the financial and emotional adjustment. Revisiting your plan regularly allows you to adapt as markets shift and life unfolds. Retirement planning is not something you set once and forget; it is an ongoing process that requires periodic updates to remain effective. This flexible approach works better than sticking to tradition because it reduces the risk of running out of money, lowers stress, and helps you make smarter decisions about benefits. It also prepares you for the unexpected, giving you options rather than restrictions. People who plan with this mindset tend to feel more confident, knowing they can adjust as life changes. They understand that retirement is not a single event but a long phase of life that can evolve. The biggest mistake people make about retirement is believing it must start at a set age, when in reality it should begin when your finances and lifestyle are ready. When you plan with flexibility and focus on your individual goals, retirement becomes a choice, not an obligation.
The biggest mistakepeople make aboutretirement is believing itmust start ata set age, whenin reality, it shouldbegin when yourfinances and lifestyle areready.
savings, and any real estate holdings contribute to steady cash flow. Your asset allocation, meaning how your money is spread across stocks, bonds, and other investments, affects how reliable that income will be over time. Even small adjustments to your portfolio can change how long your savings last, so periodic reviews are essential to keep your plan on track.Social Security also plays a crucial role. Understanding your full retirement age and how claiming benefits...
