R&A CPAs blog

New USPS Regulations: Don’t Run Afoul of the Mailbox Rule!

The Internal Revenue Code provides that a mailed tax document or payment is deemed to be filed timely if it is properly addressed, has sufficient postage, and is postmarked by…

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…

February 2026 Newsletter

January 2026 Newsletter

The Essentials of Payroll Tax Recordkeeping

Federal agencies such as the IRS and the Department of Labor require employers to maintain detailed information on wages, hours and taxes; state laws often impose additional regulations. Some records,…

IRS First-Time Abatement Program Policy Change

Did you know that if you file a tax return late, pay taxes late, or make mistakes in making tax deposits, the IRS imposes a penalty? For your sake, we…

What to Know About Social Security Now and in Retirement

Social Security provides nearly 97% of older adults with a foundation of retirement protection in their later years. For many, it serves as a major source of income, supplementing 40%…

Preparing for an Audit

The word ‘audit’ can invoke images of piles of paperwork, discovery of horrible mistakes, and endless email chains in our mind’s eye. For auditees, exhaustion can creep in before the…

Tax Planning Strategies for Multi-State Real Estate Investors

In today’s market, investing in real estate across state lines has become an increasingly accessible and effective way to build a diversified portfolio and tap into areas that show strong…

How Do You Know When Your Business Is Ready for a CFO?

One of the biggest challenges in running a successful company is managing growth. Not having the right skill set in place is like having the bat boy fill in as…

Checking Your Federal Tax Withholding – Why, When, and How

September 24, 2026

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

September 24, 2026

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

September 24, 2026

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

September 24, 2026

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…

August 2026 Newsletter

August 26, 2026

Meet Jorge Fuentes Quihui, Associate – Assurance

August 26, 2026

Meet Jorge Fuentes Quihui, Associate – Assurance

The IRS’ ‘Dirty Dozen’

August 26, 2026

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

August 26, 2026

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

August 26, 2026

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.