Bergeron-Banquer Accounting, Tax & Notary Services LLC

10/22/2026

IRS reminder: Take steps now to protect tax information

IR-2026-127, Oct. 22, 2026

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers to protect their information from tax-related identity theft by safeguarding their IRS online-account credentials and obtaining an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN).

“Protecting sensitive financial information is essential to preventing unauthorized users from accessing confidential tax information and IRS online services,” said IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano. “By safeguarding their online account credentials and obtaining an IP PIN, taxpayers can help stop tax-related identity theft, file their tax return with greater confidence, and know they have done what they can to protect themselves from bad actors.”

Access IRS Individual Online Account

After taxpayers verify their identity, they can securely access their IRS Individual Online Account to view tax information and complete certain tax-related tasks.

Taxpayers should not share their sign-in information with anyone. An online account may include sensitive information, such as recently filed returns, refund status, payments, tax records, notifications, and service requests.

Get an IP PIN

Taxpayers can also obtain an Identity Protection PIN to help prevent tax-related identity theft. An IP PIN is a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a federal tax return using another taxpayer’s Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN).

The IP PIN is known only to the taxpayer and the IRS. Taxpayers who do not already have one may request an IP PIN as a proactive step to protect themselves from tax-related identity theft. Taxpayers can obtain an IP PIN even if they are not required to file a federal tax return.

Taxpayers who plan to file early in 2027 should request an IP PIN before the online system becomes unavailable for annual maintenance in mid-November. The system is generally available again beginning in mid-January.

Taxpayers should protect their IP PIN and disclose it only to a trusted tax professional when they are ready to prepare and submit their federal tax return. The IRS will never call, email, text, or contact taxpayers through social media to request their IP PIN.

10/21/2026

🚚 On the road and wondering what tax deductions you may qualify for? From work-related travel expenses to other eligible business costs, understanding your deductions can help you keep more of your money. Learn what truck drivers should know before filing. https://bit.ly/4i4HGD2

10/20/2026

10/20/2026

Preventative measures is one way you can improve your data security. You can start with an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN). The IP PIN prevents someone else from filing tax returns using your Social Security Number (SSN). You can request one using your Online Account.

Keep identity thieves from haunting your at www.irs.gov/ippin.

10/04/2026

We are hiring for the 2026 tax season!
Position to begin training in December.
Must be proficient in QuickBooks online & desktop, as well as excel ( will be tested). This is a part-time to full-time position, and seasonal.
Do not call or message on Facebook.
Please send resume to:
[email protected]

09/21/2026

More than 14 million individual returns were temporarily held for additional IRS review during the 2026 filing season.

That doesn’t mean 14 million are still waiting today—but about 1.1 million refunds exceeded normal processing time, with an average delay of 5½ weeks.

Save this for the next “Where’s my refund?” conversation.

Disclaimer: This content is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, accounting, or financial advice. NSTP is not acting as your tax advisor. Please consult a qualified professional about your specific situation.

09/16/2026

A lot changed in federal taxes for 2026, and some of the most useful rules are easy to miss.

The standard deduction is now $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly. The federal estate tax exclusion is $15 million per person, and the annual gift exclusion stays at $19,000 per recipient.

Employees can defer up to $24,500 into most 401(k) plans in 2026, plus an $8,000 catch-up starting at age 50. People who turn 60 through 63 during the year may instead qualify for a special $11,250 catch-up.

One catch-up change starts this year. If your 2025 wages from the employer sponsoring your plan were over $150,000, your 2026 catch-up contributions generally have to be made as Roth, assuming the plan offers catch-ups.

People 65 and older may qualify for the enhanced $6,000 senior deduction for 2025 through 2028, or up to $12,000 for a couple where both spouses qualify. It begins phasing out above $75,000 of modified adjusted gross income for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers, and unlike the regular age-based standard deduction, you can claim it whether you itemize or not.

The SALT deduction cap rises to $40,400 for 2026, but it starts shrinking once MAGI passes $505,000. It cannot drop below $10,000.

Charitable giving gets a new rule too. Starting in 2026, people who take the standard deduction can deduct up to $1,000 of qualifying cash gifts, or $2,000 if married filing jointly.

529 plans became more flexible for K-12 costs. The annual limit doubled from $10,000 to $20,000 per beneficiary, and qualifying expenses now include certain tutoring, books, testing fees, dual-enrollment costs and educational therapies, not just tuition.

And one major retirement change arrives next year. Starting with 2027 contributions, the Saver's Credit becomes the Saver's Match, a federal deposit of up to 50% of the first $2,000 you contribute, or $1,000 per person, paid into your retirement account. The full match applies up to $41,000 of MAGI for joint filers and $20,500 for single filers, and it phases out completely at $71,000 and $35,500.

The tax code keeps adding rules where a small change in income, age or account type flips the result. The number alone is rarely enough. The qualification next to it matters just as much.

P.S. Once a week, I email the best money article I read, with my take on this week's top Facebook posts and what's new on the Ways to Wealth blog. It's free, and you can sign up on the Ways to Wealth home page.

R.J. Weiss, CFP®



The content shared here is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not personalized investment, tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult a licensed professional before making decisions based on your specific situation.

08/17/2026

Don’t fall for an impersonating scam urging users to enroll in a bogus "Digital Asset Compliance Portal." Learn more about tax scams at www.irs.gov/scams