Basta & Company

Basta & Company Strategic advisors and tax experts for California construction, architecture, and interior design businesses.

Samy is trusted California CPA Expert with 25 years of experience in the field, helping clients navigate the complexities of finance with confidence. We deliver CFO-level insights tailored for small businesses across diverse sectors, including real estate, construction, and creative agencies. Our firm provides expert B2B accounting and tax consultation services throughout California, providing the dedicated support you need to thrive.

10/08/2026

Two lines. That's the fix.

One line for your design time: layout, colors, install oversight. Not taxable.

One line for the furniture: sourcing, ordering, delivery. Taxable.

If the state can't tell them apart on your invoice, they'll tax the whole thing. So make it easy to tell.

Watch the full episode in our Youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/

10/07/2026

One line on your invoice could get your entire design fee taxed.

If you lump your design time and your furniture markup into one "design fee" line, the state can't tell which part is which.

So they tax the whole thing. Not just the furniture part. All of it.

The fix: two lines on every invoice. One for design time. One for the furniture fee.

Watch the full episode in our Youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/

10/06/2026

If you sell your client furniture, that's a sale. It's not a service. You need a seller's permit. You charge tax on the furniture.

That part, most designers already know.

Here's what most don't: your fee for buying that furniture can be taxable too. And if your invoice doesn't separate it from your design time, the state can tax the whole thing.

Watch the full episode in our Youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/

10/01/2026

Growing profit? Here's how to actually plan for it, not just pay quarterly and hope.

First, compare your profit — not just revenue — to the same time last year. If it's up 20-30% or more, your current payments may be too low.

Second, update your tax projection. Ask your CPA to use this year's numbers (profit, payroll, owner draw, equipment purchases) not last year's return.

Watch the full episode in our Youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/

09/30/2026

Two questions could keep you from a tax surprise.

Ask your CPA: "Are my payments based on last year — or what I'm actually making this year?"

Then ask: "How much cash should I set aside if the business keeps growing at this pace?"

Watch the full episode in our Youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/

09/29/2026

Here's why paying quarterly tax on time doesn't mean you're covered.

David's construction company profit jumped from $220,000 to $400,000. His tax payments stayed the same. He'd paid $55,000. He actually owed $95,000 — and the extra cash was already spent.

Watch the full episode in our Youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/

08/27/2026

Contracts, plans, license letters — big walls of words you don't have time to read.

Paste it into ChatGPT: "Tell me what this says in simple words. What should I watch for? Give me a list of action items to follow up on."

Samy uses it on insurance papers all the time.

It doesn't replace your lawyer on the big stuff. But for the small stuff, now you actually know what you're signing.

Watch the full episode in our Youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/

08/26/2026

This one saves real money.

Before you send any estimate, paste it into ChatGPT: "Here's my estimate for a kitchen job. What do builders often forget and what's missing?"

It'll catch dumpster fees, permits, temp power, cleanup — the stuff that sneaks in and eats your profit.

Just don't ask it to set prices. It doesn't know your subs, your materials, or your town. Use it to find gaps, not numbers.

Watch the full episode in our Youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/

08/25/2026

You're not paid to write emails. So stop writing them.

Change order on a $4,200 framing fix? Paste this into ChatGPT: "Write a smart, nice email to a homeowner. Tell them we found bad framing after demo. Extra cost is $4,200. Be friendly but firm."

10 seconds. Done.

Same trick works for late invoices, warranty replies, offer letters.

Watch the full episode in our Youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/

08/18/2026

You have to subtract the extra costs. Payroll. A separate business tax return. Better bookkeeping. Tax preparation. And California's 1.5% franchise tax ($800 minimum).

So you have to look at the whole picture. Maybe the S-corp saves you $5,000. Maybe it saves you $500. Maybe it saves you nothing.

You have to do the math before you make the choice.

Watch the full episode in our Youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/

Address

100 Pine Street
San Francisco, CA
94111

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+14153336262

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