Lawrence & Philippe CPAs PLLC dba North Country CPAs

04/02/2026

Don’t leave a potential refund on the table

Not everyone is legally required to file a federal tax return. However, not doing it could be leaving money on the table. People could be missing out on refundable tax credits or an income tax refund. This could apply to someone if they:

- Have had federal income tax withheld from their pay
- Made estimated tax payments
- Qualify to claim refundable tax credits

Don’t miss out on valuable tax credits
A few tax credits people can claim on a federal tax return if they’re eligible include:

- Earned Income Tax Credit – The EITC helps low to moderate-income workers and families get a tax break. The amount of the credit may vary based on income, family size and filing. Taxpayers can use the EITC Assistant to check their eligibility.

- Child Tax Credit – Taxpayers with a qualifying child may be eligible to claim up to $2,200 per qualifying child with the CTC. The Additional Child Tax Credit is a refundable portion of the CTC. For 2025, up to $1,700 per qualifying child may be refundable.

- Credit for Other Dependents – Taxpayers who don’t qualify for the Child Tax Credit may qualify for the Credit for Other Dependents. This includes people who have:
- Dependent children who are age 18 or older at the end of 2025
- Parents or other qualifying individuals they support

- Adoption Tax Credit – This credit now partially refundable and is available to taxpayers who finalized an adoption in 2025 or started the adoption process before 2025. The maximum amount, for 2025, is $17,280 per eligible child. The refundable amount is up to $5,000 per qualifying child. However, any nonrefundable amount carried forward can’t be used to calculate a refundable portion for future tax years.

- Education credits – The American Opportunity Tax Credit is for qualified education expenses for the first four years of higher education. The Lifetime Learning Credit is for qualified tuition and related expenses paid for eligible students enrolled in an eligible educational institution.

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03/04/2026

Attention Business Owners!

02/06/2026

Just a friendly reminder, we are closed to the public on Fridays.

01/28/2026

https://www.informnny.com/news/finance/why-the-irs-may-temporarily-freeze-your-tax-refund-and-how-to-avoid-it/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAPmuHBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeJjh4KT8Xju-cuEs_pabEGMQNSUwoJw43ibnU-jxjocZV3m2yoOz2dyXotdQ_aem_aLnXUyEkHjUWM_LrDZfm_A

There’s a chance you’ll get a “very large” refund, as long as you have some necessary information.

01/17/2026

Use the IRS Online Account to make filling season simpler. It gives individuals, business owners, and tax professionals a fast and safe way to manage taxes from anywhere. With an IRS Online Account, you can check your tax balance, make payments, view past payments, download your tax transcripts and see notices in one place, helping you stay organized. Prepare now: www.irs.gov/accounts

01/15/2026

IRS announces filing season starts January 26.

The 2026 filing season starts Monday Jan. 26, 2026. The IRS reminds all business and individual taxpayers that the new tax law provisions of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill could impact federal taxes, credits and deductions. Form 1040 filers should file their tax returns and pay any taxes by Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

IRS.gov has online tools and resources taxpayers can use before, during and after filing their federal tax return. Visit One, Big, Beautiful Bill Provisions for information that could help lower tax bills and potentially increase refund amounts.

12/30/2025

Our office will be closed Thursday, January 1, 2026 and Friday January 2, 2026 and reopening on Monday, January 5, 2026 with our extended tax season hours of 7:30am - 5:00 pm, continuing Monday - Thursday. From our family to yours Happy New Year!

12/15/2025

The IRS Never Goes Phishing

Phishing is the practice of sending fraudulent communications disguised to appear to be from a reputable source. These attacks, usually through email but increasingly through text messages, are an attempt to try to steal personal and financial information.

The IRS does not request personal or financial information from taxpayers by email. The same is true for other types of electronic communication, such as text messages and use of social media channels.

If you receive a suspicious IRS-related communication:

1. Don’t reply to the sender.

2. Don't click, save, or open any attachments. They can contain malicious code that may infect your computer or mobile phone.

3. Don't click on any links. Visit the IRS’s identity protection page if you clicked on any links in a suspicious email or website and entered confidential information.

4. Immediately forward the entire message, with the full email headers, to [email protected]. Don't forward scanned images because this removes valuable information.

5. Delete the original email.

For additional information and resources, please visit Report Phishing and Online Scams.

If you get a phishing email or suspicious message that claims to be from the IRS or the Treasury Department or is tax-related, report it. You can help shut down scams.

12/08/2025

Don’t Let Grinchy Scammers Ruin Holiday Gift Card Giving.

Tax professionals and their clients should be aware of gift card scams year-round. But in advance of National Tax Security Awareness Week, they should be especially cautious during this time of year when requests for gift cards are common.

Tax Tip 2025-69, Nov. 25, 2025 — Taxpayers should be aware of gift card scams year-round but be especially cautious during this time of year when requests for gift cards are common.

12/01/2025

It’s Not Too Early to Get Ready for the 2026 Tax Season.

The Internal Revenue Service encourages taxpayers to take steps now to prepare for the upcoming filing season by visiting IRS.gov/GetReady for tips on what is new and what to consider before filing.

Get ready to file your taxes. See tips that can make filing taxes easier next year. Learn about tax law changes, how to view your tax account information online, and ways to get help.

12/01/2025

We will be closed this Thursday December 4, 2025 for our Pre-Tax Season Off-Site Training. We will be back in the office Monday December 8, 2025. Thank you for understanding.