Ben Briones CPA Inc.

If your C corporation traditionally makes deductible charitable gifts, make sure you know the rules for 2026 donations. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, corporations can only deduct charitable gifts in excess of 1% of the company’s taxable income, with a 10% of income cap. Amounts exceeding the 10% cap can be carried forward — as can amounts that aren’t currently deductible due to the 1% floor — for up to five years. You may want to execute a multiyear charitable deduction strategy if your company’s income varies from year to year. Contact us at (818) 920-0633. We can help by projecting income and other deductions so you can support your community while maximizing long-term tax benefits.

Accurate bookkeeping and timely accounting records provide the foundation for informed decisions throughout the year. When your books are current and reliable, it’s easier to manage cash flow, identify operational issues and jump on growth opportunities. Contact us at (818) 920-0633 for help streamlining your financial reporting processes and reducing year-end surprises.

If you have a traditional pension and are approaching retirement, get ready to make some decisions! Pension plans usually give retirees a choice between receiving payouts as a lump sum or an annuity. A lump-sum distribution allows you to invest the money as you see fit. Annuity payments can provide guaranteed income for life. Call us at (818) 920-0633 to discuss the costs, risks and advantages of each option.

Static budgets can quickly fall out of sync with reality in today’s volatile markets. Rolling forecasts offer a smarter, more flexible approach, updating your projections throughout the year to reflect real-time changes in your business, industry and market. They complement your annual budget and help you make better decisions, faster. Want to improve your forecasting and budgeting? Let’s talk. Call us at (818) 920-0633.

If you’re getting married, or were recently married, congratulations! Taxes are likely the furthest from your mind, but there are a few tax-related chores you need to consider. For example, next year, for 2026, you’ll be filing your first tax return as a married person. That could affect the amount of tax you should have withheld from your paycheck. Use the IRS Withholding Estimator to check. Then provide your employer with a new Form W-4. If your last name has changed, notify the Social Security Administration, which will inform the IRS. You and your new spouse should also review financial accounts, insurance coverage, estate plans and tax strategies. We can help. Contact us at (818) 920-0633.

If you’re thinking about financing a new vehicle, you may be able to deduct up to $10,000 per year of interest paid. The deduction is available for certain personal auto loans originated after Dec. 31, 2024 — even if you don’t itemize deductions. Modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) limits apply, and only qualifying vehicles assembled in the U.S. are eligible. Before purchasing, consider whether eligibility for the deduction should factor into your vehicle choice. We can help run the numbers. Call us at (818) 920-0633.

If you were born in 1960 or later, you can start taking “full” Social Security benefits when you turn age 67. But should you? It may depend on your health, retirement income and other factors. If possible, try to delay taking benefits until you’re age 70, when you’ll receive larger monthly payments. In fact, benefits increase by 8% each year you delay taking them! For more about Social Security and funding your retirement, call us at (818) 920-0633.

One of the easiest ways to reduce the size of your taxable estate is to take advantage of your gift tax annual exclusion. For 2026, you can transfer up to $19,000 per recipient gift-tax-free. And you can double the exclusion to $38,000 per recipient if you split the gifts with your spouse. But it’s critical to understand the rules of gift-splitting to avoid unintended tax consequences. To elect to split gifts, the spouse making the gift must file a gift tax return, and the other spouse must consent by checking a box on the return and signing it. Contact us at (818) 920-0633 for additional details.

Home renovations can improve a residence’s comfort, functionality, aesthetics and resale value. They might also provide tax benefits. You may be able to deduct mortgage interest on debt used to substantially improve your home. Certain improvements can also increase your tax basis, potentially reducing taxable gain when you sell. Medically necessary modifications may qualify as deductible medical expenses, subject to limits. And if you overlooked claiming now-expired credits for qualifying energy-efficient home improvements you made in 2025, an amended return may be worth considering. Call us at (818) 920-0633 to talk taxes before or after a home renovation.

Avoid underpayment penalties by staying on top of estimated tax payments and paycheck withholding. If you expect to owe at least $1,000 in taxes after subtracting credits and withholding, quarterly estimated payments may be required. Withholding and estimated payments must generally cover 90% of this year’s tax or 100% of last year’s tax (or 110%, depending on your income). Unsure if you’re on track? Let’s review your situation now to help avoid surprises when you file your 2026 return next year. Call us at (818) 920-0633.