ZAJ Accounting Services

10/13/2026

🚗 2026 Tax Update: The Standard Mileage Rates

The IRS mileage rates for 2026 are:

January 1–June 30
• 72.5¢ per mile for business use
• 20.5¢ per mile for qualifying medical or moving purposes
• 14¢ per mile for charitable driving

July 1–December 31
• 76¢ per mile for business use
• 23.5¢ per mile for qualifying medical or moving purposes
• 14¢ per mile for charitable driving

The rate alone doesn’t guarantee a deduction. You must qualify for the deduction and keep records showing the date, destination, purpose and miles driven.

Business owners: Your normal commute is generally not deductible business mileage.

Taxpayers: Medical mileage is subject to the medical-expense deduction rules, moving mileage is limited to certain eligible taxpayers, and charitable mileage must be connected to service for a qualified organization.

Don’t wait until tax time to recreate your mileage. Start keeping your log now.

10/06/2026

📌 2026 Tax Update: Charitable Donations

Beginning with the 2026 tax year, you may be able to deduct up to $1,000 in qualifying cash donations—or $2,000 if married filing jointly—even if you don’t itemize deductions.

But the donation must be made to a qualified charitable organization. Donations made directly to individuals or personal fundraising accounts generally don’t qualify.

You must keep a bank record or written receipt showing:

• The organization’s name
• The date of the donation
• The amount donated

And if your contribution is $250 or more, you’ll need a written acknowledgment from the organization.

Save those donation receipts now so you’re not searching for them when it’s time to file.

Follow for more 2026 tax updates.

10/02/2026

We share important tax deadlines each month so you can stay on top of them and avoid unnecessary penalties.

Follow to stay informed.

10/01/2026

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Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter for upcoming tax deadlines, helpful tax tips and information to help you stay ahead of your tax responsibilities.

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09/19/2026

🌟 Exciting news for entrepreneurs and small biz owners ready to take control of their finances!

Meet the QuickBooks Online Beginner’s Guide!🌟

Your go-to resource for making QuickBooks Online easy, stress-free, and manageable.

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Here’s what’s inside:

✅ Simple, step-by-step setup guide
✅ Time-saving bookkeeping tips
✅ How to make the most of QuickBooks tools
✅ Expert advice to boost your financial confidence
✅ Bonus guides & more!

Grab your copy today and get your finances in order!

https://zajaccountingservices.kit.com/products/quick-books-online-beginners-guide

09/19/2026

This is one of those tax responsibilities that social media doesn’t talk about when they tell you to start a business.

You need to understand how taxes work when you’re self-employed, how much you should be setting aside, and when you’re responsible for paying them.

Because making money is one thing. Keeping yourself from being surprised by the tax bill is another.

09/15/2026

Your side hustle may be bringing in more money—but it could also be quietly creating a tax bill you’re not prepared for.

When you’re self-employed, taxes aren’t automatically withheld from the income you earn. You’re responsible for estimating and paying those taxes throughout the year.

If you wait until you file your return, you could end up with a large tax bill—and possibly an underpayment penalty.

In my latest blog, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about estimated taxes, including who needs to pay, how much to pay, when payments are due, and how to make them.

Read the full article here:

Estimated taxes can catch new business owners off guard. Learn who needs to pay them, when payments are due, how to calculate what you owe, how to pay, and what happens if you don’t pay enough throughout the year.

09/11/2026

🚨 FRAUD ALERT: That IRS letter about your cryptocurrency may be fake.

Scammers are mailing letters that look like they came from the IRS. The letters include a QR code directing taxpayers to register for a so-called “Digital Asset Compliance Portal.”

That portal does not exist, and the IRS did not send these letters.

The fake website may ask for your:

▪️ Personal information
▪️ Cryptocurrency wallet information
▪️ Exchange account login credentials
▪️ Other sensitive financial information

If you receive one of these letters, do not respond, do not scan the QR code and do not enter any information.

Before responding to a suspicious IRS notice, verify it through your IRS Online Account or visit IRS.gov/scams.

When in doubt, stop and verify before giving anyone access to your personal or financial information.

09/01/2026

September tax deadlines are coming up! 📅 Save this so you don’t miss an important date. 👀