R&A CPAs blog

us irs internal revenue service income tax filing form 1040 with supporting documents.

What Documents Do I Need to File My Individual Income Tax Returns?

Seems like I just barely put my holiday decorations away, and now it’s already time to start gathering documents for my 2024 income tax returns. Whether you are super-organized or…

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February 2025 Newsletter

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Solar Tax Credits: What Residential and Rental Property Owners Need to Know

Solar tax incentives have been in place for years, but recent expansions have sparked a surge in solar installations across the country. Both residential and rental property owners are now…

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How Trusted Employees Commit Fraud

Many small businesses are family-owned and operated with employees that have been with the company for years. Manager oversight can become lax. Staff and co-workers are like “family,” or they…

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Estate Planning – What to Know

Thinking about one’s own mortality is no one’s favorite way to pass the time. Yet if you own any stuff or love anyone, it is something you will eventually have…

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Access Retirement Funds in a Disaster

The SECURE 2.0 Act that went into effect in March 2022, makes it easier for qualified individuals impacted by a federally declared major disaster to access their retirement savings. This…

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Arizona Minimum Wage to Rise for 2025

Effective January 1, 2025, Arizona’s minimum wage will be increased by 35 cents from $14.35 to $14.70 per hour. Arizona law requires the minimum wage to increase yearly based on…

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What Business Owners Need to Know About Business Travel Deductions

When it comes to deducting business travel expenses, business owners and employers face a maze of rules that can be both complicated and prone to change. However, understanding these regulations…

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January 2025 Newsletter 2

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January 2025 Newsletter

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Business Fraud Case Study: How to Detect & Prevent Fraud

November 3, 2025

On June 25, 2025, Elizabeth Gutfahr, former Santa Cruz County Treasurer, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for embezzling and laundering approximately $38.7 million of public funds. Ms. Gutfahr, who served as the Santa Cruz County Treasurer from 2012 through 2024, began embezzling funds from the county in 2013 and continued to do so…

2025 End-of-Year Tax Planning is Crucial

November 3, 2025

Master 2025 tax planning with OBBBA strategies: charitable deductions, SALT caps, wash-sale rules & crypto tips. Minimize taxes before year-end.

Upcoming Changes to Tip and Overtime Income Tax and Reporting

September 30, 2025

In July 2025, H.R.1, The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law. This Act provides deductions for tips and overtime compensation for 2025 through 2028. As a result, employers must implement additional tracking mechanisms, so that this information is accurately reported on employees’ Form W-2. Tip Income Individuals are now eligible to deduct…

Setting Your Children Up for Financial Success

September 30, 2025

Parenting can be a challenge. You know this if you have lived through the “terrible twos.” If you haven’t yet had that experience, the “terrible twos” is a colloquial term for a phase of childhood typically starting around 18 months and lasting until around age 3 or 4. Your daily mantra for this stage is,…

Stepped-Up Basis: How It Affects Inherited Assets

September 30, 2025

An asset’s basis is its original purchase price, which determines how much tax will be owed when the asset is sold. When an asset is inherited, the so-called stepped-up basis resets this value to the asset’s fair market value at the time of the owner’s death. For example, if a family home was purchased for…

The Importance of Accurate Real Estate Valuation in Tax Reporting

September 30, 2025

Real estate valuations have garnered increased attention in tax reporting over the last several years, driven by fluctuations in property prices and heightened oversight around how those values are reported. Whether a property is held for personal or operational use, an investment, or development, how it’s valued can directly impact taxable income, balance sheets, and…

Retirement Plan Catch-up Contributions

September 30, 2025

Super-Catch-up and Catch-up as Roth Requirements Beginning January 1, 2026, significant changes will be implemented regarding retirement plan catch-up contributions for certain individuals. Both individuals and retirement plan sponsors need to be aware of these changes. The changes discussed below apply to most 401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b) retirement plans. Other types of plans are…

October 2025 Newsletter

September 30, 2025

Meet Chang Moo – Supervisor, Tax

September 30, 2025

Chang Moo is a Supervisor in our Tax department and has been a member of our team since 2017. Prior to joining R&A, he worked for Deloitte and RSM. His career in public accounting began in 2006. Chang graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting. In addition to assisting clients…