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 Kozi Checks & Balances TaxTactics News 
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January 31.2025
3 Minutes Read

Unpacking the Complexities of 2025's Tax Reform Landscape

The White House representing 2025 tax reform discussions.

The Tax Reform Puzzle: A Closer Look at 2025

As we approach 2025, the conversation around tax reform is heating up. Much like assembling a complex jigsaw puzzle, the various elements of tax policy must come together to form a coherent picture. Each piece holds significance and potential, but understanding their interconnections is essential for clarity. Here’s a deeper exploration of the major components that could shape the tax landscape in the upcoming year.

Understanding Tariff Changes

The foundation of the 2025 tax reform both reflects and propels the agenda set forth by President Trump, who has been vocal about implementing extensive tariff changes. In his inaugural speech, he vowed to “tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens.” This suggests that tariffs will play a crucial role in financing tax reforms aimed at alleviating the burden on American citizens. If successful, tariff changes could significantly impact the economy, influencing everything from imports to local businesses’ operational costs.

The Fate of the TCJA

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) remains a pivotal piece of this puzzle. Enacted in December 2017, this act brought significant tax changes, including new income tax brackets and an increased standard deduction. However, many benefits established under the TCJA are slated to expire soon, creating a sense of urgency in Congress. Discussions about extending the TCJA highlight its importance for everyday Americans, especially those benefiting from the middle-class tax cuts that could be lost if action isn’t taken.

Legislative Solutions and Recommendations

The conversations are not just theoretical; lawmakers are actively brainstorming viable solutions to extend the TCJA while addressing budgetary concerns. The House Ways and Means Committee is considering several proposals, such as repealing green energy tax credits and adjusting the SALT deduction cap. Each of these proposals presents potential implications for individuals and businesses alike, illustrating the balancing act Congress must perform to appease various constituencies. Should the SALT cap be doubled for married couples or should education-related credits be kept intact? The decisions made will resonate across the nation.

Looking Ahead: What Does This Mean for You?

The impending tax reform underscores the importance of being informed about these developments, as they will inevitably affect your personal and business finances. Understanding how tariffs, extensions of existing tax acts, and legislative priorities may impact you allows for better strategic planning. It’s crucial to keep an eye on the shifting responses from Congress and align them with your financial strategies, be it for savings, investments, or everyday budgeting.

Broadening the Perspective: The Emotional Impact

Tax reform is not merely a political issue; it has tangible effects on people’s lives. As citizens grapple with the uncertainty of potential tax changes, many might feel anxious about their financial future. The fear of higher taxes or losing beneficial deductions can weigh heavily on individuals, especially those already struggling to make ends meet. Understanding the repercussions of these tax reforms can empower citizens rather than paralyze them with fear—an essential step toward taking constructive action.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 tax reform discussion may feel complex, much like a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces, but keeping informed and engaged is the first step toward understanding how these changes could impact you personally. As we head toward 2025, remember that while these discussions unfold at the legislative level, they begin to shape the financial realities of everyday Americans.

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12.18.2025

What Are the Upcoming Tax Law Changes and How Will They Affect You?

Update Upcoming Tax Law Changes: What You Need to Know As we move further into 2025, significant tax law changes are on the horizon, driven by the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act. These changes will affect individual taxpayers, businesses, and investments alike, making it crucial for everyone to understand the implications on their financial planning. Understanding the Key Provisions The One Big Beautiful Bill Act modifies many existing tax laws, particularly those initially laid down under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. Among the most notable changes is the permanence of current income tax brackets, ensuring that higher rates slated to reset in 2026 will not affect taxpayers before that date. The law also raises the annual state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 through 2029 for joint filers. This change is particularly beneficial for residents in high-tax areas who have struggled with the previous limitations. Understanding this cap could provide substantial savings for many taxpayers. Impact on Individual Taxpayers For individuals, particularly seniors, there is an additional $6,000 deduction available if you're over 65, which can also be claimed by your spouse, provided they meet the age requirement. This could incentivize individuals to recognize more income, especially important in strategies like Roth conversions where taxes on additional income are minimized. Moreover, the permanent adjustments to the standard deduction, which will now be inflated-adjusted, creates a more favorable situation for those using standard deductions as opposed to itemizing. Corporate and Business Tax Changes Business owners will benefit from the permanent extension of the qualified business income deduction (QBI), which allows pass-through entity owners to deduct 20% of qualified income. In 2026, the phase-out limits of that deduction will also expand, making it potentially easier for more taxpayers to take advantage of this beneficial tax structure. Furthermore, deductions for automobile loan interest, now set at $10,000, will offer significant savings for individuals financing their vehicle purchases. This represents a new area of opportunity that many taxpayers may not be aware of yet. Future Predictions and Personal Financial Planning Given the extensive tax law changes, it's prudent to revisit your financial strategies for 2025 and beyond. Working closely with a tax professional is essential to uncover opportunities within these laws to minimize your tax burdens effectively. Consider reviewing your deductions, contributions to retirement accounts, and potential itemized deductions to maximize your returns effectively. The new provisions might offer a chance for financial advisors to rethink their strategies, especially in helping clients navigate an evolving landscape of tax regulations. In conclusion, the upcoming tax law changes reflect a profound shift that will touch upon all taxpayers' lives from individuals to businesses. Knowledge is power when it comes to taxes; hence it would be wise to stay updated, informed, and prepared to take advantage of the benefits these changes promise. To stay ahead of these developments and ensure your planning aligns with the new tax landscape, consider consulting a professional who can provide tailored advice unique to your financial situation.

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.

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