{"podcast":{"title":"Business By The Numbers","slug":"business-by-the-numbers-5045738","podcast_index_feed_id":5045738,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/huntdemarest/","website_url":"https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/74da9917-c9d9-4429-8179-0c0ac4dfe2d9/Hunt-Demarest-CoverArt-2025.jpg","author":"Hunt Demarest","episode_count":235,"summary":"Hunt Demarest, CPA has consistently provided his financial business acumen to help move the industry toward greater heights of success and profitability. Hunt was recently referred to as a \"terrific advocate of the aftermarket.\" He is the author of the book, Your Perfect Shop: How to Start, Run & Sell a Profitable Shop. In this book, he compiled some of the best practices for auto repair shop owners, whether they are just starting or have been in the business for years. Hunt's podcast will provide a core understanding of the financial aspects of running an auto repair shop.","last_synced_at":"2026-06-11T14:21:19.474181+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/business-by-the-numbers-5045738"},"episode":{"title":"Stop Paying Taxes You Don’t Owe: The Tax-Free Way to Reward Your Team [E199]","slug":"stop-paying-taxes-you-don-t-owe-the-tax-free-way-to-reward-your-team-e199","published_at":"2025-12-04T04:15:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/business-by-the-numbers-5045738/stop-paying-taxes-you-don-t-owe-the-tax-free-way-to-reward-your-team-e199","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/business-by-the-numbers-5045738","url":"https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/stop-paying-taxes-you-dont-owe-the-tax-free-way-to-reward-your-team-e199","audio_url":"https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/2dbc1dca-e557-46a2-a417-9d9c000a180f.mp3","summary":"Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File Are you rewarding your team, or paying extra taxes to do it? Could a few words on your payroll save you thousands a year? In this episode, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar, Melis & Associates, explains why the difference between an allowance and a reimbursement could save both you and your employees thousands of dollars a year. From cars and cell phones to tool truck payments, Hunt breaks down how changing just a few words on your payroll setup can turn a taxable perk into a tax-free benefit. Through clear examples and real-shop math, he reveals how to keep Uncle Sam’s cut out of your employee bonuses and put that money back where it belongs — in your business. If you’ve ever handed out end-of-year bonuses, paid mileage, or covered employee phone bills, this episode will show you a smarter, legally compliant way to do it. Shop owners, service advisors, and bookkeepers who want to reward staff without paying unnecessary payroll taxes. What you’ll discover… (02:00) How a small change in wording saves 25–30% in taxes (04:10) Why giving an “auto allowance” is the same as providing a raise (07:10) Cellphone allowance insights (11:00) Tools allowance and reimbursement insights (11:40) How a $200 tool payment becomes $150 after taxes, and how to make it a full $200 with one form (14:10) What the IRS calls “fringe benefits” and how to use them responsibly to benefit both sides (14:30) Turning bonuses into reimbursements so your team keeps 100% of their money 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 qua…","meta_description":"Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File Are you rewarding your team, or paying extra taxes to do it? Could a few words on your payroll save you t…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":982,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/business-by-the-numbers-5045738/episodes/stop-paying-taxes-you-don-t-owe-the-tax-free-way-to-reward-your-team-e199/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/business-by-the-numbers-5045738/stop-paying-taxes-you-don-t-owe-the-tax-free-way-to-reward-your-team-e199.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}