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Stay up to date with the most recent industry news and what’s happening at Topel Forman
Conservation easements: what they are and why the IRS is watching
Conservation easements have a legitimate place in tax and estate planning, but for years promoters have been packaging them into abusive investment schemes that have drawn IRS enforcement. If you’ve been approached with one of these arrangements, or if you’ve already participated in a prior year, the consequences of getting this wrong include disallowed deductions, steep penalties, and in serious cases, criminal prosecution. This article breaks down how legitimate easements work, what the abusive versions look like, and what steps to take if you have questions about your situation.
IRS Provides Gift Tax Filing Relief for Certain Trump Account Contributions
The IRS's new safe harbor (Rev. Proc. 2026-25) lets many donors skip gift tax returns for Trump Account contributions — if all five requirements are met.
Hiring family members in your small business: tax advantages and mistakes to avoid
Hiring family members can create real tax advantages for small business owners, but the rules depend on entity type, relationship, age, reasonable compensation, and payroll compliance. Here’s what to know before putting relatives on payroll.
Filed an extension? How to use the time between now and October 15th
Filing a tax extension buys you time, but only if you use it wisely. From revisiting your April payment estimate to gathering missing documents and staying on top of current-year obligations, the months between now and October 15th are a valuable planning window. Read on to learn how to make the most of your extension and avoid a costly repeat of the same tax challenges next year.
Don’t waste a good year: 2026 retirement and HSA limits worth using
For 2026, the IRS has raised contribution limits across retirement plans, IRAs, and HSAs, giving high-income households more room for tax-advantaged saving. The households that benefit most are not simply those that max out every account, but those that act early and decide deliberately which accounts to prioritize, how to coordinate Roth and pretax decisions, and how contributions fit within a broader tax and cash-flow plan. With the right strategy in place at the start of the year, these higher limits become a meaningful planning opportunity rather than a number on a checklist.
Newly married this year? The tax changes couples miss
Getting married triggers significant tax changes that catch many couples off guard, from a new filing status that takes effect the moment you say "I do," to withholding gaps that can result in an unexpected tax bill in April. Beyond filing and withholding, newlyweds also need to address name and address updates, healthcare coverage decisions, HSA eligibility changes, and dependent-related credits before year-end. Tackling these adjustments proactively, rather than waiting until tax season, helps couples avoid penalties, protect their refunds, and start their financial life together on solid footing.
The Kwong Decision and Refund Opportunities
The Kwong decision may have opened a window — but it's closing fast. In this conversation, William Hendrick breaks down what the case means for taxpayers who paid penalties and interest during the COVID federal disaster period, who should be looking at their records right now, and what practitioners need to know before the July 10, 2026 deadline.
Retirement readiness in any economy: how to know when you’re truly prepared
There's no perfect time to retire, but with the right planning, you can feel prepared in any economy. Learn how to evaluate your readiness, manage timing risks, and build a retirement plan that lasts.
Your HSA isn’t a debit card; Building a tax efficient healthcare reserve
Most people use their HSA like a medical debit card, but the account is capable of much more. With a rare triple tax advantage and flexible reimbursement rules, the HSA can serve as a powerful long-term healthcare reserve. Read on to learn how to make the most of it.
Inside the IRS online account
The IRS Individual Online Account gives taxpayers secure, year-round access to tax records, balances, payments, and official notices all in one place. Read on to discover how this powerful tool works and how it can make staying on top of your taxes easier than ever.
Which retirement plan is best for a self-employed owner: SEP, SIMPLE, or Solo 401(k)?
A practical guide to using a SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, or solo 401(k) strategically, covering contribution limits, deadlines, employee rules, tax planning, and when each plan makes the most sense.
Qualified Opportunity Funds Beginning in 2027
The OBBBA has effectively made the QOF and QOZ regime a permanent feature of the Code. This article explains the federal income tax framework applicable to an individual taxpayer considering an investment in a Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) beginning in 2027.
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Conservation easements: what they are and why the IRS is watching
Conservation easements have a legitimate place in tax and estate planning, but for years promoters have been packaging them into abusive investment schemes that have drawn IRS enforcement. If you’ve been approached with one of these arrangements, or if you’ve already participated in a prior year, the consequences of getting this wrong include disallowed deductions, steep penalties, and in serious cases, criminal prosecution. This article breaks down how legitimate easements work, what the abusive versions look like, and what steps to take if you have questions about your situation.
IRS Provides Gift Tax Filing Relief for Certain Trump Account Contributions
The IRS's new safe harbor (Rev. Proc. 2026-25) lets many donors skip gift tax returns for Trump Account contributions — if all five requirements are met.
Hiring family members in your small business: tax advantages and mistakes to avoid
Hiring family members can create real tax advantages for small business owners, but the rules depend on entity type, relationship, age, reasonable compensation, and payroll compliance. Here’s what to know before putting relatives on payroll.
Filed an extension? How to use the time between now and October 15th
Filing a tax extension buys you time, but only if you use it wisely. From revisiting your April payment estimate to gathering missing documents and staying on top of current-year obligations, the months between now and October 15th are a valuable planning window. Read on to learn how to make the most of your extension and avoid a costly repeat of the same tax challenges next year.
Don’t waste a good year: 2026 retirement and HSA limits worth using
For 2026, the IRS has raised contribution limits across retirement plans, IRAs, and HSAs, giving high-income households more room for tax-advantaged saving. The households that benefit most are not simply those that max out every account, but those that act early and decide deliberately which accounts to prioritize, how to coordinate Roth and pretax decisions, and how contributions fit within a broader tax and cash-flow plan. With the right strategy in place at the start of the year, these higher limits become a meaningful planning opportunity rather than a number on a checklist.
Newly married this year? The tax changes couples miss
Getting married triggers significant tax changes that catch many couples off guard, from a new filing status that takes effect the moment you say "I do," to withholding gaps that can result in an unexpected tax bill in April. Beyond filing and withholding, newlyweds also need to address name and address updates, healthcare coverage decisions, HSA eligibility changes, and dependent-related credits before year-end. Tackling these adjustments proactively, rather than waiting until tax season, helps couples avoid penalties, protect their refunds, and start their financial life together on solid footing.
The Kwong Decision and Refund Opportunities
The Kwong decision may have opened a window — but it's closing fast. In this conversation, William Hendrick breaks down what the case means for taxpayers who paid penalties and interest during the COVID federal disaster period, who should be looking at their records right now, and what practitioners need to know before the July 10, 2026 deadline.
Retirement readiness in any economy: how to know when you’re truly prepared
There's no perfect time to retire, but with the right planning, you can feel prepared in any economy. Learn how to evaluate your readiness, manage timing risks, and build a retirement plan that lasts.
Your HSA isn’t a debit card; Building a tax efficient healthcare reserve
Most people use their HSA like a medical debit card, but the account is capable of much more. With a rare triple tax advantage and flexible reimbursement rules, the HSA can serve as a powerful long-term healthcare reserve. Read on to learn how to make the most of it.
Inside the IRS online account
The IRS Individual Online Account gives taxpayers secure, year-round access to tax records, balances, payments, and official notices all in one place. Read on to discover how this powerful tool works and how it can make staying on top of your taxes easier than ever.
Which retirement plan is best for a self-employed owner: SEP, SIMPLE, or Solo 401(k)?
A practical guide to using a SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, or solo 401(k) strategically, covering contribution limits, deadlines, employee rules, tax planning, and when each plan makes the most sense.
Qualified Opportunity Funds Beginning in 2027
The OBBBA has effectively made the QOF and QOZ regime a permanent feature of the Code. This article explains the federal income tax framework applicable to an individual taxpayer considering an investment in a Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) beginning in 2027.
No results found.
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