As the federal student loan system enters a new era, advisors are tasked with helping clients navigate the practical implications of recent reforms. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has redefined borrowing limits and repayment options, creating fresh challenges for borrowers at every stage of higher education. Whether clients are weighing school choices or managing existing student debt, understanding these updates is key to providing informed financial guidance. In Part 2 of our OBBBA student loan series, we explore how these changes could play out for common borrower situations and what advisors should be aware of to confidently guide clients through the post-OBBBA student loan landscape.

Tax law is forever classifying people and making structures that either create benefits or disadvantages on your tax return. Part of getting the most from your return is about understanding the definitions of the IRS. Two that seem very similar but have distinctly different consequences on your taxes, are real estate dealer and real estate investor.

Though the government was shut down all month, and trial sessions were canceled, Tax Court carried on. Online improvements were forecast, the equitable tolling saga continued, and self-represented novelties featured this month.

In part one of this series, I went over the basics of the new retirement accounts for minors, Trump Accounts, which were created as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Trump Accounts allow the Government, Charitable Organizations, Parents, and others to contribute to a child’s savings, usually on an after-tax basis. These accounts then transition to a traditional individual retirement account (IRA) when the child turns 18. Although the contribution limits act like non-deductible traditional IRA contributions and have a contribution limit of only $5,000 per year, they do not have the same earned income requirements that traditional IRA contributions have. This means that children are able to accumulate savings even without earned income. This article presents several scenarios to examine how Trump Accounts may play into an overall savings strategy for children.

Most clients are familiar with the well-known accounts to save for retirement, such as the 401(k) and IRA. Some clients might be able to supplement those with a lesser-known vehicle as well. A life insurance retirement plan (LIRP) is a type of permanent life policy with a cash value basically funded by overpaying premiums. The money can eventually be taken as a tax-free loan against the policy for anything from medical expenses and long-term care to supplemental retirement income to, for the wealthy, the payment of taxes on large estates.

Is the taxidermy fee for a stuffed bear deductible? If so, should I depreciate it? What would the basis and class life be for depreciation? Those are real questions asked in a group chat with some colleagues. Of course my answer was “It depends.” And, like all good tax professionals, I proceeded to ask a series of follow-up questions. And, like a good writer, that got me to thinking about all of the tax-related case law surrounding taxidermy and what it can teach us—it’s more than one might think.

As an accountant with a firm to grow, the power is in your hands. Your digital presence, or lack thereof, can often determine your firm's growth. The good news is that reviews, testimonials, and case studies are potent tools that put you in the driver's seat of bolstering your reputation and attracting new business. But what is the difference between these three, and how can you strategically use each to scale your accounting practice?

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025, added a new tax saving tool for minors, the aptly named Trump Accounts. In this article, I go over the details of the new Trump Accounts. In part II, I will discuss some of the potential tax planning opportunities and pitfalls related to the new accounts.