Understanding the Federal R&D Tax Credit

At its core, the federal R&D tax credit, enacted in 1981 to stimulate innovation and business investment, provides dollar-for-dollar savings tied to qualified research activities. It is now complemented by similar tax credits in many states and, together, federal and state credits can amount to as much as 20 percent of the costs incurred in…

IRS Interim Guidance Provides Clarity on Bonus Depreciation Rules

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) brought welcome news for businesses with the permanent return of 100 percent bonus depreciation. Businesses are now eligible to deduct the full cost of qualifying assets acquired and placed in service after Jan. 19, 2025. Until recently, bonus depreciation was scheduled to phase out entirely under previous law.…

Five Reasons to File Your Taxes Early

It has begun! The Internal Revenue Service announced Monday, January 26, 2026, as the opening of the 2026 filing season. Taxpayers have until Wednesday, April 15, 2026, to file their 2025 tax returns and pay any tax due. (Filing a six-month extension will give taxpayers until October 15, 2026, to file their tax returns but…

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 the US Postal Service (USPS) on or before the deadline, even if the IRS receives it later than the due date. In other words, when…

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, such as payroll tax filings, must be retained for several years for IRS review, while the Fair Labor Standards Act sets separate timelines for payroll…

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 hope you don’t know that from experience. The good news is that there are ways to negotiate with the IRS that allow you to reduce…

Taxpayer Right to Representation in IRS Matters

Understand your right to IRS representation. Learn how CPAs and authorized representatives help with audits, negotiations, and IRS compliance to protect your interests.

What Home Improvement Tax Breaks Are Set to Expire and Which Remain in Effect?

If you’re thinking about making upgrades to your home, you may have an opportunity to claim valuable tax breaks. While not every improvement qualifies, there are a few exceptions, such as capital improvements or repairs for a rental property, medical modifications, or home office tax breaks. You can also earn tax credits for energy-efficiency projects,…

Time to Renew Transaction Privilege Tax License

You have likely received notices from Arizona Department of Revenue and the City of Tucson that it is time to renew your TPT license. License renewals apply and are valid for one calendar year, January 1 to December 31. All licenses must be renewed by December 31 of the current year to apply to the…

Upcoming Changes to Tip and Overtime Income Tax and Reporting

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…