Understanding the Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction
The self-employed health insurance deduction is one of the most valuable adjustments available to you. It reduces adjusted gross income dollar for dollar; you get it whether or not you itemize, and the lower adjusted gross income can preserve other benefits that phase out as income rises. It is also one of the easiest deductions […]
A Fresh Look at the Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit
The paid family and medical leave tax credit is now a permanent part of the tax code, and the 2026 rules changed enough that it deserves a fresh look even if you considered it before and passed. Here is what the credit does: If you have a written leave policy in place, you earn a […]
S Corporation Health Insurance Deduction
If you own more than 2 percent of an S corporation, your dental, vision, and Medicare premiums can qualify for the same valuable tax treatment as your major medical insurance premiums. To secure the deductions, follow the same three-step process for all qualifying premiums. First, your S corporation must either pay the premiums directly or […]
ERC Refunds and the Tax Benefit Rule
If you received an Employee Retention Credit (ERC) refund in 2026 for wages paid in 2020 or 2021, you may have an opportunity to recover the tax you pay on that refund. The IRS currently says that if you failed to reduce your wage deductions in the original years, you should report the receipt of […]
Home Office Deduction Rules for Business Owners
Many business owners assume they cannot claim a home-office deduction because their home is too small. In fact, the tax law says otherwise. A home office does not have to be an entire room. If you use a clearly defined area of your home exclusively for business, you may qualify for the deduction—even if that […]
S Corporation Health Insurance: Avoid These Costly Deduction Mistakes
If you own more than 2 percent of an S corporation, the good news is that the rules for deducting your health insurance remain unchanged for 2026. By following a few important steps, you can continue to deduct the cost of coverage for yourself, your spouse, your dependents, and your children under age 27. To […]
New Law Restores Valuable Tax Deductions for Businesses
Your business may have a valuable opportunity to claim larger deductions or refunds for research and experimentation (R&E) expenses. Starting in 2022, businesses had to amortize domestic R&E costs over five years rather than deducting them immediately. This rule created cash-flow problems for many businesses that developed new products, improved processes, wrote custom software, or […]
A Closer Look at Family Payment Tax Strategies
Here’s an often-overlooked tax strategy that can generate substantial family tax savings when handled correctly. In fact, using a family payment tax strategy can help you maximize these savings. If you pay a family member (or even a non-relative) for a one-time project, the tax treatment can be highly favorable—but only if you follow the […]
Smart Tax Strategy for Corporations: Use the Augusta Rule Wisely
What is the Augusta Rule? Here’s a valuable tax strategy, commonly known as the Augusta rule, that can help you generate tax-free income while claiming a legitimate business deduction. If you own a business structured as an S corporation, a C corporation, or a partnership, you may rent your personal residence to your business for […]
Navigating W-2 and Section 105-HRA for Family Medical Costs
If you employ your spouse in your business and use a Section 105-HRA to deduct family medical expenses, you may be wondering whether issuing a W-2 is necessary. The good news from a tax law standpoint, a W-2 is not required. IRS guidance and court decisions confirm that medical reimbursements under a properly structured Section […]