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Update on the First-Year Depreciation Tax Rules for Businesses

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) included favorable changes to the federal income tax rules for depreciating business assets. There are annual inflation adjustments to keep track of, as well. Here’s an update on the first-year depreciation rules for yet-to-be-filed 2025 federal income tax returns and the 2026 tax year. 100% First-Year Bonus Depreciation

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The Tax Impact of a Home Sale in Divorce

Home sales often occur during or shortly after a divorce. With real estate values still at or near historical highs in many areas, the federal income tax exclusion for gains on the sale of a principal residence can help. However, divorcing individuals must plan carefully to maximize this tax break. Gain Exclusion Basics An unmarried

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Deducting Business Meal and Entertainment Expenses Today

Do you know the current rules for claiming tax deductions for business meals and entertainment? Whether you’re wining and dining a prospective customer or taking an employee to lunch, you might be confused about what’s deductible — and you’re not alone. The federal income tax treatment of meals and entertainment expenses has been a moving

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CCRCs: Key Tax Implications for Residents

The demand for long-term care facilities in the United States continues to rise, along with the costs. Someone who turns 65 today has roughly a 70% chance of eventually requiring long-term care services, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Moreover, 20% of seniors will need it for

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QCDs Can Be a Tax-Savvy Move for Seniors

For some time now, individuals age 70½ and older have been able to transfer funds directly from a traditional IRA to an IRS-approved charity. However, with the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) earlier this year, these qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) have become an even tax-savvier way to give to charity. If

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Turn Your Volunteer Work into Savings

As the holiday season approaches, you may be thinking about donating your time to a favorite charity. Perhaps you’re organizing a holiday bazaar for a local animal shelter, serving Thanksgiving meals to the homeless, or transporting gifts to needy children. Or maybe you support a cause that’s important to you by volunteering year-round. However many

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Will Your AMT Exposure Change Under the New Tax Rules?

Significantly fewer taxpayers have owed the alternative minimum tax (AMT) for the last several years. This is because the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) made the individual AMT rules more taxpayer-friendly for 2018 through 2025. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) contains mixed news about individual taxpayers’ AMT exposure. Here’s an overview of

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Employers: Avoid Tax Surprises When Making Holiday Gifts to Employees

As the year draws to a close, many businesses look for ways to recognize and thank their employees. From gift cards to holiday treats to service awards, the options are plentiful. But not all gifts are treated equally by the IRS. The tax implications depend on factors such as the type and value of the

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Why You May Rethink Your Deduction Strategy in 2025

As we approach the end of 2025, it’s time to evaluate your year-end tax planning strategies. One important decision is whether you’ll claim the standard deduction or itemize deductions. Thanks to recent changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), this choice carries new weight and can significantly impact your year-end strategies. What’s the

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Unwrap the New Tax Rules for Charitable Donations

The holiday season is right around the corner, and that’s when many charitably inclined people start to think about year-end donations to their favorite charities. When planning your charitable contributions, don’t forget about the potential tax breaks for your generosity. The tax rules for these breaks have changed somewhat under the One Big Beautiful Bill

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