Client Alert
Are You Committing Filing Status Malpractice?
Consider this article your periodic reminder that, for married taxpayers, filing jointly is an election and not the default (and certainly not the only) filing status option. It is important in a busy practice to remember to offer this option to clients who may benefit from filing separately, even if they don't ask.
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The Art of Income Shifting: Powerful Planning Strategies That Stand Up to Scrutiny
Income shifting strategies address taxation at its most fundamental level by directing income to taxpayers in lower brackets or with offsetting deductions. Unlike many tax strategies that merely time recognition or enhance deductions, effective income shifting can permanently reduce the tax burden on a given dollar of income—often creating tax savings that compound year after year. In this article, we'll explore systematic approaches to income shifting that create extraordinary value for clients while maintaining impeccable compliance.
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CURRENT EDITION
Form 1099 Reporting Thresholds Have Changed
The Form 1099 reporting thresholds have changed from the old, familiar $600 amount to $2,000 for 2026. But because nothing is ever easy or straightforward, the threshold hasn’t changed for “all” transactions that might end up on a 1099, particularly with Form 1099-MISC.
What Do You Ask Indie Game Developers at Tax Interviews?
When you take on a new client, the tax interview is one of the most crucial elements of ensuring that their tax documents are prepared correctly. Both individual and business clients should provide you with a road map for their current tax situation, what they expect it to look like in the near future, and how your tax planning and preparation skills will help them with their business or financial goals. To focus specifically on business clients, questionnaires that the client fills out beforehand can efficiently cut down on facetime. This allows you more time to ask focused questions and learn about your client’s business needs and environment. But if your client is a game developer, specifically an indie game developer, there’s some nuanced questions you should ask in person or as an addendum to your questionnaire after you’ve read about the basics of doing business with game developers.
Using AI In Your Tax Practice? Choose The Nuclear Option
I always know when something, especially something bad, is trending on social media. Why? Because I’m not on social media and I still hear about the issue. Lately, I’m getting disturbing reports of the cavalier attitude that many tax practitioners are taking towards the use of AI in their practices. Apparently even the IRS is catching on because in late June 2026 the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) sent a bulletin to practitioners reminding them of their obligations under Treasury Circular 230 and how the circular’s provisions apply to using AI in a tax practice. The bulletin includes a decent list of best practices, and I recommend reviewing the bulletin and the applicable sections of Circular 230 after you finish this article.
