John Friend and Company, PC

10/16/2026

10/16/2026

If you’re sending money abroad, beware of a possible 1% excise tax. This new tax generally applies to transfers of cash, money orders or cashier’s checks from U.S. senders to foreign recipients via certain remittance transfer providers such as Western Union and MoneyGram. But transfers made via credit or debit card, bank account transfer, or digital wallet aren’t subject to the excise tax. Essentially, the tax doesn’t apply to transfers from accounts in financial institutions subject to Bank Secrecy Act requirements or to credit or debit cards issued in the U.S. So to avoid the extra expense, consider using a card or ACH transfer from your own bank account. Contact us at (812) 473-3388 to learn more.

10/14/2026

If you disagree with an IRS decision, you may have more options than you realize. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights entitles taxpayers to a “fair and impartial administrative appeal” of most IRS decisions, including many penalties. The IRS Independent Office of Appeals is separate from the office that made the original determination and provides an impartial review of your case. You have the right to a written response explaining the Appeals decision. You may also have the right to take your case to court. Appeal deadlines can be strict, so act promptly. If you receive an IRS notice or disagree with a decision, call us at (812) 473-3388 to discuss your next steps.

10/13/2026

We’re more than just tax and accounting professionals. We’re your partners in business growth. Beyond preparing your tax returns and keeping your books in order, we can help you improve cash flow, safely plan for expansion and make smarter financial decisions. Let’s talk about how our advisory services can strengthen your strategic planning, streamline operations, and uncover new opportunities for long-term growth and success. Call us today at (812) 473-3388 to schedule a consultation.

10/12/2026

Good news: IRS penalty relief just got easier for many individuals and businesses. The new Automatic Exemption from Penalty (AEP) process may provide automatic relief from certain failure-to-file, failure-to-pay and failure-to-deposit penalties if you’ve filed returns and paid federal taxes on time for the previous three years (or 12 consecutive quarters for quarterly returns). You must still pay any tax and interest due. AEP will replace First Time Abate relief for eligible returns with original due dates on or after Jan. 1, 2027. During the transition, some eligible taxpayers may still receive penalty notices. Contact us at (812) 473-3388 to determine whether you qualify for AEP or other penalty relief.

10/09/2026

Cryptocurrency holders: Be alert for a new IRS impersonation scam. Fraudsters are mailing fake IRS letters directing recipients to a bogus “Digital Asset Compliance Portal.” The letters instruct recipients to scan a QR code that leads to a fraudulent website designed to look like IRS.gov. The site may ask for personal information, cryptocurrency wallet details, or exchange account credentials that criminals can use to steal identities or digital assets. If you receive one of these letters, don’t respond. Report any suspicious communication to the IRS immediately. If you have questions about an IRS notice or digital asset reporting, we’re here to help. Contact us at (812) 473-3388.

10/07/2026

Do you donate thousands of dollars to charity each year? Do you miss out on the itemized charitable deduction because you don’t have enough total itemized deductions to exceed your standard deduction? Consider “bunching” most of your donations into alternating years. By combining two years of gifts into one year, you may push your itemized deductions above your standard deduction and get a greater tax benefit from your charitable giving — even with the new deduction for nonitemizers starting in 2026. Contact us at (812) 473-3388 for help determining if you can benefit from this strategy.

10/06/2026

The IRS says you’re deceased, but you’re very much alive. It sounds unbelievable, but this unusual situation can happen when an incorrect Social Security number (SSN) is entered on your tax return or when Social Security Administration (SSA) records mistakenly indicate that you or your spouse have died. If you receive IRS Notice CP01H, verify that the SSN on the return in question matches your Social Security card. If it does, contact the SSA to see whether its records need to be corrected. Then follow the notice instructions to unlock your IRS account. Call us at (812) 473-3388 for help resolving this issue promptly.

10/05/2026

Giving away assets during your life can reduce the size of your taxable estate. One option is to pay someone’s tuition or medical expenses. Such payments can be gift-tax-free — but only if you make them directly to a qualifying educational institution or medical provider. (Advancing the funds to a loved one or reimbursing previously paid expenses doesn’t count.) Unlike making gifts under the gift tax annual exclusion ($19,000 per recipient for 2026), there’s no limit on the amount of tuition or medical expenses you can pay tax-free. Call us at (812) 473-3388 to learn more about lifetime gifts.

10/02/2026

Employers: The IRS recently updated its FAQs on the qualified overtime pay tax deduction for employees created in 2025. The guidance provides new details on how you must identify, calculate and report qualified overtime income. For example, it clarifies that only FLSA-mandated overtime premiums qualify, notifies employers that separate reporting on Forms W-2 is required beginning in 2026, and confirms that overtime pay remains subject to federal income tax withholding. These changes may call for payroll system updates and a closer review of employee classifications and overtime practices. Call us for help preparing for the new requirements.