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For Families: Credits & Savings Deeper Dive into New Family Tax Benefits Permanent Child Tax Credit (CTC):  The credit is now $2,200 per child. The refundable portion (the amount you get back if you owe no tax) is $1,700 for 2025. You must provide a valid Social Security Number (SSN) for the child and the parents to claim this. Trump Accounts for Children:  Beginning in 2026, a new tax-deferred savings account will be available for children under age 18. $1,000 Kickstart: A p

January 15 Employers: Deposit nonpayroll withheld income tax for December 2025 if the monthly deposit rule applies. Individuals: Pay the fourth installment of 2025 estimated taxes (Form 1040-ES) if not paying income tax through withholding or not paying sufficient income tax through withholding. February 2 Employers: File 2025 Form W-2 (Copy A) and transmittal Form W-3 with the Social Security Administration. Employers: File a 2025 return for federal unemployment taxes (Form

Starting in 2026, personal casualty loss deductions will no longer be limited to federally declared disasters. Certain state-declared disasters will also be eligible. For a disaster to qualify, the governor (or D.C. mayor) and the U.S. Treasury Secretary must agree that the damage is severe enough to apply these rules. Now more taxpayers affected by natural disasters or by fires, floods or explosions, regardless of the cause, may qualify. Note that taxpayers can still claim p

Did you buy a “heavy” business vehicle in 2025? An SUV, pickup or van with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 6,000 pounds that’s used over 50% in your business is treated as transportation equipment for tax purposes. That means the business percentage of its cost can qualify for 100% first-year bonus depreciation. Heavy vehicles used over 50% for business may also be eligible for Sec. 179 expensing. But the maximum Sec. 179 deduction for 2025 is general

Here’s a sampling of some significant tax law changes going into effect this year: New charitable contribution deduction for nonitemizers for cash contributions up to $1,000 ($2,000 for married couples filing jointly) New 0.5% of adjusted gross income floor on charitable deduction for itemizers New 35% benefit limit on itemized deductions for taxpayers in the 37% tax bracket Reduced income thresholds at which the alternative minimum tax exemption begins to phase out (and a ph

An unexpected influx of money (such as from an inheritance, bonus, legal settlement or lottery win) can feel exciting and full of possibility. But without a clear plan, that financial good fortune might not last as long as you’d hoped. Avoid Common Pitfalls It can be tempting to immediately buy your dream car or home, which could turn out to be an unwise purchase. Or you might be feeling generous when charities come knocking, only to find out later that they were fraudulent.

While legislation signed into law in 2025 extends or enhances many tax breaks for businesses, it ends some clean energy tax incentives. Fortunately, your business may still benefit from certain clean energy breaks if it acts in the first half of 2026. Make Building Improvements The Section 179D deduction allows owners of new or existing commercial buildings to immediately deduct the cost of certain energy-efficient improvements rather than depreciate them over the 39-year per

If you received tips or overtime pay in 2025, you may be eligible for a new deduction when you file your income tax return. Both deductions can be claimed whether or not you itemize deductions. But various rules and limits apply. Also be aware that such income may still be fully taxable for state and local income tax purposes. And federal payroll taxes still apply to tips and overtime income you deduct for federal income tax purposes. Deducting Tips Eligible taxpayers can d

December 15 Calendar-year corporations: Pay the fourth installment of 2025 estimated income taxes, completing Form 1120-W for the corporation’s records. Employers: Deposit Social Security, Medicare and withheld income taxes for November if the monthly deposit rule applies. Employers: Deposit nonpayroll withheld income tax for November if the monthly deposit rule applies. January 12 Individuals: Report December 2025 tip income of $20 or more to employers (Form 4070).

The holidays are a time for gratitude, and many employers show appreciation by giving gifts to their staff. Different types of gifts can have different tax consequences. So whether it’s a gift card, a holiday turkey or a year-end bonus, it’s important to know how the IRS will treat the gift. “Achievement awards” are deductible by the employer and tax-free to the employee if certain rules are met, including that the gift be of tangible personal property. So are “de minimis” gi

Have you been claiming the standard deduction the last few years? If so, you may want to rethink that for 2025. The expanded state and local tax (SALT) deduction may cause your total itemized deductions to exceed the standard deduction and itemizing to make sense. In that case, you might benefit from accelerating more SALT expenses and other itemized deductions into 2025. Examples include qualified medical and dental expenses (to the extent that they exceed 7.5% of your adjus

The “high-low” per diem method is a simplified way to reimburse employees who travel for your business compared to tracking actual lodging, meal and incidental expenses. For most areas within the continental United States, the per diem rate for October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, is $225. For “high-cost” locations within the continental United States, the per diem rate is $319. However, certain locations are considered high-cost areas only on a seasonal basis. Busine

Remote work can offer advantages for both employers and employees. But it’s not without challenges, such as unexpected tax consequences. State Tax Issues for Employees Remote work allows employees to live in one state and work for an employer in another, which can create complex tax issues. Each state has the right to tax people based on domicile, which is where they intend to make their permanent home, and residency, where they’re physically present for a significant portion

For income tax purposes, a business loss generally occurs when a business’s deductions for the year exceed its revenue. Any business, whether new or established, can face losses. Fortunately, the net operating loss (NOL) deduction can turn the pain of a loss this year into tax savings for next year and, perhaps, beyond. How to Qualify Tax inequities can exist between businesses with stable income and those with fluctuating income. The NOL deduction helps address those inequit

Generally, except for home mortgage interest, personal interest expense isn’t deductible for federal income tax purposes. With the passage of the legislation commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), another exception has been added. That is, you might be able to deduct your car loan interest. But various rules and limits apply. The Specifics The OBBBA allows eligible individuals, including those who don’t itemize deductions, to deduct some or all the interest

November 17 Employers: Deposit Social Security, Medicare and withheld income taxes for October if the monthly deposit rule applies. Employers: Deposit nonpayroll withheld income tax for October if the monthly deposit rule applies. Calendar-year exempt organizations: File a 2024 information return (Form 990, Form 990-EZ or Form 990-PF) if a six-month extension was filed. Pay any tax, interest and penalties due. December 10 Individuals: Report November tip income of $20 or more

A pesky reporting burden for businesses will be eased by legislation signed into law on July 4. Currently, businesses must issue a Form 1099-MISC to any payee (and to the IRS) when transactions reach $600 in a calendar year. And businesses that pay $600 or more for services rendered by an independent contractor must issue a Form 1099-NEC (Nonemployee Compensation). Beginning with payments made in 2026, the threshold rises from $600 to $2,000 and will be adjusted for inflation

As the year winds down, you may be hoping to combine smart estate tax planning with tax savings using the annual gift tax exclusion. For 2025 and 2026, this exclusion is $19,000, which you may give in cash or property to any number of family members or friends, without gift tax implications. Married couples may be able to give up to $38,000 to any recipient. Generally, married taxpayers can also gift an unlimited amount to their spouse without gift tax implications. However,

Charities obviously benefit when you donate to them. But you can also benefit by securing a tax deduction on your 2025 income tax return if you donate by Dec. 31, itemize deductions and comply with the tax rules. Here are a few rules to keep in mind: Ensure you’re donating to a qualified charitable organization. A tool on the IRS website, the Exempt Organizations Select Check, allows users to confirm a charity’s tax-exempt status. If you receive something in return for your d

The holiday season is here once again, and for some workplaces, that means holiday parties. Although the rules for deducting business entertainment expenses changed several years ago, you may still qualify for some holiday party write-offs for this year, possibly even the entire cost. As you plan, understand the rules so you can avoid potentially costly missteps. The Rules Before and Since the TCJA Before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), businesses could deduct 50% of certai