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IRS news, Schedule C updates, and bookkeeping tips for small business owners.

IRS Shares Practical Steps to Protect Tax Data During Cybersecurity Awareness Month

The IRS encourages taxpayers and small businesses to strengthen passwords, use multifactor authentication, protect tax records, and recognize impersonation scams.

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Treasury and IRS Issue Rules for the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit

Proposed and temporary regulations address the new federal credit for qualifying cash contributions to scholarship organizations, beginning in 2027.

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IRS Seeks Volunteers and Community Partners for Free Tax Preparation

The IRS is recruiting VITA and TCE volunteers and partner organizations for the upcoming filing season, with free training and a range of roles.

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IRS Extends Tax Deadlines for Eligible Taxpayers Affected by Events in Israel

Eligible individuals and businesses affected by the conflict in Israel may have qualifying federal tax deadlines postponed to September 30, 2027.

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Treasury and IRS Propose Four-Year Tax Payments for Certain Farmland Sales

Proposed regulations explain an election that would let eligible sellers pay tax on qualifying farmland gains in four equal annual installments.

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IRS Launches a New Mobile App With Expanded Account Services

The IRS launched a free mobile app that replaces IRS2Go and adds secure access to selected Individual Online Account features.

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IRS Reports Nearly 13,000 Attendees at 2026 Nationwide Tax Forums

The IRS concluded its five 2026 Nationwide Tax Forums after nearly 13,000 attendees joined seminars, workshops, and case-assistance sessions.

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IRS Warns About Fake Tribal Tax Credit Scams

The IRS warned taxpayers, tribal communities, businesses, and tax professionals that promoters are selling nonexistent federal Tribal Tax Credits.

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IRS Closes Security Summit Series With Data Protection Reminder for Tax Pros

The IRS and Security Summit partners urged tax professionals to review safeguards, recognize identity-theft warning signs, and report data theft promptly.

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IRS Extends Drought Relief for Eligible Livestock Sales

The IRS extended the replacement period that can allow eligible farmers and ranchers to defer gain from certain drought-driven livestock sales or exchanges.

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IRS Highlights Direct Pay for Free Bank Account Tax Payments

The IRS reminded taxpayers that Direct Pay can handle many individual and business federal tax payments from a bank account without a fee.

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IRS Grants Hawaii County Earthquake Tax Relief Through February 1, 2027

The IRS postponed certain federal filing and payment deadlines for eligible individuals and businesses affected by the May 2026 earthquake in Hawaii County.

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IRS Grants Oglala Sioux Tribe Storm Tax Relief Through February 1, 2027

The IRS postponed certain federal filing and payment deadlines for eligible individuals and businesses affected by June 2026 storms and flooding in the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

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IRS Announces the 2027 Compliance Assurance Process Application Period

The IRS announced that eligible corporations may apply for the 2027 Compliance Assurance Process from September 1 through October 30, 2026.

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IRS Issues 2026 Guidance for the Clean Fuel Production Credit

IRS Notice 2026-53 provides the 2026 emissions rate table and additional guidance for the Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit.

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IRS Encourages a Withholding and Payroll Checkup for National Payroll Week

The IRS encouraged workers to review withholding and employers to revisit federal payroll tax, filing, recordkeeping, and data-security responsibilities.

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IRS and Security Summit Urge Stronger Tax Identity Theft Defenses

The IRS and Security Summit highlighted multifactor authentication, Identity Protection PINs, and secure online accounts as defenses against tax-related identity theft.

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IRS Urges Businesses to Protect Tax Records Before Disasters

The IRS encouraged taxpayers and businesses to safeguard tax and financial records, document property, and review emergency plans before a disaster.

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Treasury and IRS Propose Private-School Nondiscrimination Rules

Proposed regulations would clarify when racial discrimination prevents a private school from qualifying for federal tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3).

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IRS Grants Douglas County Wildfire Tax Relief Through February 1, 2027

The IRS postponed certain federal filing and payment deadlines for eligible individuals and businesses affected by wildfires in Douglas County, Washington.

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IRS Grants Washington Wildfire Tax Relief Through February 1, 2027

The IRS postponed certain federal filing and payment deadlines for eligible individuals and businesses affected by Washington wildfires that began July 31, 2026.

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IRS Highlights Online Tools for Taxpayers and Businesses

The IRS highlighted online accounts and self-service tools that taxpayers, businesses, and tax professionals can use for common federal tax tasks.

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IRS Free File Remains Available for Extension Filers Through October 15

Eligible taxpayers who requested a filing extension can use IRS Free File through October 15, 2026, but an extension to file does not extend the time to pay.

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IRS CEO Meets With Tax Professionals at New York Tax Forum

IRS leadership met with New York-area tax professionals to discuss the 2026 filing season, 2027 preparations, Trump Accounts, and recent tax-law guidance.

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IRS Sets FIRE Retirement Dates and Moves Information Returns to IRIS

Current FIRE users should prepare to move information-return filing to IRIS before the 2027 filing season, with FIRE submissions ending November 19, 2026.

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IRS Keeps Tax Interest Rates Unchanged for the Fourth Quarter of 2026

IRS interest rates remain unchanged for the quarter beginning October 1, 2026, including a 7% annual rate for individual overpayments and underpayments.

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IRS Launches a Digitally Authenticated Tax Compliance Report

Individuals can download an IRS tax compliance report with a digital certificate for organizations to verify its authenticity.

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Treasury and IRS Propose Investment Rules for Trump Accounts

Proposed regulations explain which mutual funds and exchange-traded funds Trump Accounts may hold during a child beneficiary’s growth period.

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What Is Schedule C? A Simple Guide for Self-Employed Workers

Learn what Schedule C is, who files it, how business income and expenses produce a net profit or loss, and how the form connects to Form 1040 and Schedule SE.

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IRS Updates Business Interest Deduction FAQs for 2026

The IRS updated its section 163(j) FAQs to reflect current business interest deduction rules, including the 2026 small-business threshold and recent statutory changes.

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IRS Establishes Office of Conservation Easements

The IRS created an Office of Conservation Easements and ended the automatic issuance of uniform settlement letters under its May 13 initiative.

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Treasury and IRS Propose Eligibility Rules for Refundable Tax Credits

Proposed regulations would apply federal public-benefit eligibility rules to the refunded portions of four individual income tax credits.

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IRS Reminds Tax Professionals to Maintain a Written Information Security Plan

The IRS and Security Summit reminded tax and accounting professionals to create, maintain, test, and update a written plan for protecting client data.

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IRS Publishes Sample Forms for Retirement Plan Rollovers

Treasury and the IRS published optional sample forms and proposed procedures intended to simplify direct rollovers involving an employer retirement plan.

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IRS Proposes Rules for Employer Contributions to Trump Accounts

Treasury and the IRS proposed rules for employers that choose to contribute to Trump Accounts for employees or their dependents.

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IRS Outlines Proposed Rules for the New Saver’s Match

Treasury and the IRS outlined expected rules for the Saver’s Match, a federal retirement contribution of up to $1,000 for eligible savers based on 2027 contributions, with payments expected to begin in 2028.

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IRS Adds New Features to Business Tax Account

The IRS expanded Business Tax Account with more digital notices, EIN verification downloads, payment plan details, and online payment options.

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IRS Updates Guidance on the Qualified Overtime Deduction

The IRS clarified who may claim the qualified overtime deduction and how employers must report eligible overtime pay beginning in 2026.

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Security Summit Warns Tax Pros: Phishing Emails and Other Attacks Target Client Data

The IRS and Security Summit partners warned tax professionals about phishing, spear phishing, clone phishing, and whaling scams aimed at stealing sensitive taxpayer data.

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IRS Raises the Standard Mileage Rate to 76 Cents for the Second Half of 2026

The IRS increased the business standard mileage rate to 76 cents per mile effective July 1, 2026, citing rising fuel prices. Schedule C filers now need to track miles in two periods this year.

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Simple-C at the negozee Summer Seminar in Los Angeles 2026

Simple-C will be on site as an exhibitor at the negozee Summer Seminar in Los Angeles on July 30, 2026, at the Titan Student Union in Fullerton, California.

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IRS Highlights National Whistleblower Day: $8 Billion Recovered Since 2007

The IRS recognized National Whistleblower Day, reporting over $8 billion recovered and $1.4 billion in awards paid since the whistleblower program began in 2007.

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IRS Announces Automatic Penalty Relief for On-Time Filers

The IRS is replacing First Time Abate with an automatic penalty relief program starting in 2026, so eligible taxpayers who file and pay on time no longer need to ask for relief.

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IRS Names Certain Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust Transactions as "Listed Transactions"

Treasury and the IRS issued final regulations branding certain Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust arrangements as "listed transactions," with new disclosure duties for advisors and participants.

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IRS and Security Summit Launch Summer Series to Help Tax Pros Stop Identity Theft

The IRS and Security Summit partners kicked off a five-week summer campaign with practical steps tax professionals can take to protect client data and businesses from identity thieves.

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Schedule C vs. Schedule SE: What's the Difference?

Schedule C calculates profit or loss from a sole proprietorship. Schedule SE calculates self-employment tax on net earnings from self-employment. Learn how the forms connect.

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How Much Should You Set Aside for Self-Employment Taxes?

A practical guide to estimating how much of your self-employment income to save for taxes, why the common 25–30% planning range exists, and how to set aside the right amount for your situation.

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The Self-Employed Home Office Deduction: How It Works

Learn who qualifies for the federal home office deduction, the simplified and actual-expense methods, the exclusive-use rule, and the records a self-employed person should keep.

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Self-Employed Tax Deductions You Might Be Missing

Freelancers and sole proprietors may overpay when they overlook allowable deductions. Here are commonly missed self-employment tax deductions and where they belong on your return.

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Standard Mileage vs. Actual Expenses: Which Vehicle Deduction Is Better?

If you drive for your business, you may be able to deduct vehicle costs on Schedule C. This guide compares the standard mileage rate and the actual-expense method, with the records you need for each.

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Quarterly Estimated Taxes for the Self-Employed: A Complete Guide

Learn how quarterly estimated taxes work for freelancers and sole proprietors, the 2026 payment deadlines, the safe-harbor rules that help you avoid penalties, and how to pay using Form 1040-ES.

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1099 vs. Schedule C: What's the Difference and How Do They Work Together?

A 1099 is an information return you may receive; Schedule C is the form a sole proprietor files to report business income and expenses. Learn how to reconcile them without missing income or counting it twice.

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Do I Need to File Schedule C? A Guide for Freelancers and Side Hustlers

Learn when sole proprietors, freelancers, and gig workers use Schedule C, how the $400 self-employment tax threshold works, and why a 1099 is not the deciding factor.

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How to Fill Out Schedule C in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide

A practical walkthrough of the Schedule C used for 2025 federal returns filed in 2026, including income, expenses, cost of goods sold, vehicle information, home office expenses, and net profit.

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Schedule C Expense Categories: The Complete Line-by-Line List

A practical line-by-line guide to the Schedule C expense categories used for 2025 federal returns filed in 2026, with examples, common mistakes, and links to IRS instructions.

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The IRS Business Tax Account Expanded: What Small Businesses Should Know

The IRS expanded Business Tax Account access to partnerships, tax-exempt organizations, and government entities. Learn what the portal does and which sole proprietors can use it.

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Opportunity Zones: What the 2026 IRS Nomination Guidance Means for 2027

Treasury and the IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2026-14 for the first round of Qualified Opportunity Zone designations under the permanent program. Learn the timeline and what small businesses should watch.

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4 Million Children Signed Up for Trump Accounts: What Parents Should Know

The IRS reported more than 4 million Trump Account sign-ups, including more than 1 million pilot contribution elections. Learn who qualifies, when funding begins, and how to submit Form 4547.

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IRS Schedule C Updates for the 2026 Filing Season

Filing a 2025 Schedule C during the 2026 tax season? Review the current mileage rate, Line 27 changes, depreciation updates, and recordkeeping reminders.

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5 Bookkeeping Tips Every Small Business Owner Should Know

Essential bookkeeping practices that will keep your finances organized and your business running smoothly.

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