Holiday Cheer + Tax Savings: What Employers Need to Know

Hosting a holiday party for your employees can be a great morale booster, but it also comes with tax considerations. Most entertainment expenses are currently nondeductible, and business meals are generally only 50% deductible. But under certain conditions, you can deduct 100% of party costs. The event must be for your entire staff and not […]

Give generously by year end

Scholarship Tax Credits Coming in 2027: What You Need to Know

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2027, eligible individual taxpayers can claim nonrefundable federal tax credits for cash contributions to qualified Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) that serve K-12 students from low- and middle-income families. The credit was introduced under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The IRS has issued guidance (Rev. Proc. 2026-6) that allows states to […]

Is an HDHP plus an HSA a financially smart health care option for you?

Health care costs continue to increase. Pairing a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA) can help. Insurance premiums will be lower because of the high deductible. And the HSA provides a tax-advantaged way to fund the deductible and other medical expenses. 5 HSA tax benefits HSAs offer both current and future […]

Protect Yourself from Tax Identity Theft This Holiday Season

With holiday shopping in full swing and tax season just around the corner, the risk of identity theft rises. Scammers often ramp up efforts this time of year to steal personal information and use it to file fraudulent tax returns and claim refunds. Filing your taxes early is one of the best ways to protect […]

Serving Our Country? Don’t Miss These Tax Breaks

Active-duty service members: Uncle Sam knows your job comes with unique financial challenges and personal sacrifices, especially during the holidays. Time away from home and family is never easy, but the federal tax code offers several breaks designed to ease the burden. Combat pay exclusions, moving expense deductions and extended filing deadlines are just a […]

Review your business expenses before year end

Now is a good time to review your business’s expenses for deductibility. Accelerating deductible expenses into this year generally will reduce 2025 taxes and might even provide permanent tax savings. Also consider the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). It makes permanent or revises some Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions […]

Earn Tips? Don’t Forget to Report Them on Time in 2026

If you earn income from tips, you may want to mark up your 2026 calendar now. You’ll be required to report the previous month’s tips income of $20 or more (cash, check, charged and any portion of pooled tips you retain) to your employer by the 10th day of every month. If the 10th falls […]

🎄 Merry Christmas from Van de Ven LLC CPAs! 🎄

“God never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. If He gives us the gift of Christmas, it is because we all have the capacity to understand and receive it.” — Pope Francis As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to thank our clients, partners, and […]

Fed Lowers Interest Rates: What Businesses and Investors Need to Know

The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by one-quarter of a percentage point on Dec. 10, 2025. This was the third meeting in a row that the Fed board lowered rates. The U.S. labor market seems to be weakening, but inflation is rising and the Fed usually increases interest rates if needed to try to maintain […]