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 […]

Can Tariffs replace income tax?

President Trump has talked about bringing jobs back to the U.S. and replacing income tax revenue with foreign tariffs. However, income tax revenues average approximately $2 trillion annually, while the U.S. imports about $4 trillion in goods. This means that tariffs would need to be high or imports would need to increase significantly. The nonprofit […]

Happy Birthday to the EITC

Happy 50th birthday to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)! The credit became effective in 1975 when President Ford signed it into law (as part of the Tax Reduction Act) to provide financial assistance to working families. Then, the maximum EITC amount was $400. In 2024, eligible taxpayers can claim a credit of up to […]