Starting Fresh: A Year-End Tax Guide for the Newly Divorced
The first year after a divorce comes with plenty of adjustments, from scheduling holidays to figuring out which documents still have both names on them….
-
-
The “New Client” Tax Scam That Puts Your Data at Risk
Some tax scams skip the taxpayer entirely and go straight for the preparer. The “new client” scam uses friendly, believable emails to bait professionals into…
-
Smart Tax Moves for Homeowners: Deductions to Know Before the Year Ends
Buying a home comes with plenty of decisions: paint colors, repairs, figuring out where the mysteriously slow Wi-Fi signal disappears. But as 2025 wraps up…
-
Taking Clients to Lunch? Here’s What Still Counts as a Business Meal Deduction
With the new year around the corner, it is a good time to revisit the rules around business meals. You cannot claim every sandwich or…
-
Ghost Tax Preparers: When Your Preparer Pulls a Disappearing Act
As we spotlight to top tax scams making the rounds this year, here’s a sneaky scam that disappears just when you need answers: the ghost…
-
The Back Taxes Scam Hiding Behind “Pennies on the Dollar” Promises
If you owe back taxes, the idea of wiping your slate clean for a fraction of what you owe sounds appealing. But behind many of…
-
Year-End Checklist: Get the Most from Your FSA in 2025
Before the year wraps up, take a closer look at your Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Whether you’re planning ahead or trying to make the most…
-
Too Good to Be True: The Overstated Withholding Scam
When Too Much Withholding Becomes Too Much Trouble Taxpayers chasing big refunds are being misled by a growing scam that’s landed on the IRS’s 2025…
-
Passing Down the Family Home: How a QPRT Can Protect Your Legacy and Lower Taxes
For many families, a home is an asset… and a gathering place, a source of stability, and the centerpiece of a family’s story. But when…
-
Tax Scams: Haunted by a Ghost Employee Claim
When the Nanny Is a Ghost and So Is Your Refund Improper household employment tax claims are making headlines as one of the IRS’s top…
-
Philanthropy and Your Estate Plan: Smart Moves Before 2026
Including philanthropy in your estate plan lets you support meaningful causes and may reduce taxes on your estate. With higher exemption amounts scheduled to expire…
-
Selling Stocks, Property, or Crypto? Missouri’s New Law Could Save You Thousands
Big changes are coming to Missouri taxes, and this time they’re in your favor. Thanks to House Bill 594 (HB 594), signed by Governor Mike…
-
The Myth of the “Self Employment Tax Credit”
In this article we’re focusing on another top tax scam on the IRS’s 2025 Dirty Dozen: the so-called Self Employment Tax Credit, which is a…
-
Accounting | News | Tax
Getting to Know Anastasiya Ellebrecht at Smith Patrick CPAs
At Smith Patrick CPAs, our team is the foundation of the service we provide, and we’re excited to introduce Anastasiya Ellebrecht, a CPA who has…
-
Accounting | Consulting | Tax
Stretch the Sale, Shrink the Tax: How Installment Sales Work
Selling property or a business? Here’s a strategy that might keep both you and your buyer smiling: the installment sale. Instead of demanding one giant…
-
Living Abroad, Taxing Consequences: Avoid These Common Expat Penalties
The expat dream is real: morning cappuccinos in Rome, weekend getaways to Barcelona, maybe even learning to surf in Bali. But here’s the plot twist:…
-
Watch Out for Sick Leave Credit Scams
Promoters are pushing outdated or improper tax credit claims. Know the facts before your refund gets frozen or worse. Welcome back to our tour through…
-
Make Next Year’s Tax Season Easier: Simple Habits to Start Now
You’ve filed your taxes (or filed an extension)—and you’re ready to forget about it for another year. But a little bit of organization now can…
-
Fake Charities: When Generosity Meets Deception
Welcome back to our tour through the IRS’s 2025 Dirty Dozen, where we highlight this year’s most devious tax scams so you can steer clear….
-
Too Good to Be True: The Truth About Fuel Tax Credit Scams
When Scams Go Off-Road (Literally) Welcome back, savvy taxpayers! We’re rolling into No. 5 on the IRS’s annual Dirty Dozen list: the infamous False Fuel Tax…
-
Big Tax Shifts Ahead: What’s in the “Big Beautiful Bill” for Families and Businesses
The tax landscape may soon shift again. The “One Big Beautiful Bill,” passed by the House in May, is now being debated in the Senate—and…
-
Meet Johny Tran: Helping Clients Navigate Complex Tax Needs
Johny has been part of the Smith Patrick CPAs team for some time, working behind the scenes to help our clients navigate increasingly complex tax…
-
Fake IRS Account Helpers Are After Your Info
In the third article of our IRS Dirty Dozen tax scam series, we look at how scammers pose as helpful IRS account assistants to steal…
-
The Dangers of TikTok Tax Tips
Bad advice travels fast—especially online. In the second article of our IRS Dirty Dozen series, we break down how viral tax myths can land you…
