#tax-compliance
Tax Compliance
Stay compliant with tax regulations and filing requirements
Form 1120: The Complete C Corporation Tax Return Guide for 2026
Form 1120 is the annual U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return every domestic C corporation must file, even in zero-income years. A 2026 walkthrough of deadlines, schedules C through M-2, estimated tax rules, and the eight most common filing mistakes.
Hiring an Out-of-State Employee: The Payroll Tax Setup Playbook
A step-by-step checklist for setting up payroll taxes when you hire a remote employee in a new state — SUTA, income tax withholding, workers' comp, local taxes, reciprocity forms, and the convenience-of-the-employer rule.
How to File a Tax Extension: Complete Guide to Forms 4868 and 7004
A tax extension buys six months to file, not to pay. This guide explains exactly how to file Form 4868 (individuals) and Form 7004 (businesses), how to estimate a good-faith payment, and the state-level traps that cost filers real money.
IRS Phone Numbers: The Complete Contact Guide for Faster, Smarter Calls
A directory of IRS phone numbers organized by category—individual taxpayers, businesses, refunds, identity theft, liens, transcripts—with best times to call and tactics for avoiding queue transfers.
When the IRS Files Your Return For You: The Substitute for Return (SFR) Explained
A Substitute for Return is a 1040 the IRS files for non-filers using only third-party income data—no deductions, credits, or cost basis. This guide walks through the CP59, CP2566, and 90-day CP3219N sequence and the exact steps to replace an SFR with an accurate original return.
IRS Tax Payment Plans: A Complete Guide to Installment Agreements
Every IRS payment plan in one place — short-term under 180 days, long-term installment agreements up to 72 months, Guaranteed Installment Agreements, and Partial Payment Installment Agreements — with 2026 setup fees, interest math, qualification thresholds, and the three mistakes that quietly cost taxpayers the most money.
Offer in Compromise: How to Settle IRS Tax Debt for Less Than You Owe
The IRS accepts roughly 36% of Offer in Compromise applications. This guide explains qualification rules, how to calculate Reasonable Collection Potential, the Form 656 and 433-A workflow, and the mistakes that cause two-thirds of offers to be rejected.
Partnership Tax Deadlines 2026: Form 1065, K-1s, and the Penalties You Can't Afford to Miss
Calendar-year partnerships must file Form 1065 and issue Schedule K-1s by March 16, 2026. Late filing costs $255 per partner per month, up to 12 months. This guide covers every federal deadline, Form 7004 extensions, quarterly estimates, and the Rev. Proc. 84-35 safe harbor for small partnerships.
Personal Appearance Tax Deductions: What You Can (and Can't) Write Off
The IRS applies a two-part test to personal appearance expenses: the item must be required by your work and unsuitable for everyday use. Most suits, makeup, haircuts, and gym memberships fail. This guide details what qualifies, with case law including Pevsner v. Commissioner and Hamper v. Commissioner.
Property Tax Deduction in 2026: New $40,400 SALT Cap, Rules, and Strategies
The 2026 SALT cap rises to $40,400, restoring the property tax deduction for many homeowners in high-tax states. Here are the new rules, the MAGI phaseout starting at $505,000, the income-based deductions, and the bunching, recordkeeping, and rental-property strategies that maximize the benefit.
Sales Tax Basics: A Small Business Compliance Guide for Multi-State Sellers
A 2026 guide to sales tax compliance for small businesses selling across state lines — how nexus works after Wayfair, which states repealed the 200-transaction rule, and a seven-step sequence to collect, file, and remit across 45 states without triggering audits.
Schedule SE: The Self-Employment Tax Form Every Freelancer Needs to Master
Schedule SE calculates the 15.3% self-employment tax (Social Security + Medicare) owed by anyone with $400 or more in net self-employment earnings. This guide walks through the 2026 wage base ($184,500), the 92.35% adjustment, the 50% above-the-line deduction, and the safe-harbor rules that prevent quarterly underpayment penalties.