Stephen Lee, CPA, CPWA®

Stephen Lee, CPA, CPWA®

Hi, I’m Stephen Lee — Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®). On this channel, I share proven strategies to help high earners, business owners, and professionals keep more of what they make, minimize taxes, and build lasting wealth. Whether you’re optimizing your S-Corp, investing smarter, or managing 1099 income, this channel gives you the tools to make confident money moves — backed by real client experience. Subscribe for smart, actionable advice. The information provided on this channel is for general information and entertainment purposes only.

  1. 18 APR

    You Filed Your Taxes. Now What? (10 Moves to Make Immediately)

    10 Things to Do After Filing Your Taxes (Avoid Penalties & Keep More Money) CPA and certified private wealth advisor Stephen Lee explains that filing taxes is only the starting point and outlines 10 actions to take after filing to avoid penalties and optimize next year’s taxes: track your refund using the IRS “Where’s My Refund” tool, review your return for errors and save all supporting documents, adjust your W-4 if your refund or balance due was large, update quarterly estimated taxes if you have 1099 or self-employment income, set up an IRS online account to view transcripts and notices, respond immediately to IRS letters, plan proactively for next year’s strategy, organize and digitize records for at least three years, meet with a tax professional—especially if you earn over $200,000 or own a business—and update addresses, banking, and direct deposit information to prevent delays. Subscribe for more tips and strategies tailored for business owners and high earning professionals. On this channel, Stephen Lee shares proven strategies to help high earners, business owners, and professionals keep more of what they make, minimize taxes, and build lasting wealth. Whether you’re optimizing your S-Corp, investing smarter, or managing 1099 income, this channel gives you the tools to make confident money moves — backed by real client experience. Subscribe for smart, actionable advice — and take control of your financial future. The information provided on this channel is for general information and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to serve as legal, financial, or tax advice. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included on this channel without seeking appropriate legal, tax, or other professional advice specific to your individual circumstances. The use or reliance on any information contained on this channel is solely at your own risk. 00:00 After Filing Matters 00:46 Track Your Refund 01:12 Review Return Details 01:36 Fix Your W-4 01:52 Adjust Estimated Taxes 02:12 Set Up IRS Account 02:33 Handle IRS Notices 02:51 Plan Next Year Now 03:06 Organize and Digitize 03:17 Meet a Tax Pro 03:34 Update Your Info 03:51 Bottom Line Wrap-Up

    4 min

  2. 11 APR

    STOP OVERPAYING TAXES

    Common Tax Mistakes That Make Business Owners Overpay (And How to Fix Them) Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link - https://referrals.xero.com/StephenLee...Terms & Conditions apply.* CPA Stephen Lee explains that many business owners legally overpay taxes by missing strategies allowed by the tax code, then walks through 15 common issues and how to fix them. He covers failing to deduct ordinary and necessary expenses, the home office deduction, mileage and travel tracking, not using retirement plans like SEP IRAs and solo 401(k)s, missing the QBI (Section 199A) deduction, improper worker classification, incorrect depreciation (Section 179 and bonus depreciation), ignoring startup and organizational costs, not writing off bad debts, lacking an accountable plan for reimbursements, poor record keeping, overpaying estimated taxes, failing to claim available tax credits, being overly conservative or overly aggressive with deductions, and not working with a tax professional for ongoing planning. Subscribe for more tips and strategies tailored for business owners and high earning professionals. On this channel, Stephen Lee shares proven strategies to help high earners, business owners, and professionals keep more of what they make, minimize taxes, and build lasting wealth. Whether you’re optimizing your S-Corp, investing smarter, or managing 1099 income, this channel gives you the tools to make confident money moves — backed by real client experience. Subscribe for smart, actionable advice — and take control of your financial future. The information provided on this channel is for general information and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to serve as legal, financial, or tax advice. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included on this channel without seeking appropriate legal, tax, or other professional advice specific to your individual circumstances. The use or reliance on any information contained on this channel is solely at your own risk. 00:00 Stop Overpaying Taxes 00:51 Write Off Business Expenses 01:17 Home Office and Mileage 01:51 Retirement Plan Tax Savings 02:13 QBI Deduction Explained 02:32 Payroll and Depreciation 03:02 Startup Costs and Bad Debts 03:29 Accountable Plans and Records 04:00 Estimates Credits and Risk 04:47 Work With a Tax Pro 05:02 Bottom Line and Wrap Up

    7 min

  3. 2 APR

    The IRS "Target" on W-2 Employees (New 2026 Audit Triggers)

    IRS Upgrade: Top Audit Triggers for W‑2 Employees (and How to Avoid Them Legally) CPA Stephen Lee explains that the IRS has upgraded its systems to flag common W‑2 return mistakes and outlines key triggers for manual review, especially for employees with side hustles, crypto activity, or home office claims. Major red flags include underreporting income that doesn’t match W‑2/1099/brokerage data, large or disproportionate deductions, consistent business losses that can be reclassified as a hobby, improper refundable credit claims (EITC, child, education), large cash transactions or unexplained deposits, and simple issues like math errors, missing forms, and incomplete returns. He also warns about incorrect dependents or filing status, unreported foreign accounts, abusive tax shelters and “Dirty Dozen” scam patterns, and using a “ghost preparer.” The takeaway: prioritize accuracy, consistency, and documentation to stay audit-ready. 00:00 IRS Upgrade Warning 00:29 Who I Am 00:54 Underreported Income 01:21 Unusual Deductions 01:49 Side Hustle Losses 02:07 Credit Claim Triggers 02:30 Cash Deposit Scrutiny 02:50 Simple Filing Errors 03:04 Dependents and Status 03:20 Foreign and Shelter Risks 03:37 Dirty Dozen Scams 03:56 Ghost Preparer Red Flags 04:09 Three Key Takeaways 04:29 Subscribe and Wrap Up Subscribe for more tips and strategies tailored for business owners and high earning professionals. On this channel, Stephen Lee shares proven strategies to help high earners, business owners, and professionals keep more of what they make, minimize taxes, and build lasting wealth. Whether you’re optimizing your S-Corp, investing smarter, or managing 1099 income, this channel gives you the tools to make confident money moves — backed by real client experience. Subscribe for smart, actionable advice — and take control of your financial future. The information provided on this channel is for general information and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to serve as legal, financial, or tax advice. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included on this channel without seeking appropriate legal, tax, or other professional advice specific to your individual circumstances. The use or reliance on any information contained on this channel is solely at your own risk.

    5 min

  4. 27 MAR

    How to Calculate Your Quarterly Estimated Taxes (Without Over Paying or Penalties)

    Most people think taxes are something you deal with once a year in April, but business owners, freelancers, and investors need to pay taxes four times per year. This video explains how to calculate and pay your quarterly estimated taxes, including using IRS Direct Pay. Learn how to avoid tax penalties by understanding your estimated taxes and ensuring you meet your obligations. 🔔 Subscribe for more tips and strategies tailored for business owners and high earning professionals. On this channel, Stephen Lee shares proven strategies to help high earners, business owners, and professionals keep more of what they make, minimize taxes, and build lasting wealth. Whether you’re optimizing your S-Corp, investing smarter, or managing 1099 income, this channel gives you the tools to make confident money moves — backed by real client experience. Subscribe for smart, actionable advice — and take control of your financial future. The information provided on this channel is for general information and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to serve as legal, financial, or tax advice. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included on this channel without seeking appropriate legal, tax, or other professional advice specific to your individual circumstances. The use or reliance on any information contained on this channel is solely at your own risk.

    6 min

  5. 24 MAR

    1.3 Million Americans About to Lose Their Tax Refunds | Weekly FAQ

    🚨 $1.2 BILLION in Unclaimed IRS Refunds — Don’t Miss the April 15 Deadline 🚨 Over 1.3 million Americans still haven’t filed their 2022 tax returns — and the IRS is holding $1.2 BILLION in unclaimed refunds. If you don’t act by April 15, 2026, your refund becomes property of the U.S. Treasury… permanently. In this video, I break down: ✔️ Who is at risk of losing their refund ✔️ How much money you could be owed (median $686+) ✔️ Hidden credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (up to $6,935) ✔️ What happens if you haven’t filed recent tax returns ✔️ Step-by-step how to still claim your refund ⚠️ This is one of the most overlooked IRS deadlines — and it could cost you thousands. 00:00 Unclaimed Refund Warning 00:50 Deadline and Refund Amounts 01:19 EITC and Refund Holds 02:09 How to File Without Docs 02:40 Rental Loss vs Depreciation 03:19 Senior Standard Deduction 03:45 Car Loan Interest Cutoff 04:11 Final Deadline Reminder Subscribe for more tips and strategies tailored for business owners and high earning professionals. On this channel, Stephen Lee shares proven strategies to help high earners, business owners, and professionals keep more of what they make, minimize taxes, and build lasting wealth. Whether you’re optimizing your S-Corp, investing smarter, or managing 1099 income, this channel gives you the tools to make confident money moves — backed by real client experience. Subscribe for smart, actionable advice — and take control of your financial future. The information provided on this channel is for general information and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to serve as legal, financial, or tax advice. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included on this channel without seeking appropriate legal, tax, or other professional advice specific to your individual circumstances. The use or reliance on any information contained on this channel is solely at your own risk.

    5 min

  6. 21 MAR

    Watch This Before Filing for an Extension

    How to File a Tax Extension for Form 1040 (2026 Deadlines + 3 Easy Methods) CPA Stephen Lee explains how to request an automatic six-month tax extension for a Form 1040 using IRS Form 4868 for the 2026 tax season, covering key deadlines and common mistakes that can trigger IRS penalties. He emphasizes that an extension gives more time to file—not more time to pay—and that unpaid taxes after April 15, 2026 may incur interest and late-payment penalties, with the IRS generally expecting at least 90% paid by the deadline. The video walks through estimating tax liability and completing Form 4868 lines for total tax, payments, balance due, and amount paid with the extension. He details three ways to extend: making an electronic extension payment, e-filing Form 4868, or mailing a paper Form 4868 with proof of mailing, plus special rules for taxpayers abroad and disaster relief. 00:00 Tax Deadline Stress 00:31 Extension Basics 01:12 Deadlines and Payment Rule 02:06 Estimate What You Owe 02:52 Three Ways to Extend 04:22 Special Situations 05:16 Key Rules and Reminders 06:03 Three Takeaways 06:39 Wrap Up and Subscribe Subscribe for more tips and strategies tailored for business owners and high earning professionals. On this channel, Stephen Lee shares proven strategies to help high earners, business owners, and professionals keep more of what they make, minimize taxes, and build lasting wealth. Whether you’re optimizing your S-Corp, investing smarter, or managing 1099 income, this channel gives you the tools to make confident money moves — backed by real client experience. Subscribe for smart, actionable advice — and take control of your financial future. The information provided on this channel is for general information and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to serve as legal, financial, or tax advice. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included on this channel without seeking appropriate legal, tax, or other professional advice specific to your individual circumstances. The use or reliance on any information contained on this channel is solely at your own risk.

    7 min

  7. 20 MAR

    IRS Cracking Down on Self-Employment Income (Avoid These Mistakes!)

    Side Hustle Taxes: 5 Mistakes That Trigger IRS Notices (and How to Avoid Them) CPA Stephen Lee explains why the IRS is paying closer attention to side hustle (self employment) and gig income as platforms and clients send 1099 forms that are automatically matched to tax returns, with mismatches triggering notices like CP2000. He defines side hustle income as any earnings outside a W-2 job (including gig apps, online marketplaces, freelancing, content and affiliate income, and payments via apps) and notes that under IRC Section 61 all such income is taxable, including hobby income. He covers five common mistakes: assuming small amounts don’t matter, waiting for a 1099 before reporting, thinking cash/payment apps are invisible, mixing personal and business finances, and guessing expenses without documentation. He recommends tracking income and expenses, separating accounts, keeping receipts and mileage logs, setting aside tax money, and remembering self-employment tax may apply if net income exceeds $400. 00:00 IRS Side Hustle Crackdown 00:55 What Counts as Income 02:00 Why IRS Notices Happen 02:55 Mistake 1 Too Small 03:24 Mistake 2 No 1099 04:04 Mistake 3 App Payments 04:36 Mistake 4 Mixed Money 05:12 Mistake 5 Guessing Deductions 05:38 Real Tax Example 06:17 Common Tax Myths 06:51 Simple Tracking System 07:23 Wrap Up and Subscribe Subscribe for more tips and strategies tailored for business owners and high earning professionals. On this channel, Stephen Lee shares proven strategies to help high earners, business owners, and professionals keep more of what they make, minimize taxes, and build lasting wealth. Whether you’re optimizing your S-Corp, investing smarter, or managing 1099 income, this channel gives you the tools to make confident money moves — backed by real client experience. Subscribe for smart, actionable advice — and take control of your financial future. The information provided on this channel is for general information and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to serve as legal, financial, or tax advice. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included on this channel without seeking appropriate legal, tax, or other professional advice specific to your individual circumstances. The use or reliance on any information contained on this channel is solely at your own risk.

    8 min

  8. 17 MAR

    These Viral Tax Hacks Are Getting People Audited (2026)

    IRS Dirty Dozen 2026: Tax Scams That Can Trigger Audits, Penalties, or Criminal Charges CPA Stephen Lee explains the IRS “Dirty Dozen” for 2026 as an enforcement roadmap targeting a surge in fabricated tax claims (fake credits, withholding, and capital gains reporting) and warns business owners, investors, and high earners to avoid online “tax hacks” that can lead to audits, penalties, or criminal charges. He notes a viewer question that the senior deduction is scheduled to expire after 2028 unless extended. He outlines major scams the IRS is pursuing: IRS impersonation via phishing/texts, new AI voice scams, social media loophole claims, fake self-employment tax credits, Form 2439 abuse involving fake filings tied to bogus investments, overstated withholdings to force refunds, ghost preparers who won’t sign returns, fake charities (often after disasters), IRS account takeover attempts, and offer-in-compromise mills. He advises slowing down, verifying credits/refunds, and using licensed professionals. 00:00 Tax Scams Warning 01:00 Community Q and A 01:22 Dirty Dozen Overview 02:08 Impersonation and AI Calls 02:53 Social Media Tax Hacks 03:20 Fake Credits and Forms 04:02 Withholding and Preparers 04:43 Charities and Account Takeovers 05:14 Debt Relief Mills 05:33 Protect Yourself Framework 05:56 Final Takeaways and Outro Subscribe for more tips and strategies tailored for business owners and high earning professionals. On this channel, Stephen Lee shares proven strategies to help high earners, business owners, and professionals keep more of what they make, minimize taxes, and build lasting wealth. Whether you’re optimizing your S-Corp, investing smarter, or managing 1099 income, this channel gives you the tools to make confident money moves — backed by real client experience. Subscribe for smart, actionable advice — and take control of your financial future. The information provided on this channel is for general information and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to serve as legal, financial, or tax advice. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included on this channel without seeking appropriate legal, tax, or other professional advice specific to your individual circumstances. The use or reliance on any information contained on this channel is solely at your own risk.

    7 min
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About

Hi, I’m Stephen Lee — Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®). On this channel, I share proven strategies to help high earners, business owners, and professionals keep more of what they make, minimize taxes, and build lasting wealth. Whether you’re optimizing your S-Corp, investing smarter, or managing 1099 income, this channel gives you the tools to make confident money moves — backed by real client experience. Subscribe for smart, actionable advice. The information provided on this channel is for general information and entertainment purposes only.

Information

  • Creator
    Stephen Lee, CPA, CPWA®
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    87
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Stephen Lee, CPA, CPWA®
  • Show Website
    Stephen Lee, CPA, CPWA®

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