701 Tax Solutions CPA's

11/10/2026

If you disagree with an IRS decision, you may have more options than you realize. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights entitles taxpayers to a “fair and impartial administrative appeal” of most IRS decisions, including many penalties. The IRS Independent Office of Appeals is separate from the office that made the original determination and provides an impartial review of your case. You have the right to a written response explaining the Appeals decision. You may also have the right to take your case to court. Appeal deadlines can be strict, so act promptly. If you receive an IRS notice or disagree with a decision, call us at (701) 284-7616 to discuss your next steps.

11/09/2026

Do you donate thousands of dollars to charity each year? Do you miss out on the itemized charitable deduction because you don’t have enough total itemized deductions to exceed your standard deduction? Consider “bunching” most of your donations into alternating years. By combining two years of gifts into one year, you may push your itemized deductions above your standard deduction and get a greater tax benefit from your charitable giving — even with the new deduction for nonitemizers starting in 2026. Contact us at (701) 284-7616 for help determining if you can benefit from this strategy.

11/06/2026

Professional — and now college — athletes could face unexpected tax bills if they don’t plan carefully. Multistate taxation used to be an issue only for pros. Now that college players earn revenue from profit-sharing and endorsement deals, they may need to worry about the “jock tax,” which many states and cities impose on income earned by athletes playing road games. Also, athletes need to consider their state of domicile before they receive signing bonuses or other large payments. For example, those moving from low-tax to high-tax states may want to negotiate to receive payments before they move. For these (and other) reasons, all paid athletes should get professional tax advice. Call us at (701) 284-7616 if you have questions about multistate taxation.

11/04/2026

Good news: IRS penalty relief just got easier for many individuals and businesses. The new Automatic Exemption from Penalty (AEP) process may provide automatic relief from certain failure-to-file, failure-to-pay and failure-to-deposit penalties if you’ve filed returns and paid federal taxes on time for the previous three years (or 12 consecutive quarters for quarterly returns). You must still pay any tax and interest due. AEP will replace First Time Abate relief for eligible returns with original due dates on or after Jan. 1, 2027. During the transition, some eligible taxpayers may still receive penalty notices. Contact us at (701) 284-7616 to determine whether you qualify for AEP or other penalty relief.

11/03/2026

Many 401(k) plans have “vesting schedules,” or timelines for when certain employer matching contributions become yours. So before you switch jobs, make sure you know what percentage of your retirement savings is vested. Some plans vest immediately, but others take several years to fully vest. If you leave before matching funds have vested, you may forfeit some or all of your current employer’s matches. Contact us at (701) 284-7616 for help with retirement planning as your career progresses.

11/02/2026

Buyer beware! If you acquire a business with delinquent tax obligations, you could become liable for those debts. Your exposure primarily depends on how the deal is structured. In an asset purchase, buyers can generally avoid liabilities associated with the business, but certain state laws may allow creditors or tax authorities to pursue transferred assets. When buying ownership interests, liabilities typically remain with the business entity. Due diligence should include reviewing several years of tax returns for unpaid income, payroll, sales and property taxes, uncertain tax positions, and undisclosed liabilities. Call us at (701) 284-7616 for help identifying potential risks before closing.

10/30/2026

The IRS has released its 2026–2027 per diem rates for certain business travel expenses, effective Oct. 1, 2026. Under the high-low substantiation method, the rate for lodging, meals and incidental expenses for travel to high-cost localities within the continental United States (CONUS) rises to $329 per day, from $319. The rate for other CONUS localities rises to $230, from $225. The portion attributable to meals remains $86 for high-cost areas and $74 for other areas. The incidental-expenses-only rate remains $5. Employers can pay more than the IRS per diem rates, but excess amounts generally must be substantiated or treated as taxable wages. Contact us at (701) 284-7616 to learn about all your options for substantiating business travel expenses.

10/28/2026

10/28/2026

We’re more than just tax and accounting professionals. We’re your partners in business growth. Beyond preparing your tax returns and keeping your books in order, we can help you improve cash flow, safely plan for expansion and make smarter financial decisions. Let’s talk about how our advisory services can strengthen your strategic planning, streamline operations, and uncover new opportunities for long-term growth and success. Call us today at (701) 284-7616 to schedule a consultation.

10/27/2026

You must pay the alternative minimum tax (AMT) if your AMT liability exceeds your regular tax liability. An exemption of $90,100 is available ($140,200 for joint filers, half that for separate filers), but it phases out when income exceeds certain levels — which have dropped for 2026. Plus, the exemption is now phased out twice as fast as in 2025. Add to that the impact of a potentially larger state and local tax deduction (which isn’t AMT-deductible), and you might be at higher AMT risk this year. Call us at (701) 284-7616 for help assessing your risk and finding strategies to minimize your taxes.