Form 990 is more than a tax return; it's a public document that donors, grantmakers, and regulators use to evaluate your nonprofit. Common mistakes in filing, reconciliation, and narrative disclosures can raise questions about financial stewardship or put your tax-exempt status at risk. This article outlines the key errors to avoid and how to build a more reliable year-over-year filing process.
If your business sells online, has remote employees, or uses third-party fulfillment, you may owe taxes in states where you've never filed a return. Learn how physical presence and economic nexus rules work, what triggers an obligation, and what to do if your business has unexpected exposure.
A divorce settlement divides assets and establishes legal rights, but it does not resolve every tax question that follows. Filing status, child-related benefits, property basis, retirement transfers, and prior joint return liability all require a separate tax review. Understanding where the settlement ends and tax law begins can help you avoid costly surprises after the divorce is final.
The IRS is replacing its First Time Abate program with a new Automatic Exemption from Penalty (AEP), which will automatically prevent certain penalties for eligible taxpayers with a strong compliance history. Starting with 2025 tax year returns and 2026 quarterly returns, qualifying individuals and businesses may avoid failure-to-file, failure-to-pay, and failure-to-deposit penalties without needing to call the IRS or submit a separate request. Understanding the eligibility requirements and transition timeline is key to making the most of this change.
Most business owners rely on backward-looking financials that tell them where they have been, not where they are going. A cash flow forecast fills that gap by projecting future inflows and outflows, helping leaders spot problems early and make smarter decisions about hiring, investing, and financing. Updated consistently and tied to real business decisions, it shifts leadership from reactive to proactive.
The IRS raised the standard mileage rates for the second half of 2026, effective July 1, with the business rate increasing from 72.5 cents to 76 cents per mile. Taxpayers who use their vehicle for business, medical, or qualifying moving purposes will need to track mileage separately for each half of the year. Learn what the new rates mean for your deductions, reimbursement policies, and recordkeeping.
As home values rise, the federal home sale exclusion may no longer be enough to eliminate capital gains tax when a property is sold or inherited. The difference between a large tax bill and a smaller one can come down to how well a homeowner documented capital improvements over the years. Keeping a permanent record of qualifying expenses is one of the simplest steps homeowners can take to protect themselves.
The IRS just made it easier for families to fund Trump accounts without triggering an unexpected gift tax filing requirement. In Revenue Procedure 2026-25, the IRS established a safe harbor that allows qualifying donors to contribute cash to a child’s Trump account and skip Form 709 entirely, as long as key conditions are met. Here’s what you need to know before making contributions.
Your first profitable year in business is worth celebrating. But it can also bring expensive tax surprises, especially if you're still managing the business like you did when revenue was lower. Here are the most common mistakes new business owners make and what to do instead.
Nonprofits are disproportionately vulnerable to occupational fraud due to small administrative teams, part-time board oversight, and heavy reliance on cash-based transactions. Asset misappropriation schemes such as skimming, billing fraud, and expense reimbursement abuse are among the most common threats, and the typical scheme goes undetected for over a year. By implementing practical internal controls, strengthening board oversight, and engaging a CPA proactively, nonprofits can significantly reduce their exposure before a loss occurs.
Effective financial planning isn't a one-time event, it's an ongoing process that must adapt as your life, income, and goals change over time. From building early savings to navigating tax strategy in peak earning years to preparing a sustainable retirement income, each life stage brings new challenges and opportunities that a static plan simply can't address. Read on to learn how a lifecycle-based approach to financial planning can help you make smarter, more coordinated decisions at every stage of the journey.
Hiring family members can create real tax advantages for small business owners, but the rules depend on entity type, relationship, age, reasonable compensation, and payroll compliance. Here’s what to know before putting relatives on payroll.
