CJ Accounting & Tax Solutions

03/20/2026

ATTENTION: INCOME TAX REFUNDS

The Internal Revenue Service announced today that more than 1.3 million individuals nationwide have unclaimed refunds for the 2022 tax year and must file their returns by April 15 to claim them.

The IRS estimates that roughly $1.2 billion in refunds remains unclaimed from taxpayers who have not yet filed their 2022 Form 1040. The median refund is estimated at $686, meaning half of the refunds exceed that amount. This figure does not include any additional credits taxpayers may be eligible for.

By law, taxpayers generally have three years to file and claim a refund. After that period, any unclaimed funds become property of the U.S. Treasury.

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03/05/2026

The Taxpayer's Bill of Rights

*File for a refund if they believe they overpaid their taxes

*Contact the IRS if they believe there is an error on a notice or bill

*File an amended tax return if an error is discovered after the original return was filed

*Sign into IRS Online Account and request that any amount owed be removed if it exceeds the correct amount due

*Request that the IRS remove interest from the account if the agency caused unreasonable errors or delays

*Submit an offer in compromise to ask the IRS to accept less than the full amount of tax debt. Taxpayers do this if they believe all or part of the debt is not owed.

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02/25/2026

Why Are Returns Rejected?

Returns can be rejected for a range of reasons. For tax year 2023, the top e-file rejection reason was a prior-year PIN or adjusted gross income not matching IRS records, followed by missing Form 8962, an invalid Identity Protection PIN, duplicate filing, and a primary name mismatch.

Other common issues include missing or inaccurate personal information, such as a name or number that does not match IRS records. For example, taxpayers who change their name after marriage must update their information with the Social Security Administration to avoid discrepancies. Even minor typographical errors can trigger a rejection.

Returns may also be denied if the IRS has already accepted a filing under the same Social Security number or taxpayer identification number, which in some cases could signal fraud or identity theft. The IRS advises contacting the agency immediately and, if identity theft is suspected, filing Form 14039 and considering a fraud alert with credit bureaus.

Another frequent issue arises when a dependent—such as a child—has already been claimed on another return. This can occur in situations involving divorced parents or when a dependent files their own return and claims themselves.

Returns may also be rejected if an electronic signature cannot be verified. When filing electronically, taxpayers must provide their adjusted gross income from the previous year or an Identity Protection PIN. If the information does not match IRS records, the return is likely to be declined.

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02/22/2026

It's almost time! Where's My Refund will begin updating after February 21 for those who claimed the Earned Income tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit:

Explore options for getting your federal tax refund, how to check your refund status, how to adjust next year’s refund and how to resolve refund problems.

02/11/2026

Today's Tax Tip

One Big Beautiful Bill - Enhanced Senior Deduction

The bill introduces an additional senior deduction of up to $6,000 per eligible taxpayer age 65 or older.

This deduction will start to phase out beginning at $75,000 of modified adjusted gross income for single filers and $150,000 for married filing jointly.

It will be fully phased out at $175,000 for single filers and $250,000 for joint filers.

The deduction would apply in addition to the standard deduction, but coordination with Social Security taxation and retirement income will be important when evaluating the net benefit.

02/10/2026

Regardless of who prepares the tax return, the taxpayer is responsible for all the information on it.

Tips for choosing a tax professional CAREFULLY:

*Availability: Choose a preparer that’s available after filing season in case questions come up after filing.

*Service fees: Ask about the preparer’s service fees. Taxpayers should avoid tax return preparers who are not transparent and base their fees on a percentage of the refund.

*IRS e-file: Ensure their preparer offers IRS e-file. The IRS issues most refunds in fewer than 21 days for taxpayers who file electronically and choose direct deposit and file a complete and accurate return.

*Records and receipts: Good preparers ask to see these documents to complete the return accurately.

*Qualifications: Understand the preparer's credentials and qualifications. Check their history for complaints or disciplinary actions.

*Review before signing: Always review the tax return before signing it. Ask questions if something is unclear or appears incorrect. NEVER sign a blank or incomplete return.

Accurate account information: Make sure any refund goes directly into the taxpayer's bank account – not into the preparer's bank account.

Review the routing and bank account number on the completed return to confirm it's accurate.

02/05/2026

Tax season tip!

A tax credit reduces the amount a person owes in income taxes dollar-for-dollar. Some tax credits are even refundable, meaning if a person's tax bill is less than the amount of a refundable credit, they can get the difference back in their refund.

Here some enhancements to those credits brought to you by the ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL or OB3.

Refundable tax credits
* Earned Income Tax Credit
* Premium Tax Credit
* Fuel Tax Credit

02/04/2026

Tax season tip!

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

Income, family size, and filing status affect the EITC credit. To be eligible the taxpayer must meet the following criteria:

* Have earned income from working for someone or themselves
* A valid social security number by the due date of the return
* Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien all year

By law, the IRS must wait until at least February 21, 2026 to issue refunds to taxpayers who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

01/31/2026

Tax season tip 💡
Standard deductions are up, the SALT cap has increased (temporarily), and families may qualify for a higher Child Tax Credit.

Small changes can make a big difference—let’s make sure you’re taking advantage of them!

01/29/2026

Filing is a choice.

Who prepares your taxes makes the difference.