Winding Road, Inc

01/05/2026

Meet Pearl, in Sparta through Buddy's AI-powered adoption platform. See photos, get rescue info, and start the adoption process today.

01/05/2026

Here are our surgery prices starting January 1, 2026. Due to rising prices of supplies and inflation, we have to slightly increase the prices of our surgeries for the upcoming year. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing everyone in the new year!

09/06/2025

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09/06/2025

For my clients out there who are amazed constantly at the inefficiency of the Internal Revenue Service, I’ll give you another idea of why they’re having so many problems right now. On top of having to do all the things they have to do to get ready for the Big Beautiful Bill law changes that will take affect in 202 tax filing year, they have been through seven commissioners since January 1. The last one was only on the job for less than two months. And right now the acting head of the agency is also the Treasury secretary until a new Trump pick can be confirmed by the Senate. 2026 is shaping up to be a rough year in the tax world. Oh, and to add to that, Congress has to come back from vacation on Sept 30th and start trying to approve a budget to avoid a shut down. If they do go into a shut down, the IRS will try to keep some employees there working on those changes, but all that is also up in the air. Good times……

08/27/2025

Something to think about when planning for next year's tax prep - by September 30th, the IRS will be losing about 25% of it's employees mostly through the deferred resignation offers that went out to federal employees earlier this year. Many of those workers were those at or nearly at retirement age. That lost experience is going to be difficult to replace. Also, they are revamping things due to the new tax laws, so there will probably be LOTS of questions as we await guidance on how some of the laws are going to work in different scenarios. Also, their IT folks have to reprogram computer systems to account for all the changes.
All of this is to say go slow and be patient. You're going to have your calls answered after very long waits with many unexperienced IRS personnel. Fact check everything you hear and ask for documentation of answers. Also, write down AND KEEP the ID number of the reps who assist you when you call.
They also have already said that the season probably won't start until around Presidents Day, which is three weeks later than normal. That means more people trying to get their taxes done with less time for your preparer to do it. Please be patient with those folks too, as we are doing our best. And finally, as always, please don't wait until the last minute. Even though the IRS won't be ready on time, most tax software people will be - we can do your taxes and just wait to efile until they open the doors.
All that is to say the magic word for the 2025 tax season is Kindness.

07/22/2025

Today's tip on the new bill - the standard deduction will increase to 31,500.00 for married filing jointly, 23,625 for heads of household, 15750.00 for single or married filing separately. Personal deductions, which would have come back for 2025 without the change (as well as the much lower standard deduction) has been repealed. There is an exception to this, which I'll discuss later, for those 65 years old and up.

07/21/2025

Alrighty! Back with some more information from the Big Beautiful Bill -
Effective for 2025 through 2028, individuals may deduct interest paid on a loan used to purchase a qualified vehicle, provided the vehicle is purchased for personal use and meets other eligibility criteria. (Lease payments do not qualify.)
o Maximum annual deduction is $10,000.
o Deduction phases out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income over $100,000 ($200,000 for joint filers).
• Qualified interest: To qualify for the deduction, the interest must be paid on a loan that is:
o originated after December 31, 2024,
o used to purchase a vehicle, the original use of which starts with the taxpayer (used vehicles do not qualify),
o for a personal use vehicle (not for business or commercial use) and
o secured by a lien on the vehicle.
If a qualifying vehicle loan is later refinanced, interest paid on the refinanced amount is generally eligible for the deduction.
• Qualified vehicle: A qualified vehicle is a car, minivan, van, SUV, pick-up truck or motorcycle, with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 14,000 pounds, and that has undergone final assembly in the United States.
• Taxpayer eligibility: Deduction is available for both itemizing and non-itemizing taxpayers.
o The taxpayer must include the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the qualified vehicle on the tax return for any year in which the deduction is claimed.

So this could be a really good one if you purchased a car this year that was made in good ole US of A. So if you come and see me for taxes, and you did this, don't forget to bring me the paperwork so I can get the VIN.

07/16/2025

New benefit of the Big Beautiful Bill -
For tax years 2025-2028, you may deduct a portion of OT that you are paid. Here's how it reads: "you may deduct the pay that exceeds your regular rate of pay"; in other words, the 1/2 portion of time and a 1/2.
The maximum deduction is $12,500 per person and it will phase out based on income. If your modified adjusted gross income is 150K and up, it's phased out completely.
The IRS will provide guidance on how this is reported on the individual as well as employer basis probably by October sometime.

07/15/2025

OK, here's one of the important ones for many of my clients:
Effective for 2025 through 2028, employees and self-employed individuals may deduct qualified tips received in occupations that are listed by the IRS as customarily and regularly receiving tips on or before December 31, 2024, and that are reported on a Form W-2, Form 1099, or other specified statement furnished to the individual or reported directly by the individual on Form 4137.
o “Qualified tips” are voluntary cash or charged tips received from customers or through tip sharing.
o Maximum annual deduction is $25,000; for self-employed, deduction may not exceed individual’s net income (without regard to this deduction) from the trade or business in which the tips were earned.
o Deduction phases out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income over $150,000 ($300,000 for joint filers).
Also, Deduction is available for both itemizing and non-itemizing taxpayers.
o Self-employed individuals in a Specified Service Trade or Business (SSTB) under section 199A are not eligible. Employees whose employer is in an SSTB also are not eligible.
o Taxpayers must:
 include their Social Security Number on the return and
 file jointly if married, to claim the deduction.
o Reporting: Employers and other payors must file information returns with the IRS (or SSA) and furnish statements to taxpayers showing certain cash tips received and the occupation of the tip recipient.
o Guidance: By October 2, 2025, the IRS must publish a list of occupations that “customarily and regularly” received tips on or before December 31, 2024.

07/09/2025

OK, the bill was signed into law on 7/4. What does it mean for you??
Well, it depends on several things but I’ll tell you some of the good, and some of the bad, over the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

06/21/2025

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06/21/2025

That "Big Beautiful Bill". As you know by now, it's passed the house, with changes, and moved to the Senate. I want to cover a few of the things in it, which I think are relevant to most of my clients. Here are a few of the house approved items that await Senate approval, that COULD be in your future:
1) The standard deduction would temporarily increase by $2000 for joint filers, $1500 for heads of household and $1000 for single filers. It would apply for 2025-2028. That would make the standard deduction for married folks $32000.00, for head of household folks $24000.00 and for single folks, $16,000.00. After 2028, it would decrease to the 2024 (last filing year) rates, indexed for inflation.
If you are 65 and up, you would a $4000.00 bonus per person. This would also be temporary - 2025-2028. There are incomes phase out limits.
2) Child tax credit would temporarily rise to $2500 per child aged 0 - 16, up from the $2000 per child now. Also 2025-2028, and after that would revert back to the $2000, indexed for inflation. Again pretty healthy phase out limits. Without this change, in 2026, it's going back to $1,000 per child, so we're hoping this passes for sure.
3) Lifetime estate and gift tax exemption amount would be extended and increased - up to 15,000,000.00 for those who pass in 2026. Otherwise, it goes back to 7 million in 2026.
4) A new kind of tax advantaged savings account would be made available, if the bill passes. It would let parents open an account for each child under age 8. Contributions up to $5000.00 per year, adjusted yearly for inflation, come be made to the account until the child reaches 18. No distributions would be allowed until the child turns 18. Between 18 and 25 years of age, withdrawals can't exceed 1/2 the value of the account balance as it was when the child turned 18. At age 31, the account would terminate and the remaining balance would go to the child. It would be called a Trump account. Contributions aren't deductible. Tax on the earnings would be deferred until withdrawal. Earnings could be taxed as long term capital gains if used for college, starting a business or buying a first home. Anything else, would be taxed as ordinary income (just the earnings, not the principal). If using it for anything else than the above items, and if removed before age 30, there would be a 10% levy. And the government would pitch in a one time $1000 payment for each US child with a social security number born after 2024 and before 2029. Treasury would set up a Trump account for each child who doesn't otherwise have one.

So think on these, and how they will effect your taxes if they are passed. We think we will get the final passing at least by the end of July. Once the Senate makes their changes, the house has to approve them before it becomes law. So reach out to your representatives if you feel strongly about it, and lets wait and see what's in store.

I'll keep you posted.

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