Cilliers, CPA

11/13/2026

The IRS has issued proposed regulations on the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC). The guidance clarifies how to claim the credit for qualified cash contributions to eligible Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). It also addresses, among other things, how state tax credits affect the federal credit and how unused credits can carry forward for up to five years. The IRS also issued temporary regulations on procedures for states and SGOs. Together, the proposed and temporary regs establish reporting, verification and audit requirements. Taxpayers, SGOs and states can rely on the proposed regs for contributions beginning Jan. 1, 2027. The temporary regs expire Oct. 1, 2029. Call us at (480) 681-1766 with questions.

11/11/2026

Simple mistakes can prevent you from reaching retirement goals. The biggest error is not saving enough. If you expect to maintain your current lifestyle in retirement — which could last three decades or more — you’ll need to accumulate a surprisingly large sum. We can help set up a savings plan you’ll stick to. Call us at (480) 681-1766.

11/10/2026

Now is a good time to review your year-to-date investment gains and losses. If you have net capital gains, consider selling investments that have declined in value to help offset your gains — a strategy known as “loss harvesting.” If you have net losses, harvesting gains by selling appreciated investments can allow you to recognize some or all of the gains tax-free. You can also generally use up to $3,000 of net capital losses to offset ordinary income. Contact us at (480) 681-1766 to discuss year-end tax planning for your investments.

11/09/2026

Effective year-end planning involves making informed choices that support your long-term goals. This requires you to think beyond reducing taxes for the current year. Whether you’re reviewing operations, considering future investments or evaluating tax-saving opportunities, a proactive approach can help you address the challenges and opportunities ahead. Call us at (480) 681-1766 for guidance on positioning your business for continued success.

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 (480) 681-1766 if you have questions about multistate taxation.

11/04/2026

If you have a health care FSA, you may need to use your 2026 balance by Dec. 31 or lose it. But some FSAs offer a 2 1/2-month grace period or let you roll over up to $680 for use in 2027. Check with your employer to see what your FSA allows. We can answer questions about which expenses can be paid or reimbursed by your FSA and help you determine whether there are additional year-end tax planning steps you can take related to health care expenses. Call us at (480) 681-1766.

11/03/2026

When moving to a different state, changes to your state taxes on income and property may get most of your attention. But state estate taxes should also be part of the equation. Some states impose their own estate or inheritance taxes, often with exemption amounts significantly lower than the current federal exemption of $15 million. State rules also differ on tax rates and residency requirements for being subject to state taxes. Before relocating, call us at (480) 681-1766 for help reviewing how your destination state’s tax laws could affect your estate plan.

11/02/2026

A well-defined compensation philosophy can do a lot for your business. It may help attract job candidates, retain employees and control payroll costs. Although competitive pay is important, employees consider your full compensation package. This includes bonuses and other performance incentives, benefits and perks, professional development opportunities, and flexible work arrangements. Contact us at (480) 681-1766 for guidance on developing a well-rounded strategy that’s aligned with your business goals, workforce needs and budget.

10/31/2026

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 (480) 681-1766 to learn about all your options for substantiating business travel expenses.