MB Certified Public Accountant

Does your business provide complimentary on-site food and beverages for employees? The rules for deducting certain business meals have changed. Beginning in 2026, employers generally can’t deduct 1) meals treated as de minimis fringe benefits, or 2) employer-provided meals that are excludable from an employee’s income and provided for the employer’s convenience on business premises. For the 2025 tax year, generally the former were 100% deductible and the latter were 50% deductible. Contact us at (347) 552-7794 to discuss whether this change will affect your company and how to plan accordingly.

Maintaining healthy operating cash flow helps drive your company’s success. But accomplishing this objective isn’t always easy. One practical approach is to speed up customer payments while carefully managing the timing of your own bills. Prudently shortening your cash conversion cycle can improve liquidity and give your business greater financial flexibility. Please call us at (347) 552-7794 for help identifying opportunities to strengthen your cash position and keep your business moving in the right direction.

Beginning July 4, 2026, parents, grandparents and others can contribute to Trump Accounts (TAs) for the benefit of eligible children. Certain children born 2025–2028 may also qualify for a $1,000 starter deposit from the federal government. TA contributions are generally limited to $5,000 per year (not counting the government deposit) and aren’t tax deductible. But earnings grow tax-deferred. At age 18, the TA will become a traditional IRA. For education goals, options like 529 plans may be better, because qualified education withdrawals are tax-free. Contact us at (347) 552-7794 to discuss what fits your family.

Fringe benefits offer multiple business advantages. They can boost morale, attract and retain top talent, and qualify for potential tax breaks. That’s why it’s smart to review which ones you sponsor and what you may be missing. Of course, you don’t want to spend time and resources sponsoring benefits your employees don’t value. And you must follow specific rules and documentation requirements to be eligible for tax-advantaged treatment. Contact us at (347) 552-7794 for help choosing the right fringe benefits for your business and managing the tax impact.

The IRS has issued final regulations on the tax deduction for qualified cash tips. The legislation commonly known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” created the deduction of up to $25,000 per year for 2025 through 2028. Qualified tips generally refer to cash tips received by an individual in an occupation that “customarily and regularly” received tips on or before Dec. 31, 2024. The final regs list more than 70 eligible occupations. In addition to occupations previously listed in the proposed regs, the final regs add visual artists, floral designers and gas pump attendants. The final regs also provide clarifications to the definition of a qualified cash tip. For more details, call us at (347) 552-7794.

An estate plan helps ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes. It also can minimize taxes, safeguard your minor children and support your charitable goals. If you haven’t reviewed your estate plan recently, call us at (347) 552-7794. We can help assess whether revisions are needed due to tax law changes or a major life event. If you don’t have an estate plan yet, we can help you get started.

If you have unfiled tax returns, getting back on track may be easier than you think. But the longer you wait, the more costly it becomes. The IRS charges a failure-to-file penalty of 5% per month (up to 25%) of the unpaid tax. There’s also a separate failure-to-pay penalty of 0.5% per month (up to 25%) of the unpaid tax. If both apply in the same month, the combined penalty is generally 5% per month. Returns over 60 days late are subject to a minimum penalty. Filing, even if you can’t pay in full, can reduce penalties and open the door to payment plans or other relief options. Call us at (347) 552-7794 for help.

Every business deserves an advisor who understands its goals and challenges. Our client-first approach combines responsive service with a comprehensive understanding of the latest tax, accounting and regulatory developments. Let’s explore strategies that help your business manage risks, seize opportunities and grow. Call us at (347) 552-7794 to get started.

The Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) program offers tax breaks on capital gains from eligible long-term investments in designated low-income and rural communities. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act made the QOZ program permanent and established a new 10-year designation cycle. The IRS has issued guidance on how to nominate population census tracts for designation as QOZs. The next round of QOZs will be effective from Jan. 1, 2027, to Dec. 31, 2036. Generally, state and territory governors can begin nominating eligible census tracts for QOZ designation on July 1, 2026. The nomination period lasts 90 days, with the option of a single 30-day extension. Contact us at (347) 552-7794 with any questions about QOZ tax breaks.

If the IRS audits your income tax return, you may need to produce documentation. In general, the IRS has three years to assess additional tax, starting from the date the return was filed or due, whichever is later. For example, if you filed your 2022 return by the April 18 deadline in 2023, the IRS generally has until April 18, 2026, to assess a tax deficiency. So you potentially can discard records related to that return after April 2026. But records should be held longer in certain situations. And you should keep copies of your returns forever. Call us at (347) 552-7794 with questions.

Your 2025 individual income tax return can provide a treasure trove of tax-planning ideas for 2026. We can dig into your 1040 and uncover potential strategies you can implement this year to reduce your 2026 taxes. We also can assist with filing extended 2025 returns. Call us at (347) 552-7794 to set up an appointment.