Nonprofit Fraud: $2.9M Stolen, 25 Years in Prison

Charitable organizations recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt can enjoy tax-favored status if they strictly follow IRS rules. Among other things, nonprofits must not serve private interests, engage in illegal activity or violate public policy. Violations can result in loss of tax-exempt status, fines and more. One nonprofit agency provided meals for low-income children. After […]

Tax Estimate Due Date Approaching

If you’re a taxpayer who must make quarterly estimated tax payments, don’t let the next due date sneak up on you. The third estimated payment for 2025 is due Sept. 15. Generally, you’ll need to make estimated payments if you earn taxable income that isn’t subject to withholding or if you expect to owe at […]

What taxpayers need to know about the IRS ending paper checks

The federal government has announced a major change that will affect how numerous Americans receive their tax refunds and federal benefit payments. The U.S. Treasury Department, the IRS and the Social Security Administration (SSA) will soon stop issuing paper checks. This transition is designed to increase efficiency, reduce fraud and lower administrative costs — but […]

Can AI Help Catch Tax Fraud? The IRS Has Been Testing That for Years

Republicans on the U.S. House’s Ways and Means Committee want the IRS to use AI technologies to help enforce tax laws. Two committee members have introduced the DETECT Act, which would charge the Government Accountability Office with studying AI-assisted tax fraud detection methods and report on their potential to help the IRS detect tax fraud. […]

IRS Says 3 Minutes. Taxpayers Say 19. What’s the Truth?

If you called the IRS during the recent tax season, how long did you wait to speak to a representative? The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) says that though the IRS reports an average wait time of three minutes, many taxpayers wait longer. According to TIGTA, during the 2024 tax season, the IRS […]

The new law includes a game-changer for business payment reporting

The One, Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) contains a major overhaul to an outdated IRS requirement. Beginning with payments made in 2026, the new law raises the threshold for information reporting on certain business payments from $600 to $2,000. Beginning in 2027, the threshold amount will be adjusted for inflation. The current requirement: $600 threshold […]

50% Tariffs on EU Steel & Aluminum: U.S. Finalizes Trade Deal Terms

Last month, the U.S. and the European Union (EU) announced the “framework” of a trade deal regarding tariffs. Since then, officials have been hashing out the details. Those details have now been announced. In a nutshell, the U.S. is imposing 15% tariffs on most EU goods (50% tariffs on steel and aluminum). This includes pharmaceuticals, […]

Clean Energy Tax Breaks Are Ending Sooner Than You Think ⚠️

The expiration dates of several clean energy tax credits and deductions have been accelerated under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The IRS has published a fact sheet (FS 2025-05) on the expiring credits and deductions in the form of frequently asked questions (FAQs). Specifically, the FAQs list the termination dates of seven clean energy […]

Budgeting basics for entrepreneurs

Starting a business can be rewarding, but the financial learning curve is often steep. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that one in five new businesses will fail within one year of opening, roughly half will close within five years, and less than a third will survive for 10 years or longer. A common […]

Above the Line or Below? Why It Matters for Your Taxes

During the lengthy debate over provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, we often heard tax deductions described as “above-the-line” or “below-the-line.” What’s the difference? The “line” refers to the place on your tax return that lists adjusted gross income (AGI). Above-the-line deductions reduce income before calculating AGI. This can lower taxable income and […]