Accounting Plus

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

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...

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.

08/24/2026

Major Higher Education Tax Credits Now Require Valid SSN – Did You Know?

The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) and Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) help many Americans pay for higher education. For eligible students pursuing a degree or other recognized credential, the AOTC can cover up to $2,500 in tuition, required school fees and certain course materials per year. Meanwhile, the LLC can offset up to $2,000 per tax return for qualified education expenses for eligible students taking higher education courses for a variety of reasons.

Beginning with tax year 2026, the taxpayer claiming either the AOTC or LLC (and spouse, if filing jointly) must have a Social Security number (SSN) valid for work in the United States that was issued before the due date of the tax return, including extensions. If the eligible student is not the person claiming the credit (for example, if the student is that person's dependent or spouse), then the student must also have a valid SSN issued by that deadline. Other qualification requirements, such as income limits, remain in effect. A tax professional can help you determine whether the higher education expenses you pay for yourself, your spouse or a dependent qualify for a tax benefit.

08/24/2026

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SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT!

Today we’re giving a big shoutout to Accounting Plus!

Accounting Plus is a trusted local accounting firm serving individuals and small businesses with services including tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll and financial planning. Their team is dedicated to providing personalized service and helping their clients stay organized and on track with their financial needs.

We’re so grateful for their support of Lincoln Park Days and for the local businesses that help make this community celebration possible!

Thank you, Accounting Plus, for being part of Lincoln Park Days!

Be sure to support the businesses that support our community!

08/21/2026

When an interest rate matters. This is what you need to know.

The IRS often sees the transfer of funds as a loan, whether there is a loan agreement or not. This also means there is an implied term and interest payment. When the IRS says a transaction is a loan, what interest rate do they use? Enter AFRs. Here is what you need to know.

08/18/2026

Seasonal Employers - Did You Know?

Summer is a peak time for many businesses to hire seasonal employees. In general, the same federal tax rules apply to these workers as to permanent staff. Employers typically must withhold federal income tax and F**A (Social Security and Medicare) taxes and pay the employer share of F**A. Employers subject to FUTA must also pay federal unemployment tax on taxable wages.

Seasonal employers often must file Form 941 (Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return) for quarters in which they pay wages. However, they generally do not need to file for quarters in which they paid no wages and have no employment tax liability. If this applies, check the "Seasonal Employer" box on every Form 941 you file.

Employment taxes generally must be deposited monthly or semiweekly, based on the applicable lookback period. FUTA follows separate deposit rules and generally must be deposited when accumulated FUTA tax exceeds $500 for a quarter. Federal tax deposits must be made electronically, including through EFTPS.

08/14/2026

The amount of your tax bill is often dependent on your age and the age of your children. You need to plan accordingly. Here are the details.

As your children age, you can easily be surprised by a larger tax bill. To help ease the possible burden, here are some possible tax hits to prepare for as your children grow older.

08/11/2026

Expense Deduction Rules for Personal Property Used for Business – Did You Know?

Many self-employed people may qualify to reduce their taxable income by deducting business expenses. In general, you must allocate expenses related to mixed-use property based on your "percentage of business use." But how is this percentage calculated?

For many types of equipment, your business use percentage may be based on a reasonable measure such as time or output. For example, if you use your computer for 30 hours a week in your freelance work and 20 hours a week for personal purposes (total of 50 hours), then your business use percentage would generally be 30/50 = 60%. Meanwhile, if you have a printer and print 400 pages for business reasons and 100 pages for personal reasons (500 pages total), then your business use percentage would typically be 400/500 = 80%. Therefore, you could generally allocate 80% of shared costs like ink and paper to business use.

On the other hand, business percentages for vehicles should be based on mileage, not time. So if you drive your car 4,500 miles this year in the course of your self-employment work, and 10,500 miles for all other purposes (total of 15,000 miles), then your business use percentage would be 4,500/15,000 = 30%. Alternatively, if eligible, you may choose to use the standard mileage rate and calculate your vehicle deduction based on your qualifying business miles instead of deducting your share of actual vehicle expenses. Be sure to keep records that support your business use percentage, such as mileage logs, usage records, or other documentation showing how the property was used for business and personal purposes.

08/07/2026

Time to plan for new contribution levels for your health savings account. Find the 2026 limits here.

Contribution limits for the ever-popular health savings account (HSA) are outlined for 2026. Now is a great time to review your situation and make adjustments as appropriate.