Cassilly & Appel

10/30/2026

Employers: The IRS recently updated its FAQs on the qualified overtime pay tax deduction for employees created in 2025. The guidance provides new details on how you must identify, calculate and report qualified overtime income. For example, it clarifies that only FLSA-mandated overtime premiums qualify, notifies employers that separate reporting on Forms W-2 is required beginning in 2026, and confirms that overtime pay remains subject to federal income tax withholding. These changes may call for payroll system updates and a closer review of employee classifications and overtime practices. Call us for help preparing for the new requirements.

10/28/2026

With more tax law changes taking effect this year, don’t wait to talk with us until it’s time to prepare your 2026 tax return next year. By then, it will be too late to implement most tax strategies that could reduce your April 15, 2027, tax bill (or increase your refund). Let’s review your situation now. Call us at (410) 647-7777.

10/26/2026

If your business offers employees a 401(k) plan, be sure to comply with all applicable regulations. Misunderstanding or inadvertently ignoring eligibility rules — for example, when workers must be allowed to start participating — can result in IRS penalties. It can also harm employees who are mistakenly excluded. Contact us at (410) 647-7777 with questions.

10/23/2026

Cryptocurrency holders: Be alert for a new IRS impersonation scam. Fraudsters are mailing fake IRS letters directing recipients to a bogus “Digital Asset Compliance Portal.” The letters instruct recipients to scan a QR code that leads to a fraudulent website designed to look like IRS.gov. The site may ask for personal information, cryptocurrency wallet details, or exchange account credentials that criminals can use to steal identities or digital assets. If you receive one of these letters, don’t respond. Report any suspicious communication to the IRS immediately. If you have questions about an IRS notice or digital asset reporting, we’re here to help. Contact us at (410) 647-7777.

10/23/2026

https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/taxes/how-families-can-beat-7-mortgage-rates-and-lower-their-tax-bills-8d947956?st=sgR2oA&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Having relatives who trust each other opens the door to tax-efficient wealth sharing.

10/21/2026

Severe weather and other threats to a business’s ability to operate can occur at any time. Although you can’t foresee every disaster, you can put together a comprehensive business continuity plan that addresses most potential threats. If you don’t have a plan in place, implement basic protections immediately, such as an evacuation strategy and insurance. But, from there, take your time to get it right. Call us at (410) 647-7777 for help identifying and managing the costs associated with a business continuity plan.

10/19/2026

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 (410) 647-7777 to determine whether you qualify for AEP or other penalty relief.

10/16/2026

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 (410) 647-7777 to learn about all your options for substantiating business travel expenses.

10/14/2026

The gift tax annual exclusion is a simple way to transfer assets gift-tax-free. To qualify, a gift must be of a “present interest” — an unrestricted right to the immediate use of the property or the income from it. So a gift to a trust generally doesn’t qualify. But gifts to a trust with a “Crummey” provision can. After each gift to a Crummey trust, beneficiaries receive temporary withdrawal rights lasting at least 30 days. If they don’t withdraw the gift, the amount remains in the trust until distributed in the future according to the trust’s terms. Call us at (410) 647-7777 for details.

10/12/2026

If you ever wonder how your business’s financial results stack up against others in your industry, consider a benchmarking study. It can show you exactly where you stand. Contact us at (410) 647-7777 to get started. We’ll help you compare key financial metrics, highlight what you’re doing well and uncover areas that need attention. From there, we’ll help build a strategy to strengthen your financial footing and minimize risks in an ever-changing market. Let’s turn your financial statements into action plans!