Alfred Moore CPA LLC

07/13/2026

Did you know that if you have seriously delinquent tax debt, you could lose your passport? The IRS can “certify” unpaid federal tax debts over $66,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) to the U.S. State Department, which may deny a passport application or renewal — or even revoke your current passport — until your tax issues are resolved. If you’re overseas, you might receive only a limited-validity passport to return to the United States. Unpaid federal tax debt includes individual income taxes, trust fund recovery penalties, business taxes for which taxpayers are personally liable and other civil penalties. Contact us at (630) 405-8514 for details.

07/10/2026

If you’re getting married, or were recently married, congratulations! Taxes are likely the furthest from your mind, but there are a few tax-related chores you need to consider. For example, next year, for 2026, you’ll be filing your first tax return as a married person. That could affect the amount of tax you should have withheld from your paycheck. Use the IRS Withholding Estimator to check. Then provide your employer with a new Form W-4. If your last name has changed, notify the Social Security Administration, which will inform the IRS. You and your new spouse should also review financial accounts, insurance coverage, estate plans and tax strategies. We can help. Contact us at (630) 405-8514.

07/08/2026

You’ll probably owe tax on your retirement income — how much depends on factors such as the types of retirement accounts you own and your other income sources. In general, retirees should withdraw funds from any taxable accounts first, tax-deferred accounts second and tax-free accounts last. But different withdrawal strategies may benefit you. The important thing is to start planning before you retire. Call us at (630) 405-8514 for help.

07/06/2026

Whether your business sponsors a 401(k) plan or is considering it, automatic enrollment deserves a fresh look. This feature automatically enrolls eligible employees in the plan unless they opt out or choose a different contribution rate. Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, many 401(k) plans established on or after December 29, 2022, must include an auto-enroll feature for plan years beginning after December 31, 2024. (Some exceptions may apply.) Older plans generally aren’t required to add this feature, but doing so can benefit both employers and employees. Call us at (630) 405-8514 for more information.

07/03/2026

The ultimate success of a business often comes back to decisions made at its inception. If you’re planning to start a business, one key decision is choosing its structure, commonly sole proprietorship, C corporation, S corporation, partnership or limited liability company. In addition to owner liability variations, all have different tax requirements that can affect everything from hiring to cash flow to owner income. Another critical decision is choosing a tax year — either a calendar year or a fiscal year (12 consecutive months ending on the last day of any month except December). Call us at (630) 405-8514. We can help you make the best decisions for your current situation and your business’s future.

07/01/2026

Do you know the difference between IRS liens and levies? A federal tax lien arises when you fail to pay taxes after receiving an IRS bill or notice. It’s a legal claim against your property, including real estate and other assets, which can affect your ability to secure credit or complete financial transactions. A levy may be the next step if your debt remains unresolved. The IRS can seize assets — such as wages or bank funds — to satisfy the debt. In short, a lien protects the IRS’s interest, while a levy enforces collection. If you receive collection notices, don’t ignore them! Acting quickly can help open the door to resolution options. Call us at (630) 405-8514.

07/01/2026

Now is the perfect time to tidy up your QuickBooks files. Unreconciled accounts, uncategorized transactions and outdated records can distort your cash flow and profitability. Even with QuickBooks’ automation tools and AI-enabled features, consistent review and oversight are essential. Don’t forget your chart of accounts! An outdated or cluttered chart can muddy your results, making it harder to understand your true performance. Clean books support better financial decisions and smoother tax filings. Call us at (630) 405-8514 to help get your bookkeeping in top shape.

06/29/2026

Every business deserves an advisor who understands its goals and challenges. Our client-first approach combines responsive service with a comprehensive understanding of the latest tax, accounting and regulatory developments. Let’s explore strategies that help your business manage risks, seize opportunities and grow. Call us at (630) 405-8514 to get started.

06/26/2026

Final regulations released by the IRS stipulate that partnerships no longer need to provide detailed gain and loss information to selling partners by January 31. This deadline had become a contentious issue. The tax code requires that any portion of a partnership’s sale proceeds attributable to the partner’s share of unrealized receivables and inventory items be reported as ordinary income. Other sale proceeds are generally taxed as capital gains. But partnerships complained that the reporting deadline was hard to meet. Now, partnerships can provide such information to partners according to their natural end-of-year tax compliance cycle, on or with Schedule K-1. Contact us at (630) 405-8514 to discuss this and other tax filing requirements for partnerships.

06/24/2026

For small business owners, tax planning shouldn’t be a once-a-year chore. It affects nearly every business decision you make. From how you pay yourself to when you invest in equipment, the right moves can lower your tax bill … and the wrong ones can cost you. With major tax law changes taking effect in 2026, now’s the time to be proactive, not reactive. We can help you understand which strategies, deductions and credits matter most for your business. Call us at (630) 405-8514 to learn how smart planning today can lead to long-term tax savings.

06/22/2026

Starting in 2026, the tax rules for the personal casualty loss deduction are changing. While the deduction remains limited mainly to disaster-related losses, eligibility is expanding beyond federally declared disasters to include certain state-declared disasters. Because the rules are complicated and additional limits apply, review your situation with us. We can help determine whether you’re eligible for a casualty loss deduction. Contact us at (630) 405-8514.

06/19/2026

A summer job is a great way for teens to earn extra cash, but it also comes with tax responsibilities. Anyone with self-employed income over $400, such as earnings from mowing lawns or babysitting, must file an income tax return and may owe self-employment tax. If a teen works for an employer that withholds payroll taxes, the filing threshold is higher: $16,100 for 2026. In this case, the teen usually won’t owe income tax and may receive a refund if taxes were withheld. Call us at (630) 405-8514 with questions.

06/17/2026

Maintaining healthy operating cash flow helps drive your company’s success. But accomplishing this objective isn’t always easy. One practical approach is to speed up customer payments while carefully managing the timing of your own bills. Prudently shortening your cash conversion cycle can improve liquidity and give your business greater financial flexibility. Please call us at (630) 405-8514 for help identifying opportunities to strengthen your cash position and keep your business moving in the right direction.

06/15/2026

If you’d like to arrange for a transfer of wealth through multiple generations, consider a dynasty trust. Assets are taxed just once, when they’re initially transferred to the trust. There’s no estate or generation-skipping transfer tax due on any subsequent appreciation in value. A drawback is that the trust is irrevocable. This means it generally can never be revised. Call us at (630) 405-8514 for more details.

06/12/2026

Boat owners may qualify for federal income tax breaks — but only if the boat meets specific requirements. For example, a vessel with sleeping, cooking and toilet facilities could qualify as a home for the mortgage interest itemized deduction. Itemizers may also be able to deduct eligible state and local sales tax paid on a boat, subject to applicable limits. Vessels used in bona fide businesses, such as charter fishing or sightseeing, can generate deductible business expenses. Before assuming your boat delivers tax savings, contact us at (630) 405-8514 to learn more. We can help determine your vessel’s eligibility and provide guidance on substantiating any write-offs.

06/10/2026

Are you behind on federal tax payments or worried about defaulting on an IRS installment agreement? You might have more options than you realize. If your finances have changed, the IRS may let you adjust your payment plan to lower monthly payments or a new schedule. If your agreement is terminated, you can request reinstatement. You can also consider an offer in compromise, which may allow you to settle for less than you owe. If you’re facing serious financial trouble and can provide evidence of undue hardship, the IRS sometimes allows up to six months to pay. It helps to act early. Call us at (630) 405-8514 with questions.

06/08/2026

Will Social Security benefits be available when you retire? Good question. These benefits are unlikely to disappear entirely. But payments may be smaller, and the qualifying age for full benefits (currently 65 to 67, depending on your date of birth) may increase. So it’s critical to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement vehicles and to make age-appropriate investments that can help you accumulate adequate savings. Call us at (630) 405-8514 to discuss your retirement goals and ways to achieve them.

06/05/2026

Are rental real estate activities eligible for the qualified business income (QBI) deduction? The answer is a distinct “maybe.” This tax break allows eligible sole proprietors and owners of “pass-through” entities to deduct up to 20% of QBI. Pass-through entities include partnerships, S corporations and most limited liability companies. However, income from a rental real estate activity is QBI only if the activity rises to the level of a trade or business or meets an IRS safe harbor, which generally requires separate records, sufficient rental services and specific documentation. Various limits and other restrictions also apply. Call us at (630) 405-8514 to learn more.

06/03/2026

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is one option available to support charities while reducing your taxable estate. By contributing cash or appreciated assets to a DAF, you also may qualify for an immediate charitable income tax deduction without needing to identify the specific charitable recipients right away. This gives you more time to research potential recipients or change the organizations you support from year to year. For families focused on legacy planning, DAFs can also help align heirs around charitable goals. Contact us at (630) 405-8514 for additional details.

06/02/2026

If you have unfiled tax returns, getting back on track may be easier than you think. But the longer you wait, the more costly it becomes. The IRS charges a failure-to-file penalty of 5% per month (up to 25%) of the unpaid tax. There’s also a separate failure-to-pay penalty of 0.5% per month (up to 25%) of the unpaid tax. If both apply in the same month, the combined penalty is generally 5% per month. Returns over 60 days late are subject to a minimum penalty. Filing, even if you can’t pay in full, can reduce penalties and open the door to payment plans or other relief options. Call us at (630) 405-8514 for help.

06/01/2026

05/31/2026

Does your business provide complimentary on-site food and beverages for employees? The rules for deducting certain business meals have changed. Beginning in 2026, employers generally can’t deduct 1) meals treated as de minimis fringe benefits, or 2) employer-provided meals that are excludable from an employee’s income and provided for the employer’s convenience on business premises. For the 2025 tax year, generally the former were 100% deductible and the latter were 50% deductible. Contact us at (630) 405-8514 to discuss whether this change will affect your company and how to plan accordingly.

12/19/2014

Alfred Moore,CPA

02/27/2013

The primary purpose of tax advocate services in all tax discrepancies is to resolve issues and controversies, immediately, efficiently, and at its earliest stage, preferably without tax litigation support. Our attorneys deal with the IRS regularly as well as the Treasury, the Department of Justice,...

02/27/2013

If you are struggling with the federal tax brackets there are always other ways to handle your taxes, here are some of the best tax preparation services: One method is using tax preparation software like TurboTax or TaxACT which will help guide you through your taxes, and in some cases, you can fil...

02/27/2013

http://almoorecpa.com/wordpress/tax-planning-companies/

If you are the type of person that enjoys the challenge of taking the Form 1040 head on and has time to review the tax laws, plus the ability to thoroughly understand them, by all means, save your money and prepare the tax return by yourself instead of choosing tax planning companies. However, if y...

02/27/2013

Filing your own income taxes can be a daunting task that leave you confused and full of questions. According to a study done by the United States Government’s General Accounting Office last year, most taxpayers (77% if 71 million) believe they gained a benefit from using the best tax prep companies...