Practical tax tips and deduction strategies for individuals and small business owners. Actionable advice to help you minimize liability and maximize returns.
Which jobs qualify for the new qualified tips deduction under OBBBA? The IRS final rule under Section 224 lists 68 tipped occupations across 8 categories — from servers and bartenders to barbers, delivery drivers, golf caddies, and digital content creators — capped at $25,000 per year through 2028. The long-awaited IRS final regulations on the…
How does the new 1% remittance tax affect LA families? The new remittance transfer tax 2026 imposes a 1% excise on cash-based international money transfers under OBBBA Section 4475. Learn exemptions, compliance tips, and how to legally reduce exposure. The remittance transfer tax 2026 is officially here. With the enactment of the One, Big, Beautiful…
Will your estate owe state tax in 2026? Federal estate tax exemption hits $15M in 2026, but 12 states plus DC impose their own state estate tax 2026 — some with thresholds as low as $1 million. Cliff states can tax your ENTIRE estate if you exceed the limit by even one dollar. When most…
Can’t pay your tax bill after April 15? The IRS just launched a new IRS tax debt help tool on April 16, 2026. Our Los Angeles CPAs explain payment plans, Offer in Compromise, and relief options for 2026. If the April 15, 2026 deadline came and went with an unpaid balance staring back at you,…
What tax legislation should you watch in 2026? Our Los Angeles CPA team breaks down the key tax bills 2026 that could reshape estate planning, disaster relief, cryptocurrency reporting, and ACA premium credits for individuals and businesses. As we move deeper into the second quarter of 2026, Washington is quietly working through a stack of…
Can you really file your taxes for free in 2026? Yes — from VITA and IRS Free File to MilTax, multiple programs let you prepare and e-file your federal return at zero cost. Plus, the W-2G reporting threshold just increased to $2,000. If you are looking for free tax filing 2026 options, you are far…
Does IRS Notice 2026-24 waive the underpayment penalty for farmers and fishermen? Yes — the farmer fisherman underpayment penalty waiver 2026 provided under IRS Notice 2026-24 waives the addition to tax under IRC §6654(a) for qualifying farmers and fishermen who did not make estimated tax payments for the 2025 tax year, provided they file their…
What do Californians need to know before the FTB April 15 tax deadline? The California Franchise Tax Board has set April 15 as the 2026 filing deadline for most taxpayers. Free CalFile e-filing, CalEITC credits up to $3,756, payment plans, and one-time penalty abatement are all available to help you meet this important date. The…
What are my options for last minute tax filing before April 15? If you haven’t filed your 2025 federal tax return yet, the IRS still offers free filing through IRS Free File, in-person help via VITA and TCE sites, and a straightforward extension process — all available right up to the deadline. With the April…
Are scammers exploiting the One Big Beautiful Bill? Yes — OBBBA tax scams are already active in 2026, with fraudsters targeting seniors, workers, and small business owners. This guide covers every major scam type so you can protect yourself and your finances. Tax season is stressful enough on its own. But whenever Congress passes major…
What are the California FTB 2026 tax updates? The California FTB 2026 tax updates include SB 711’s change to California’s IRC conformity date, new Pass-Through Entity (PTE) elective tax add-back rules, an expanded California Competes Tax Credit, and a new online tool to verify submitted tax returns — all detailed in FTB’s March 2026 Tax…
What are the IRS tax year 2026 inflation adjustments? The IRS officially released IRS inflation adjustments 2026 under Revenue Procedure 2025-32, including a standard deduction increase to $32,200 for married filing jointly couples, revised marginal tax brackets, higher EITC limits, and a $15 million estate tax exclusion — all shaped by the One Big Beautiful…
What free tax filing options are available to military members in 2026? Military tax filing 2026 is easier than ever — service members and their families can use MilTax (free, no income limit) or IRS Free File (AGI under $89,000 for 2025 returns), plus benefit from combat pay exclusion, extended deadlines, and special Earned Income…
What is the IRS Dirty Dozen for 2026? The IRS Dirty Dozen 2026 is the annual list of the 12 most dangerous tax scams targeting American taxpayers, businesses, and tax professionals. This year’s list includes AI-powered phone scams, ghost preparers, and a new entry — abusive Form 2439 capital gains claims. Here’s what every taxpayer…
Do high-income employees have to make Roth catch-up contributions in 2026? Yes — if your prior-year FICA wages from your employer exceeded $150,000, the SECURE 2.0 Act now requires that your Roth catchup contributions 2026 be designated as Roth (after-tax) contributions, not pre-tax. Here is everything you need to know before the January 1, 2026…
Does the IRS offer free tax preparation for low-income households? Yes — the IRS VITA TCE grants 2026 program awarded $53 million to 363 organizations nationwide, funding free certified tax preparation for qualifying taxpayers. VITA serves low-to-moderate income filers, while TCE focuses on seniors age 60 and older. Every filing season, millions of Americans either…
What is the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator and how does it reflect the new OBBB tax law changes? The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator is a free online tool that has been updated to incorporate One, Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB) changes — including no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and new senior deductions —…
What does the Taxpayer Bill of Rights say about paying the correct amount of tax? Under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, every American has the legal right to pay no more than the correct amount of tax — and the IRS is required to apply all payments properly and correct any overcharges. Tax season can…
Can I deduct overtime pay from my federal taxes under the new law? Yes — the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) created an overtime tax deduction worth up to $12,500 for individuals ($25,000 joint filers) for qualifying FLSA overtime earned from 2025 through 2028. A separate tips deduction of up to $25,000 is also…
How much is the Child Tax Credit for 2025, and who qualifies? For tax year 2025, the Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child under age 17, with up to $1,700 refundable through the Additional Child Tax Credit. Income limits are $200,000 ($400,000 for joint filers). If you’re a parent filing…
What should I do if I haven’t received my W-2 or 1099? If your missing W-2 or missing 1099 tax documents are late, you have several IRS-approved options to file on time, including checking your IRS Online Account, contacting your employer, or using Form 4852 as a substitute. Dealing with a missing W-2 or missing…
Want to save money on college costs? Discover the top IRS tax credits and deductions for education, including the AOTC and LLC, and learn how to reduce your tax bill today! Have you ever looked at the cost of continuing education and felt your jaw practically drop to the floor? Let’s be real…
Tackling Your IRS Tax Debt Doesn’t Have to Be Scary! Discover exactly how to apply for an IRS Online Payment Agreement, qualify for manageable monthly plans, and get back your peace of mind without ever having to call or visit an office. Let’s be totally honest with each other for a second: opening…
IRS Notice 2026-20: A Huge Relief for Crypto Investors! Are you worried about your crypto taxes and how your broker will report your cost basis? The IRS just extended a crucial relief period through 2026, giving you the power to identify exactly which crypto units you’re selling. Let’s be honest, figuring out crypto taxes…
Is your IRS tax refund taking longer than expected? Discover the top 5 reasons why your refund might be delayed this tax season and learn exactly how to fix them to get your money faster. Are you one of the millions of taxpayers trying to track your IRS tax refund status right now? Whether…
IRS Free File 2026: Your Ultimate Guide to Filing Taxes for Free! Discover how you can easily and securely file your 2025 federal tax returns at zero cost using official IRS tools, guided software, and volunteer assistance programs. Let’s be real—tax season is rarely anyone’s favorite time of the year. Between gathering all…
Need an exception to the Form 1042 e-file mandate? Learn exactly how to request a hardship waiver for Tax Year 2025, avoid costly penalties, and keep your withholding agent compliance on track! Welcome back, tax professionals and business owners! Let’s be real for a second—tax season is already stressful enough without the IRS throwing…
Will Your 2025 Tax Refund Be Delayed? Discover why the IRS is warning of significant processing bottlenecks this season, who is most at risk for frozen funds, and the exact steps you need to take to get your money on time. Let’s be honest—we all look forward to that annual tax refund. Whether you…
Want to get your tax refund as fast as possible without the headaches? Discover the most common federal income tax return mistakes taxpayers make every year and learn exactly how to avoid them before you hit “submit.” Let’s keep your money safe and your stress levels low! Let’s be real for a second:…
Mastering the 2026 Tax Season! Don’t let 1099 forms overwhelm you this year. Learn exactly who needs a form, which one to use, and how to avoid costly IRS penalties before the February deadline. Welcome to 2026! It’s the start of a new year, which means it’s time to get your 1099s in order….
