R&A CPAs blog
IRS Announces New Automatic Exemption from Penalty Program
The IRS’s Automatic Exemption from Penalty (AEP) program simplifies tax relief by automatically waiving failure-to-file, failure-to-pay, and failure-to-deposit penalties for compliant taxpayers. Replacing the manual First Time Abate process, the automated system evaluates eligibility during return processing—waiving penalties for individuals and businesses with three years of clean compliance history—without requiring formal requests or phone calls.
Estate Planning is Changing: What Families Should Revisit Now
Shifting tax exemption thresholds, evolving retirement account rules, and changing family dynamics make static estate plans a risk. Families should revisit their plans now to update beneficiary designations, review trusts, refresh health care and financial powers of attorney, and adjust wealth transfer strategies to ensure their assets remain protected and align with their current intentions.
What to Consider When Selling Your Business to Employees
Selling your business to employees through an ESOP, cooperative, or management buyout preserves your company’s legacy and rewards your team, but it requires careful planning. Success hinges on choosing the right ownership structure, securing realistic financing (often involving seller notes), obtaining an independent valuation, and preparing strong leaders to handle daily operations after the transition.
The State of Construction Bonding in 2026: What Contractors Need to Know About Financial Reporting
Navigating the 2026 bonding landscape requires contractors to treat financial reporting as a strategic tool rather than a routine compliance exercise. With surety carriers tightening underwriting standards following elevated project complexities, labor costs, and recent severe claims, securing maximum bonding capacity hinges on transparency and financial discipline.
Caught In Prescott – Lessons in Fraud Prevention and Monitoring
Fraud in Prescott – lessons in fraud prevention and monitoring for your business.
IRS Makes Rare Midyear Change to Mileage Rates
A break for many who have been hit by high gas prices: The IRS has quietly announced a revision to the optional standard mileage rates for computing the allowable deductible costs of operating an automobile. Click through to see what has changed—and what hasn’t.
The Purpose of Form I-9: What Employers Need to Know
Every employer needs to complete Form I-9 for their employees. It is an important compliance document. Here is what you need to know.
Meet Junna Stockwell, CPA, Supervisor – Assurance
Junna is a supervisor in our Assurance department. In her role, she solves financial problems and helps provide accurate financial reporting for our clients.
The True Cost of Poor Recordkeeping
Poor recordkeeping can create costs that include problems with tax compliance, reporting, and planning—among others. Click for details and avoid these errors.
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Checking Your Federal Tax Withholding – Why, When, and How
If you are an employee, you know that various taxes are withheld from your paychecks. While you generally can’t change the amount of social security and Medicare taxes withheld, you can change the withholding amounts of federal and state income tax. In fact, the IRS encourages taxpayers to review their income tax withholding at least…
R&A Named a 2026 Top 500 US Accounting Firm
R&A is very pleased to share that we have been recognized as a Top 500 Firm in the US for 2026 by INSIDE Public Accounting based on US net revenue. INSIDE Public Accounting is a leader in practice management and CPA firm resources for the public accounting profession. Of this recognition, Phillip C. Dalrymple, CPA, CFE, and R&A Managing Partner said, “We are proud…
Trusts Can be Powerful Estate Planning Tools
You’ve probably had a check-up with your doctor or dentist in the last year as part of your routine practice of self-care. Preventive visits like this can detect and address potential health issues in their earliest and most treatable stages. We think of estate planning as preventive care for your life and loved ones. No…
Promises of Tax Settlements for “Pennies on the Dollar” are Often Too Good to be True
At R&A CPAs, we often find ourselves counselling individuals or businesses that are overwhelmed by large tax liabilities or mired in IRS bureaucracy. Like you, we see ads promising amazing “pennies on the dollar” settlement deals with the IRS touted by “professionals,” backed up by dramatic testimonials of success. These settlements refer to the IRS’s…
Meet Jorge Fuentes Quihui, Associate – Assurance
Meet Jorge Fuentes Quihui, Associate – Assurance
The IRS’ ‘Dirty Dozen’
The IRS’s annual “Dirty Dozen” list exposes the top 12 tax scams, fraud schemes, and aggressive avoidance tactics threatening taxpayers. Ranging from phishing scams and identity theft to abusive tax shelters and misleading social media advice, the list alerts both individuals and businesses to emerging threats, helping them safeguard their financial assets and maintain tax compliance.
IRS Announces New Automatic Exemption from Penalty Program
The IRS’s Automatic Exemption from Penalty (AEP) program simplifies tax relief by automatically waiving failure-to-file, failure-to-pay, and failure-to-deposit penalties for compliant taxpayers. Replacing the manual First Time Abate process, the automated system evaluates eligibility during return processing—waiving penalties for individuals and businesses with three years of clean compliance history—without requiring formal requests or phone calls.
Estate Planning is Changing: What Families Should Revisit Now
Shifting tax exemption thresholds, evolving retirement account rules, and changing family dynamics make static estate plans a risk. Families should revisit their plans now to update beneficiary designations, review trusts, refresh health care and financial powers of attorney, and adjust wealth transfer strategies to ensure their assets remain protected and align with their current intentions.