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 Kozi Checks & Balances TaxTactics News 
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November 02.2025
3 Minutes Read

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Implications for 2026's Tax Season

US Capitol Building dome represents One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Understanding the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Impact on 2026 Tax Season

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is gearing up to transform the tax landscape, making the 2026 tax season increasingly intricate for both tax professionals and their clients. Not only does OBBBA introduce new tax provisions, but it also consolidates existing ones, leading to a surge in the complexity of Form 1040 filings by an estimated 10-15%. Understanding these changes is crucial for adequate preparation.

Major Tax Changes Under OBBBA

Among the many changes enacted by OBBBA are permanent extensions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions that many taxpayers have come to rely on. For instance, the standard deduction has been solidified and lowered tax rates now firmly hold. Additionally, the previously rigid state and local tax (SALT) cap will see noteworthy adjustments, expanding from $10,000 to $40,000 starting in 2025 before reverting to the original cap by 2030. These changes, however, come alongside new tax breaks such as deductions for qualified tip income and additional benefits for senior taxpayers, complicating the compliance landscape for tax professionals.

Rise in Compliance and Reporting Complexity

With these new benefits, clients will likely have more questions about eligibility and reporting, highlighting a need for professionals to adapt quickly in their practices. For instance, businesses in the service industry will be required to meticulously track and report tip earnings, a shift that may necessitate system upgrades. Furthermore, professionals must stay up-to-date on the changing eligibility thresholds, which creates a new layer of complexity when filing.

Automation: A Game-Changer for Tax Preparation

Fortunately, implementing automation can help mitigate the added burdens of this new tax landscape. As tax professionals face mounting workloads during the busy season, leveraging technology can enhance efficiency. Professional-grade automation tools can streamline 1040 engagements, enabling tax preparers to focus on critical areas while reducing the potential for human error. Systems that are fully integrated with real-time data will ensure adherence to the new filing requirements, thus maintaining compliance.

Preparing for the 2026 Tax Season: The Q4 Advantage

Now is the time for tax firms to strategize and prepare for the upcoming tax season. The fourth quarter serves as an optimal window to integrate new tax preparation solutions and train staff on the nuances of OBBBA. Deliberate preparations can set firms up for success, ensuring robust support for their clients navigating this new tax environment and fostering a proactive approach to future complexities.

Future Predictions: Navigating Changes Ahead

The OBBBA is indicative of a shifting tax landscape that calls for increased diligence among tax practitioners. As the IRS updates forms and introduces new codes — like those for tip and overtime income — tax preparers must remain informed. The proactive steps taken today will ensure that firms not only survive this wave of change but thrive in it.

In summary, as the 2026 tax season approaches, understanding OBBBA’s implications is crucial. By adopting new technologies, enhancing training, and proactively adjusting reporting systems, tax professionals can rise to the challenge posed by these changes and ensure a smoother operational flow come tax time.

Audit-Proofing Strategies

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12.17.2025

How AI-Powered Anomaly Detection is Revolutionizing Indirect Tax Compliance

Update Unlocking the Future of Indirect Tax Compliance with AI The world of tax compliance is evolving rapidly, and one of the most significant advancements comes from the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). Tax professionals are transitioning from tedious manual processes to streamlined, automated systems that not only enhance efficiency but also ensure compliance accuracy. These changes are essential for today's businesses, particularly when it comes to managing indirect taxes. Understanding the Necessity of AI in Tax Processes The challenge of managing indirect taxes often feels overwhelming. Tax professionals frequently juggle vast amounts of data while ensuring that every compliance requirement is met. Mistakes can lead to severe penalties and missed opportunities for input tax credits. According to a Thomson Reuters report, 89% of tax professionals prioritize the accuracy of filings, while over half seek to reduce compliance-related time investments. This is where AI-powered anomaly detection comes into play. AI-Powered Anomaly Detection: A Game Changer Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE's recent addition of AI-driven anomaly detection enhances real-time monitoring of tax compliance issues. This technology provides immediate alerts for discrepancies in transactions, which helps professionals catch errors before they snowball into compliance headaches. Imagine spotting a misapplied rate or an unusual transaction immediately instead of during a stressful last-minute filing rush. The Transition from Reactive to Proactive Compliance Traditionally, tax compliance was a reactive process characterized by reviewing transactions and identifying errors after they had occurred—often leading to a scramble for corrective actions just before deadlines. Now, AI facilitates a significant shift by continuously analyzing data patterns and offering proactive insights. This way, tax professionals can focus on strategic advisory roles rather than merely troubleshooting tax issues. Real-World Changes: A Day in the Life Before and After Automation Consider the daily routine of a tax professional in a global company. Before AI integration, the process involved manually matching invoices and checking compliance with varying tax rates. This labor-intensive work required long hours and often resulted in missing critical anomalies until it was too late. With AI automation, the same professional now receives real-time alerts for tax discrepancies. This change allows them to allocate more time towards strategic planning and business support rather than paperwork. The Advantages of Embracing AI in Tax Compliance Integrating AI solutions not only reduces error rates to below 1% but also enhances overall accuracy in tax calculations. Automated systems facilitate efficient audits and ensure that tax professionals maintain compliance seamlessly. The use of unique configuration insights provided by AI helps to tailor the tax compliance experience, allowing businesses to turn challenges into opportunities for growth. Final Thoughts: Taking a Step Towards DAOT The landscape of indirect tax compliance is shifting dramatically thanks to artificial intelligence. By embracing AI-powered anomaly detection, tax professionals are empowered to become strategic partners rather than just data workers. This transformation makes it crucial for tax departments to consider implementing such technologies to keep pace with the changing regulations. As compliance continues to evolve, don’t let your business fall behind—consider making the leap towards automation and reaping the rewards of a more proactive approach to tax compliance. Call to Action If your team is ready to enhance your tax compliance strategy, explore AI-powered solutions that can take your operations to the next level. Schedule a demo with ONESOURCE Determination today!

12.13.2025

Surprised by Self-Employment Tax? Here’s What Business Owners Need to Know

Update Understanding Self-Employment Tax: A Hidden Challenge for New Entrepreneurs For many small business owners transitioning from employee status, the concept of self-employment tax can come as a surprise. Imagine making $100,000 in profit only to find out that the actual amount you owe in taxes is substantially more than expected due to self-employment taxes. When a service provider discovers that they are liable for both income and self-employment taxes, confusion reigns, leading to cash flow crises and, sometimes, a rushed year-end scramble to cover unexpectedly high tax liabilities. Shocking Realization: The Double Tax Burden One common scenario highlights a crucial lack of information among many self-employed individuals. As employees, they consistently saw a portion of their income withheld for taxes— a simple equation that felt straightforward. Yet, upon becoming self-employed, they didn’t realize they’re now accountable for both the employee and employer portions of the payroll taxes, totaling a hefty 15.3%. This is a significant change because while employees have their contributions managed, self-employed individuals must take full responsibility for the entire tax burden. Breaking Down the Tax Calculation for Clarity Understanding how self-employment tax is calculated is essential to avoid unexpected debts. Using a piece of common advice from tax experts, let’s consider a hypothetical example of a business owner with $100,000 in net business income. First, they need to calculate self-employment tax, which involves a few straightforward steps: Net Income: $100,000 Taxable income for self-employment: $100,000 x 92.35% = $92,350 Self-employment tax: $92,350 x 15.3% = approximately $14,140. In addition, self-employed individuals need to factor in their regular income tax, further complicating their financial picture. The OBBBA and Its Impact on Self-Employment Tax Recent legislative developments, particularly the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), have pleasant implications for small business owners. The act permanently extends the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deductions, allowing eligible taxpayers to deduct up to 20% of their qualified income. This change significantly benefits individuals earning around $100,000, allowing for planning strategies to alleviate tax burdens. Advising Clients: Turning Confusion into Clarity For accountants and tax professionals, each surprise tax season reveals a golden opportunity to educate clients. Not only can they alleviate fears surrounding self-employment taxes, but they can also guide clients through developing proactive tax planning strategies. Rather than simply discussing the tax due, the conversation can shift toward planning deductions and leveraging various IRS allowances. Clients need to be made aware of strategies to reduce their self-employment tax obligations significantly through deductions such as home office expenses, retirement contributions, and health insurance premiums. Preparing for the Next Tax Season: Strategic Insights As a self-employed individual or small business owner, the key to managing these taxes effectively is preparation. By understanding not just what taxes are owed but how to plan for them, business owners can avoid panic as tax season approaches. Setting aside funds throughout the year for taxes and utilizing tools like payroll software can simplify this complex process. The self-employment tax can initially seem daunting, yet with the right knowledge and support, it's possible to navigate it successfully. For those managing their businesses, take the time now to understand your obligations, seek advice, and consider utilizing professional services to ensure your tax filing runs smoothly. As 2026 approaches, start preparing today.

12.12.2025

Unpacking How Expert AI Tools Simplify Corporate Tax Compliance

Update How AI is Simplifying Corporate Tax Navigation In today's dynamic business landscape, corporate tax compliance can feel like navigating a labyrinth. With the rise of economic nexus laws and various state regulations, companies often grapple with questions on income tax liabilities due to their digital operations. This is where tools like CoCounsel Tax come in, offering AI expertly crafted templates to help businesses cut through the chaos. The Changing Landscape of Tax Compliance Gone are the days when a physical presence in a state defined tax obligations. States now use economic nexus rules that vary widely, making it crucial for companies to understand their unique circumstances. From California's stringent requirements to states like Florida with no thresholds, navigating corporate income tax has become increasingly convoluted. Businesses today need to know if their remote hiring practices or software licenses could trigger tax liabilities, and AI can offer invaluable assistance here. P.L. 86-272: Why Every Digital Interaction Matters Another area where AI tools can help is in understanding the implications of P.L. 86-272. Once straightforward, the protections this law offered have become murky with the proliferation of digital interactions—chat features, cookies for tracking, and other online services can affect tax obligations. AI developed with real-world applications from Thomson Reuters, including CoCounsel Tax, has been tailored to assist in evaluating these interactions, providing businesses with the insights they need to ensure compliance. Agentic AI: A Game Changer for Tax Departments As businesses adapt to these new regulations, agentic AI emerges as a key player in transforming tax functions. This innovation goes beyond merely automating tasks; it enables tax professionals to leverage technology efficiently, enhancing productivity. According to a recent EY survey, a staggering 87% of tax leaders believe that generative AI can improve departmental efficiency. With AI managing mundane tasks, teams can redirect their focus toward strategic initiatives. This shift is essential as corporate tax environments evolve and become more complex. Embracing the Future of Corporate Taxation The integration of AI in tax compliance isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about strategically positioning your business to adapt to fluid regulatory landscapes. By utilizing tools like CoCounsel Tax, tax teams can automate routines, ensuring they focus on high-level decision-making. As compliance becomes more demanding, embracing advanced tools will not only aid in transformation but also ensure that companies remain competitive and prepared for whatever comes next. Consider this: how might your business fare if it could leverage AI tools to simplify tax compliance? It’s time to explore innovative solutions that can remove burdensome complexities and facilitate smoother operations.

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