Marine Business Tax Planning, Advisory & Filing
Reduce tax legally, stay lender-ready, and file on time with an audit-aware team for shipyards, refit & repair, marinas, brokers & charter, chandlers, provisioning, surveyors, and crew agencies. Fort Lauderdale based. Global clients.
Who We Serve
Seasonal yard periods, foreign port work, bonded warehousing, and cost-intensive refits demand a tax approach that understands marine operations and documentation standards.
What We Do
Tax Planning & Projections
Quarterly strategy with safe-harbor rules, cash-flow timing, and equipment planning.
Entity & Compensation
LLC vs S-Corp modeling, 2553 timing, owner W-2 reasonable comp, distributions.
Compliance & Filing
1120-S/1065/1120, K-1s, payroll returns, sales/use tax, extensions & timelines.
Fixed Assets & Depreciation
179/bonus mapping, refit tools, yard equipment, vehicles, cost-seg readiness.
Documentation Systems
Audit-aware substantiation for travel, tools, fuel, and foreign port expenses.
Multi-State & Local
FL DR-15, local surtax, county filings, and multi-state nexus management.
Entities, Forms & Key Dates
| Entity / Situation | Primary Forms | Typical Deadline* |
|---|---|---|
| Single-member LLC / Sole Prop | 1040 + Sch C/SE, 4562 | Apr 15 (ext. Oct 15) |
| Partnership / Multi-member LLC | 1065 + K-1s | Mar 15 (ext. Sep 15) |
| S-Corporation | 1120-S + K-1s • W-2/941/940 | Mar 15 (ext. Sep 15) |
| C-Corporation | 1120 | Apr 15 (fiscal: month 4) |
| Entity Election / Change | 2553 (S-Corp), 8832 | ~2.5 months after year start |
| FL Sales/Use & Local | DR-15; county/municipal filings | Monthly/Quarterly (varies) |
*Deadlines move for weekends/holidays. We’ll confirm your exact dates.
Planning Pillars
- Quarterly projections aligned to seasonal yard periods
- Equipment timing (179/bonus) to optimize cash and tax
- Owner pay mix: W-2 vs distributions (reasonable comp)
- Sales/use controls for inventory, provisioning & parts
- Lender readiness: P&L, work orders, and documentation
Audit-Aware by Design
We build your documentation the way an auditor wants to see it—clear logs for travel, tools, fuel, and foreign port expenses—so financing, insurance, and due diligence move faster.
Our Process (Fast & Clear)
Discovery & Scope
15-minute call + doc snapshot. We confirm entities, states, deadlines, and marine-specific needs.
Quarterly Plan & Setup
Tax projection, entity/RC review, and a documentation checklist tailored to marine operations.
File & Verify
We prepare and e-file returns, deliver K-1s/W-2s, and provide lender/insurer-ready packages.
Year-End Optimization
179/bonus decisions, asset schedules, multi-state cleanup, and next-year elections.
Mini Case Study — Refit Yard
A refit yard with seasonal spikes struggled with estimates and equipment timing. We introduced quarterly projections, timed equipment under 179/bonus, and formalized owner compensation. Result: better cash flow predictability and a lower effective tax rate.
What You’ll Need
- Last year’s returns & depreciation schedule
- YTD P&L & balance sheet
- Payroll details (if S-Corp) and owner draws
- State/county registrations (if applicable)
Ready to lower your marine tax bill—legally?
Bring last year’s return and a recent P&L. We’ll run a quick planning scan and outline savings before any engagement.
Marine Business Tax — FAQ
Should I elect S-Corp status for my marine LLC?
Can you help with Florida sales/use & surtax?
Do you coordinate cost segregation?
Can you work fully remote?
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