BDEM Services LLC

Gifts that consist of hard-to-value assets, such as interests in a closely held business, can be risky. A defined-value gift may help you avoid unexpected tax liabilities. A defined-value gift is a gift of assets that are valued at a specific dollar amount rather than a certain number of stock shares or a specified percentage of a business entity. Structured properly, a defined-value gift won’t trigger gift taxes down the road. The key to this strategy is that the defined-value language in the transfer document is drafted as a “formula” clause rather than an invalid “savings” clause. Call us at 347-229-9344 to learn more.

If you itemize deductions, you may be able to claim the medical expense deduction to the extent your eligible expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. This floor can be difficult to exceed, but “bunching” expenses into a single year instead of spreading them over two years can help. Of course, health comes first, so don’t delay essential care just to save taxes. Contact us at 347-229-9344 to discuss whether a bunching strategy could make sense for you.

For 2026, you generally can contribute up to $7,500 pretax to an employer-sponsored child and dependent care Flexible Spending Account (FSA). This $2,500 increase over the 2025 limit was part of the major tax legislation that was signed into law in 2025. An FSA pays or reimburses you for qualified child or dependent care expenses. (Your contributions will, however, reduce your qualified expenses for purposes of the child and dependent care tax credit.) Contact us at 347-229-9344 to learn more about tax breaks for families.

The IRS is reminding taxpayers of new deductions available this tax season. If you’re 65 or older, you potentially can claim an additional $6,000 deduction. Depending on your occupation, you may be able to deduct up to $25,000 in qualified tips. You may also be able to deduct up to $12,500 in qualified overtime ($25,000 if you’re married and file jointly). If you took out a vehicle loan in 2025, you possibly can deduct up to $10,000 in interest paid. But all these breaks are subject to additional rules, and they phase out when income exceeds applicable limits. If you’re eligible, you can claim these deductions whether you itemize or take the standard deduction. Contact us at 347-229-9344 with questions.

The IRS considers a paper return that’s due April 15 to be timely filed if it’s postmarked by midnight. Sounds straightforward, but let’s say you mail your return with a payment on April 15, and the envelope gets lost. You don’t figure this out and refile until a couple of months later. Despite your efforts to timely file and pay, you can still be hit with both failure-to-file and failure-to-pay penalties. One way to minimize this risk is to use certified or registered mail or an IRS-approved private delivery service. A better way is to work with a tax professional who’ll e-file your return and help ensure you claim every break you’re entitled to while staying compliant with tax law. Contact us at 347-229-9344 to start your 2025 return.

Have you considered an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) for your business? An ESOP is a form of qualified retirement plan. More specifically, it’s a profit-sharing plan that allows employees to own shares of their employer’s company and cash in those shares when they retire or otherwise leave their jobs. Many small to midsize businesses have implemented ESOPs because of their exciting advantages. But ESOPs do present some hurdles to clear. Please contact us at 347-229-9344 to learn more about whether an ESOP might be right for you.

The decision to itemize deductions or claim the standard deduction can have a big impact on your tax bill. With a higher standard deduction and itemized deductions more limited, many taxpayers who once benefited from itemizing have been better off taking the standard deduction. But the recent quadrupling of the deduction limit for state and local taxes could make itemizing worthwhile again for some. Not sure which is better for you? We can help. Call us at 347-229-9344.

Do you have an IRS Individual Online Account? If not, the IRS is encouraging you to create one. Taxpayers with an account can securely access their tax information online. Specifically, you can view your balance, make payments, set up payment plans, access tax records and review prior notices without waiting on hold or mailing forms. Plus, the account can help protect you from identity theft and fraud. Having an account can also help reduce errors and surprises by allowing you to monitor activity in real time and respond quickly if issues arise. See something in your account that concerns you? Call us at 347-229-9344 to discuss it.

A standard IRA makes an excellent retirement savings tool, so long as you’re satisfied with plain vanilla investments such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds. If your tastes run spicier, you might want to consider opening a self-directed traditional or Roth IRA. These vehicles offer similar tax benefits but also accept investments in closely held business interests, commodities, precious metals and real estate. Contact us at 347-229-9344 to learn more about the advantages (and a few risks) associated with self-directed IRAs.

One of the biggest challenges when buying a home is coming up with the down payment. But a traditional IRA can help. First-time homebuyers can usually withdraw up to $10,000 from their IRAs penalty-free. (Normally, withdrawals before age 59 1/2 are subject to a 10% penalty.) But there are several rules you must follow to qualify, as well as downsides to consider. And the timing of your withdrawal will be critical. Contact us at 347-229-9344 for more information.

We provide trusted guidance for both individuals and businesses. Our services include tax preparation and planning, bookkeeping and accounting, and compliance. For businesses, we also can support payroll, enhance cash-flow management and provide strategic growth planning. For individuals, we can advise on personal finance, retirement planning and estate planning. With our assistance, you can gain clarity, accuracy and confidence in every financial decision. Contact us at 347-229-9344 to learn more.

The IRS has published new FAQs on Executive Order 14247, which calls for eliminating paper checks to and from the IRS. This change is to reduce fraud, enhance security, lower costs and speed up processing. The IRS is encouraging taxpayers to provide banking information on their 2025 tax returns so it can issue refunds via direct deposit. For taxpayers without a bank account, options such as prepaid debit cards, digital wallets or limited exceptions to the “no paper checks” rule are available. If you owe tax, electronic payment methods are preferred, but the IRS will continue to accept mailed paper checks and money orders for now. Contact us at 347-229-9344 if you have any questions or concerns.