An offer in compromise can give someone with an unmanageable tax debt a path forward. But the latest IRS figures show a difficult trend: taxpayers submitted more offers in fiscal year 2025 than in 2023, while the IRS accepted far fewer in the last decade. That reflects some of what we are seeing in our
Disasters can destroy more than property. They can also destroy the records needed to support an insurance claim or a tax deduction. A recent Tax Court case is a reminder that even when the damage is undeniable, the amount claimed must be documented. The number of costly U.S. weather and climate disasters has risen sharply.
Small-business owners who pay independent contractors have an important administrative change to keep in mind for 2026: the federal reporting threshold for many Forms 1099-NEC increased from $600 to $2,000. That may reduce the number of forms some businesses file next January, but it does not eliminate the need for good vendor records, completed W-9
Social-media influencing can be a legitimate business. Income may come from brand partnerships, affiliate links, platform payments, merchandise sales, appearances, subscriptions, consulting, or advertising revenue. But having followers—or simply posting photos and videos—does not automatically turn personal spending into deductible business spending. The tax authorities might consider it as a hobby and disallow those related
IRS nonfiler cases: Delays and renewed enforcement A recent Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) review highlights a significant issue in the IRS’s efforts to pursue high-income taxpayers who have not filed required federal tax returns. The findings also reinforce an important practical point: a delayed IRS notice should never be mistaken for a
The IRS is warning taxpayers about fake letters aimed at cryptocurrency holders. The letters claim you must register for an IRS “Digital Asset Compliance Portal” by a deadline—but that portal does not exist. The letter may include a QR code that takes you to a fake website designed to look like IRS.gov. Do not scan
Why hospitals, universities and other nonprofits face growing federal scrutiny Universities, hospitals and other nonprofit institutions provide education, health care, research and community services that benefit the public. In exchange, qualifying Section 501(c)(3) organizations generally do not pay federal income tax on mission-related income, and their donors may receive charitable deductions. Depending on state and
The IRS has released new guidance that makes it easier for families to understand when contributions to Trump accounts will trigger gift tax reporting. This safe harbor can allow qualifying contributions to be covered by the annual exclusion and avoid the need to file Form 709, but only if specific conditions are met. The overview
Each year, the National Taxpayer Advocate reports to Congress on how the IRS is performing—and where taxpayers continue to face challenges. The most recent reports, released in January and June 2026, show that while the IRS is handling a high volume of returns efficiently, issues still arise when matters become more complex, and there is
Who's Preparing Your Taxes? The Shocking Truth About Unregulated Tax Preparers Every year, millions of Americans hand their most sensitive financial information to a stranger and trust that person to file an accurate, honest tax return on their behalf. What most taxpayers don't realize is that virtually anyone can call themselves a "tax preparer" —
