January 2026

Newsletter

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Cheers to a happy, healthy and prosperous year ahead!!


Welcome Penny Phillips

We are happy to announce that Penny will be joining the team as a staff accountant.


Penny has worked for 11+ years in public accounting, for two firms.

She was responsible for bookkeeping and tax preparation for a variety of clients.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling and reading.

Inflation Adjustments to Retirement Account Limits

Issued for 2026:



The IRS announced the 2026 benefit and contribution limits for qualified retirement plans, including contribution limits for Sec. 401(k) plans and individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) 

Tax Season



There are a number of items to be aware of regarding tax returns this year. We will keep you as up to date as possible as new guidance comes in over the upcoming weeks.

Organizers


We are beginning to send tax organizers to all clients. Please set aside a few minutes to review the organizer and answer the required yes/no questions.


To help ensure accuracy and timely completion, tax returns will not be started until the organizer is completed.


If you do not receive an organizer by the end of the month, please call the office and we will get one out to you.

Watch your email for Tips and Tricks for completing your electronic organizer!!



TRUMP ACCOUNTS:



What is a Trump Account?

A Trump Account is a tax-deferred savings account for children under 18. The accounts are designed to grow with investment earnings over time, and when the child becomes an adult, the accounts generally function like a traditional IRA.

Who is eligible?

Any child under 18 with a valid Social Security number may open a Trump Account. Parents or guardians must set up and manage the account until the child turns 18.

What is the $1,000 government contribution?

The parent or guardian of a child born between calendar year 2025 and 2028 who is a U.S. citizen with a valid Social Security number may choose to have a one-time $1,000 contribution made by Treasury to the child’s Trump Account. This contribution does not count against the annual $5,000 contribution limit. This benefit is available for these children so long as the account is opened before the year in which the child turns age 18.

Who can contribute to a Trump Account?

Children, parents or guardians, grandparents, family members, friends, and employers (with the first $2,500 per employee per year excluded from the employee’s income) may make contributions. Additionally, qualifying charitable organizations and government entities (e.g., states, tribes, localities, etc.) may make contributions for all children in a “qualified class” (e.g., all children born in a year, all children in a state, all children nationwide, etc.).

How much can be contributed each year?

The annual contribution limit is $5,000 total per child, with cost-of-living increases after 2027. Qualifying charitable organizations and government entities may make additional contributions that do not count toward the $5,000 limit.

When do contributions begin?

Contributions to Trump Accounts will be accepted starting July 4, 2026.

Can money be withdrawn before age 18?

No. Funds may not be withdrawn before the child turns 18, except for a rollover of the entire account to a Trump Account with another brokerage (trustee-to-trustee transfer), certain rollovers to an ABLE account in the year the child turns 17, or distribution upon death. After age 18, standard IRA rules for withdrawals apply.

What happens when the child turns 18?

At age 18, the account is generally treated like a traditional IRA. The account holder may continue contributing subject to IRA rules and earned income requirements. Withdrawals follow traditional IRA rules and the account holder may be subject to a 10% additional tax for any withdrawal before age 59 ½, unless an exception (such as for distributions for higher education expenses or first home purchases) applies.

How do I open a Trump Account for my child?

Use IRS Form 4547 to make the election to establish an initial Trump Account for the exclusive benefit of a child who is eligible; also use Form 4547 to make an election for the $1,000 pilot program contribution from the U.S. Treasury to the child’s Trump Account if they are eligible for the contribution. After the election is made, beginning in May 2026, Treasury or its agent will send information to the individual who made the election to activate the account through an authentication process and complete the opening of the initial Trump account.

When can I open a Trump Account for my child?

Once it is available, IRS Form 4547 can be filed at any time. Beginning mid-2026, these elections can also be made through an online account at trumpaccounts.gov.

Where will the Trump Account be held? Can I use my preferred brokerage firm?

All Trump Accounts will initially be created and held with Treasury’s designated financial agent. At a later date, parents or guardians will be able to transfer the full balance of a Trump Account to their preferred brokerage firm through a simple trustee-to-trustee rollover.

Can my employer offer Trump Account contributions through a cafeteria plan?

Yes. Pre-tax salary-reduction contributions will be allowed to Trump Accounts owned by an employee’s dependent child through an employer-sponsored cafeteria plan, up to $2,500 per employee per year.


For more information, visit www.trumpaccounts.gov


Important Change to USPS Postmark Rules



The U.S. Postal Service has changed how mail is postmarked. Mail is no longer postmarked on the day it is dropped off at the post office or placed in a collection box. Instead, mail is postmarked on the day it is actually processed by USPS.

This means that even if you drop an item off on or before a tax deadline, the postmark date may be one or more days later, which could cause the IRS or state agencies to treat the filing or payment as late.

To avoid penalties and delays, we strongly recommend:

  • Mailing deadline-sensitive items several days early
  • Using USPS Certified Mail when possible
  • Taking documents directly to the post office counter and asking about processing times
  • Using electronic filing and electronic payments whenever available
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Office Hours

Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm

Starting February 2

Monday-Friday 9:00am-6:00pm