Daisy Tran, CPA

04/08/2026

Along with the check payment came a thoughtful note of appreciation from a client. It truly means a lot when a client not only values my work, but also recognizes the effort of my team.

We give 100% and pay close attention to details in each tax return we handle even in the crunch time. With just one week left until the tax deadline, messages like this keep us motivated and going strong.

03/19/2026

Reviews like this help us get through the busy tax season—it means a lot to know our efforts are appreciated.

Grateful for our amazing team and wonderful clients who make it all worthwhile!

03/10/2026

IRS DIRTY DOZEN for 2026

The IRS has seen a rise in fabricated of inflated filings of Form 2439 to claim a refundable credit for taxes paid on undistributed capital gains. This is a reminder for everyone to remain vigilant and watch out for scams that scammers pitch to take advantage of honest taxpayers.

Other 11 scams in the annual list:
*IRS impersonation through email and text (phishing and smishing)
*AI‑powered IRS phone scams
*Fake charities
*Misleading tax advice on social media
*Identity theft targeting IRS online accounts
*Bogus “self‑employment tax credit” promotions
*Ghost preparers
*Noncash charitable contribution schemes
*Overstated withholding schemes (fabricated wage/withholding data)
*Spear‑phishing and malware targeting tax pros
*Aggressive offer in compromise marketing

https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2026/mar/irs-dirty-dozen-adds-new-capital-gains-scheme-for-2026/?utm_source=mnl:cpal&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=09Mar2026

The IRS says a surge in fabricated Form 2439 filings prompted the only new addition to this year’s Dirty Dozen, underscoring how quickly tax schemes evolve.

03/10/2026

How a $7,970 Tax Case Cost the IRS an Extra $34,081

Case in point: Crystal Greenwald, an Ohio resident, earned just over $11,000 in 2020. She filed a tax return primarily to claim a $5,920 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and a $2,050 Child Tax Credit (CTC). After multiple denials, the IRS ultimately conceded and allowed the credits, and the court also awarded attorney’s fees—something that is typically very difficult to obtain in tax disputes.

Takeaways:
*refused to take no for an answer
*Know your position
*Qualified offer and Postal records

https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/ohio/ohsdce/2:2023cv04100/286762/38/

03/02/2026

Good Intensions Aren't Enough

John Besaw claimed $6,760 non-cash donation on his 2029 return and the IRS denied the deduction.

The IRS didn't question whether his donations were legitimate; they denied the deduction because of a documentation technicality that most taxpayers have never heard of.

Besaw failed a basis requirement: none of the receipts from the charities described the donated items.

Takeaways: keep detailed and contemporaneous record, itemized lists, charity acknowledgement, complete Form 8283 accurately and completely, including all required values and dates.

Court Case:
https://bradfordtaxinstitute.com/Endnotes/TC_Summ_Op_2025-7.pdf

02/27/2026

🚨 Business Owners: Be Careful with This S-Corp “Tax Hack” 🚨

We’re seeing aggressive advice floating around about routing personal commission income through an S corporation to reduce self-employment tax. It sounds smart… but under long-standing tax law, it simply doesn’t work — and it creates serious audit risk.

Here’s the key question the IRS asks: Who actually earned the income?

If:
• The contracts are in your personal name
• Your state license is issued to you individually
• 1099-NECs are issued to your Social Security number

👉 Then you earned the income.

Charging your S-corp a 100% “management fee” to wipe out commissions?
Directing ACH deposits into the S-corp bank account?

Neither changes who earned the income. In an audit, the IRS routinely:
✔ Reclassifies the commissions back to Schedule C
✔ Disallows the management fee
✔ Assesses self-employment tax
✔ Adds interest and penalties

A management fee only works if the S-corp performs real, measurable services and charges a reasonable, supportable fee — not as a vehicle to shift income.

Bottom line: Effective S-corp planning requires the corporation to be legitimately in the income stream — contracts, licensing, and reporting must all align. Anything else invites predictable (and costly) adjustments.

Before implementing strategies you see online, make sure they actually hold up under scrutiny. Smart planning beats aggressive shortcuts every time.

12/18/2025

IRS Electronic Refunds: What You Need to Know

Your tax refund will no longer arrive by paper check. The IRS recently announced that it will stop issuing refund checks, with limited exceptions, and will require taxpayers to receive refunds electronically.

For direct deposit, you may use a checking or saving accounts, an IRA (traditional, Roth, or SEP), a health savings account (or HSA), or a Coverdell education savings account.

12/16/2025

OBBBA raised the SALT cap to $40,000 — but there’s a catch.

One potential workaround strategy: PTET (Pass-Through Entity Tax).

I’ve recently worked with new physician clients earning over $1 million who were never informed about this option from their prior CPAs.

If you’re in 32% or higher bracket and own an S-Corp or partnership, let’s have a conversation and evaluate whether this strategy could result in meaningful tax savings for you.

No fishing. Always straightforward. No overpromising.

12/14/2025

Grateful for our incredible team and clients—celebrating the season with appreciation and good cheer. 🎄

Daisy Tran, CPA

11/25/2025

Vehicle deduction - which one method is better, actual or standard?

10/18/2025

68 Occupations Can Deduct $25,000 in Tips—
Are You One?

The IRS just published the official list.

68 occupations. 8 industries. If you're on it, you qualify for the $25,000 tips deduction. If not, you're out.

The IRS list includes 68 occupations across eight industries. It covers obvious tipped jobs such as waitstaff, taxi and rideshare drivers, casino dealers, barbers, and hairstylists. But it also covers many surprising occupations, including plumbers, electricians, social media influencers, and podcasters.

10/03/2025

Every tax return is more than numbers—it’s trust. A client’s good review is proof that going the extra mile is always worth it.