In this episode:

• A practical look at proposed IRS reform and why better customer service, clearer appeals rights, and stronger taxpayer advocacy matter to everyday taxpayers and business owners.
• A timely reminder about April tax deadlines, including the difference between an extension to file and an extension to pay.
• What taxpayers should know about the IRS shift away from paper checks, and how that could affect refunds, estimates, and tax payments.
• A candid discussion about what happens when you owe the IRS, including payment plan options, costly mistakes, and why tax planning matters more than panic.
• Easy-to-follow insights on gift and estate planning strategies, including annual gifting rules and key filing requirements families often miss.
• A useful overview of charitable giving strategies through IRAs and how they may benefit certain taxpayers.
• Important filing issues that can come up after the death of a spouse, including deadlines and portability considerations.
• Common audit triggers, popular tax scams, and the kinds of "too good to be true" tax advice business owners should avoid.

In this episode:

• A little-known tax opportunity involving long-term care costs that can significantly reduce taxable income if handled correctly

• Why medical expense deductions aren't as straightforward as people think, and how thresholds and documentation come into play

• The real story behind deducting vehicles for business use, including where people tend to overestimate what they can write off

• How newer depreciation rules and limits impact big purchases, especially vehicles and equipment

• Key deadlines and elections business owners often miss, and how those timing decisions can affect taxes

• A candid look at how artificial intelligence is rapidly changing accounting, bookkeeping, and financial reporting

• Practical ways firms are already using AI to save time, improve accuracy, and streamline client work

• What business owners should expect as technology becomes more embedded in financial operations, whether they like it or not

• A shift toward more modern, digital client experiences, including changes to billing and payment processes

In this episode:

• Why tax season gets significantly more intense in March, and why accountants push for earlier deadlines to ensure returns are accurate and thoroughly reviewed.

• How accounting firms stay engaged in their communities even during the busiest time of year, including charitable initiatives and local philanthropy.

• A lesser-known tax rule affecting investments in physical gold and silver, and why these assets are taxed differently than many other investments.

• Planning strategies involving IRAs, including how charitable distributions can reduce taxable income while supporting causes you care about.

• What beneficiaries need to know about Required Minimum Distributions after inheriting an IRA, and the potential tax consequences of missing them.

• A detail many business owners overlook about tip deductions for self-employed individuals and why proper reporting matters.

• A recent change to the business interest deduction rules and how it may impact larger businesses starting in 2025.

• Important filing deadlines for businesses and partnerships during tax season, and why extensions are often part of a smart filing strategy.

• What really happens if taxes aren't paid on time, including how IRS interest works on both unpaid balances and delayed refunds.

In this episode:

• What the expanded SALT deduction really means, and how income limits and payment timing can impact your 2025–2029 strategy.

• New charitable contribution limits in 2026 and smart planning moves high earners should consider now.

• How itemized deductions and education credits are shifting, including common (and costly) mistakes to avoid

• Real IRS court cases entrepreneurs can learn from: innocent spouse relief, attorney fee limits, and conservation easement scrutiny.

• Why setting up an IRS online account matters and what IRS budget cuts and new whistleblower rules signal for enforcement going forward.

In this episode:

• Detailed insight into the new $6,000 Senior Deduction for taxpayers age 65+, including income phaseouts and confusion around Social Security taxability.

• A look at the proposed depreciation of primary residences, a radical idea never seriously floated in prior administrations.

• Update on student loan garnishments: 2025 refunds will not be seized for defaults, offering temporary relief to millions.

• Confirmation that military housing dividend checks ($1,776) are non-taxable.

• New installment option for taxes on the sale of qualified farmland to other farmers, under strict use restrictions and the new Section 1062.

• Tax implications of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) income for college athletes, including federal taxability and potential self-employment tax.

• Discussion on IRS readiness issues: 2M+ unprocessed returns, phone line service drops, and staffing shortfalls.

• Urgent heads-up: IRS is now using processing date—not postmark date—for paper filings, emphasizing the importance of e-filing or certified mail.

In this episode:

• IRS electronic filing systems are closed until January 26, delaying returns and refunds.

• Some state tax forms won't be ready for filing until late February.

• IRS staffing shortages are causing longer response times across the board.

• Paper filing and paper checks are being phased out in favor of electronic methods.

• New deductions and credits under recent legislation may increase refund amounts.

• Employers must follow updated guidance when reporting 2025 overtime on W-2s.

• Identity theft during tax season is increasing; IRS Identity Protection PINs can help.

• New rules impact charitable donations of non-cash items and vehicle contributions.

• A proposed bill could increase the capital gains exclusion on home sales.

• E-filing and online payments are now required for many taxpayers and businesses.

• Extensions are common and often necessary when waiting on corrected or delayed tax documents.

• Form 1099 filing must be completed by January 31, with e-filing required if over 10 forms are issued.

In this episode:

• Why "goals" beat New Year's resolutions (and how business owners can take that mindset into tax season).

• A rundown of 2026 tax law changes that matter most for business owners—especially those involving deductions, 1099s, and retirement contributions.

• Proactive security and document exchange tips during tax season (and why SafeSend might be your new best friend).

• Key updates for employers: 1099 filing thresholds are changing, and new fringe benefit rules might affect your planning.

• Why HSAs and Roth 401(k) catch-ups are worth a closer look this year.

Diane Laird, Executive Director of the Downtown Dover Partnership (DDP), shares how Dover's revitalization has evolved from piecemeal, market-driven change to a coordinated, community-led transformation. With decades in interior design and urban policy, she explains how a master plan has brought together public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders under one vision.

Key projects like the Mobility Center and a mixed-use redevelopment of the old Acme site are already underway, backed by creative financing and strategic zoning changes. The DDP's new nonprofit, Capital City Transformation Alliance, will reinvest parking revenue directly into future improvements, an unusual and impactful move.

Diane also previews Winterfest 2026, a free downtown celebration with ice sculptures, food trucks, music, and more—all part of a broader effort to boost foot traffic, local pride, and small business success downtown.

In this episode:

• What Trump Accounts are, who qualifies, and why parents of young kids should pay attention in 2026.

• How the "no tax on tips/overtime" headlines are misleading and what employers need to prepare for now.

• Why hobby losses are red flags for the IRS, especially for side gigs that never turn a profit.

• A timely breakdown of gift tax rules, including how to move money to family members tax-free and when you do have to file something.

• Creative ways to give to charity, including donor-advised funds and how businesses can deduct donations as advertising.