Insights

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.

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.

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.

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.

Although the June 30, 2026 deadline for the Section 179D energy-efficient commercial building deduction has passed, projects that began construction on or before that date may still be eligible for a significant per-square-foot deduction. Building owners with projects already underway should act now to confirm eligibility, secure required third-party certification, and file Form 7205 before documentation becomes difficult to reconstruct.

A recent federal court decision, Kwong v. United States, has created a potential refund and abatement opportunity for taxpayers who were assessed IRS penalties or interest on federal tax obligations during the COVID-19 federal disaster period (January 20, 2020 through July 10, 2023). The decision remains unsettled, as the government has appealed, but many affected taxpayers cannot wait for the outcome: a formal refund claim or protective refund claim may need to be filed by July 10, 2026 to preserve their rights.

Selling a business, rental property, or other large asset triggers a range of tax consequences, including capital gains tax, depreciation recapture, and the net investment income tax, that can result in a significantly larger bill than most sellers anticipate. Tools like installment sale elections, deal structure adjustments, and strategic closing timing can reduce that exposure, but most of them require action before the transaction is finalized. A conversation with your CPA before you enter active negotiations is the most reliable way to protect your after-tax proceeds.

For 2026, the IRS has raised contribution limits across retirement plans, IRAs, and HSAs, giving high-income households more room for tax-advantaged saving. The households that benefit most are not simply those that max out every account, but those that act early and decide deliberately which accounts to prioritize, how to coordinate Roth and pretax decisions, and how contributions fit within a broader tax and cash-flow plan. With the right strategy in place at the start of the year, these higher limits become a meaningful planning opportunity rather than a number on a checklist.