#tax
Tax
Tax strategies, planning, and compliance for individuals and businesses
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.
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.
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.
Standard Deduction 2026: The Complete Guide to Lowering Your Tax Bill
The 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for joint filers, plus a new $6,000 senior bonus deduction for taxpayers 65+. Here is how to decide whether to take it or itemize.
How Much Does a Tax Advisor Cost? A 2026 Pricing Guide for Individuals and Small Businesses
Tax advisor pricing in 2026 ranges from about $150 for a simple Schedule C to $5,000+ for multi-state S-corp returns. This guide compares CPAs, enrolled agents, tax attorneys, and DIY software so you pay only for the tier you actually need.
Tax ID Numbers Explained: EIN, SSN, and ITIN for Small Business Owners
A plain-English guide to the three tax ID numbers most small business owners meet — EIN, SSN, and ITIN — covering who needs which, how to apply directly with the IRS for free, and the common mistakes that trigger penalties or delays.
Uber Driver Taxes: The Complete Filing Guide for Rideshare Drivers
How rideshare drivers actually owe two federal taxes, why deadhead miles are worth thousands, and the quarterly-payment and 1099-K rules that trip up first-time filers.
What Happens If You Don't File Taxes? The Real Consequences and How to Get Back on Track
A practical breakdown of what the IRS does when you skip a tax return—5% monthly failure-to-file penalty, Substitute for Return, liens, levies, passport revocation, and the step-by-step path back to compliance.
What Is a Tax Levy? Complete Guide to IRS Seizure and How to Stop It
A tax levy is the IRS's legal seizure of wages, bank funds, or property to satisfy unpaid tax debt. This guide explains the notice sequence from CP14 through LT11, the 30-day Collection Due Process window, bank levy 21-day holds, and seven ways to release an active levy.
Where's My IRS Refund? A 2026 Guide to Tracking Your Tax Refund
How to check your IRS refund status in 2026, why refunds stall past the 21-day mark, and what the new direct-deposit freeze rules (CP53E notice) mean if your bank rejects the deposit.