McCrate, DeLaet & Company

06/02/2026

Scammers continue to target taxpayers through email, text messages, phone calls and regular mail. They often try to create urgency or fear to trick victims into sharing sensitive information or sending money.

Remember, the IRS will never contact you by email or text about a tax bill or refund. It also won’t demand immediate payment over the phone. Most IRS communications are sent through regular mail — though fraudsters may send fake IRS notices by mail, often including QR codes.

Don’t click on links, open attachments or scan QR codes from unknown senders that might direct you to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal or financial information. Contact us if you have questions.

06/01/2026

Taxpayers can now access their Section 530A accounts (also known as “Trump Accounts”) and submit and view the status of Form 4547, “Trump Account Election(s),” through their IRS individual online accounts. A Sec. 530A account can be set up for any U.S. citizen who’ll be under age 18 at the end of the tax year and who has a Social Security number. Generally, annual contributions of up to $5,000 can be made until the year the beneficiary turns age 18. U.S.-citizen children born from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2028, can potentially qualify for an initial $1,000 government-funded deposit. Contributions aren’t deductible, but earnings grow tax-deferred as long as they’re in the account. Contact us for details.

05/27/2026

Small business owners: If you think your income is too high for you to qualify to make Roth IRA contributions, think again. Many owners are eligible without realizing it because of various deductions for the self-employed.

A Roth IRA offers potential advantages over tax-deferred accounts. Although Roth contributions aren’t deductible, qualified withdrawals won’t be taxed. And you aren’t required to take withdrawals from your Roth IRA, meaning the account can continue to grow tax-free. Your heirs can also take tax-free withdrawals.

For help evaluating your Roth IRA eligibility and developing a long-term retirement strategy that aligns with your personal and financial goals, contact us.

05/25/2026

05/22/2026

We will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026 in honor of Memorial Day.

05/21/2026

If you’re thinking about relocating, don’t choose a new state based only on climate, cost of living or proximity to family. Also review the tax implications.

For example, some states don’t have a personal income tax, and some that do have one offer tax breaks for pension payments, retirement plan distributions and Social Security payments. Also be aware that a state with no personal income tax may impose high property, sales or estate taxes.

Before making a move, contact us to review the potential income, property, sales and estate tax implications. We can help you minimize potential negative tax consequences and make the most of any tax advantages offered by the new state.

05/20/2026

Small business owners, beware: Tax identity theft is a costly, ongoing threat. Criminals may file fraudulent returns using a business’s EIN, impersonate executives to steal employee W-2 data, or use forged IRS documents to pose as a business for financial or tax-related activity.

Protect your organization by implementing a cybersecurity plan, securing sensitive data, training employees and using technology tools such as encryption and multi-factor authentication. Working with a trusted tax professional is also critical. We can review your risks, recommend safeguards and determine the next steps if something looks suspicious. Contact us to learn more.

05/19/2026

If you receive a letter from the IRS, don’t discard it! Most IRS letters or notices relate to federal tax returns or tax accounts. A letter may reference changes to your account, taxes owed, a payment request, or a specific issue or credit on a tax return. You don’t need to respond unless the notice specifically instructs you to do so, but keep a copy for your records. If you need to call the IRS, use the number in the upper right corner of the notice and have the letter and a copy of your tax return on hand. If you have questions, contact us. We can help you understand the notice and determine whether any action is needed. For more information from the IRS: https://bit.ly/4nv6ZQJ

05/10/2026

Wishing all our moms a Happy Mothers Day!

05/08/2026

Many taxpayers discover at filing time that their tax payments during the year didn’t align with their actual liability — either too much or too little was withheld from their paychecks. Keeping withholding aligned with expected tax liability can help you enjoy better cash flow during the year and avoid unwelcome surprises at filing time.

If you received a large refund or owed a lot of tax when you filed your 2025 return, it may be beneficial to fine-tune your withholding for 2026. Adjustments may also be a good idea if you experience a major life event, such as having a child.

We can help you review your withholding (and estimated tax payments, if applicable) and make any needed changes.