Year-end tax planning for accrual-basis taxpayers

Projecting your business’s income for this year and next can allow you to time income and deductible expenses to your tax advantage. It’s generally better to defer tax — unless you expect to be in a higher tax bracket next year. Timing income and expenses can be easier for cash-basis taxpayers. But accrual-basis taxpayers have […]

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 […]

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 […]

The 2025 SALT deduction cap increase might save you substantial taxes

If you pay more than $10,000 in state and local taxes (SALT), a provision of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) could significantly reduce your 2025 federal income tax liability. However, you need to be aware of income-based limits, and you may need to take steps before year end to maximize your deduction. Higher […]

Should your business maximize deductions for real estate improvements now or spread them out?

Commercial real estate usually must be depreciated over 39 years. But certain real estate improvements — specifically, qualified improvement property (QIP) — are eligible for accelerated depreciation and can even be fully deducted immediately. While maximizing first-year depreciation is often beneficial, it’s not always the best tax move. QIP defined QIP includes any improvement to an […]

Boost your tax savings by donating appreciated stock instead of cash

Saving taxes probably isn’t your primary reason for supporting your favorite charities. But tax deductions can be a valuable added benefit. If you donate long-term appreciated stock, you potentially can save even more. Not just a deduction Appreciated publicly traded stock you’ve held more than one year is long-term capital gains property. If you donate […]

There’s still time for businesses to benefit from clean energy tax breaks

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law July 4, 2025, extends or enhances many tax breaks for businesses. But the legislation terminates several business-related clean energy tax incentives earlier than scheduled. For example, the Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit (Section 45W) had been scheduled to expire after 2032. Under the OBBBA, it’s available […]

Making the most of the new deduction for seniors

For 2025 through 2028, individuals age 65 or older generally can claim a new “senior” deduction of up to $6,000 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). But an income-based phaseout could reduce or eliminate your deduction. Fortunately, if your income is high enough that the phaseout is a risk, there are steps you […]

The 2025–2026 “high-low” per diem business travel rates are here

If you have employees who travel for business, you know how frustrating it can be to manage reimbursements and the accompanying receipts for meals, hotels and incidentals. To make this process easier, consider using the “high-low” per diem method. Instead of tracking every receipt, your business can reimburse employees using daily rates that are predetermined […]

5 potential tax breaks to know before moving a parent into a nursing home

Approximately 1.3 million Americans live in nursing homes, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. If you have a parent moving into one, taxes are probably not on your mind. But there may be tax implications. Here are five possible tax breaks. 1. Long-term medical care The costs of qualified long-term care, including nursing […]