V F Accounting & Bookkeeping Services, LLC

11/05/2025

New Tax Laws for 2026 Tax Season

Major tax changes don’t happen often. But when they do, they open doors for every kind of taxpayer.

Here’s what’s new this season:

Families:
Bigger Child Tax Credits and Dependent Care Credits
Higher Standard Deduction

Retirees (65+):
Extra deduction on top of the standard deduction

Homeowners:
SALT deduction jumps from $10K → $40K
Mortgage insurance premiums are deductible again

Hospitality Workers:
New deduction for tip income
IRS released 68 qualifying occupations

Overtime Pay:
Brand-new deductions for overtime pay

Auto Deductions & Credits:
Car loan interest can now be deducted-—no itemizing required
EV tax credits start phasing out

Call now to connect with business.

09/29/2025

IRS Issues New Warning About Tax Credit Scams

The IRS recently warned all Americans about the growing number of tax scams getting promoted on the internet and social media. Many of the scams involve fraudulently claiming tax credits like the Fuel Tax Credit and Sick and Family Leave Credit. In reality, the vast majority of people are not eligible for these credits, which can only be claimed by businesses and self-employed people under very specific circumstances.

The consequences of filing a return with improper credit claims may include denial of a refund, a $5,000 civil penalty, and additional tax penalties and interest charges. Over the last few years, IRS penalties assessed in connection with tax credit scams have totaled over $162 million.

Common traits of these scams include claims that "everyone qualifies" for a tax credit, promises of a rapid refund with little or no paperwork, advice to amend past tax returns by adding unusual credit claims, and encouragement to ignore or falsely respond to IRS notices. In reality, no one can determine whether you qualify for a tax credit without reviewing your circumstances. Anyone who says otherwise is almost certainly peddling a scam.

If you receive an IRS letter about a tax credit you claimed, or believe you may have been misled by one of these scams, seek guidance from a reliable source immediately such as a trusted tax professional.

09/22/2025

Work Opportunity Tax Credit Expiring at the End of 2025

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) provides a benefit for employers that hire people who have traditionally faced disadvantages when seeking work. However, the credit is only available through December 31, 2025.

To qualify for the WOTC, an employer must hire one or more individuals from a group specified in the rules for the credit. Those groups include:
- Qualified unemployed veterans (including veterans with disabilities)
- Recipients of public assistance like long-term unemployment, long-term family assistance, SNAP benefits, Supplemental Security payments or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- People who live in areas designated as empowerment zones or rural renewal counties
- People referred to vocational rehabilitation programs
- Formerly incarcerated people

The amount of the WOTC is generally based on wages paid to the qualifying worker, and you may claim the credit as part of the General Business Credit. Therefore, the credit is nonrefundable, but any unused credit may be carried forward or back under the usual rules. A business tax professional can help you determine whether your business qualifies for the WOTC, and if so, help you complete all the required paperwork to claim it before it expires.

09/15/2025

Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments - Reminder

If you are making quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS, the due date for the June 1st - August 31st, 2025 quarter of year is today, September 15th, 2025.

For payments made using IRS Direct Pay, you can make payments until 11:45PM EST, and for payments using a credit or debit card, payments can be made up to midnight on the due date.

09/08/2025

OBBBA Reinstates 100% Bonus Depreciation for Many Capital Expenses

The recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) reinstated 100% bonus depreciation for many capital expenses, a policy that had previously expired at the end of 2022. Under this policy, businesses may deduct the entire cost of qualifying capital assets during the year that the assets are placed in service, instead of dividing that cost between multiple years.

Certain types of capital business property and investments will not qualify for 100% bonus depreciation. The IRS will provide further guidance on eligible expenses later this fall. Note also that 100% bonus depreciation will only apply to assets acquired and placed in service on or after January 20, 2025.

A business tax professional can help you determine which of your capital expenses qualify for 100% bonus depreciation, and help you devise the most advantageous depreciation strategies overall.

09/02/2025

Multiple Home Energy Credits to Expire at the End of 2025 – Did You Know?

Currently, the IRS offers homeowners a variety of tax credits related to energy efficiency and clean energy production and use. For example, the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit reimburses qualifying homeowners for a portion of the cost of certain high-efficiency heating and cooling (HVAC) systems, as well as the cost of insulation, doors and windows that reduce energy use. Meanwhile, home improvements that generate or use alternative energy, such as installing solar panels or a solar-powered water heater, may qualify for the Residential Clean Energy Credit.

Under the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), these two credits will expire on December 31, 2025. Therefore, many energy-related home improvements made in 2026 or later will not qualify for federal tax benefits. A tax professional can help you determine whether any of your planned home improvements qualify for home energy credits, so you can prioritize eligible projects for the remainder of 2025.

08/25/2025

OBBBA Increased 2025 Standard Deduction Amounts

The recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) increased the standard deductions that people may claim on their 2025 tax returns above the levels previously announced by the IRS. Here are the new standard deduction amounts based on filing status:

Single or Married Filing Separately (MFS): $15,750, an increase of $1,150 from 2024

Head of Household: $23,625, an increase of $1,725 from 2024

Married Filing Jointly (MFJ) or Qualifying Surviving Spouse: $31,500, an increase of $2,300 from 2024

The OBBBA also increased the enhanced deduction available to people of age 65 or older. Watch for further details on that change and other new deductions in the coming weeks.

08/18/2025

Workplace Educational Assistance Programs and Student Loans

The IRS recently issued a reminder that employers may continue to use workplace educational assistance programs to help employees repay student loans through December 31, 2025. In general, employers may provide up to $5,250 of assistance per year to employees for qualifying education expenses, without those funds counting as taxable wages. In other words, employees may exclude the assistance from their reported gross income.

Traditionally, workplace educational assistance programs only cover current education expenses, such as tuition, books, and certain other required fees and course materials. However, a temporary provision currently in effect allows the programs to also cover repayment of qualifying student loans. This special provision will expire at the end of 2025, so those who wish to use tax-free educational assistance to repay loans should do so before January 1.

08/11/2025

One Big Beautiful Bill Act Creates New Tax Deductions – Did You Know? (3/3)

As a result of Congress enacting the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act, many people will have the opportunity to claim new tax deductions over the next several years. These deductions will be available both to those who itemize deductions and those who use a standard deduction. One of the new deductions is offered exclusively to seniors, while another relates to interest on auto loans.

For tax years 2025 through 2028, eligible people of age 65 or older may claim a general deduction of up to $6,000 per year (up to $12,000 for joint filers). Note that you may claim this new deduction in addition to the enhanced standard deduction already available to seniors. However, seniors with modified adjusted gross incomes (MAGIs) above $75,000 (or $150,000 for joint filers) may not qualify for the deduction, or may receive a reduced deduction amount.

The car loan interest deduction will apply to auto loans initiated after December 31, 2024, along with certain auto loans refinanced after that date. In order to qualify for the deduction, the loan must be used to finance the purchase of a qualifying new (not used) vehicle. The maximum deduction amount is $10,000 per year, with the deduction phasing out for people with MAGIs above $100,000 (or $200,000 for joint filers).

The IRS will provide additional guidance on these deductions later this fall.

08/04/2025

One Big Beautiful Bill Act Creates New Tax Deductions – Did You Know? (2/3)

As a result of Congress enacting the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act, many people will have the opportunity to claim new tax deductions over the next several years. These deductions will be available both to those who itemize deductions and those who use a standard deduction.

One of the new deductions relates to bonus pay that employees may receive for working overtime. In general, eligible employees may deduct overtime pay that exceeds their normal pay rate. For example, if employees ordinarily get paid $20/hour, but a $30/hour rate applies to their overtime work ("time and a half"), then up to $10/hour of their overtime earnings will be deductible. The maximum deduction amount will be $12,500 per year, or $25,000 for joint filers.

People with modified adjusted gross incomes (MAGIs) above $150,000 (or $300,000 for joint filers) may not qualify for this deduction, or may receive a reduced deduction amount. To be eligible for this special deduction, overtime pay must be reported by an employer on an official IRS document like Form W-2. The IRS will provide additional guidance on this deduction, including special transitional rules for 2025, later this fall.

07/28/2025

One Big Beautiful Bill Act Creates New Tax Deductions – Did You Know? (1/3)

As a result of Congress enacting the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act, many people will have the opportunity to claim new tax deductions over the next several years. These deductions will be available both to those who itemize deductions and those who use a standard deduction.

One of the new deductions is for qualified tip income received in occupations where tipping is customary. The maximum deduction amount will be $25,000 per year, with a lower limit potentially applying for those who receive tips in the context of self-employment. People with modified adjusted gross incomes (MAGIs) above $150,000 (or $300,000 for joint filers) may not qualify for the deduction, or may receive a reduced deduction amount.

The IRS will release a detailed list of occupations that may be eligible for this new deduction sometime this fall. Only tips reported on an official tax document like Form W-2, 1099 or 4137 will qualify for the deduction. Therefore, tipped employees should continue submitting required monthly tip reports to their employers.

07/21/2025

Receiving Online Payments - Did You Know?

If you are self-employed and receive payments through online payment processing platforms, take care to separate business and personal transactions. You can do this by setting up separate business accounts on the platforms, or by using features that allow you to specify the purpose of payments. Otherwise, the platforms may overreport your income.