Patriots Tax & Accounting Service

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 (540) 412-5250 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 (540) 412-5250 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 (540) 412-5250 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 (540) 412-5250 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 (540) 412-5250.

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 (540) 412-5250. 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.