President Trump signs his One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act into law
July 7, 2025
On July 4, President Trump signed into law the far-reaching legislation known as the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). As promised, the tax portion of the 870-page bill extends many of the provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), the sweeping tax legislation enacted during the first Trump administration. It also incorporates several of President Trump’s campaign pledges, although many on a temporary basis, and pulls back many clean-energy-related tax breaks.
While the OBBBA makes permanent numerous tax breaks, it also eliminates several others, including some that had been scheduled to resume after 2025. Here’s a rundown of some of the key changes affecting individual and business taxpayers. Except where noted, these changes are effective for tax years beginning in 2025.
Key changes affecting individuals
- Makes permanent the TCJA’s individual tax rates of 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37%
- Makes permanent the near doubling of the standard deduction. For 2025, the standard deduction increases to $15,750 for single filers, $23,625 for heads of households and $31,500 for joint filers, with annual inflation adjustments going forward
- Makes permanent the elimination of personal exemptions
- Permanently increases the child tax credit to $2,200, with annual inflation adjustments going forward
- Temporarily increases the limit on the deduction for state and local taxes (the SALT cap) to $40,000, with a 1% increase each year through 2029, after which the $10,000 limit will return
- Permanently reduces the mortgage debt limit for the home mortgage interest deduction to $750,000 ($375,000 for separate filers) but includes mortgage insurance premiums as deductible interest
- Permanently eliminates the deduction for interest on home equity debt
- Permanently limits the personal casualty deduction for losses resulting from federally declared disasters and certain state declared disasters
- Permanently eliminates miscellaneous itemized deductions except for unreimbursed educator expenses
- Permanently eliminates the moving expense deduction (with an exception for members of the military and their families in certain circumstances)
- Expands the allowable expenses that can be paid with tax-free Section 529 plan distributions
- Makes permanent the TCJA’s increased individual alternative minimum tax (AMT) exemption amounts
- Permanently increases the federal gift and estate tax exemption amount to $15 million for individuals and $30 million for married couples beginning in 2026, with annual inflation adjustments going forward
- For 2025–2028, creates an above-the-line deduction (meaning it’s available regardless of whether a taxpayer itemizes deductions) of up to $25,000 for tip income in certain industries, with income-based phaseouts (payroll taxes still apply)
- For 2025–2028, creates an above-the-line deduction of up to $12,500 for single filers or $25,000 for joint filers for qualified overtime pay, with income-based phaseouts (payroll taxes still apply)
- For 2025–2028, creates an above-the-line deduction of up to $10,000 for qualified passenger vehicle loan interest on the purchase of certain American-made vehicles, with income-based phaseouts
- For 2025–2028, creates a bonus deduction of up to $6,000 for taxpayers age 65 or older, with income-based phaseouts
- Limits itemized deductions for taxpayers in the top 37% income bracket, beginning in 2026
- Establishes tax-favored “Trump Accounts,” which will provide eligible newborns with $1,000 in seed money, beginning in 2026
- Makes the adoption tax credit partially refundable up to $5,000, with annual inflation adjustments (no carryforwards allowed)
- Eliminates several clean energy tax credits, generally after 2025, including the clean vehicle, energy-efficient home improvement and residential clean energy credits
- Permanently eliminates the qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement exclusion
- Restricts eligibility for the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits
- Creates a permanent charitable contribution deduction for non-itemizers of up to $1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for joint filers, beginning in 2026
- Imposes a 0.5% floor on charitable contributions for itemizers, beginning in 2026
Key changes affecting businesses
- Makes permanent and expands the 20% qualified business income (QBI) deduction for owners of pass-through entities (such as partnerships, limited liability companies and S corporations) and sole proprietorships
- Makes permanent 100% bonus depreciation for the cost of qualified new and used assets, for property acquired after January 19, 2025
- Creates a 100% deduction for the cost of “qualified production property” for qualified property placed into service after July 4, 2025, and before 2031
- Increases the Sec. 179 expensing limit to $2.5 million and the expensing phaseout threshold to $4 million for 2025, with annual inflation adjustments going forward
- Increases the cap on the business interest deduction by excluding depreciation, amortization and depletion from the calculation of “adjusted taxable income”
- Permanently allows the immediate deduction of domestic research and experimentation expenses (retroactive to 2022 for eligible small businesses)
- Makes permanent the excess business loss limit
- Prohibits the IRS from issuing refunds for certain Employee Retention Tax Credit claims that were filed after January 31, 2024
- Eliminates clean energy tax incentives, including the qualified commercial clean vehicle credit, the alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit and the Sec. 179D deduction for energy-efficient commercial buildings
- Permanently renews and enhances the Qualified Opportunity Zone program
- Permanently extends the New Markets Tax Credit
- Permanently increases the maximum employer-provided child care credit to $500,000 ($600,000 for small businesses), with annual inflation adjustments
- Makes permanent and modifies the employer credit for paid family and medical leave
- Makes permanent the exclusion for employer payments of student loans, with annual inflation adjustments to the maximum exclusion beginning in 2027
- Makes permanent the foreign-derived intangible income (FDII) and global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) deductions and the minimum base erosion and anti-abuse tax (BEAT)
- Expands the qualified small business stock gain exclusion for stock issued after the date of enactment
Buckle up
We’ve only briefly covered some of the most significant OBBBA provisions here. There are additional rules and limits that apply. Note, too, that the OBBBA will require a multitude of new implementing regulations. Turn to us for help navigating the new law and its far-reaching implications to minimize your tax liability.
© 2025
If your business occupies a large space and you’re planning to relocate, expand or renovate in the future, consider the potential benefits of the rehabilitation tax credit. This could be particularly valuable if you’re interested in historic properties. The credit is equal to 20% of the qualified rehabilitation expenditures (QREs) for a qualified rehabilitated building that’s also a certified historic structure by the National Park Service. A qualified rehabilitated building is a depreciable building that has been placed in service before the beginning of the rehabilitation and is used, after rehabilitation, in business or for the production of income (and not held primarily for sale). Additionally, the building must be “substantially” rehabilitated, which generally requires that the QREs for the rehabilitation exceed the greater of $5,000 or the cost of acquiring the existing building. Eligible expenses A QRE is any amount chargeable to capital and incurred in connection with the rehabilitation (including reconstruction) of a qualified rehabilitated building. Qualified rehabilitation expenditures must be for real property (but not land) and can’t include building enlargement or acquisition costs. The 20% credit is allocated ratably, to each year in the five-year period beginning in the tax year in which the qualified rehabilitated building is placed in service. Thus, the credit allowed in each year of the five years is 4% (20% divided by 5) of the QREs concerning the building. The credit is allowed against both regular federal income tax and alternative minimum tax. Permanent changes to the credit The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed at the end of 2017, made some changes to the credit. Specifically, the law: Now requires taxpayers to claim the 20% credit ratably over five years instead of in the year they placed the building into service, and Eliminated the 10% rehabilitation credit for the pre-1936 buildings. It’s important to note that while many individual tax cuts under the TCJA are set to expire after December 31, 2025, the changes to the rehabilitation tax credit aren’t among them. They’re permanent. Maximize the tax benefits Contact us to discuss the technical aspects of the rehabilitation credit. There may also be other federal tax benefits available for the space you’re contemplating. For example, various tax benefits may be available depending on your preferences regarding how a building’s energy needs will be met and where the building will be located. In addition, there may be state or local tax and non-tax subsidies available. Beyond these preliminary considerations, we can work with you and construction professionals to determine whether a specific available “old” building can be the subject of a rehabilitation that’s both tax-credit-compliant and practical to use. And, if you find a building that you decide to buy (or lease) and rehabilitate, we can help you monitor project costs and substantiate the project’s compliance with the requirements of the credit and any other tax benefits. © 2025
There are numerous factors to consider when you decide to pull up roots and relocate to another state. Your estate plan likely isn’t top of mind, but it’s wise to review and update it when you move across state lines. Let’s take a closer look at a few areas you should consider as you reexamine your estate plan. Will’s language Before you begin, know that you won’t have to throw out your existing plan and start from scratch. However, you may need to amend or replace certain documents to ensure they comply with your new state’s laws and continue to meet your estate planning objectives. Begin by having your estate planning advisor review the text of your will. So long as it was properly drafted according to your previous state’s requirements, it generally will be accepted as valid in most other states. Nevertheless, it’s important to review your will’s terms to ensure they continue to reflect your wishes. For example, if you’re married and you move from a noncommunity property state to a community property state (or vice versa), your new state’s laws may change the way certain property is owned. Health care powers of attorney and advance directives Many estate plans include advance medical directives or health care powers of attorney. Advance directives (often referred to as living wills) communicate your wishes regarding medical care (including life-prolonging procedures) in the event you become incapacitated. Health care powers of attorney appoint a trusted agent or proxy to act on your behalf. Often, the two are combined into a single document. Given the stakes involved, it’s critical to ensure that these documents will be accepted and followed by health care providers in your new state. Although some states’ laws expressly authorize out-of-state advance directives and powers of attorney, others are silent on the issue, creating uncertainty over whether they’ll be accepted. Regardless of the law in your new state, it’s a good idea to prepare and execute new ones. Most states have their own forms for these documents, with state-specific provisions and terminology. Health care providers in your new state will be familiar with these forms and may be more likely to accept them than out-of-state forms. Financial powers of attorney Like wills, out-of-state financial powers of attorney will be accepted as valid in most states. Still, to avoid questions and delays, it’s advisable to execute powers of attorney using your new state’s forms, since banks and other financial service providers will be familiar with them. Review your plan regardless of your location When moving out-of-state, reviewing your estate plan can help safeguard your intentions and ensure your loved ones are protected. And even if you’re not moving to a new state, you should review your estate plan regularly to ensure it continues to meet your needs. Contact us with questions. © 2025
The U.S. Senate passed its version of The One, Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB) by a vote of 51 to 50 on July 1. (Vice President J.D. Vance provided the tiebreaking vote.) At its core, the massive bill is similar to the bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last May. It includes extensions of many provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) currently set to expire on December 31. Both the House and Senate bills include some new and enhanced tax breaks. For example, they contain President Trump’s pledge to exempt tips and overtime from income tax for eligible taxpayers. Trump also made a campaign promise to eliminate tax on Social Security benefits. That isn’t included in either version of the bill. However, the Senate bill temporarily provides a $6,000 deduction for those age 65 and older for 2025 through 2028 for those with modified adjusted gross income of under $75,000 ($150,000 for married joint filers). The House bill expands the standard deduction for seniors but caps it at $4,000. In addition, the Senate’s version of the bill introduces other significant changes, including in the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap and the Child Tax Credit (CTC). SALT deduction cap A major sticking point in both branches of Congress is the SALT deduction cap. It’s currently set at $10,000 by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Lawmakers in high-tax states such as California and New York have long sought to increase (or even repeal) the cap. The House’s version of the bill proposes to permanently increase the cap to $40,000 for those making under $500,000. The Senate-passed bill also calls for increasing the cap to $40,000 for 2025, with an annual 1% increase through 2029. In 2030, the cap would revert to $10,000. It also calls for phasing out the deduction for individuals who earn more than $500,000 in 2025 and then annually increasing the income amount by 1% through 2029. Child Tax Credit (CTC) Under current law, the $2,000 per child CTC is set to drop to $1,000 after 2025. The income phaseout thresholds will also be significantly lower. And the requirement to provide the child’s Social Security number (SSN) will be eliminated. The House’s version of the OBBB would make the CTC permanent, raise it to $2,500 per child for tax years 2025 through 2028 and retain the higher income phaseout thresholds. It would also preserve the requirement to provide a child’s SSN and expand it to require an SSN for the taxpayer (generally the parent) claiming the credit. After 2028, the CTC would return to $2,000 and be adjusted annually for inflation. The Senate’s version of the bill would also make the CTC permanent, but would increase it to $2,200, subject to annual inflation increases. It would require SSNs for both the parent claiming the credit and the child. Next steps These are just a few of the provisions in the massive tax and spending bill. The proposed legislation is currently back with the House of Representatives for further debate and a vote. President Trump has set a deadline to sign the bill into law by July 4, but it’s currently uncertain if the House can pass the bill in time. Stay tuned. © 2025
When many small to midsize businesses are ready to sponsor a qualified retirement plan, they encounter a common obstacle: complex administrative requirements. As a business owner, you no doubt already have a lot on your plate. Do you really want to deal with, say, IRS-mandated testing that could cause considerable hassles and expense? Well, you may not have to. If that’s the only thing holding you back, consider a safe harbor 401(k) plan. These plans are designed to simplify administration and allow highly compensated employees to contribute the maximum allowable amounts. Of course, you still must read the fine print. Simple trade-off Under IRS regulations, traditional 401(k) plans are subject to annual nondiscrimination testing. It includes two specific tests: The actual deferral percentage (ADP) test, and The actual contribution percentage (ACP) test. Essentially, they ensure that a company’s plan doesn’t favor highly compensated employees over the rest of the staff. If a plan fails the testing, its sponsor may have to return some contributions to highly compensated employees or make additional contributions to other participants to correct the imbalance. In either case, the end result is administrative headaches, unhappy highly compensated employees and unexpected costs for the business. Safe harbor 401(k)s offer an elegant solution to the conundrum, albeit with caveats of their own. Under one of these plans, the employer-sponsor agrees to make mandatory contributions to participants’ accounts. In exchange, the IRS agrees to waive the annual requirement to perform the ADP and ACP tests. With nondiscrimination testing off the table, you no longer need to worry about failing either test. And highly compensated employees can max out their contributions. Under IRS rules, these generally include anyone who owns more than 5% of the company during the current or previous plan year or who makes more than $160,000 in 2025 (an amount annually indexed for inflation). Important caveats Regarding the caveats we mentioned, the primary one to keep in mind is that you must make compliant contributions to each participant’s account. Generally, you may choose between: A nonelective contribution of at least 3% of each eligible participant’s compensation, or A qualifying matching contribution, such as 100% of the first 3% of compensation deferred under the plan plus 50% of the next 2% deferred. There’s also the matter of timing. Let’s say you want to set up and launch a safe harbor 401(k) plan this year. If so, you’ll need to complete all the requisite paperwork and deliver notice to employees by October 1, 2025, and contributions must begin no later than November 1, 2025. Providing proper notice is critical. You must follow specific IRS rules to adequately inform employees of their rights and accurately describe your required employer contributions. Potential pitfalls Perhaps you’ve already spotted the major pitfall of safe harbor 401(k)s. That is, you must commit to making qualifying employer contributions. And once you do, you generally can’t reduce or suspend them without triggering additional IRS requirements or risking plan disqualification. There are exceptions, but qualifying for them is complex and requires careful planning. In addition, your contributions are immediately 100% vested, and participants own their accounts. That means once you transfer the funds, they belong to participants — even if they leave their jobs. Bottom line The bottom line is safe harbor 401(k) plans can be risky for businesses that experience notable cash flow fluctuations throughout the year. However, if you’re able to manage the mandatory contributions, one of these plans may serve as a relatively simple vehicle for amassing retirement funds for you and your employees. We can help you evaluate whether a safe harbor 401(k) would suit your company. © 2025
They say age is just a number — but in the world of tax law, it’s much more than that. As you move through your life, the IRS treats you differently because key tax rules kick in at specific ages. Here are some important age-related tax milestones for you and loved ones to keep in mind as the years fly by. Ages 0–23: The kiddie tax The kiddie tax can potentially apply to your child, grandchild or other loved one until age 24. Specifically, a child or young adult’s unearned income (typically from investments) in excess of the annual threshold is taxed at the parent’s higher marginal federal income tax rates instead of the more favorable rates that would otherwise apply to the young person in question. For 2025, the unearned income threshold is $2,700. Age 30: Coverdell accounts If you set up a tax-favored Coverdell Education Savings Account (CESA) for a child or grandchild, the account must be liquidated within 30 days after the individual turns 30 years old. To the extent earnings included in a distribution aren’t used for qualified education expenses, the earnings are subject to tax plus a 10% penalty tax. To avoid that, you can roll over the CESA balance into another CESA set up for a younger loved one. Age 50: Catch-up contributions If you’re age 50 or older at end of 2025, you can make an additional catch-up contribution of up to $7,500 to your 401(k) plan, 403(b) plan or 457 plan for a total contribution of up to $31,000 ($23,500 regular contribution plus $7,500 catch-up contribution). This assumes that your plan allows catch-up contributions. If you’re 50 or older at the end of 2025, you can make an additional catch-up contribution of up to $3,500 to your SIMPLE IRA for a total contribution of up to $20,000 ($16,500 regular contribution plus $3,500 catch-up contribution). If your company has 25 or fewer employees, the 2025 maximum catch-up contribution is $3,850. If you’re 50 or older at the end of 2025, you can make an additional catch-up contribution of up to $1,000 to your traditional IRA or Roth IRA, for a total contribution of up to $8,000 ($7,000 regular contribution plus $1,000 catch-up contribution). Age 55: Early withdrawal penalty from employer plan If you permanently leave your job for any reason after reaching age 55, you may be able to receive distributions from your former employer’s tax-favored 401(k) plan or 403(b) plan without being socked with the 10% early distribution penalty tax that generally applies to the taxable portion of distributions received before age 59½. This rule doesn’t apply to IRAs. Age 59½: Early withdrawal penalty from retirement plans After age 59½, you can receive distributions from all types of tax-favored retirement plans and accounts (IRAs, 401(k) accounts and pensions) without being hit with the 10% early distribution penalty tax. The penalty generally applies to the taxable portion of distributions received before age 59½. Ages 60–63: Larger catch-up contributions to some employer plans If you’re age 60–63 at the end of 2025, you can make a larger catch-up contribution of up to $11,250 to your 401(k) plan, 403(b) plan, or 457 plan. This assumes your plan allows catch-up contributions. If you’re age 60–63 at the end of 2025, you can make a larger catch-up contribution of up to $5,250 to your SIMPLE IRA. Age 73: Required minimum withdrawals After reaching age 73, you generally must begin taking annual required minimum distributions (RMDs) from tax-favored retirement accounts (traditional IRAs, SEP accounts and 401(k)s) and pay the resulting extra income tax. If you fail to withdraw at least the RMD amount for the year, you can be assessed a penalty tax of up to 25% of the shortfall. However, if you’re still working after reaching age 73 and you don’t own over 5% of your employer’s business, you can postpone taking RMDs from the employer’s plan(s) until after you retire. Watch the calendar Keep these important tax milestones in mind for yourself and your loved ones. Knowing these rules can mean the difference between a smart tax strategy and a costly oversight. If you have questions or want more detailed information, contact us. © 2025
The U.S. Census Bureau reports there were nearly 447,000 new business applications in May of 2025. The bureau measures this by tracking the number of businesses applying for an Employer Identification Number. If you’re one of the entrepreneurs, you may not know that many of the expenses incurred by start-ups can’t currently be deducted on your tax return. You should be aware that the way you handle some of your initial expenses can make a large difference in your federal tax bill. How to treat expenses for tax purposes If you’re starting or planning to launch a new business, here are three rules to keep in mind: Start-up costs include those incurred or paid while creating an active trade or business or investigating the creation or acquisition of one. Under the tax code, taxpayers can elect to deduct up to $5,000 of business start-up costs and $5,000 of organizational costs in the year the business begins. As you know, $5,000 doesn’t go very far these days! And the $5,000 deduction is reduced dollar-for-dollar by the amount your total start-up or organizational costs exceed $50,000. Any remaining costs must be amortized over 180 months on a straight-line basis. No deductions, including amortization deductions, are allowed until the year when “active conduct” of your new business begins. Generally, this means the year when the business has all the necessary components in place to start generating revenue. To determine if a taxpayer meets this test, the IRS and courts generally ask questions such as: Did the taxpayer undertake the activity with the intention of earning a profit? Was the taxpayer regularly and actively involved? And did the activity actually begin? Expenses that qualify In general, start-up expenses are those you incur to: Investigate the creation or acquisition of a business, Create a business, or Engage in a for-profit activity in anticipation of that activity becoming an active business. To qualify for the limited deduction, an expense must also be one that would be deductible if incurred after the business began. One example is money you spend analyzing potential markets for a new product or service. To be eligible as an “organization expense,” an expense must be related to establishing a corporation or partnership. Some examples of these expenses are legal and accounting fees for services related to organizing a new business, and filing fees paid to the state of incorporation. Plan now If you have start-up expenses you’d like to deduct this year, you need to decide whether to take the election described above. Recordkeeping is critical. Contact us about your start-up plans. We can help with the tax and other aspects of your new business. © 2025
When planning your estate, one of the smartest strategies you can adopt is to minimize or avoid probate. Probate is a legal procedure in which a court establishes the validity of your will, determines the value of your estate, resolves creditors’ claims, provides for the payment of taxes and other debts, and transfers assets to your heirs. While it may sound straightforward, probate can come with several drawbacks that make it worthwhile to avoid when possible. Here are four reasons why. 1. Probate can be time-consuming Probate proceedings often take months — and sometimes over a year — to resolve. During this period, your beneficiaries may not have access to much-needed funds or property. The timeline can be extended even further if disputes arise among heirs or if the estate includes complex assets. Avoiding probate allows your loved ones to receive their inheritances much more quickly. 2. Probate can be expensive Court costs, executor’s and attorneys’ fees, appraisals, and other administrative expenses can consume a portion of your estate — sometimes 5% or more of its total value. By using probate-avoidance tools, for example, a living trust, more of your assets can go directly to your heirs instead of being eaten up by fees. Indeed, for larger, more complicated estates, a living trust (also commonly called a “revocable” trust) generally is the most effective tool for avoiding probate. A living trust involves some setup costs, but it allows you to manage the disposition of all your wealth in one document while retaining control and reserving the right to modify your plan. To avoid probate, it’s critical to transfer title to all your assets, now and in the future, to the trust. Assets outside the trust at your death will be subject to probate — unless you’ve otherwise titled them in such a way as to avoid it (or, in the case of life insurance, annuities and retirement plans, you’ve properly designated beneficiaries). 3. Probate is a public process Bear in mind that anything filed in probate court becomes part of the public record. This means that anyone can discover the details of your estate, including the nature and value of your assets and who has inherited them. Avoiding probate can protect your family’s privacy and shield sensitive information from public view. 4. Probate may result in family disputes Probate can sometimes create or exacerbate conflict among heirs. Disputes over asset distribution or the validity of a will can lead to lengthy and expensive litigation. Clear estate planning can prevent misunderstandings and ensure your wishes are carried out smoothly. Not your estate plan’s sole focus Dealing with the death of a loved one is hard enough without the added burden of navigating the legal complexities of probate. When you structure your estate to bypass the probate process, you ease the administrative burden on your family and give them peace of mind during a difficult time. However, avoiding probate is just one part of a complete estate plan. Your estate planning advisor can help you develop a strategy that minimizes probate while reducing taxes and achieving your other goals. © 2025
What’s the most important type of software for your business? Your first thought may be whatever system you rely on most to produce or sell your company’s products or services. And that may well be true. However, more than likely, your accounting software comes in a close second. After all, this technological tool tracks every financial transaction related to your business. It needs to be secure, up to date, and appropriate for your company’s size and needs. To keep all those factors in line, you’ve got to handle accounting software upgrades with care. Let’s review some fundamental best practices. Plan upgrades strategically Among the most important aspects of managing an upgrade is knowing when to do it. You don’t want to unnecessarily disrupt operations and spend money, but you shouldn’t risk the downsides of outdated functionality by waiting too long. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your financial statements are a potentially helpful source of information. A general rule of thumb says that, when annual revenues hit certain benchmarks — perhaps $1 million, $5 million, $10 million and so forth — a business may want to consider an upgrade seriously. However, the right tipping point depends on various factors. Look for an industry-specific solution Some companies rush into upgrades without considering all their options. Others resist change entirely, sticking with the same accounting software for years. Either way, you could miss out on something important: a product designed for your industry. For instance, construction companies can choose from many applications with built-in features tailored to how contract-based businesses work. Manufacturers also have industry-specific accounting software. If you’re ready to upgrade, check out whether there’s now a solution on the market that was developed for your industry’s accounting practices and standards. Mind all the details When upgrading, be sure to mind all the details. For instance, don’t overlook the importance of integration and mobile access. Older accounting software may still function only as a standalone application, meaning data from across the company has to be manually entered into the system. This creates all sorts of risks. Optimally, you should be able to integrate your accounting software with other critical applications to share data seamlessly and securely, reducing errors and redundancy. Also, if you haven’t already, add mobile access to your accounting system. Many solutions now include apps for smartphones or tablets. Set your budget carefully It’s easy to overspend on an accounting system upgrade. Those bells and whistles can be enticing. Then again, many frugal-minded business owners underspend — settling for a cheaper, less robust upgrade that may leave their employees dealing with headaches. The ideal approach generally lies somewhere in the middle. Perform a thorough review of your accounting needs, transaction volume and required reports. Also factor in the proficiency of everyone who’ll use the software and the availability of tech support. Then set a reasonable budget for an upgrade that checks all the right boxes. Ask for help It’s easy to grow accustomed to a certain kind of business accounting software. The trouble is, over time, that software can slow down your operations and deprive you of helpful functions and insights. If you’re unsure whether you’ve reached the point where an upgrade is imperative, we’re here to help. We can assess your current system and assist you in deciding whether now’s the time to act. If it is, we’ll partner with you and your leadership team to set a budget, choose the right solution and implement it properly. © 2025
College can be expensive. According to the College Board, the average sticker price for tuition and fees at private colleges was $43,350 for the 2024–2025 school year. The average cost for tuition and fees for out-of-state students at public colleges was $30,780. For in-state students, the cost was $11,610. Of course, there are additional costs for housing, food, books, supplies, transportation and incidentals that can add thousands to the total. Fortunately, a surprisingly high percentage of students at many schools receive at least some financial aid, and your child’s chances may be better than you think. So, if your child cashes in on some financial aid, what are the tax implications? Here’s what you need to know. The basics The economic characteristics of what’s described as financial aid determine how it’s treated for federal income tax purposes. Gift aid, which is money the student doesn’t have to work for, is often tax-free. Gift aid may be called a scholarship, fellowship, grant, tuition discount or tuition reduction. Most gift aid is tax-free Free-money scholarships, fellowships and grants are generally awarded based on either financial need or academic merit. Such gift aid is nontaxable as long as: The recipient is a degree candidate, including a graduate degree candidate. The funds are designated for tuition and related expenses (including books and supplies) or they’re unrestricted and aren’t specifically designated for some other purpose — like room and board. The recipient can show that tuition and related expenses equaled or exceeded the payments. To pass this test, the student must incur enough of those expenses within the time frame for which the aid is awarded. If gift aid exceeds tuition and related expenses, the excess is taxable income to the student. Tuition discounts are also tax-free Gift aid that comes directly from the university is often called a tuition discount, tuition reduction or university grant. These free-money awards fall under the same tax rules that apply to other free-money scholarships, fellowships and grants. Payments for work-study programs generally are taxable Arrangements that require the student to work in exchange for money are sometimes called scholarships or fellowships, but those are misnomers. Whatever payments for work are called, they’re considered compensation from employment and must be reported as income on the student’s federal tax return. As explained below, however, this doesn’t necessarily mean the student will actually owe any tax. Under such arrangements, the student is required to teach, do research, work in the cafeteria or perform other jobs. The college or financial aid payer should determine the taxable payments and report them to the student on Form W-2 (if the student is treated as an employee) or Form 1099-MISC (if the student is treated as an independent contractor). Taxable income doesn’t necessarily trigger taxes Receiving taxable financial aid doesn’t necessarily mean owing much or anything to the federal government. Here’s why: A student who isn’t a dependent can offset taxable income with the standard deduction, which is $15,000 for 2025 for an unmarried individual. If the student is a dependent, the standard deduction is the greater of 1) $1,350 or 2) earned income + $450, not to exceed $15,000. The student may have earned income from work at school or work during summer vacation and school breaks. Taxable financial aid in excess of what can be offset by the student’s standard deduction will probably be taxed at a federal rate of only 10% or 12%. Finally, if you don’t claim your child as a dependent on your federal income tax return, he or she can probably reduce or eliminate any federal income tax bill by claiming the American Opportunity Tax Credit (worth up to $2,500 per year for the first four years of undergraduate study) or the Lifetime Learning Credit (worth up to $2,000 per year for years when the American Opportunity credit is unavailable). Avoid surprises at tax time As you can see, most financial aid is tax-free, though it’s possible it could be taxable. To avoid surprises, consult with us to learn what’s taxable and what’s not. © 2025
If you’re claiming deductions for business meals or vehicle expenses, expect the IRS to closely review them. In some cases, taxpayers have incomplete documentation or try to create records months (or years) later. In doing so, they fail to meet the strict substantiation requirements set forth under tax law. Tax auditors are adept at rooting out inconsistencies, omissions and errors in taxpayers’ records, as illustrated by one recent U.S. Tax Court case. (T.C. Memo. 2024-82) Facts of the case The taxpayer operated a software installation, training and consulting business. She claimed substantial deductions for several tax years. The IRS disallowed many of the deductions and the U.S. Tax Court agreed. Here’s a rundown of some of the disallowed expenses and the reasons why they couldn’t be deducted: Meals and entertainment. The business owner deducted nearly $9,000 for meal expenses in one tax year and testified the amount was for “working lunches” with the “person she worked for and the developer.” As documentation, she submitted bank statements. The court noted that “bank statements alone do not substantiate the ‘business purpose of the expense’ or the ‘business relationship’ between petitioner and the individuals with whom she dined.” It added: “The cost of eating lunch during the workday is not — without more — a deductible business expense.” Supplies. The taxpayer deducted more than $17,000 for supplies purchased during two tax years. She testified that these included “desks, monitors, office equipment, paper, printers, [and] anything that was pertinent to the business itself.” To substantiate her reported expenses, the taxpayer submitted receipts from office supply stores. However, the receipts were dated later than the tax years in question, and they covered (among other things) purchases of soda dispensers and gift cards. The court noted that “some of these purchases appear personal” and all were made after she terminated her consulting business. Home office expenses. Over two years, the taxpayer deducted $21,393 for the business use of a home office. But the court ruled that she “failed to prove that the ‘focal point’ of her software consulting business was her home.” At trial, she testified that she was required to be on site at a client’s office much of the time. In addition, she didn’t supply evidence to establish how much time she worked from home or what (if any) portion of her residence was used exclusively for business purposes. Other expenses the court disallowed included attorney’s fees, utilities, hotel stays and vehicle expenses. In all cases, the taxpayer didn’t substantiate with adequate records or sufficient evidence that the expenses were related to her business. Best practices This case exemplifies why it’s critical to maintain meticulous records to support business expense deductions. Here’s a list of DOs and DON’Ts to help meet the strict IRS and tax law substantiation requirements for these items: DO keep detailed, accurate records. For example, for each business meal, record the amount, date, place, business purpose, and the business relationship of any person you dine with. If you have employees whom you reimburse for meals, travel and vehicle expenses, make sure they’re complying with all the rules. DON’T reconstruct expense logs at year end or wait until you receive a notice from the IRS. Take a moment to record the details in a log or diary or on a receipt at the time of an event or soon after. Require employees to submit weekly or monthly expense reports. DO respect the fine line between personal and business expenses. Be careful about combining business and pleasure. Your business checking account and credit cards shouldn’t be used for personal expenses. DON’T be surprised if the IRS asks you to prove your deductions. Vehicle, travel, meal and home office expenses are attention magnets. Be prepared for a challenge. Stand up to scrutiny With organization and our guidance, your tax records can stand up to IRS inspection. There may be other ways to substantiate your deductions. In addition, there may be a way to estimate certain deductions (called “the Cohan rule”), if your records are lost due to a fire, theft, flood or other disaster. © 2025