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IRS Enhances Taxpayer Rights In March 2025, the House passed H.R. 998 , also known as the Internal Revenue Service Math and Taxpayer Help Act . The Senate has since followed, and the bipartisan bill now awaits the president’s signature. This legislation directly addresses long-standing taxpayer frustrations with how the IRS issues and manages “math error” notices —automated corrections to tax returns that can result in unexpected balance due notices or refund changes without

California Expands Retirement Contribution Deductions California has taken a major step toward federal tax conformity with the passage of SB 711 , updating the state’s conformity date from January 1, 2015, to January 1, 2025 . This long-awaited change brings California in line with several Secure Act and Secure 2.0 Act provisions that expand deductions for retirement contributions. Key Conformity Changes Starting in 2025 "California Expands Retirement Contribution Deduction

California Updates CPA Licensing Rules We’re covering two major professional regulation changes — new CPA licensing requirements and expanded exemptions from California Tax Education Council ( CTEC ) registration. Both measures were enacted through AB 1175 and SB 788 , and they mark significant shifts for accounting and tax professionals across the state. Easier Path to CPA Licensure Under AB 1175 Beginning January 1, 2027 , new CPA applicants in California will have the opt

California Conformity to Federal Law California has enacted SB 711 , updating its conformity date to January 1, 2025 , and partially aligning state law with the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) . Beginning with the 2025 tax year , California will adopt the TCJA treatment of alimony—but only for certain taxpayers. New Rules for Post-2025 Divorce and Separation Agreements Under SB 711, alimony payments will be non-deductible for the payor and excluded from the payee’s i

The Generational Tax Series Taxes don’t look the same for everyone — every generation faces unique challenges, opportunities, and priorities. That’s why I’m launching a new series breaking down what kind of tax planning and preparation matters most for: The Generational Tax Series: Baby Boomers: Retirement income, RMDs, and Social Security taxation - Click Here Gen X: College costs, home equity, and wealth preservation Click Here Millennials: Gig work, housing, and growi

Today, many boomers have built successful careers, raised families and shaped modern society. Social Security taxation, required minimum distributions (RMDs) and Roth conversions Born between 1946 and 1964 (current age 61 to 79), baby boomers, often called boomers, represent the post–World War II generation, characterized by a dramatic rise in birth rates in the United States and elsewhere. Today, many boomers have built successful careers, raised families and shaped modern s

Filing Separately in 2025 (MFS) Choosing a filing status can significantly affect a taxpayer’s overall tax liability, eligibility for credits and deductions and compliance complexity. The decision to file jointly or separately carries weighty implications for married individuals. While the married filing separately (MFS) status is sometimes necessary due to legal, financial or personal reasons, it comes with potential tax code limitations and disadvantages. This article outli

Identity protection PIN (IP PIN) Identity theft in the tax world can feel like a nightmare. Imagine filing your return only to learn someone else has already used your Social Security number. That’s where the IRS identity protection PIN, better known as the IP PIN, comes in. This simple six-digit code is one of the best defenses against tax-related identity theft, and it’s available to any taxpayer who wants an extra layer of security. If you haven’t considered getting one be

Discovering that someone filed a return in your name is stressful—but you’re not alone. Identity theft is on the rise, and more taxpayers are finding out someone else has already filed a tax return using their information. If your e-file was rejected or you received an unexpected IRS notice , you may be a victim of tax-related identity theft. Understanding what to do—and how to request a copy of the fraudulent return—can help you move forward quickly and with confidence. Quic

To make sure you get every credit you’re entitled to, I just need to confirm your DHS work authorization is still valid The new One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBBA) brings major changes for immigrant taxpayers—and new risks for tax professionals who fail to verify client identity and authorization. Beginning with 2025 returns, certain clients will have to present both their Social Security number (SSN) and valid DHS work authorization if they want to receive key tax

California AB 116 Overview Effective January 1, 2026, AB 116 reinstates the Medi-Cal program asset test of $130,000 per individual ...

Draft 2026 Forms W-4 a The IRS has issued a draft version of the 2026 Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate , reflecting major...

Oct. 15 Is the Final Deadline for Extension Filers October 2025 If you filed for a federal tax extension earlier this year, Wednesday,...

IRS Releases Updated Contingency Plan As of today, October 8, 2025, the Internal Revenue Service has begun implementing its Lapsed...

Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act (FDTRA) The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act (FDTRA; P.L. 118-148) authorizes an exclusion of qualified...

Remote Work and State Taxes When a person lives in one state and works remotely for an employer in another , how that income is taxed...

October 15 filing and payment postponement California taxpayers who were granted a Los Angeles County wildfire-related postponement of...

Taxpayers who are victims of fraudulent schemes are often out of luck when it comes to tax relief. But victims who make a fraudulent...

Fraudulent Tax Credit Schemes The IRS has issued alerts about fraudulent schemes encouraging taxpayers to claim credits they do not...

Government Shutdown Sept. 30: What It Means for Taxpayers With the federal government facing a potential shutdown on Sept. 30, 2025,...