Construction businesses can stay profitable on paper while margin quietly slips away on individual jobs. This article explains how job costing, change-order management, and work-in-progress reporting work together to surface problems early. Learn what to look for in each system and how to keep all three telling the same story before issues become year-end surprises.
Although the June 30, 2026 deadline for the Section 179D energy-efficient commercial building deduction has passed, projects that began construction on or before that date may still be eligible for a significant per-square-foot deduction. Building owners with projects already underway should act now to confirm eligibility, secure required third-party certification, and file Form 7205 before documentation becomes difficult to reconstruct.
The IRS raised the standard mileage rates for the second half of 2026, effective July 1, with the business rate increasing from 72.5 cents to 76 cents per mile. Taxpayers who use their vehicle for business, medical, or qualifying moving purposes will need to track mileage separately for each half of the year. Learn what the new rates mean for your deductions, reimbursement policies, and recordkeeping.
The IRS is replacing its First Time Abate program with a new Automatic Exemption from Penalty (AEP), which will automatically prevent certain penalties for eligible taxpayers with a strong compliance history. Starting with 2025 tax year returns and 2026 quarterly returns, qualifying individuals and businesses may avoid failure-to-file, failure-to-pay, and failure-to-deposit penalties without needing to call the IRS or submit a separate request. Understanding the eligibility requirements and transition timeline is key to making the most of this change.
The IRS just made it easier for families to fund Trump accounts without triggering an unexpected gift tax filing requirement. In Revenue Procedure 2026-25, the IRS established a safe harbor that allows qualifying donors to contribute cash to a child’s Trump account and skip Form 709 entirely, as long as key conditions are met. Here’s what you need to know before making contributions.
As home values rise, the federal home sale exclusion may no longer be enough to eliminate capital gains tax when a property is sold or inherited. The difference between a large tax bill and a smaller one can come down to how well a homeowner documented capital improvements over the years. Keeping a permanent record of qualifying expenses is one of the simplest steps homeowners can take to protect themselves.
Most business owners rely on backward-looking financials that tell them where they have been, not where they are going. A cash flow forecast fills that gap by projecting future inflows and outflows, helping leaders spot problems early and make smarter decisions about hiring, investing, and financing. Updated consistently and tied to real business decisions, it shifts leadership from reactive to proactive.
If your business sells online, has remote employees, or uses third-party fulfillment, you may owe taxes in states where you’ve never filed a return. Learn how physical presence and economic nexus rules work, what triggers an obligation, and what to do if your business has unexpected exposure.
Your first profitable year in business is worth celebrating. But it can also bring expensive tax surprises, especially if you’re still managing the business like you did when revenue was lower. Here are the most common mistakes new business owners make and what to do instead.
Significant updates to 1099 reporting take effect for the 2026 tax year, including higher reporting thresholds, revised filing requirements, and new form changes. Learn what these updates mean for your business and how to stay compliant.
