DLH Tax Services

09/22/2026

October 15 is coming — and an extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay.

Form 4868 usually buys filing time. Tax that was due April 15 still accrues interest from then. Filing on time by October 15 protects you from the steeper failure-to-file path even if you still need a payment plan.

Confirm your extension. Gather docs. Pay what you can. Open every IRS letter.

We help with extended returns and IRS representation when collection notices arrive.



Tax problems? We handle IRS representation.
www.dlhtax.com

09/14/2026

Open enrollment is coming — and a lot of solo operators overpay because the premium write-off lands on the wrong line.

Self-employed health insurance usually belongs on Schedule 1, line 17 — not Schedule C.

Above-the-line. Lowers AGI. Does not cut SE tax.

Employer-plan eligibility months are off-limits. Keep premium statements handy.

We handle tax prep and IRS representation — and we catch line-placement misses like this.

Learn more at www.dlhtax.com

Educational only. Serving clients nationwide through a secure online process.

09/11/2026

Quick reality check:

If you get paid as a creator, contractor, tradesperson, or Schedule C business — and no Form 1099-NEC shows up for a 2026 payment under $2,000 — that money can still be taxable business income.

What changed: for payments made in 2026, the Form 1099-NEC threshold rises from $600 to $2,000 (per IRS guidance).

What did NOT change: income is still income. Fewer forms ≠ free money.

Our team's simple habit list:
• Track deposits and invoices all year
• Collect W-9s if you pay others
• Do not wait for a form to decide what belongs on the return

Learn more with us at www.dlhtax.com

Educational only (soft Circular 230). Serving clients nationwide through a secure online process.

09/11/2026

No tax on tips sounds simple. Schedule 1-A is pickier than the slogan.

Three rules:
• Occupation on the IRS tipped-occupations list
• Real voluntary tips only (not automatic service charges)
• Reported on a W-2, 1099, or Form 4137

Separate tip totals from base pay now — before March scramble.

Learn more at www.dlhtax.com

Educational only. Serving clients nationwide through a secure online process.

09/04/2026

Monday Reminder: Safe Harbor, SE Tax & Where to Pay

DLH Tax Services

Monday, September 15, 2026, is the third 2026 federal estimated tax installment date under Form 1040-ES. This is a short weekend-before checklist—not a redo of our earlier Sept. 15 overview.

Safe harbor refresh. To help avoid an underpayment penalty, your 2026 withholding plus estimated payments generally need to total the smaller of: 90% of your 2026 tax, or 100% of the tax shown on your 2025 return (110% if your 2025 AGI was more than $150,000—or $75,000 if married filing separately for 2026). Special rules apply for farming and fishing income. If you expect to owe less than $1,000 after withholding and refundable credits, you may not need estimated payments at all.

Self-employment tax rides along. If you’re self-employed, your quarterly estimated payment is typically how you cover both income tax and self-employment (Social Security and Medicare) tax—there’s no employer withholding those amounts for you.

Where to pay. Convenient options include IRS Direct Pay from a bank account at no cost, EFTPS, your IRS Online Account, the IRS2Go app, a credit/debit card or digital wallet, or a Form 1040-ES voucher by mail. Select 1040-ES / estimated tax as the reason for payment.

Same calendar day, separate duty. For calendar-year S corporations and partnerships that filed a timely extension, September 15 is also the extended filing date for Form 1120-S and Form 1065. Entity filing and your personal estimated tax payment are two different obligations that simply share a due date.

This is general information only—not personal tax advice. Individual facts and circumstances matter, and outcomes are never guaranteed.

DLH Tax Services
Nationwide virtual | Florida

Sources: IRS Form 1040-ES (2026); IRS Estimated Tax FAQs (irs.gov/faqs/estimated-tax); IRS.gov/Payments; IRS Self-Employed Individuals Tax Center.

09/04/2026

Your 2026 Mileage Log Needs Two Rates, Not One

DLH Tax Services

If you drive for work, check July. The IRS almost never changes the standard mileage rate in the middle of a year. It did this summer.

2026 has two official business rates:

• January 1 through June 30: 72.5 cents a mile
• July 1 through December 31: 76 cents a mile

Last year was simpler: 70 cents for all of 2025. Using one number for the whole year, or last year’s 70 cents, understates legal business miles from July forward. Parking and tolls on business trips still stack on top of the standard rate.

The July increase is in IRS Announcement 2026-11, after fuel prices rose. The charitable rate did not move. It is still 14 cents, set by statute. Do not use that 14 cents for gig or client trips.

Split the log at July 1. Note the date, where you went, why it was for the business, and the miles. That is the whole habit. Same method, two rates. Get it right now and next spring is easier.

This is for people who actually drive for a trade: creators heading to a shoot, freelancers meeting a client, S-corp owners using a personal car, delivery and rideshare. W-2 commuting miles stay personal.

DLH Tax Services
Nationwide virtual | Florida

Sources: IRS standard mileage rates table; Notice 2026-10; Announcement 2026-11 (IRB 2026-29); Publication 463; IRS Topic 510.

09/01/2026

Labor Day is behind us. Next date on the IRS calendar: Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

That is the third 2026 estimated-tax payment for individuals — Form 1040-ES. It covers income from June 1 through August 31. If you work for yourself, or you take a K-1 from a partnership or S corporation, and you expect to owe $1,000 or more after withholding, this one is yours.

A 2026 rule worth knowing: you can avoid the underpayment penalty by paying the smaller of 90% of this year’s tax or 100% of last year’s tax (110% if 2025 AGI was over $150,000; $75,000 if married filing separately for 2026). You do not have to predict 2026 to the dollar. Source: IRS Form 1040-ES (2026).

Pay at IRS.gov/Payments. Use tax year 2026 and Form 1040-ES.

DLH Tax Services — Florida, clients nationwide.

DLH Tax Services

08/28/2026

They said the 20% small-business deduction expired. It didn’t.

If you 1099, make content, or run an S-corp, that old “it dies after 2025” line is still floating around. The qualified business income deduction is still law. 20% of qualified business income, 2026 included.

Skipped it last year because you thought it was gone? Worth another look. Planning this year like it vanished? Don’t.

It helps on income tax. It does not touch the 15.3% self-employment tax. Different tax.

DLH Tax Services — Florida, clients nationwide.

01/17/2026

🚨 Tax Season 2026 Alert: Key Changes for Your 2025 Taxes! 🚨
Whether you’re advancing in your career, managing a home, supporting a family, or preparing for retirement, staying on top of tax updates is essential. With the One Big Beautiful Bill introducing significant shifts, here are the top three tax updates you need to know to maximize your return and avoid surprises. These changes could mean more money in your pocket, helping with everything from building savings to everyday expenses.
1 Expanded Child Tax Credit: Now up to $2,200 per qualifying child under 17 (increased from $2,000), this is a boost for parents. It phases in with earnings over $2,500 and starts phasing out at $200,000 for singles ($400,000 for joint filers). If you’re balancing work, childcare, and other costs, this could provide meaningful relief. 8 6 1
2 New Senior Deduction: Individuals 65 and older can claim an extra $6,000 deduction ($12,000 for married couples if both qualify), on top of the standard deduction. This starts phasing out at $75,000 for singles ($150,000 for joint filers). It’s designed to support those in retirement with added financial flexibility for healthcare, travel, or leisure. 0 3 6
3 Increased SALT Deduction Cap: The limit for deducting state and local taxes (like property or sales taxes) rises from $10,000 to $40,000 for filers earning up to $500,000 (with phaseouts above that). This is especially helpful for homeowners in high-tax areas dealing with property taxes or mortgages. 1 3 6
Bonus tip: The standard deduction has increased to $15,750 for singles and $31,500 for joint filers—simplifying filing for many without needing to itemize. 0 3
These updates can be complex to navigate amid a busy schedule, but at DLH Tax Services, our experts are equipped to tailor a plan that ensures you claim every benefit.
Don’t miss out—visit www.dlhtax.com today to connect with a tax professional and book your appointment! 📅

Stress-free professional tax prep: Personal. Protected. Specializing in individuals, self-employed, creators, freelancers, small businesses, S corps & C corps. Personalized expertise, max deductions, accurate returns & bigger refunds. Includes $1M audit protection + identity theft coverage FREE. Yea...