Patricia Spivak CPA PC

Patricia Spivak CPA PC Income Tax preparation, Accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll services

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is one option available to support charities while reducing your taxable estate. By contribut...
06/02/2026

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.

While the thresholds for the 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT) have remained unchanged since the NIIT went into effe...
06/01/2026

While the thresholds for the 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT) have remained unchanged since the NIIT went into effect in 2013, taxpayer incomes have generally grown significantly. So more taxpayers are getting hit with this additional tax. The NIIT applies to the lesser of your net investment income or the amount by which your modified adjusted gross income exceeds the applicable threshold. And it kicks in long before the top short- and long-term capital gains rates apply. We can help you manage potential NIIT exposure.

Does your business provide complimentary on-site food and beverages for employees? The rules for deducting certain busin...
05/29/2026

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 to discuss whether this change will affect your company and how to plan accordingly.

If you have unfiled tax returns, getting back on track may be easier than you think. But the longer you wait, the more c...
05/27/2026

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.

A mission statement is a concise, formal declaration of a business’s core purpose. The right one can serve as a rallying...
05/26/2026

A mission statement is a concise, formal declaration of a business’s core purpose. The right one can serve as a rallying cry for employees and a powerful marketing tool that attracts customers and drives revenue. So, whether you’re writing one for the first time or revising it during a rebrand, craft yours carefully. It can have a surprising impact on your bottom line. Please call us for help aligning your company’s core purpose with its financial parameters and strategic objectives.

Today’s finance and accounting (F&A) teams are under significant pressure. Tight deadlines, lean staffing, evolving regu...
05/25/2026

Today’s finance and accounting (F&A) teams are under significant pressure. Tight deadlines, lean staffing, evolving regulations and growing compliance demands can lead to burnout, errors and turnover. Retention isn’t just about compensation. Practical operational improvements can make a real difference. Consider automating repetitive tasks, clarifying approval workflows, cross-training staff to ease bottlenecks and leveraging external resources during peak times. When your F&A team has the right structure and support, they’re more productive, accurate and engaged. Call us to brainstorm cost-effective ways to strengthen your financial operations.

The IRS has issued final regulations on the tax deduction for qualified cash tips. The legislation commonly known as the...
05/22/2026

The IRS has issued final regulations on the tax deduction for qualified cash tips. The legislation commonly known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” created the deduction of up to $25,000 per year for 2025 through 2028. Qualified tips generally refer to cash tips received by an individual in an occupation that “customarily and regularly” received tips on or before Dec. 31, 2024. The final regs list more than 70 eligible occupations. In addition to occupations previously listed in the proposed regs, the final regs add visual artists, floral designers and gas pump attendants. The final regs also provide clarifications to the definition of a qualified cash tip.

An IRS levy is a legal action that allows the agency to seize your property to pay a tax debt. This can include taking f...
05/20/2026

An IRS levy is a legal action that allows the agency to seize your property to pay a tax debt. This can include taking funds from your bank accounts, garnishing your wages or claiming other assets, such as your car or house, to cover your tax balance. Levies don’t happen without warning. They generally happen after multiple notices and missed deadlines. Additionally, the IRS must send you a Final Notice of Intent to Levy and give you the right to request a hearing. If you receive notice of a levy, don’t ignore it! Acting quickly may help you prevent or release a levy. We’re here to help.

Do you dream of retiring early? As in, really early? So do adherents of FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). Man...
05/19/2026

Do you dream of retiring early? As in, really early? So do adherents of FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). Many FIRE followers aim to retire in their 40s or even 30s! They make it happen by saving at least 50% of their current income, which some maximize by working second jobs. Obviously, this requires discipline and planning. But if early retirement is a priority, call us so we can help you make it happen.

Now is the perfect time to tidy up your QuickBooks files. Unreconciled accounts, uncategorized transactions and outdated...
05/18/2026

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.

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