Hudson & NeSmith, CPAs and Advisors

10/22/2026

📢 New Tax Break for Charitable Givers Starting in 2026! 🎁

Planning your giving? If you take the standard deduction, a new tax rule allows you to lower your taxable income while supporting the causes that matter most to you.

Here’s what you need to know:
💰 Deduction Limits: Deduct up to $1,000 for individual filers, or up to $2,000 for married couples filing jointly.

💳 Qualifying Gifts: Cash contributions only—such as donations made by check, credit/debit card, payment app, or payroll deduction.

🚫 What Doesn't Qualify: Property gifts like clothing, household items, or securities are not eligible for this deduction.

⏰ Pro Tip: Make your qualifying gifts before December 31 and keep thorough records supporting any deduction claimed.

10/15/2026

Our friends Gloria Anderson and Art by Roy Anderson will be at the annual Sylvester-Worth County Georgia Peanut Festival displaying their artwork and sharing their testimonies. There will be a parade, food, arts and crafts, kids' activities, and live music starting Friday night. There will be plenty of fun this weekend in Sylvester, GA!

10/14/2026

Beginning in 2027, monthly Social Security benefits and SSI payments for 76 million Americans will increase by 3.6%. Get the details on our blog: https://ow.ly/hIGr50ZXyrh

09/17/2026

Thanks to our friends at the Sylvester Local News for sharing this interesting article from over 100 years ago about the creation of Lake Blackshear in Northern Worth County and the history of the region before the lake was created.

08/27/2026

The "Eyeball Test" for Your Business Finances 👁️

Do you know your business finances as well as you think you do? You don’t need to be a math wizard to spot red flags in your bookkeeping.

Try the "Eyeball Test":

Once a month, pull up your income statement (Profit & Loss). Don’t look for complex errors—just look for what looks weird.

-Is an expense category suddenly double what it was last month?
-Are there recurring charges for services you no longer use?
-Does a number just feel "off" compared to the previous month?

If something doesn’t look right, investigate it! Often, these simple 'eyeball' reviews help you catch billing errors, subscription bloat, or miscategorized transactions before they become a bigger headache at tax time.

Pro-Tip: If you’re consistent with this monthly review, you’ll get so familiar with your numbers that an error will jump off the page at you.

08/22/2026

Great information from the Social Security Administration regarding benefit statement retrieval ⬇️

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.

Send a message to learn more

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.

Send a message to learn more

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.