Hudson & NeSmith, CPAs and Advisors

07/21/2026

Life is full of milestones, and each major event—like marriage or the arrival of a new family member—can significantly affect your tax situation.

Here is a quick rundown of how common life events can impact your taxes:

💍 Marriage
Getting married can affect your filing status, tax withholding, and eligibility for certain benefits. Newlyweds should report name changes to the Social Security Administration and update their address with the IRS, employers, and the USPS. It’s also a good time to review your tax withholding and update your W-4 if needed.

👶 Birth or Adoption of a Child
A new addition to the family could make you eligible for tax benefits, including the Child Tax Credit, Adoption Credit, or the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Remember that you’ll need valid Social Security numbers for yourself and the child to apply.

💔 Divorce or Legal Separation
These life changes affect your filing status, who can claim dependents, and your eligibility for various credits and deductions. You may need to update your Form W-4 to reflect changes in your income and withholding.

🕊️ Loss of a Loved One
The death of a spouse or family member impacts filing requirements and status. In general, a final tax return for a deceased person should be filed as if they were still alive, reporting income up to the date of death along with any eligible credits or deductions.

Important Reminder: After any major life event, be sure to review your withholding, update your personal information, and keep good records.

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07/16/2026

FYI:
Due to rising fuel prices, the IRS standard mileage rate was recently increased to 76 cents per mile driven for business purposes (up from 72.5 cents). While the change was announced on July 13, 2026, it’s retroactively effective to July 1, 2026.

Use of this rate is optional for private employers, but it’s widely accepted as an easy and standard reimbursement rate for employees who use their personal vehicles for work.

Action Item
If your organization uses the IRS rate to calculate mileage reimbursement, update your systems to account for this change.

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07/01/2026

Happy 250 years of Independence, America! In observance of Independence Day, our office will be closed Friday July 3rd. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

05/05/2026

Heads up, Georgia taxpayers! The state's $1.2 billion tax rebate program has started issuing payments to eligible residents statewide.

If your bank account shows a direct deposit labeled “GASTTAXRFD,” don't be confused. That stands for Georgia State Tax Refund, NOT a gas tax refund.

Here's what you need to know:
- Rebate Amounts: You could receive a maximum of $250 for single filers/Married Filing Separately, $375 for Head of Household, and $500 for Married Filing Jointly.
- Payment Method: Payments will arrive via direct deposit or check, matching the delivery method from your most recent return.
- Timing: The state says it could take six to eight weeks for all refunds to go out.

You can check your rebate status online using your Social Security number and adjusted gross income.

Check your rebate status online

Looking for your 2025 surplus tax refund? Governor Kemp signed HB 1000, Surplus Tax Refund, into law on March 20, 2026. The Georgia Department of Revenue has started issuing surplus tax refunds to eligible Georgia taxpayers.

04/22/2026

04/07/2026

Love the graphic… but the message is the real winner. AI is an amazing tool, but it should not be the only tool in your arsenal. You must be able to recognize when it’s giving you extra digits. If you don’t feel tax law is your strength, call the office. We’re here to help.

USERS BEWARE: Taxpayers should not rely on AI-generated responses to complex tax questions or tax return calculations. Learn more about warnings to ensure your tax security at: irs.gov/dirtydozen