C David Pitzer CPA PC

03/23/2026

“A Grandparent’s Promise”
I won’t just love you loudly—
I’ll love you in the quiet ways too.
The ones that don’t ask for anything back.

I’ll be the arms that are always open.
The voice that never rushes you.
The place you run to
when the world feels too loud.

I won’t just show up for the big moments—
I’ll be there for the ordinary ones…
because those are the ones
you’ll remember most.

I’ll clap the loudest.
Pray the hardest.
And believe in you—
even when you don’t yet believe in yourself.

I’ll tell you stories
about who your parent used to be…
before life got heavy,
before time moved so fast.

I’ll give you patience.
Second chances.
Too many hugs.
And snacks you probably shouldn’t have.

I’ll hold your hand
just a little longer than I need to—
because I already know
how quickly this all goes.

One day,
you won’t need me like this.

And that’s okay.

Because my love isn’t going anywhere.
My prayers won’t slow down.
And my heart will always recognize yours
as one of its greatest gifts.

This is my promise—
for as long as I’m here…
and even after.

🤍

03/23/2026

“My Granddaughter’s Laugh”
There’s a music that fills the air,
lighter than a songbird’s call,
sweeter than the softest hymn,
and brighter than the sun at all.

It bubbles up without warning,
like a brook that can’t be still,
a ripple of joy through silence,
a melody only love could fill.

Her laugh is the sound of childhood,
pure as morning dew,
a treasure I never knew I needed
until it came from you.

It softens the lines on my face,
it heals the years I’ve known,
reminding me that in your smile,
the seeds of heaven are sown.

One day you’ll grow, my darling,
and your laughter may change its tune—
but I’ll carry this sound inside me,
like the echo of a timeless June.

So laugh, sweet granddaughter, laugh—
for in your joy I find my own.
Your laughter is love’s reminder
that I’m never growing old alone.

03/22/2026

04/14/2025

IRS: All of Tennessee qualifies for disaster tax relief; various deadlines postponed to Nov. 3

IR-2025-47, April 14, 2025

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today tax relief for individuals and businesses in the entire state of Tennessee affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that began on April 2, 2025.

These taxpayers now have until Nov. 3, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

The IRS is offering relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This means that individuals and households that reside or have a business in Tennessee’s 95 counties qualify for tax relief. The current list of eligible localities is always available on the Tax relief in disaster situations page on IRS.gov.

Filing and payment relief
The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred from April 2, 2025, through Nov. 3, 2025 (postponement period). As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until Nov. 3, 2025, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period.

This means, for example, that the Nov. 3, 2025, deadline will now apply to:

Individual income tax returns and payments normally due on April 15, 2025.
2024 contributions to IRAs and health savings accounts for eligible taxpayers.
Quarterly estimated tax payments normally due on April 15, June 16 and Sept. 15, 2025.
Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on April 30, July 31 and Oct. 31, 2025.
Calendar year corporation and fiduciary returns and payments normally due on April 15, 2025.
Calendar year tax-exempt organization returns normally due on May 15, 2025.
In addition, penalties for failing to make payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after April 2, 2025, and before April 17, 2025, will be abated if the deposits are made by April 17, 2025.

The Disaster assistance and emergency relief for individuals and businesses page has details on other returns, payments and tax-related actions qualifying for relief during the postponement period.

The IRS automatically provides filing and penalty relief to any taxpayer with an IRS address of record located in the disaster area. These taxpayers do not need to contact the agency to get this relief.

It is possible an affected taxpayer may not have an IRS address of record located in the disaster area, for example, because they moved to the disaster area after filing their return. In these kinds of unique circumstances, the affected taxpayer could receive a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS for the postponement period. The taxpayer should call the IRS Special Services toll-free number at 866-562-5227 to update their address and request disaster tax relief.

In addition, the IRS will work with any taxpayer who lives outside the disaster area but whose records necessary to meet a deadline occurring during the postponement period are located in the affected area. Taxpayers qualifying for relief who live outside the disaster area need to contact the IRS Special Services toll-free number at 866-562-5227. This also includes workers assisting the relief activities who are affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization. Disaster area tax preparers with clients located outside the disaster area can choose to use the bulk requests from practitioners for disaster relief option, described on IRS.gov.

Additional tax relief
Individuals and businesses in a federally declared disaster area who suffered uninsured or unreimbursed disaster-related losses can choose to claim them on either the return for the year the loss occurred (in this instance, the 2025 return normally filed next year), or the return for the prior year (2024). Taxpayers have extra time – up to six months after the due date of the taxpayer’s federal income tax return for the disaster year (without regard to any extension of time to file) – to make the election. For individual taxpayers, this means Oct. 15, 2026. Be sure to write the FEMA declaration number – 3625-EM − on any return claiming a loss. See Publication 547, Casualties, Disasters, and Thefts, for details.

Qualified disaster relief payments are generally excluded from gross income. In general, this means that affected taxpayers can exclude from their gross income amounts received from a government agency for reasonable and necessary personal, family, living or funeral expenses, as well as for the repair or rehabilitation of their home, or for the repair or replacement of its contents. See Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income, for details.

Additional relief may be available to affected taxpayers who participate in a retirement plan or individual retirement arrangement (IRA). For example, a taxpayer may be eligible to take a special disaster distribution that would not be subject to the additional 10% early distribution tax and allows the taxpayer to spread the income over three years. Taxpayers may also be eligible to make a hardship withdrawal. Each plan or IRA has specific rules and guidance for their participants to follow.

The IRS may provide additional disaster relief in the future.

Taxpayers who do not qualify for disaster tax relief may qualify for reasonable cause penalty abatement. See Penalty Relief for Reasonable Cause for additional information.

The tax relief is part of a coordinated federal response to the damage caused by these storms and is based on local damage assessments by FEMA. For information on disaster recovery, visit DisasterAssistance.gov.

04/12/2025

IRS reminds taxpayers to access or create an IRS Online Account today
WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that it’s not too late to access or create an individual IRS Online Account. An IRS Online Account makes it easy for people to quickly get the tax planning information they need.
https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-account-for-individuals
With the same convenience as online banking, taxpayers can log into their accounts to:
• View key details from their most recent tax return, such as adjusted gross income.
• Request an Identity Protection PIN and access it throughout the year.
• Check the status of a refund.
• Get account transcripts, including wage and income records.
• Sign tax forms, such as power of attorney and tax information authorizations.
• View and edit language preferences and request alternative media.
• Receive and view over 200 IRS electronic notices.
• View, make and cancel payments.
• Set up or modify payment plans and check their balance.
Earlier this year, the IRS added the ability for taxpayers to use their IRS Online Account to view and download the following key tax documents:
• Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement
• Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement
• Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation.
Recently, the IRS added more information return documents to the IRS Online Account. Taxpayers can now also view and keep track of the following critical tax records:
• Form 1099-DIV, Dividends and Distributions
• Form 1099-SA, Distributions From an HSA, Archer MSA or Medicare Advantage MSA
• Form W-2G, Certain Gambling Winnings
• Form 1099-INT, Interest Income
• Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income
• Form 1099-R, Distributions from Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc.
These information returns are filed and reported by employers, financial institutions, government agencies and other payers to both the payees and the IRS. These documents provide information that can help taxpayers file their returns. The information is available for tax years 2023 and 2024 and is found under the Records and Status tab in the taxpayer’s IRS Online Account.
Online account for individuals | Internal Revenue Service
irs.gov
Online account for individuals | Internal Revenue Service
Sign in or create an online account. Review the amount you owe, balance for each tax year, payment history, tax records and more.

Sign in or create an online account. Review the amount you owe, balance for each tax year, payment history, tax records and more.

12/27/2023

12/20/2023

IRS reminds those aged 73 and older to make required withdrawals from IRAs and retirement plans by Dec. 31; notes changes in the law for 2023

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded people born before 1951 of the year-end deadlines to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from funds held in individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) and other retirement plans, and noted new requirements under the law beginning in 2023.

Required minimum distributions, or RMDs, are amounts that many retirement plan and IRA account owners must withdraw each year. RMDs are taxable income and may be subject to penalties if not timely taken. For individuals born before 1951, RMDs from IRAs and retirement plans should, for the most part, already have begun and are required for 2023.

New for 2023: The Secure 2.0 Act raised the age that account owners must begin taking RMDs. For 2023, the age at which account owners must start taking required minimum distributions goes up from age 72 to age 73, so individuals born in 1951 must receive their first required minimum distribution by April 1, 2025.
See Retirement Plan and IRA Required Minimum Distributions FAQs for more detailed information regarding the new provisions in the law.

IRAs: The RMD rules require individuals to take withdrawals from their IRAs (including SIMPLE IRAs and SEP IRAs) every year once they reach age 72 (73 if the account owner reaches age 72 in 2023 or later), even if they’re still employed.

Owners of Roth IRAs are not required to take withdrawals during their lifetime. However, after the death of the account owner, beneficiaries of a Roth IRA are subject to the RMD rules.

Retirement plans: The RMD rules also apply to employer-sponsored retirement plans, including profit-sharing plans, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans and 457(b) plans. Participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans can delay taking their RMDs until they retire, unless they are a 5% owner of the business sponsoring the plan.

Designated Roth accounts in a 401(k) or 403(b) plan are subject to the RMD rules for 2023. Beginning in 2024, designated Roth accounts will not be subject to the RMD rules while the account owner is still alive.

The RMD Comparison Chart highlights several of the basic RMD rules that apply to IRAs and defined contribution plans.
RMD calculations and tax on missed distributions

An IRA trustee or plan administrator must either report the amount of the RMD to the IRA owner or offer to calculate it. An IRA owner or trustee must calculate the RMD separately for each IRA owned, but the owner can make withdrawals from the account(s) of their choice as long as the total equals or exceeds the total annual requirement. Although the IRA trustee or plan administrator may calculate the RMD, the account owner is ultimately responsible for taking the correct RMD amount.

If an account owner fails to withdraw the full amount of the RMD by the due date, the owner is subject to an excise tax equal to 25% of the amount not withdrawn for 2023 and later years. The SECURE 2.0 Act dropped the excise tax rate from 50% for distributions required for 2023 and reduces the tax rate to 10% if the error is corrected within two years. The account owner should file Form 5329, Additional Taxes on Qualified Plans (Including IRAs) and Other Tax-Favored Accounts, with their federal tax return for the year in which the full amount of the RMD was required but not taken.

The IRS has worksheets to calculate the RMD and payout periods.
Inherited IRAs

An RMD may be required for an IRA, retirement plan account or Roth IRA inherited from the original owner. The factors that affect the distribution requirements for inherited retirement plan accounts and IRAs include:

• Whether the account owner died after 2019 (the SECURE Act made changes to the RMDs for beneficiaries if the death of the account holder occurred after 2019).

• The relationship of the beneficiary to the account owner and certain characteristics of the beneficiary (spouse, minor child, disabled or chronically ill individual, entity other than an individual).

• Whether the original account owner passed away before or after their required beginning date (the date the original account owner was required to begin taking RMDs).
IRS Notice 2023-54 provides that certain non-spouse beneficiaries subject to the 10-year distribution rule will not fail the RMD requirements because they didn’t make distributions in 2023.

Retirement Topics - Beneficiary and Required Minimum Distributions for IRA Beneficiaries have information on taking RMDs from an inherited IRA or retirement account and reporting taxable distributions as part of gross income. Publication 559, Survivors, Executors and Administrators, can help those in charge of the estate complete and file federal income tax returns and explains their responsibility to pay any taxes due on behalf of the person who has died.

2020 coronavirus-related distribution

Distribution requirements were waived for 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. An account owner or beneficiary who received an RMD in 2020 had the option of returning it to their IRA or other qualified plan to avoid paying taxes on that distribution. A 2020 RMD that qualified as a coronavirus-related distribution could be repaid over a three-year period or have the taxes due on the distribution spread over three years.

A 2020 withdrawal from an inherited IRA could not be repaid to the inherited IRA but may be spread over three years for income inclusion. For more information see Coronavirus Relief for Retirement Plans and IRAs.

12/29/2022

IRS issues standard mileage rates for 2023; business use increases 3 cents per mile

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2023 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2023, the standard mileage rates for the use of
a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

• 5 cents per mile driven for business use, up 3 cents from the midyear increase setting the rate for the second half of 2022.

• 22 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes for qualified active-duty members of the Armed Forces, consistent with the increased midyear rate set for the second half of 2022.

• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations; the rate is set by statute and remains unchanged from 2022.

These rates apply to electric and hybrid-electric automobiles, as well as gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles.

The standard mileage rate for business use is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs.

It is important to note that under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, taxpayers cannot claim a miscellaneous itemized deduction for unreimbursed employee travel expenses. Taxpayers also cannot claim a deduction for moving expenses, unless they are members of the Armed Forces on active duty moving under orders to a permanent change of station. For more details see Moving
Expenses for Members of the Armed Forces.

Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.

Taxpayers can use the standard mileage rate but generally must opt to use it in the first year the car is available for business use. Then, in later years, they can choose either the standard mileage rate or actual expenses. Leased vehicles must use the standard mileage rate method for the entire lease period (including renewals) if the standard mileage rate is chosen.

11/30/2022

Good recordkeeping year-round helps taxpayers avoid tax time frustration

Wading through a pile of statements, receipts and other financial documents when it’s time to prepare a tax return can be frustrating for people who haven’t managed their records. By knowing what they need to keep and how long to keep it, people can develop a good recordkeeping system year-round and make filing their return easier.

Good recordkeeping can also help taxpayers understand their situation when they receive letters or notices from the IRS.

Good records help:

• Identify sources of income. Taxpayers may receive money or property from a variety of sources. The records can identify the sources of income and help separate business from non-business income and taxable from nontaxable income.

• Keep track of expenses. Taxpayers can use records to identify expenses for which they can claim a deduction. This will help determine whether to itemize deductions at filing. It may also help them discover potentially overlooked deductions or credits.

• Prepare tax returns. Good records help taxpayers file their tax return quickly and accurately. Throughout the year, they should add tax records to their files as they receive them to make preparing a tax return easier.

• Support items reported on tax returns. Well-organized records make it easier to prepare a tax return and help provide answers if the return is selected for examination or if the taxpayer receives an IRS notice.

In general, taxpayers should keep records for three years from the date they filed the tax return. Taxpayers should develop a system that keeps all their important information together. They can use a software program for electronic recordkeeping. They could also store paper documents in labeled folders.

Records to keep include:

• Tax-related records. This includes wage and earning statements from all employers or payers including payment apps or cards, such as Form W-2, 1099-K, 1099-Misc, 1099-NEC. Other records include interest and dividend statements from banks, certain government payments like unemployment compensation, other income documents and records of virtual currency transactions. Taxpayers should also keep receipts, canceled checks, and other documents that support income, a deduction, or a credit reported on their tax return.

• IRS letters, notices and prior year tax returns. Taxpayers should keep copies of prior year tax returns and notices or letters they receive from the IRS. These include adjustment notices when an action takes place occurs on the taxpayer's account.

• Property records. Taxpayers should also keep records relating to property they dispose of or sell. They must keep these records to figure their basis for computing gain or loss.

• Business income and expenses. Business taxpayers should find a bookkeeping method that clearly and accurately reflects their gross income and expenses. Taxpayers who have employees must keep all employment tax records for at least four years after the tax is due or paid, whichever is later.

• Health insurance. Taxpayers should keep records of their own and their family members' health care insurance coverage. If they're claiming the premium tax credit, they'll need information about any advance credit payments received through the Health Insurance
Marketplace and the premiums they paid.

11/21/2022

Taxpayers should review the 401(k) and IRA limit increases for 2023

The amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans in 2023 will increase to $22,500 -- up from $20,500 for 2022. The income ranges for determining eligibility to make deductible contributions to traditional IRAs, contribute to Roth IRAs, and claim the Saver's Credit will also all increase for 2023.

Taxpayers can read the technical guidance regarding all of the cost of living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2023 in Notice 2022-55 on IRS.gov.

Here are some of the changes for 2023:

• The contribution limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans and the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan will increase to $22,500.

• The limit on annual contributions to an IRA will increase to $6,500. The IRA catch up contribution limit for individuals age 50 and over is not subject to an annual cost of living adjustment and remains $1,000.

• The catch-up contribution limit for employees age 50 and over who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans and the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan will increase to $7,500.

• The catch-up contribution limit for employees age 50 and over who participate in SIMPLE plans will increase to $3,500, up from $3,000.

• The phase out ranges for deducting contributions to a traditional IRA will also increase.

• The income phase-out range for people making contributions to a Roth IRA will increase for taxpayers filing as single, head of household and married filing jointly.

• The income limit for the Saver's Credit for low- and moderate-income workers is $73,000 for married couples filing jointly; $54,750 for heads of household; and $36,500 for singles and married individuals filing separately.

• The amount individuals can contribute to their SIMPLE retirement accounts will increase to $15,500.

08/10/2022

New school year reminder to educators; maximum educator expense deduction rises to $300 in 2022

WASHINGTON – As the new school year begins, the Internal Revenue Service reminds teachers and other educators that they’ll be able to deduct up to $300 of out-of-pocket classroom expenses for 2022 when they file their federal income tax return next year.

This is the first time the annual limit has increased since the special educator expense deduction was enacted in 2002. For tax years 2002 through 2021, the limit was $250 per year. The limit will rise in $50 increments in future years based on inflation adjustments.

For 2022, an eligible educator can deduct up to $300 of qualifying expenses. If they’re married and file a joint return with another eligible educator, the limit rises to $600. But in this situation, not more than $300 for each spouse.

Who qualifies?

Educators can claim this deduction, even if they take the standard deduction. Eligible educators include anyone who is a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal or aide in a school for at least 900 hours during the school year. Both public and private school educators qualify.

What's deductible?
Educators can deduct the unreimbursed cost of:

• Books, supplies and other materials used in the classroom.
• Equipment, including computer equipment, software and services.
• COVID-19 protective items to stop the spread of the disease in the classroom. This includes face masks, disinfectant for use against COVID-19, hand soap, hand sanitizer, disposable gloves, tape, paint or chalk to guide social distancing, physical barriers, such as clear plexiglass, air purifiers and other items recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Professional development courses related to the curriculum they teach or the students they teach. But the IRS cautions that, for these expenses, it may be more beneficial to claim another educational tax benefit, especially the lifetime learning credit.

Qualified expenses don’t include the cost of home schooling or for nonathletic supplies for courses in health or physical education. As with all deductions and credits, the IRS reminds educators to keep good records, including receipts, cancelled checks and other documentation.

Reminder for 2021 tax returns being filed now: Deduction limit is $250

For those who received a tax filing extension or still need to file a 2021 tax return, the IRS reminds any educator still working on their 2021 return that the deduction limit is $250. If they are married and file a joint return with another eligible educator, the limit rises to $500. But in this situation, not more than $250 for each spouse.