Robin Ardinger CPA

07/12/2026

Taxes. Taxes. Taxes.
It seems that the ones that apply TO someone are the ones that are too high, and the ones that apply to someone ELSE aren't high enough. 🤓

07/01/2026

IRS Revenue Procedure 2026-25 addressed the IRS's concerns that they might get millions of Gift Tax Returns filed (without tax revenue coming in with those returns). Since the beneficiary of those accounts can't get the money out until the year in which they turn 18, it is a gift of a future interest, which would not normally be eligible for the $19,000 annual gift limit (2026), therefore requiring the filing of a gift tax return. BUT, no gift tax is actually DUE until you give away more than $15 million. That's during lifetime AND at death, so annual gifts over $19,000 would whittle away that $15 million.
(Luckily, I am not in danger of ultimately giving more than $15 million away during my lifetime OR at my death!😁)

Here's what I found interesting . . . this is entirely to keep the IRS workload down, because if you do NOT fall under the $19,000 for all gifts, you must report ALL the gifts, and the Trump account contributions must be reported as a gift of a future interest for ALL recipients, which would therefore reduce the $15 million give-away limit. So, if you make the IRS work, you have to reduce it, but if the IRS doesn't have to look at anything, there's no reduction to the $15 million under this new Rev. Proc.!

Remember that this $15 million was in danger of being reduced to a few million under prior proposals. When I began working in tax, the limit was only $650,000 before incurring Estate/Gift Tax. But then, that WAS a long time ago . . . when $650,000 was A LOT of money!! 🤓

06/16/2026

To homeowners: If/when your property is reassessed, take a look at the report as soon as you get it. DON'T wait until your tax bill arrives in another year. If all the information is accurate, there's nothing you need to do. If you have a question of whether or not a small discrepancy matters (for example: is a slab porch assessed differently that a wood deck?), contact the Property Assessment Office. There is most likely contact information on the notice you received. Be informed.🤓

06/11/2026

The IRS website is hiccupping!! If you are trying to Make a Payment and the web-site tells you your name doesn't match their records, take a break. Walk away. Try again later. We don't know WHY this is happening, but it seems to work eventually. Trying to figure out what is wrong with the site is useless. . . they seem to be testing our sanity and patience levels. 🤓

06/10/2026

Your 2nd quarter estimated tax payments are due June 15. It is best to make these payments online. The federal may be paid at irs.gov/payments. (Some state and local governments have different due dates.)

IF you're in Pennsylvania, you may make your payments online at MyPath.pa.gov. When you get to the end of the process, there is a feedback option. PLEASE give PA one star (zero is not an option) and tell them the confirmation should state your name, the bank and last 4 digits of your account, as well as the date the payment is scheduled to be paid. That information is woefully missing! It IS available through other procedures, but it should be in the confirmation (as it is on the IRS site AND other states' sites). The PA Dept. of Revenue agents have told tax professionals that they DO take that feedback into consideration when they update the program.

Also remember that if you are mailing a check, it is deemed paid on the date the IRS RECEIVES it, NOT the postmark, unless it is hand stamped or sent by certified mail.
Be careful out there!!🤓

Make payments, view your account or apply for a payment plan with the IRS.

05/05/2026

When contemplating what to do in retirement, even if you love your job, would you do it if you weren't being paid? Is there something you would rather be doing? Are you able to live within your means, even when your income changes?
Hhmmmmm. . . 🤔🤨😁

04/15/2026

As a CPA who just survived tax season, and a recent (2023) cancer survivor, I have to admit that I burst out in laughter listening to this little bit.
Have a wonderful day!!🤓

04/15/2026

Ahhhh, the Divine Miss M!! ❤️

04/15/2026

It's April 15th everyone!! 🥳 If you're mailing your payments, returns, or extensions, be sure to get them hand stamped. The IRS will treat the DATE RECEIVED as the date FILED unless it is hand-stamped or sent by certified mail. If you just put it in your mailbox for the letter carrier to pick it up today, your return will be considered late. That's no problem if you're in a refund, but if you owe $$, you'll get a late filing AND a late payment penalty.
🥳🤓 Be careful out there. AND please, all you tax professionals, celebrate safely. Don't drink and extend. . . or drive.

04/07/2026

Brave faces everyone. Practice these responses if you have a tax accountant in your family. 🤓