art werner: what business owners need most | quick tax tip

in the latest episode of quick tax tip, art werner delivers an insightful update for small and midsized business (smb) owners — many of whom are feeling overwhelmed by a growing list of tax and regulatory pressures.

“i think that a number of small businesses are a little scared,” werner says, pointing to the combination of federal, state, and local tax compliance as a mounting source of stress. “they’re trying to coordinate this all… but more importantly, they look at all this as being just ancillary to why they’re in business.”

werner explains business owners don’t launch companies to become tax experts. they do it to pursue a vision — to offer a product, provide a service, and ultimately earn a living. but the growing complexity of tax obligations has become a distracting burden.

“forget the fact that i’m a tax advisor — i have a business. i run a lecture company,” he explains. “all i would love to be able to do is say, ‘hey, can i speak? can i record? can i write?’ i don’t want to have to worry about what the tax law is.”

this sentiment echoes what many entrepreneurs feel but rarely articulate: the need for a trusted advisor who can handle the compliance side so owners can concentrate on innovation and growth. werner believes the right accountant does more than prepare returns — they provide peace of mind.

“if you are a small business and you have that right relationship with the professional,” he says, “you find that accountant who you say, ‘i know they’re looking after me,’ now i’m really calm. i can focus my efforts on my business, and i know that my accountant will deal with all these extraneous issues.