Hobby or Business? Why the Difference Matters for Your Taxes

Earning income from a personal interest raises a key tax question: Is it a hobby or a business? This distinction is important because different tax rules apply. All income must be reported, but expenses and losses are deductible only if the activity qualifies as a business. If it’s considered a hobby, you can’t deduct related […]

Unlock the full potential of QuickBooks software

Many small and midsize businesses rely on QuickBooks® for day-to-day bookkeeping. But the platform also offers tools designed to improve efficiency and strengthen financial oversight. In recent years, QuickBooks has expanded its automation, reporting and integration capabilities, making it even more useful for growing businesses. Tapping into these capabilities can help you get more value […]

IRS Reinstates Private Letter Rulings for Key Corporate Tax Issues

In May 2026, the IRS reinstated a previously discarded policy that allows taxpayers to request private letter rulings (PLRs) from the IRS, but only for “significant issues” arising in corporate transactions. In the past, the IRS would, when requested, review entire proposed transactions. This could be time consuming and costly. Now, the agency will issue […]

The top federal income tax rate has historically been higher — much higher

Debt Forgiveness Could Create a Tax Bill

Debt forgiveness may result in taxes owed. Under federal tax law, gross income generally includes cancellation of debt income when a lender forgives all or part of a debt. However, there are exceptions. Debt discharged as part of a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy case is generally excluded from income. Also, it may be […]

An IRS Letter Doesn’t Always Mean Bad News — But You Should Read It

If you receive a letter from the IRS, don’t discard it! Most IRS letters or notices relate to federal tax returns or tax accounts. A letter may reference changes to your account, taxes owed, a payment request, or a specific issue or credit on a tax return. You don’t need to respond unless the notice […]

IRS releases guidance on new depreciation deduction

A new but temporary special depreciation allowance for qualified production property (QPP) was created by last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). It’s available for certain manufacturing-related real property placed in service after July 4, 2025, and before January 1, 2031. Under previous law, taxpayers had to depreciate such property over a 39-year period. The OBBBA […]

IRS Offers Limited-Time Settlement Opportunity for Conservation Easement Cases

The IRS is offering a limited-time settlement opportunity for eligible taxpayers involved in conservation easement disputes. A conservation easement generally restricts the use of property to preserve land or meet other conservation goals and may qualify for a charitable tax deduction based on the easement’s value. However, the IRS continues to challenge abusive transactions involving […]

New Proposed Rules Could Expand Employer Fertility Benefits

The IRS and other federal agencies have proposed new rules that could expand employers’ ability to provide fertility benefits to employees as early as plan years starting Jan. 1, 2027. If finalized, the rules would create a new category of “limited excepted benefits” for fertility care, allowing services such as IVF, fertility medications, and infertility […]

Your post-tax-filing checklist

After you’ve filed your 2025 tax return, what’s next? It’s easy to move on to other things, but taking a little time to address some tax-related items now can help you stay organized and avoid issues later. Here are a few to-dos. Check your refund status If you’re getting a tax refund and haven’t received […]