Cozby & Company CPAs

10/29/2026

Sometimes the grass looks greener on the other side . . . of the country. Especially when the cost of living in your part of the country is crazy high.

Have you ever wondered what the cheapest states to live in are? Below is a short list, based on cost of living data, including expenses like housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, health care and taxes.

Keep in mind that living in a low-cost state can stretch your income (if it comes with you), but you’ll also need to consider your career goals and lifestyle.

Looking for the cheapest states to live in? See which states have the lowest cost of living—and how to tell a cheap state from a pricey metro area.

10/28/2026

The IRS has recently unveiled enhancements to the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to reflect changes to credits and deductions under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, including no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and other tax benefits.

It takes into account other OBBB-related provisions, such as no tax on car loan interest and the deduction for seniors. It also more accurately accounts OBBB modifications tied to family-related credits, homeownership, and charitable giving:

https://cozbycpa.com/2026/10/28/updated-tax-withholding-estimator-lets-millions-of-taxpayers-take-one-big-beautiful-bill-changes-into-account-when-calculating-their-withholding/

10/27/2026

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." ~ Benjamin Franklin

10/26/2026

Taxes help make life in one of the greatest countries of the world possible. They support the services and systems we rely on every day, like public schools, parks, roads, highways, and public transportation. They also help fund the men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces.

Filing a federal tax return can also benefit you personally, as you can receive money back through a refund or tax credits. While paying taxes may not be anyone’s favorite task, it can bring real advantages. A tax return provides official proof of income, which can be important when applying to rent a home, buy a car, or get a loan.

Also, your Social Security benefits are based on your work history. Filing tax returns, especially if you’re self-employed, ensures that your earnings are properly recorded, providing peace of mind and reducing stress later on.

For those working their way through the prisoner re-entry program who want to get back on track with their taxes (and others), watch this video for valuable tips on topics ranging from key tax credits and understanding your tax forms, to avoiding tax scams and what to do if you owe back taxes.

https://cozbycpa.com/2026/10/26/get-right-with-your-taxes/

10/23/2026

Here are the 2026 tax rates on capital gains and qualified dividends:

10/22/2026

A true emergency is unexpected, necessary and urgent—and that’s exactly what your emergency fund should be for.

Best practice is saving $1,000 for an immediate emergency, and then building a fully funded emergency fund of 3–6 months of expenses (after paying off debt).

If your emergency is bigger than your savings, focus on covering your essential expenses and make minimum debt payments until you’re stable again.

You can get through it without borrowing by negotiating bills, shopping around, and bringing in extra income. Always rebuild your emergency fund quickly to stay in control and bring peace of mind:

You did the work to be ready for emergencies, but life (and inflation) went past what you planned for. Don't let this emergency turn into a bigger one. Here's how to cover it and get back on track.

10/21/2026

Family members who are paid to take care of a loved one may have tax responsibilities. This depends on whether they are considered an employee or provide their services as their own business.

Let’s go over the special rules of being a family caregiver:

https://cozbycpa.com/2026/10/21/caring-for-a-family-member-or-relative-understand-the-special-tax-rules/

10/20/2026

"It would be a hard government that should tax its people one-tenth part of their income." ~ Benjamin Franklin

10/19/2026

Taxpayers can manage their correspondence requests with the IRS in the IRS Congressional Portal. This video provides instructions on how to upload additional files:

https://cozbycpa.com/2026/10/19/uploading-additional-files-to-a-correspondence-request-in-the-irs-congressional-portal/

10/16/2026

Here are the 2026 AMT exemptions and phaseouts: