Newsletter

June 15 Individuals: File a 2025 individual income tax return (Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR) or file for a four-month extension (Form 4868) if you live outside the United States and Puerto Rico or you serve in the military outside those two locations. Pay any tax, interest and penalties due. Individuals: Pay the second installment of 2026 estimated taxes (Form 1040-ES) if not paying income tax through withholding or not paying sufficient income tax through withholding. Calendar-

Does your business provide complimentary on-site food and beverages for employees? The rules for deducting certain business meals have changed. Beginning in 2026, employers generally can’t deduct 1) meals treated as de minimis fringe benefits, or 2) employer-provided meals that are excludable from an employee’s income and provided for the employer’s convenience on business premises. For the 2025 tax year, generally, the former were 100% deductible, and the latter were 50% ded

A landmark court ruling, Kwong v. United States, found that the IRS improperly assessed certain penalties and interest during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you were charged penalties or interest for missing tax filing or payment deadlines from Jan. 20, 2020, through July 10, 2023, you may be eligible for a refund or abatement. But further litigation is expected, and other courts could interpret the law differently. For affected taxpayers, filing a protective claim by July 10, 202

Life changes can affect your tax picture more than you might expect. Taking time now to review key areas can reduce the risk of certain penalties and uncover tax savings opportunities. Start by reviewing your withholding and estimated tax payments. If your income has changed, you may need to update your Form W-4 so that your withholding accurately reflects your current circumstances. If you’re self-employed or have significant income not subject to withholding (such as divide

If your business is like many today, you’re seeking more ways to attract and retain talent. One option is to offer tax-advantaged educational assistance under Internal Revenue Code Section 127. Recent legislative changes have expanded the value of this benefit. How the Plans Work Employer-sponsored Sec. 127 educational assistance programs allow employees to receive tax-free educational benefits up to an annual limit ($5,250 for 2026). The benefits are excluded from the employ

When business owners think about risk, they often focus on market pressures or operational challenges. An IRS audit usually isn’t top of mind — but it can be costly, disruptive and time-consuming. Although some taxpayers are randomly selected for an audit, many audits occur because the IRS has identified certain patterns or inconsistencies. Understanding where these risks typically arise can help you limit your business’s exposure. 5 Key Audit Risk Areas The following risk ar

Investors often look to small, emerging companies for portfolio diversification and growth potential, but these investments can offer more. Certain shares may also provide valuable tax advantages under the qualified small business (QSB) stock rules. Tax legislation signed into law in 2025, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enhanced those benefits. The Basics of QSB Stock A QSB is a domestic C corporation that meets specific requirements. First, the com

May 15 Calendar-year exempt organizations: File a 2025 information return (Form 990, Form 990-EZ or Form 990-PF) or file for an automatic six-month extension (Form 8868). Pay any tax due. Calendar-year small exempt organizations: File a 2025 e-Postcard (Form 990-N) if not filing Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. Employers: Deposit nonpayroll withheld income tax for April if the monthly deposit rule applies. Employers: Deposit Social Security, Medicare and withheld income taxes for Apr

The IRS has announced an expansion of its Business Tax Account (BTA), making the self-service platform available to partnerships; tax-exempt organizations; federal, state and local governments; and Indian tribal governments. The BTA is a centralized platform that allows eligible users to manage their federal tax responsibilities online. Among other things, BTA users can view tax balances, make payments and see payment history, access eligible payroll and income transcripts, i

If you filed your 2025 return on time, you may now have valuable information that can help you fine-tune your 2026 withholding. A big refund indicates you withheld too much in 2025. If you expect your 2026 income and deductions to be very similar, consider reducing your withholding so that you won’t give the federal government such a large, interest-free loan this year. Meanwhile, a high tax bill (and perhaps interest and penalties) when you filed your 2025 return means you w

The wages you pay your child are generally deductible as a business expense. For your child’s income tax purposes, wages received will be at least partially protected from federal income tax by his or her standard deduction. Any wages in excess of the standard deduction generally will be taxed at your child’s marginal rate, likely only 10%. So this strategy can reduce your family’s overall income tax liability. Additional savings may be available on payroll taxes. If a busine

Getting a large inheritance can create new financial opportunities. But it’s important to handle inherited assets carefully, especially when it comes to taxes and planning. Understanding relevant tax rules can help you avoid surprises and make informed decisions. Know the Basic Tax Rules Usually, the value of property you inherit isn’t included in your gross income for federal income tax purposes. This means you generally don’t owe income tax simply for receiving an inheritan

Tax documents can accumulate quickly. While clearing out old files can feel productive, it’s important not to discard anything until you’ve reviewed some record-retention guidelines. Why Good Recordkeeping Is Important Well-organized records make it easier to prepare accurate tax returns and respond if the IRS requests additional information or examines your return. Documents such as receipts and bank statements should support the income, deductions and credits you report. Go

Selling investment or commercial real estate can result in a substantial tax bill if the property has appreciated significantly. One strategy to help ease your tax burden is an installment sale. What’s an Installment Sale? In an installment sale, the seller gets at least one payment after the tax year in which the sale occurs. So, if you sell investment or commercial real estate, instead of receiving the full purchase price all at once, you get payments over time. This allows

April 15 Employers: Deposit nonpayroll withheld income tax for March if the month deposit rule applies. Employers: Deposit Social Security, Medicare and withheld income taxes for March if the monthly deposit rule applies. Calendar-year corporations: File a 2025 income tax return (Form 1120) or file for an automatic six-month extension (Form 7004). Pay any tax due. Calendar-year corporations: Pay the first installment of 2026 estimated income taxes, using Form 1120-W. Calendar

If you already contribute pre-tax dollars to a traditional 401(k) plan or IRA, you may also want to contribute to a Roth version. You’ll forgo tax savings now because Roth contributions are made with after-tax dollars. But diversifying retirement contributions across account types can help lower income tax bills later. That’s because you’ll owe tax on distributions from traditional plans, but generally won’t on distributions from Roth accounts. A Roth account can save taxes o

Are you a business owner or self-employed? Do you drive for business purposes? If so, you’ll be happy to know that the IRS’s standard mileage rate for business driving in 2026 is 72.5 cents per mile (up from 70 cents in 2025). Meanwhile, medical and moving mileage rates are 20.5 cents per mile, while the charitable rate is 14 cents. You can choose to deduct eligible vehicle expenses based on business use under the actual expense method or by applying the standard mileage rate

Generally, scholarships received by degree candidates are tax-free to the extent they’re used for qualified tuition and related expenses. These include tuition, mandatory fees and required books, supplies and equipment. Amounts used for nonqualified expenses — such as room and board or travel — are taxable. If a scholarship requires the student to perform services, such as teaching or research, the portion paid for those services must be reported as income and is generally ta

A recent survey found that 45% of small businesses reported growth, but 78% wanted to grow. This January 2026 data from Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Insights suggests that many small businesses are struggling to achieve their expansion goals. Small businesses usually don’t have extra cash, people or time to absorb mistakes. One wrong move can strain cash flow, overwhelm staff or stall momentum. The good news? Many growth missteps are predictable and preventable. Growing T

Turning a favorite pastime into income can be rewarding, but it raises an important tax question: Is the activity a hobby or a business? The answer matters because different tax rules apply to each. All income must be reported on your tax return, regardless of whether it’s from a hobby or a business. But related expenses (and losses) are deductible only if the activity is a business. What the IRS Looks At The IRS distinguishes a hobby from a business based on several factors