Episode Details

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File

Are you making end-of-year tax decisions that truly save you money, or just creating future headaches?

What if the moves you think are smart tax strategies are quietly costing you more than they save?

In this episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar Melis & Associates, walks shop owners through the most important end-of-year financial and tax considerations — and the costly misconceptions that show up every December.

Hunt breaks down which deductions actually move the needle, why retirement contributions can generate cash instead of draining it, and how poor inventory, receivables, and payroll timing can inflate your tax bill without you realizing it.

Ideal for auto repair shop owners, managers, and operators who want a clear, realistic financial outlook for 2026 — without hype, political spin, or costly misconceptions.

What you’ll discover…

(2:23) What the BOI report was, why it disappeared, and why you can forget about it

(04:00) How interest rates actually moved from 2023–2025 and what shop owners are really seeing

(9:40) Why slowing inflation doesn’t mean prices are coming down

(13:30) The affordability problem facing consumers — and how it affects your customers

(16:30) Stock market realities, AI concentration, and what precious metals signal

(21:45) The truth about ERTC payments, audits, and why “fast-track” offers are scams

(24:50) No tax on tips: what changed, what didn’t, and who actually qualifies

(27:45) No tax on overtime — what “overtime premium” really means for employees

(29:50) What employers should share with their teams about overtime reporting

Thanks to our partner Promotive

It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/

Thanks to our Partner WickedFile

Turn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/

Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair

Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com

Email Hunt: podcast@paarmelis.com

Text Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413

Download a Copy of My Books Here:

• Wrenches to Write-Offs
• Your Perfect Shop

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

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