Denise Calderon CPA

10/23/2026

The Social Security Administration has announced a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2027.

For the average retiree, that means approximately $75 more per month beginning in January.

While an increase is welcome news, there are a few things to consider:

• Medicare premiums may affect how much of that increase you actually receive.
• Depending on your total income, a higher Social Security benefit could affect how much of your benefits are subject to federal income tax.
• If you're working while receiving Social Security before reaching full retirement age, updated earnings limits may affect your benefits.

Your actual benefit increase will be outlined in a notice from Social Security, available online beginning in late November or by mail in December.

A little planning now can help you understand how these changes fit into your overall retirement finances.

Have questions about how Social Security affects your taxes? Denise Calderon CPA can help.

Source: Social Security Administration,

Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information for 2027 Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for 76 million Americans will increase …

10/21/2026

“It’s a write-off.”

That phrase gets thrown around a lot, especially as the end of the year gets closer. But a potential tax deduction doesn’t automatically turn a purchase into a good business decision.

Spending $1 simply to reduce your taxable income doesn’t put $1 back in your pocket.

Before making a year-end purchase primarily for tax reasons, consider whether your business actually needs it, how the purchase affects your cash flow, and how the expense will be treated for tax purposes. Depending on what you’re buying and your circumstances, the timing and available deductions can vary.

Tax consequences should be part of the decision — not the entire reason for making it.
Before making a significant year-end purchase, talk with your CPA about how it fits into the bigger picture.

10/19/2026

There are still more than two months left in 2026. That matters when it comes to retirement planning.

For 2026, the employee contribution limit for 401(k), 403(b) and most 457 plans is $24,500. The IRA contribution limit is $7,500, with additional catch-up contributions available for eligible taxpayers.

But knowing the limit and knowing what makes sense for you are two different things.

As we move into the final months of the year, it’s worth looking at how much you’ve contributed so far, what your income looks like for the year, and whether adjusting your contributions fits into your overall financial and tax picture.

April is when many people think about taxes.

October still gives you time to make decisions.

10/16/2026

You filed your tax return. Now what?

It’s tempting to check taxes off the list and not think about them again until next year, but your completed return can tell you quite a bit about what may need attention before 2026 ends.

Did you owe significantly more than you expected? Receive a much larger refund than anticipated? Has your income changed? Did you start a business, add another source of income, retire, or experience another major financial change?

Those are all reasons to take another look.

Your tax return isn’t just paperwork from last year. It can be a useful tool for making better decisions about the year you’re in now.

10/14/2026

Extension Deadline Reminder!

If you filed an extension earlier this year, tomorrow is an important date.

October 15 is the federal filing deadline for most individual taxpayers who received an automatic six-month extension for their 2025 tax return.

One detail that's easy to misunderstand: an extension gave you additional time to file your return. It did not extend the April deadline to pay taxes that were owed. If you still have a balance due, filing now is still important, and interest or penalties may apply to unpaid amounts.

If you've been putting that extended return at the bottom of your to-do list, it's time to move it to the top.

10/12/2026

Today, communities across the country recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day, honoring the histories, cultures, contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples.

October 12 is also observed federally as Columbus Day, and many communities use the day as an opportunity to reflect on the different histories and perspectives that are part of our shared story.

We hope everyone who has the day off enjoys a safe and meaningful holiday.

10/09/2026

Your financial information is valuable. Unfortunately, not just to you.

Tax records, bookkeeping accounts, payroll systems, bank information and even email accounts can contain enough personal and financial information to cause serious problems if they fall into the wrong hands.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, making this a good time for a quick security check. Use multifactor authentication when it’s available, be cautious with unexpected emails or texts asking you to click a link, and never assume a message is legitimate simply because it mentions the IRS, your bank, or another organization you recognize.

For business owners, don’t forget about the people who have access to your systems, either. If an employee or outside vendor no longer needs access to financial accounts or software, remove it.

Protecting your financial information is part of protecting your financial health.

10/07/2026

A lot can change between January and October.

Maybe you received a raise, changed jobs, started earning income from a side business, sold an investment, retired, or your business had a very different year than you expected.

Those changes can affect your tax picture, too.

With a few months left in 2026, now is a good time to look at where your income is actually landing compared with what you expected at the beginning of the year. That can give you time to review withholding, estimated payments, retirement contributions, and other decisions before December 31.

Tax planning works a lot better when there’s still time to plan.

10/05/2026

October is National Women’s Small Business Month, a time to recognize the women who start businesses, grow them, employ others, serve their communities, and keep showing up for the work that comes with being a business owner.

And there is a lot of work that happens behind the scenes.

Running a successful business isn’t just about making sales. It means understanding your numbers, managing cash flow, planning for taxes, making decisions about growth, and knowing when it’s time to ask for guidance.

This month, we’re celebrating the women building businesses of every size — and the determination it takes to keep building them.

10/02/2026

October has a way of feeling like there’s still plenty of year left.

Then suddenly, it’s Thanksgiving.

For business owners, the next few weeks are a good opportunity to deal with the financial things that have been sitting on the “I’ll get to it” list.

Are your books up to date?

Do you know what your business has actually earned this year?

Are there expenses you’ve been putting off?

Have you had a major change in your business?

Is there a question you keep meaning to ask your CPA?

You don’t have to have everything figured out before you call us. In fact, that’s kind of the point.

A conversation now gives you something you won’t have in January: time to make decisions.