L & L Accounting Services

09/04/2026

Did you request an extension to file your 2025 individual federal income tax return? If so, you have until Oct. 15, 2026, to file it. But if you have the tax-filing information you need, you may want to file now. There’s no advantage to waiting until the deadline. If you owe tax, the IRS offers short- and long-term payment plans, as well as installment agreements, to taxpayers who qualify. It’s important to act quickly if you owe because any amount that was due April 15 accrues interest until the balance is paid. Call us at (516) 292-1983 if you need help filing your extended return or have questions regarding your current tax situation.

09/04/2026

Reminder: 3Q estimated taxes are due Tuesday, September 15th. Here are some things to consider.

If you have not already done so, please plan to make your third quarter estimated tax payment. The due date is Tuesday, September 15th.

09/02/2026

Owning assets jointly with your adult child can invite unwelcome tax consequences that may outweigh potential benefits. For example, owning an asset together as “joint tenants with right of survivorship” can open up transfer tax exposure. If you add your child to the title of property you already own, it may be considered a taxable gift of half the property’s value. And when you die, half of the property’s value will be included in your taxable estate. A properly designed trust can be a more tax-efficient option. Call us at (516) 292-1983 for details.

09/02/2026

Small financial moves can pay off for years. Discover tax breaks for education, simple tax-planning strategies, ways to make banks compete for you, and how to avoid the technology upgrade tax.

College and trade schools are investments that can pay dividends for years. The same can be true of a few smart tax habits repeated year after year. In this month’s newsletter, we take a closer look at tax breaks for post-secondary education along with practical tax planning moves that can del...

09/01/2026

Business owners: Are you or your employees planning to go “back to school” soon? Two types of work-related education costs may qualify for business tax breaks: 1) those required to retain an existing job, license or professional status, and 2) those directly tied to maintaining or improving skills for a current trade or business. Deductible expenses can include tuition, books, supplies and possibly travel if the primary purpose of the trip is business-related education. However, you can’t deduct costs for education that help meet the minimum qualifications for a position or to qualify for a new trade or business. Contact us at (516) 292-1983 to learn the ABCs of work-related education expense deductions.

08/31/2026

Whether your business sponsors a 401(k) plan or is considering it, automatic enrollment deserves a fresh look. This feature automatically enrolls eligible employees in the plan unless they opt out or choose a different contribution rate. Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, many 401(k) plans established on or after December 29, 2022, must include an auto-enroll feature for plan years beginning after December 31, 2024. (Some exceptions may apply.) Older plans generally aren’t required to add this feature, but doing so can benefit both employers and employees. Call us at (516) 292-1983 for more information.

08/28/2026

Charitable deductions are frequently challenged or denied during an IRS review. Protect your deduction by understanding the documentation and requirements before making a donation.

Too often a charitable tax deduction is disallowed upon review by the IRS. Don't let this happen to you. Here is what you need to know.

08/28/2026

Scholarship awards can provide significant financial relief to families of college-bound students. Most, but not all, of the awards are tax-free. To qualify for tax-free status, scholarships must meet three criteria: 1) The student must be a degree candidate at an eligible educational institution, 2) the award must be used to pay for tuition and fees, books, and certain supplies (not room and board or travel), and 3) the award can’t represent wages for teaching or research. Many graduate student awards have employment compensation components, so they may be taxable. Also, taxable scholarship money could potentially be subject to the “kiddie” tax. Contact us at (516) 292-1983 for more information.

08/26/2026

One of the easiest ways to reduce the size of your taxable estate is to take advantage of your gift tax annual exclusion. For 2026, you can transfer up to $19,000 per recipient gift-tax-free. And you can double the exclusion to $38,000 per recipient if you split the gifts with your spouse. But it’s critical to understand the rules of gift-splitting to avoid unintended tax consequences. To elect to split gifts, the spouse making the gift must file a gift tax return, and the other spouse must consent by checking a box on the return and signing it. Contact us at (516) 292-1983 for additional details.

08/25/2026

Applying for a business loan can feel like a catch-22. On one side of the desk is the risk-averse lender, who’s willing to loan money only to successful business owners. On the other side is the business owner, who needs the funds to grow and be successful! To avoid this paradox, approach a loan as a partnership rather than a provider-customer interaction. After all, if you were going into business with someone, you’d want to clearly understand their vision for the venture. Contact us at (516) 292-1983 for help effectively presenting your business plan and financials to prospective lenders.