Disaster relief bill moves to Senate

Two bills that recently passed unanimously in the U.S. House are intended to make it easier for victims of disasters to obtain tax relief. H.R. 517 would enable the IRS to grant federal tax relief to affected taxpayers as soon as governors of states declare a state of emergency. Currently, the IRS must wait until […]

Why smuggling was popular in 18th century Britain

Migration to electronic payments begins with executive order

President Trump has announced that the IRS (and all other federal agencies) must soon stop accepting and issuing paper checks and money orders. His March 25, 2025, executive order calls for a migration to electronic payments by Sept. 30, 2025, (with limited exceptions). The IRS has long encouraged taxpayers to pay electronically for faster, more […]

Living abroad? When is my tax return due?

Taxpayers living and working abroad have until June 16, 2025, to file their 2024 income tax returns and pay any tax due. This deadline applies to U.S. citizens and resident aliens, including those with dual citizenship. It includes those in the military on duty outside the United States. These individuals generally are allowed a two-month […]

An essential tax deadline is coming up — and it’s unrelated to your 2024 return filing

Tuesday, April 15 is the deadline for filing your 2024 tax return. But another tax deadline is coming up the same day, and it’s essential for certain taxpayers. It’s the deadline for making the first quarterly estimated tax payment for 2025 if you’re required to make one. Basic details You may have to make estimated […]

New baseline tariff announced

President Donald Trump has announced a new 10% baseline tariff on all goods imported into the United States. In addition, he announced custom tariffs of up to 49% on more than 50 countries. For example, there’s a new 20% tariff on imports from the European Union and a new 46% tariff on Vietnam. As part […]

Are you eligible for the Child Tax Credit?

If you have a dependent who doesn’t meet the criteria for the Child Tax Credit, you may qualify for the Credit for Other Dependents. The $500 nonrefundable credit can be claimed for eligible dependents of any age. This includes college students, parents you support financially and unrelated people who live with you. The dependent must […]

Riding the tax break train: Maximizing employee transportation fringe benefits

There are some nice tax breaks for transportation-related employee fringe benefits. If your employer offers these tax-favored fringes, you should probably take advantage of them by signing up. Here’s a quick summary of the current federal tax treatment of transportation-related benefits. Mass transit passes For 2025, employer-provided mass transit passes for train, subway and bus […]

Employer provided childcare

Are you an employer seeking ways to attract and retain top talent? The IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) recently highlighted a tax-smart strategy for employers that provide childcare services to their staff members. They may qualify for a credit of up to $150,000. Qualifying expenditures include the purchase, construction, expansion, or rehabilitation of a childcare […]

Exploring business entities: Is an S corporation the right choice?

Are you starting a business with partners and deciding on the right entity? An S corporation might be the best choice for your new venture. One benefit of an S corporation One major advantage of an S corporation over a partnership is that shareholders aren’t personally liable for corporate debts. To ensure this protection, it’s crucial to: Adequately […]