B-Elite Tax Solutions, LLC

10/05/2026

Up to $5,120 of the Adoption Tax Credit Is Refundable for 2026 – Did You Know?

The Adoption Tax Credit helps eligible families manage qualified costs such as adoption fees, travel, legal services and home studies. In recent years, the credit was nonrefundable: it could reduce a person's federal income tax, but any unused amount generally had to be carried forward.

Under rules that took effect in 2025, part of the credit is now refundable. For tax year 2026, up to $5,120 per eligible child may be refundable, even if the taxpayer owes no federal income tax. Any unused nonrefundable portion may be carried forward for up to five years, but a carryforward cannot become refundable in a later year.

The Adoption Tax Credit is subject to income limits and other restrictions, and the timing of a claim depends on the circumstances of the adoption. A tax professional can help determine whether you qualify and how much credit you may claim.

09/29/2026

Enhanced Tax Credit Can Help Cover 2026 Childcare Costs – Did You Know? (2/2)

If you pay for care for your child under 13 years of age, or for your spouse or other dependent who requires help with basic self-care, then you may qualify for a federal tax credit. The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) can help reduce your federal income tax based on care expenses that you pay in order to work or seek work.

The CDCTC is calculated as a percentage of eligible care expenses. As in the past, the credit is subject to phase-down ranges, meaning that the maximum credit amount may decrease based on a person's adjusted gross income (AGI). However, new rules that took effect this year have significantly increased the maximum credit amount for people with AGIs both below and within the phase-down ranges.

For example, a married couple filing a joint return with an AGI of $75,000-$150,000 may qualify for a credit of up to 35% of eligible care costs, up from 20% in 2025. Meanwhile, a single filer with an AGI of $15,000 or less may be entitled to a credit equaling 50% of qualifying expenses. Above $15,000, the rate gradually declines, reaching 35% once AGI exceeds $43,000. A tax professional can help you determine whether you qualify for the CDCTC, and if so, what percentage you may use to figure your credit amount.

09/21/2026

Enhanced Tax Credit Can Help Cover 2026 Care Costs – Did You Know? (1/2)

If you pay for care for your qualifying child under age 13, or for your spouse or other qualifying person who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care and lives with you for more than half the year, then you may qualify for a federal tax credit. The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) can help cover care expenses you pay in order to work or seek work. Rule changes that took effect this year have made the CDCTC more valuable for many households.

As in past years, you may use up to $3,000 of eligible expenses to figure the credit for one qualifying person, or up to $6,000 for two or more qualifying persons. However, beginning in 2026, the maximum credit rate increased from 35% to 50% of eligible expenses. The applicable percentage declines as adjusted gross income rises, but many households may qualify for a larger credit than under prior law. The increase can be as much as $900 for taxpayers with two or more qualifying persons.

In general, the CDCTC is available for all filing statuses except married filing separately (MFS). However, MFS filers may qualify if they meet special requirements, including filing separately, maintaining a home for a qualifying person for more than half the year, paying more than half the cost of maintaining the home, and not living with their spouse during the last six months of the year. To claim the credit, you must provide information about both the care recipient and care provider on your tax return. A tax professional can help you determine whether you are eligible for the CDCTC, and if so, help you meet the reporting requirements to claim the largest possible credit.

09/14/2026

Tax Rules for Scholarships, Grants and Fellowships - Did You Know?

Common questions about education expenses relate to whether scholarships, fellowships and grants constitute taxable income. These awards are generally tax-exempt when received by a degree candidate at an eligible educational institution and used for qualified education expenses, including tuition, required enrollment fees, and required course-related books, supplies and equipment.

However, taxes may apply to funds used for nonqualified expenses like housing, food, travel and optional equipment. Fellowships that carry a work requirement, such as serving as a teaching assistant, are generally taxable compensation to the extent they represent payment for teaching, research or other required services, subject to limited exceptions.

The educational institution or scholarship provider should provide you with detailed information about the potential taxability of funds. By reviewing that information with you, a tax professional can help you maximize both tax benefits and peace of mind.

09/10/2026

Sept. 9, 2026

Issue Number: Tax Tip 2026-68
Taxpayers have the right to retain representation

When working with the IRS, all taxpayers have the right to retain an authorized representative of their choice to act on their behalf. For taxpayers who can’t afford representation, they have the right to seek assistance from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. This is one of the ten fundamental rights of all taxpayers in the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

What taxpayers can expect:

Taxpayers may select someone to represent them in an interview. This could be an attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled agent.
Any attorney, CPA, enrolled agent, enrolled actuary or other person permitted to represent a taxpayer before the IRS, who's not disbarred or suspended from practice before the IRS, may submit a written power of attorney to represent a taxpayer before the IRS.
Taxpayers who retain representation don't have to attend with their representative unless the IRS formally summons them to appear.
In most situations, the IRS must suspend an interview if the taxpayer requests to consult with a representative.
Taxpayers have the right to seek assistance from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic if they can't afford representation. They can find a LITC near them by visiting the Low Income Taxpayer Clinics page or by calling the IRS toll-free at 800-829-3676.
LITCs are independent from the IRS and the Taxpayer Advocate Service. These clinics represent individuals whose income is below a certain level and who need to resolve tax problems with the IRS. LITCs can represent taxpayers in audits, appeals and tax collection disputes before the IRS and in court. In addition, LITCs can provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language. Services are offered for free or for a small fee.

Pay your taxes. Get your refund status. Find IRS forms and answers to tax questions. We help you understand and meet your federal tax responsibilities.

09/10/2026

IRS reminder: Direct Pay offers free, easy way to pay taxes

IR-2026-109, Sept.10, 2026

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers who have bank accounts that Direct Pay offers a free, secure way to pay federal taxes directly from a checking or savings account.

Direct Pay is available on IRS.gov and allows taxpayers to make one-time payments from their bank account without signing in or paying fees. Taxpayers answer a few basic questions to verify their identity, and no registration is required. For individual payments, Direct Pay uses information from a prior-year tax return selected by the taxpayer. For business payments, Direct Pay verifies the business name and employer identification number (EIN) against IRS records.

"As the IRS continues to support the broader federal effort to modernize payments to and from the government, Direct Pay gives taxpayers a free, secure, and convenient way to pay directly from a bank account,” said IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano. "This is part of our ongoing effort to make it easier for taxpayers to interact with the IRS and take care of their tax responsibilities online.

Taxpayers can use Direct Pay for individual tax payments, including balance due payments, estimated tax payments, amended return payments, extension payments, and other federal income tax payments. If taxpayers are married and file jointly, they must enter information for the spouse whose name is listed first on the tax return when they make their payment. Business taxpayers can use Direct Pay to make balance due payments, federal tax deposits, and other federal tax payments.

With Direct Pay, taxpayers can quickly handle many common payment tasks online and choose the payment date that works best for them. Direct Pay allows taxpayers to:

Make a same-day payment or schedule a payment up to 365 days in advance.
Receive a confirmation number and the option for email confirmation.
Change or cancel a scheduled payment up to two business days before the payment date.
Pay directly from a U.S. financial institution using bank routing and account numbers'
Direct Pay cannot be used to receive tax refunds by direct deposit. Taxpayers who have never filed a tax return, or who have not filed in more than six years, may need to use another payment option.

Each Direct Pay payment must be less than $10 million. Taxpayers who need to make payment of $10 million or more can use a same-day wire or the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), if they are already enrolled.

To make a payment, taxpayers can visit Direct Pay with bank account and select “Pay individual tax” or “Pay business tax.” Before making a payment, taxpayers must verify their identity by providing individual or business information. For more information about payment types, scheduling, confirmation numbers, and other payment options, visit Direct Pay Help.

Pay your taxes. Get your refund status. Find IRS forms and answers to tax questions. We help you understand and meet your federal tax responsibilities.

09/08/2026

Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments - Reminder

If you are making quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS, the due date for the June 1 - August 31, 2026 payment period is coming up next week on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

For payments made using IRS Direct Pay, you can make payments until 11:45 p.m. ET on the due date. Debit and credit card payments may also be made online through an IRS-approved payment processor.

09/02/2026

Keeping abreast of tax laws and changes is not just seasonal. At least this forum is in Orlando. However no time to visit Mickey.

09/01/2026

Educator Classroom Expense Deduction – Did You Know?

Eligible K-12 teachers, instructors, counselors, principals and aides who pay for classroom supplies out of pocket may deduct up to $350 of qualifying expenses per year. Married couples filing jointly who are both eligible educators may deduct up to $350 each, for a combined maximum of $700.

You do not need to itemize deductions to claim this deduction. Be sure to keep receipts and other records for any classroom expenses you plan to deduct.

08/24/2026

Major Higher Education Tax Credits Now Require Valid SSN – Did You Know?

The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) and Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) help many Americans pay for higher education. For eligible students pursuing a degree or other recognized credential, the AOTC can cover up to $2,500 in tuition, required school fees and certain course materials per year. Meanwhile, the LLC can offset up to $2,000 per tax return for qualified education expenses for eligible students taking higher education courses for a variety of reasons.

Beginning with tax year 2026, the taxpayer claiming either the AOTC or LLC (and spouse, if filing jointly) must have a Social Security number (SSN) valid for work in the United States that was issued before the due date of the tax return, including extensions. If the eligible student is not the person claiming the credit (for example, if the student is that person's dependent or spouse), then the student must also have a valid SSN issued by that deadline. Other qualification requirements, such as income limits, remain in effect. A tax professional can help you determine whether the higher education expenses you pay for yourself, your spouse or a dependent qualify for a tax benefit.