What you need to know With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act or OBBBA, many of the temporary tax laws set to expire at the end of 2025 have been made permanent. This week's tip summarizes the changes to several of the more popular deductions and credits, while the tax tips over the next few weeks will cover individual topics to help you understand how the major changes may impact you and your situation.
For individuals Many temporary tax provisions are made permanent This includes:
Other Changes
And several items completely new for 2025 thru 2028!
For Businesses
This is a lot to cover in a single tax tip. So the tips over the next several weeks will focus on individual topics to help you navigate how these changes may impact your situation. "Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office. The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance. We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs. We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com. Mia Verc, CPA; Janice Papais, CPA
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One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Tax deductions for working Americans and seniors If you use an installment sale to help sell property, you can benefit from tax deferral and possibly lower your overall tax bill. But you need to watch out for certain tax traps if you do.
Installment sale defined Generally, you create an installment sale when you receive payments for sold property in the tax year of the sale and at least one other tax year. For instance, if you sell real estate for a profit in 2025 and receive payments in 2025 through 2028, your real estate transaction is an installment sale. Tax implications An installment sale creates a tax event in each year you receive payments. In the above example, part of your gain is taxable in 2025 and each year through 2028. Note that property held longer than one year qualifies for favorable capital gains tax treatment. The current tax rate on long-term capital gains is from 0 to 20 percent, compared with the top ordinary income tax bracket of 37 percent. You also have the ability to pay all the tax due on the sale up-front, to avoid paying tax on the installments in future years. In some cases you'll reduce your overall tax bill this way, though it may require some help with tax planning. Benefits of an installment sale With an installment sale, you may be able to lower your total tax on the sale of the property by spreading this income out over several years. In addition, the buyer will often pay a rate of interest to you higher than a typical bank loan for the remainder of the amount due. Installment sale tax traps Related parties caution. If you sell property to a related party and the property is then disposed of within two years, in most cases all the remaining tax comes due immediately. The tax law definition of related parties is more expansive than you might think. It includes:
Depreciation recapture potential. Also be cautious if you took any depreciation on the property in prior years. In some circumstances you will owe extra tax related to that depreciation when you sell the property. Gains not losses. Be aware that installment sale treatment is only available for gains, not losses. Other special rules may apply, so reach out if you need advice specific to your situation. Of course, tax discussions now in Congress might impact how installment sales and long-term capital gains are taxed in the future. If you're planning an installment sale, consider reaching out for a consultation to discuss the tax implications. "Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office. The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance. We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs. We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com. Mia Verc, CPA; Janice Papais, CPA  Summer is usually the time for relaxing, but it can also be a time for tax savings, especially if you’re still reeling from an unexpectedly large tax bill in April. Here are four timely tips:
Rent your home. If you rent out your main home or a vacation home part of the time, you may be entitled to deductions like other landlords. This includes the rental-related portion of mortgage interest, property taxes, repairs, utilities, and insurance. Keep in mind, if your personal use exceeds certain limits, you can’t deduct a loss. And if you rent for less than 14 days, the rental income is tax free! Send young kids to camp. Depending on your situation, you may be able to claim a Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit for the cost of sending children under age 13 to summer day camp. However, the cost of overnight camp doesn’t qualify for the credit. Hire your child. If you have an older child looking for employment this summer, hire them to work for your business. Reasonable wages are deductible by the business and your child will likely owe little tax, if any, on the earnings. Plus, they may be eligible for other employee benefits. Take a business trip. Spend some time seeing a different city this summer while you're on a business trip. When you travel for business, you can generally deduct expenses — including airfare, lodging and 50 percent of the cost of meals — attributable to the business portion of the trip. But you must spend more time on business matters while you’re away than you do on sightseeing or other personal activities. Leverage a child's earned income. If you have a young worker who earns money from mowing lawns or babysitting, be sure to keep track of their earnings. While they will probably earn too little to pay tax, this earned income allows the young worker to open a Roth IRA. You could even decide to gift money into the account as long as it's less than the earned income amount. Finally, summer is a great time to create a full-year tax projection. Use this information to determine if the steps you're taking now will help you avoid a large tax bill at the end of the year. Call today to schedule a review of your situation to help manage your full-year tax bill. "Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office. The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance. We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs. We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com. Mia Verc, CPA; Janice Papais, CPA SSN theft is still a major problem! With the dramatic increase in identity theft, now is a great time to remind yourself of the basics to reduce the risk of having your Social Security number (SSN) stolen. Here are some ideas.
Do not carry your Social Security card with you. Your parents were encouraged to do this, but times have changed. You will need to provide it to a new employer, but that's about it. Know who NEEDS your Social Security number. The list of people or organizations who need to have your number is limited. It includes:
Do not put your Social Security number on any form. Unless a business has a legal need for your number, do not provide it. Common requests of this number come from insurance companies and health care providers. Simply write, “Not available due to theft risk” in the field that requests your number. If the supplier says they need it, ask them why. Do not note your full Social Security number on any form. If you are required to give out your number, try marking out the first five numbers (i.e. xxx-xx-1234). Do not put your Social Security number on your checks. If requested by the government to place your number on a check to apply a payment, simply put the last four digits on the check. Never give your number out over the phone or in an e-mail. Remember to periodically check your credit score with the major agencies to ensure your data has not been compromised. Once stolen, it's often difficult to get a new SSN issued. "Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office. The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance. We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs. We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com. Mia Verc, CPA; Janice Papais, CPA Understand the options and costs Your tax bill has come and gone with you still owing money because you're a little strapped for cash. Or maybe you're considering alternative payment options for your upcoming quarterly estimated tax payment. There's also noise out of Washington, D.C. that checks will no longer be accepted. Whatever the case, the IRS continues to make credit card payments an option for you to pay your taxes. Here's what you need to know about using credit cards when considering this option to pay your tax bill.
What you need to know The IRS has contracted with several credit card merchants to offer credit cards as a method of payment. Why not? Most of us are used to paying for merchandise from groceries to sweaters with our credit card. Ah, but there's a catch. Stores (called merchants by the credit card companies) pay a fee that is split between the merchant's credit card bank, the transaction processor, and your credit card company for each transaction. This fee, known as an interchange fee, is not going to be paid by the IRS. You must pay it. The processing fee The fee paid by you for paying your tax bill with a credit card is called a convenience fee by the IRS and the credit card processors. The fee is based on a percent of the amount charged from 1.75% to 1.85% with a minimum fee of $2.50 or more. For example, using Pay 1040 Corporation's credit card transaction fee of 1.75% with a $2.50 minimum fee, and a tax bill of:
The good news. You can use any of the four major credit cards to pay your taxes: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. In addition, you can earn miles and points if you use a rewards credit card. The bad news. This payment method adds an expense to your tax bill. Plus, you are limited to the number of payments you can make using this method to two per year. Better alternatives Remember, if you are considering paying your taxes with your credit card and you carry a balance from month to month you are really taking out a loan to pay your taxes. Using this perspective: Get a better loan somewhere else. Perhaps a short-term loan from a bank or credit union makes more sense. Consider borrowing the money from a family member. If you create the proper loan documentation, it might be a good way for that family member to earn a nice interest rate. Consider borrowing from Uncle Sam. There are installment payment plans available for qualified taxpayers. While there is a set up fee, the monthly interest charged by the government is typically much lower than that charged by credit card companies. Use planning to your advantage. Create a plan to pay for next year's tax obligation throughout the year to avoid a repeat of needing funds to pay your tax bill. This may cause some hardship, but saving a little bit more each week through payroll withholdings is usually more manageable for most of us versus a big tax bite in April. While paying your tax bill with a credit card is often one of the most expensive ways to pay your taxes, it's vastly less expensive than paying high penalties and interest on unpaid taxes. "Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office. The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance. We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs. We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com. Mia Verc, CPA; Janice Papais, CPA  With the pending tariffs and turbulent markets, the last thing on most taxpayers minds is tax planning. But in the midst of all this turmoil is the potential for tax saving activity available to those willing to plan accordingly. Here is what you need to know.
In a turbulent market, transferring securities during a dip in the market can save a bunch in taxes. So if part of your retirement plan is to balance your funds between pre-tax and after-tax obligations, now might be time to act.
So a set of stocks once worth $100,000 but are now valued at $70,000 can be converted now with $30,000 less in taxable income. If you are planning on holding the stock and you believe it will recover in the long run, you have a tax savings opportunity. Plus the future appreciation will no longer be taxed! This tax savings idea is not for everyone. The stocks could decline further, creating an opportunity cost. So if considering this tax tip, it should be managed in conjunction with the appropriate planning and investment expertise. But if you were considering a balance of your retirement funds between taxable and tax-free sources, you may have a tax planning opportunity at the door step. "Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office. The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance. We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs. We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com. Mia Verc, CPA; Janice Papais, CPA  Summertime often sees an increase of natural disasters, with hurricane season soon after. You may want to help, but you want to make sure the organizations are not a scam. And while fewer taxpayers itemize deductions, those that do want to ensure there deductions are legitimate. Here are some tips on how to research these organizations prior to donating funds.
1. Charitable organization efficiency. For every dollar you donate, only a percentage of it is actually used to fund programs. Much of your money is used for fundraising and administrative costs. So how do you know which charitable organization is using your contribution most effectively? Here are three websites that can help you assess potential charities. 2. Avoid Fraudulent Solicitations. It is often best to avoid donating over the phone or via email solicitations. These are two common ways thieves target their victims. Instead of reacting to a phone call or email, a better idea is to proactively plan who you wish to give money to each year. An additional benefit of this approach is that you avoid the fees paid to these middlemen fundraisers out of your donations. 3. Confirm the Deductibility. Many smaller organizations will represent themselves as a qualified charitable organization, but have not kept their non-profit status up-to-date. If unsure whether your desired charity has kept their records up-to-date, you can check the IRS website for a full list of qualified organizations. Here's the link: 4. Needing a receipt. Remember cash donations $250 or more require a written confirmation from the charitable organization of your donation in addition to your canceled check or bank receipt. If you aren't sure whether a confirmation will be forthcoming, limit your deduction to some amount under this $250 threshold. "Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office. The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance. We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs. We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com. Mia Verc, CPA; Janice Papais, CPA Taxpayers living and working abroad have until Monday, June 16, 2025, to file their 2024 federal income tax return and pay any tax due. This deadline applies to both U.S. citizens and resident aliens abroad, including those with dual citizenship.
In general, on the regular due date of their return, a U.S. citizen or resident alien residing overseas or in the military on duty outside the U.S. is allowed an automatic two-month extension to file. If they use a calendar year to file their return the regular due date of their 2024 return was April 15, 2025. Even with the tax-filing extension, interest will apply to any 2024 tax payments received after April 15. Here’s who qualifies A taxpayer qualifies for the June 16 extension if they are a U.S. citizen or resident alien and on the regular due date of their return, one of the following applies:
Qualifying taxpayers should attach a statement to the return indicating which of these two situations applies. Extensions beyond June 16 Taxpayers who can’t meet the June 16 due date can request an extension to Oct. 15, 2025. This is an extension of time to file, not an extension to pay. The fastest and easiest way to get an extension is to request it electronically. Several electronic filing options are still available. Visit Get an Extension to File Your Tax Return for details. Taxpayers may also use IRS Free File to file an extension electronically. Taxpayers who can’t request an extension electronically can complete and mail Form 4868 to the IRS. Taxpayers can also get an extension when paying a tax bill electronically. There is no need to file Form 4868 when selecting an extension and paying electronically. Businesses that need more time must file Form 7004 to request an automatic 6-month extension. Combat zone extensions Members of the military in a combat zone during tax filing season may qualify for an additional extension of at least 180 days to file and pay taxes. More information, like who qualifies, is available at Extension of Deadlines – Combat Zone Service Q&As. Spouses of individuals who serve in a combat zone or contingency operation are generally entitled to the same deadline extensions with some exceptions. Extension details and tax information for members of the military are available in IRS Publication 3, Armed Forces’ Tax Guide. Special relief for terrorist attacks in Israel Taxpayers who live or have a business in Israel, Gaza or the West Bank and certain other taxpayers affected by the terrorist attacks in the State of Israel have until Sept. 30, 2025, to file and pay. This includes most returns and taxes due from Oct. 7, 2023, through Sept. 30, 2025, including Form 1040 and 1120 series returns. Filing required to get tax benefits Many taxpayers living outside the U.S. qualify for tax benefits such as the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and the Foreign Tax Credit, but these benefits are available only if a U.S. return is filed. Other deductions and tax credits may also be available. For details, see Publication 54, Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad, available on IRS.gov. "Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office. The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance. We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs. We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com. Mia Verc, CPA; Janice Papais, CPA Now What? For some reason, some believe it's better to receive than to give when it comes to filing taxes. While that may help your savings account, it's not always a great idea. Here's why.
You are the bank. You are giving the IRS an interest-free loan. And now with higher interest rates, you could be giving away a lot of earned interest on that overpayment to the government. Debt costs a lot. Consider lowering your withholdings throughout the year and using the extra money to pay down your debt. Even better, the benefit of paying down a home loan in the early years of a mortgage can yield tremendous savings! IRS identity theft is common. The longer you have your money in the hands of the IRS, the higher the chance some unsavory character is going to try to get it for themselves. Should this happen to you, the IRS will fix the problem, but it is typically taking two years according to a recent taxpayer advocate report. In the meantime, there is paperwork and hurdles to overcome while your refund is delayed. You could fund something else. Instead of money being parked at the IRS, you could be investing in your retirement or funding a Health Savings Account to pay for medical expenses in pre-tax dollars! So in addition to saving money, you could also be lowering your tax bill! So you received a refund. Congratulations. Now you have an opportunity to make tax tips work for you. "Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office. The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance. We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs. We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com. Mia Verc, CPA; Janice Papais, CPA |
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