Planning for Business Losses in 2026? Know the Limits

Year-end tax planning is especially important for business owners expecting substantial losses in 2026. The “excess” business loss limitation restricts the amount of business losses noncorporate taxpayers can use to offset other income. Losses from these entities flow through to the owners and generally can offset income from other sources (such as salary, interest, dividends […]

2027 Social Security Changes: Bigger Benefits and a Higher Wage Base

The Social Security Administration has announced that Social Security benefits for 2027, including Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, will increase 3.6%. This is the largest annual cost-of-living increase since 2023, driven primarily by high inflation. Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $75 per month on average […]

Personal Flights on Company Aircraft May Be Taxable

The IRS has released Standard Industry Fare Level (SIFL) rates for valuing noncommercial flights on employer-provided aircraft from July 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2026. The rates, combined with an adjustment based on the aircraft’s weight and employee’s status, are used to calculate the taxable value of certain personal flights provided as employee fringe benefits. […]

Debt Forgiveness Could Come With a Tax Bill

Did a lender forgive or discharge some of your debt? You could face an unexpected federal income tax bill. Canceled debt is generally treated as taxable income, even though you never received any cash. But exceptions and exclusions may apply. For example, debt discharged in bankruptcy or canceled while you’re insolvent may be partially or […]

Having Trouble Paying the IRS? Know Your Rights

One of the 10 basic rights the IRS guarantees taxpayers is the right to a fair and just tax system. In practice, this means that if you can’t pay your tax bill, you may be able to arrange a payment plan and can request an “offer in compromise” to reduce the debt. The IRS consults […]

Selling Investments at a Loss? Watch Out for the Wash Sale Rule

Selling an investment in a taxable account at a loss can help reduce your federal tax bill, but beware of the wash sale rule. If you sell securities at a loss and buy substantially identical securities within 30 days before the loss sale date or 30 days after that date, the IRS generally disallows the […]

IRS Clarifies Staking Rules for Certain Digital Asset Trusts

The IRS has provided a safe harbor for certain exchange-traded digital asset trusts. Under Rev. Proc. 2026-20, qualifying trusts that hold cash and one type of digital asset on a permissionless proof-of-stake network can earn staking rewards without jeopardizing their status as investment trusts or grantor trusts for federal tax purposes. The safe harbor includes […]

Selling Appreciated Investments? Watch Out for the 3.8% NIIT

Planning to sell appreciated investments before year end? Don’t overlook the net investment income tax (NIIT). A large capital gain could push your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) above the NIIT threshold ($200,000 for single filers, $250,000 for married joint filers or $125,000 for married filing separately), potentially increasing your tax bill. The NIIT equals […]

AICPA Urges CAMT Relief for Financially Distressed Companies

In a Sept. 24, 2026, letter to the IRS and U.S. Treasury Dept., the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) urged regulators to change how the 15% corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) applies to financially distressed companies. The AICPA says that forgiven debt should match regular income tax rules to reduce compliance burdens and prevent unexpected […]

Protect Your Tax Identity: Cybersecurity Tips from the IRS

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and the IRS is urging Americans to protect their personal data from hackers and other fraud perpetrators. Always use strong passwords, updated security software and multifactor authentication. Many security experts also advocate using “passkeys” when possible. The IRS says that tax identity theft remains a real threat. So individual and […]