With summer vacations and school breaks around the corner, many parents are turning to day camps to keep their children active and supervised. Under the updated 2026 tax laws—specifically the provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA)—those camp expenses could lead to a significantly higher tax credit than in previous years.
How IRS Tax Debt Affects Your Passport Under the FAST Act
Under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, the IRS has the authority to certify individuals with “seriously delinquent tax debts” to the State Department. This certification can lead to the denial of a passport application or renewal and, in some cases, the revocation of an existing passport.
Navigating the June 15 Deadline for Americans Abroad
If you live or work outside the United States, your tax obligations remain largely the same as those of U.S. citizens, including for dual citizens. However, the IRS recognizes the unique challenges of filing from overseas by granting an automatic two-month extension. For the 2026 tax season, your federal income tax return and any tax due must be submitted by June 15, 2026.
More Entities Gain Access to IRS Business Tax Account
The IRS has announced an expansion of its Business Tax Account (BTA), making the self-service platform available to partnerships, tax-exempt organizations, federal, state, and local governments, and Indian tribal governments.
How Hiring Your Child This Summer Can Reduce Taxes
The wages you pay your child are generally deductible as a business expense. For your child’s income tax purposes, wages received will be at least partially protected from federal income tax by his or her standard deduction. Any wages in excess of the standard deduction generally will be taxed at your child’s marginal rate, likely only 10%. So this strategy can reduce your family’s overall income tax liability.
Fiscal vs Calendar Year: What’s Best for Your Business?
Quick Summary
Choosing a fiscal year instead of a calendar year can improve financial clarity, align reporting with your business cycle, and reduce year-end workload. It’s especially useful for seasonal businesses or those with uneven revenue patterns, but it may require IRS approval and changes to tax filing deadlines.
Should You Separate Business and Property Ownership?
Does your business own its real estate in a separate holding company, such as a limited liability company (LLC) or limited partnership? This practice can provide several advantages, including shielding property from your company’s creditors. It can also ease estate planning if, for example, you want to transfer business interests to your children while retaining ownership of the real estate. In addition, there are good tax reasons to separate the two. Let’s take a look.
Why You May Want a Roth Account in Your Retirement Plan
If you already contribute pre-tax dollars to a traditional 401(k) plan or IRA, you may also want to contribute to a Roth version. You’ll forgo tax savings now because Roth contributions are made with after-tax dollars. But diversifying retirement contributions across account types can help lower income tax bills later.
Are College Scholarships Really Tax-Free?
Generally, scholarships received by degree candidates are tax-free to the extent they’re used for qualified tuition and related expenses. These include tuition, mandatory fees, and required books, supplies, and equipment.
2026 Business Mileage Rate Gets a Boost
Are you a business owner or self-employed? Do you drive for business purposes? If so, you’ll be happy to know that the IRS’s standard mileage rate for business driving in 2026 is 72.5 cents per mile (up from 70 cents in 2025).