Don't Wait Until January: Start Your Year-End Tax Prep This October
Start year-end tax prep in October: collect W-9s under the IRS $2,000 1099 rule, clean up vendors, reconcile Q3, and calendar every deadline.
#tax-compliance
Tax Compliance
Stay compliant with tax regulations and filing requirements
Paying a Signing Bonus? The 22% Withholding Rule, the Clawback Agreement, and the Month-Three Quit
Signing bonuses are IRS supplemental wages: withhold 22%, apply FICA in full, and sign the clawback before you pay — same-year repayments unwind cleanly.
Your Tax Deadline Falls on a Weekend. Do You Owe Penalties on Monday?
IRS Section 7503 moves any tax deadline landing on a weekend or D.C. holiday to the next business day — but state dates and EFTPS cutoffs don't always follow.
The Taxpayer Bill of Rights: Your 10 IRS Rights in Audits, Appeals, and Collection
The IRS must honor 10 codified taxpayer rights. Know the 30-day appeal, 90-day Tax Court and 30-day CDP deadlines, and when to call the Taxpayer Advocate.
Washington's Small-Business B&O Tax Credit Is Set to More Than Double in 2029 — If Its Funding Survives
Washington's small-business B&O credit rises to $375/$125 monthly in 2029 — unless voters repeal its funding on Nov 3 or courts strike it.
QuickBooks Automated 1099s: W-9 Collection, the New $2,000 Threshold, and What Still Breaks
QuickBooks Automated 1099 flags contractors and requests W-9s, but the IRS $2,000 threshold, backup withholding and box mapping still need your review.
Leaving the US? You May Need an IRS Sailing Permit Before You Board
Most non-citizens leaving the US need an IRS sailing permit: file Form 2063 or 1040-C in person 2 weeks to 30 days before you depart.
Marriage Penalty vs. Marriage Bonus: What Filing Jointly Really Costs (or Saves) You in 2026
A single $120K earner saves $7,530 filing jointly in 2026, while two top earners pay up to $10,250 more — federal thresholds decide.
Dyed Diesel and Off-Road Fuel: What You Can Legally Burn, How Dye Testing Catches Violations, and the $1,000-or-$10-Per-Gallon Penalty
Dyed diesel in a highway vehicle costs the greater of $1,000 or $10 per gallon under IRS rules. Know the legal off-road uses and reclaim tax with Form 4136.
File Even If You Can't Pay: How IRS Late Penalties Stack to 47.5% of What You Owe
IRS failure-to-file costs 5% a month vs 0.5% for failure-to-pay under Section 6651, stacking to 47.5% — file on time, then request first-time abatement.
Selling U.S. Property as a Foreign Owner? How to Shrink the 15% FIRPTA Withholding and Get the Excess Back
Buyers must withhold 15% of your gross U.S. sale price under FIRPTA. File IRS Form 8288-B before closing to cut it, or claim the excess on Form 1040-NR.
The IRS Is Holding Your Refund — But Only for 3 Years
Unclaimed tax refunds become Treasury property 3 years after the return's due date — 2023 money expires April 15, 2027. File now.