How a business owner’s home office can result in tax deductions

Life insurance plays a vital role in your estate plan because its proceeds can provide for your family in the event of your untimely death. And for wealthier families, life insurance proceeds can cover any estate tax liability not covered by the current $13.99 million federal gift and estate tax exemption. But when was the last time you reviewed your policy? The amount of life insurance that’s right for you depends on your circumstances, so it’s critical to regularly review your life insurance policy. Reevaluating your policy Life insurance isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Milestones such as marriage, having children, buying a home or starting a business bring new financial responsibilities. A policy purchased years ago may no longer protect your loved ones adequately. Conversely, you may be over-insured, paying for coverage you no longer need. For example, if your children are financially independent or you’ve paid off significant debts, your coverage requirements might decrease. The right amount of insurance depends on your family’s current and expected future income and expenses, as well as the amount of income your family would lose in the event of your untimely death. On the other hand, health care expenses for you and your spouse may increase. When you retire, you’ll no longer have a salary, but you may have new sources of income, such as retirement plans and Social Security. You may or may not have paid off your mortgage, student loans or other debts. And you may or may not have accumulated sufficient wealth to provide for your family. When you sit down to reevaluate your life insurance policy, consider the: Coverage amount. Is your policy sufficient to cover current expenses, future obligations and debts? Policy type. Term life insurance can be cost-effective for temporary needs, while whole life or universal policies may offer long-term benefits such as cash value accumulation. Beneficiaries. Ensure your policy lists the correct beneficiaries, especially after a major life event such as marriage, divorce or the birth of a child. Premiums. Are you paying a competitive rate? Shopping around or converting an old policy could save money. While reviewing your policy, keep in mind your broader financial plan. How does your policy currently fit within your overall strategy, including tax implications, estate planning and business succession planning? Turn to us for help Taking the time to reassess your life insurance needs is an investment in your family’s financial security. Contact us to ensure your coverage aligns with your current and future estate planning goals. © 2025 

Today’s small to midsize businesses are often urged to help employees improve their financial wellness. And for good reason: Financially struggling workers tend to have higher stress and anxiety levels. They may be less productive and more prone to errors. Some might even decide to commit fraud. One hallmark of an employee facing serious financial trouble is “retirement plan leakage.” This term refers to the withdrawal of account funds before retirement age for reasons other than retirement. If your company sponsors a qualified plan, such as a 401(k), be sure you’re at least aware of this risk — and strongly consider taking steps to address it. Potential dangers Some business owners might say, “If my plan participants want to blow their retirement savings, that’s not my problem.” And there’s no denying that your employees are free to manage their finances any way they choose. However, retirement plan leakage does raise potential dangers for your company. For starters, it may lead to higher plan expenses. Fees are often determined on a per-account or per-participant basis. When a plan loses funds to leakage, total assets and individual account sizes shrink, which hurts administrative efficiency and raises costs. More broadly, as mentioned, employees taking pre-retirement withdrawals generally indicates they’re facing unusual financial challenges. This can lead to all the negative consequences we mentioned above — and others. For example, workers who raid their accounts may be unable to retire when they reach retirement age. So, they might stick around longer but be less engaged, helpful and collaborative. Employees not near retirement age may take on second jobs or “side gigs” that distract them from their duties. And it’s unfortunately worth repeating: Motivation to commit fraud likely increases. Mitigation measures Perhaps the most important thing business owners can do to limit leakage is educate and remind employees about how pre-retirement withdrawals diminish their accounts and can delay their anticipated retirement dates. While you’re at it, provide broader financial education to help workers better manage living expenses, amass savings, and minimize or avoid the need for early withdrawals. In addition, one recent and relevant development to keep in mind is the introduction of “pension-linked” emergency savings accounts (PLESAs) under the SECURE 2.0 law. Employers that sponsor certain defined contribution plans, including 401(k)s, can offer these accounts to employees who aren’t highly compensated per the IRS definition. Additional rules and limits apply, but PLESAs can serve as “firewalls” to protect participants from having to raid their retirement accounts when crises happen. Some companies launch their own emergency loan programs, with funds repayable through payroll deductions. Others have revised their plan designs to reduce the number of situations in which participants can take out hardship withdrawals or loans. Pernicious problem It’s probably impossible to eliminate leakage from every one of your participants’ accounts. However, awareness — both on your part and those participants’ — is critical to limiting the damage that this pernicious problem can cause. We can help you identify and evaluate all the costs associated with your qualified retirement plan, as well as other fringe benefits you sponsor. © 2025 

If an individual taxpayer has substantial business losses, unfavorable federal income tax rules can potentially come into play. Here’s what you need to know as you assess your 2024 tax situation. Disallowance rule The tax rules can get complicated if your business or rental activity throws off a tax loss — and many do during the early years. First, the passive activity loss (PAL) rules may apply if you aren’t very involved in the business or if it’s a rental activity. The PAL rules generally only allow you to deduct passive losses to the extent you have passive income from other sources. However, you can deduct passive losses that have been disallowed in previous years (called suspended PALs) when you sell the activity or property that produced the suspended losses. If you successfully clear the hurdles imposed by the PAL rules, you face another hurdle: You can’t deduct an excess business loss in the current year. For 2024, an excess business loss is the excess of your aggregate business losses over $305,000 ($610,000 for married joint filers). For 2025, the thresholds are $313,000 and $626,000, respectively. An excess business loss is carried over to the following tax year and can be deducted under the rules for net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards explained below. Deducting NOLs You generally can’t use an NOL carryover, including one from an excess business loss, to shelter more than 80% of your taxable income in the carryover year. Also, NOLs generally can’t be carried back to an earlier tax year. They can only be carried forward and can be carried forward indefinitely. The requirement that an excess business loss must be carried forward as an NOL forces you to wait at least one year to get any tax-saving benefit from it. Example 1: Taxpayer has a partial deductible business loss David is unmarried. In 2024, he has an allowable loss of $400,000 from his start-up AI venture that he operates as a sole proprietorship. Although David has no other income or losses from business activities, he has $500,000 of income from other sources (salary, interest, dividends, capital gains and so forth). David has an excess business loss for the year of $95,000 (the excess of his $400,000 AI venture loss over the $305,000 excess business loss disallowance threshold for 2024 for an unmarried taxpayer). David can deduct the first $305,000 of his loss against his income from other sources. The $95,000 excess business loss is carried forward to his 2025 tax year and treated as part of an NOL carryover to that year. Variation: If David’s 2024 business loss is $305,000 or less, he can deduct the entire loss against his income from other sources because he doesn’t have an excess business loss. Example 2: Taxpayers aren’t affected by the disallowance rule Nora and Ned are married and file tax returns jointly. In 2024, Nora has an allowable loss of $350,000 from rental real estate properties (after considering the PAL rules). Ned runs a small business that’s still in the early phase of operations. He runs the business as a single-member LLC that’s treated as a sole proprietorship for tax purposes. For 2024, the business incurs a $150,000 tax loss. Nora and Ned have no income or losses from other business or rental activities, but they have $600,000 of income from other sources. They don’t have an excess business loss because their combined losses are $500,000. That amount is below the $610,000 excess business loss disallowance threshold for 2024 for married joint filers. So, they’re unaffected by the disallowance rule. They can use their $500,000 business loss to shelter income from other sources. Partnerships, LLCs and S corporations The excess business loss disallowance rule is applied at the owner level for business losses from partnerships, S corporations and LLCs treated as partnerships for tax purposes. Each owner’s allocable share of business income, gain, deduction, or loss from these pass-through entities is taken into account on the owner’s Form 1040 for the tax year that includes the end of the entity’s tax year. The best way forward As you can see, business losses can be complex. Contact us if you have questions or want more information about the best strategies for your situation. © 2025 

If you’re getting ready to file your 2024 tax return and your tax bill is higher than you’d like, there may still be a chance to lower it. If you’re eligible, you can make a deductible contribution to a traditional IRA until this year’s April 15 filing deadline and benefit from the tax savings on your 2024 return. Who’s eligible? You can make a deductible contribution to a traditional IRA if: You (and your spouse) aren’t an active participant in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, or You (or your spouse) are an active participant in an employer plan, but your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) doesn’t exceed certain levels that vary from year-to-year by filing status. For 2024, if you’re a married joint tax return filer and you’re covered by an employer plan, your deductible traditional IRA contribution phases out over $123,000 to $143,000 of MAGI. If you’re single or a head of household, the phaseout range is $77,000 to $87,000 for 2024. The phaseout range for married individuals filing separately is $0 to $10,000. For 2024, if you’re not actively participating in an employer retirement plan but your spouse is, your deductible IRA contribution phases out with MAGI of between $230,000 and $240,000. Deductible IRA contributions reduce your current tax bill, and earnings in the IRA are tax deferred. However, every dollar you withdraw is taxed (and subject to a 10% penalty before age 59½, unless one of several exceptions apply). Traditional IRAs are different from Roth IRAs. You also have until April 15 to make a Roth IRA contribution. But while contributions to a traditional IRA are deductible, contributions to a Roth IRA aren’t. However, withdrawals from a Roth IRA are tax-free as long as the account has been open at least five years and you’re age 59½ or older. (There are also income limits to make contributions to a Roth IRA.) If you’re married, you can make a deductible IRA contribution even if you don’t work. In general, you can’t make a deductible traditional IRA contribution unless you have wages or other earned income. However, an exception applies if one spouse has earned income and the other is a homemaker or not employed. In this case, you may be able to take advantage of a spousal IRA. What are the contribution limits? For 2024, if you’re eligible, you can make a deductible traditional IRA contribution of up to $7,000 ($8,000 if you’re age 50 or older). For 2025, these amounts remain the same. In addition, small business owners can set up and contribute to Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plans up until the due date for their returns, including extensions. For 2024, the maximum contribution you can make to a SEP is $69,000 (increasing to $70,000 for 2025). How can you maximize your nest egg? If you want more information about IRAs or SEPs, contact us. Or ask about tax-favored retirement saving when we’re preparing your return. We can help you save the maximum tax-advantaged amount for retirement. © 2025 

A revocable trust (sometimes referred to as a “living trust”) is a popular estate planning tool that allows you to manage your assets during your lifetime and ensure a smooth transfer of those assets to your family after your death. Plus, trust assets bypass the probate process, which can save time, reduce costs and maintain privacy. However, like any legal instrument, a revocable trust has certain disadvantages. A revocable trust in action A revocable trust’s premise is relatively simple. You establish the trust, transfer assets to it (essentially funding it) and name a trustee to handle administrative matters. You can name yourself as trustee or choose a professional to handle the job. Regardless of who you choose, name a successor trustee who can take over the reins if required. If you designate yourself as the trust’s initial beneficiary, you’re entitled to receive income from the trust for your lifetime. You should also designate secondary beneficiaries, such as your spouse and children, who are entitled to receive the remaining assets after the trust terminates. Added flexibility One of the primary benefits of a revocable trust is its flexibility. As the grantor, you retain control over the trust and can change its terms, add or remove assets, or even dissolve it at any time during your life. This control makes it a flexible tool for adapting to changing life circumstances, such as new family members, changes in financial status or shifts in your estate planning goals. For many people, the main reason for using a revocable trust — and sometimes the only one that really matters — is that the trust’s assets avoid probate. Probate is the process of settling an estate and passing the legal title of ownership of assets to heirs specified in a will. Depending on applicable state law, probate can be costly and time consuming. The process is also open to the public, which can be a major detriment if you treasure your privacy. Assets passing through a revocable trust aren’t subject to probate. This gives you control to decide who in the family gets what without all the trappings of a will. Along with the flexibility, it keeps your personal arrangements away from prying eyes. Potential drawbacks One of the most notable drawbacks of a revocable trust is the upfront cost and effort involved in setting one up. Drafting a revocable trust requires the assistance of an attorney. You’ll also need to retitle your assets under the name of the trust, which can be time consuming and may incur fees. Another limitation is that a revocable trust doesn’t provide asset protection from creditors or lawsuits during your lifetime. Because the trust is revocable, its assets are still considered your property and are thus subject to claims against you. Finally, despite a common misconception, revocable living trusts don’t provide direct tax benefits. The assets are included in your taxable estate and dispositions of trust property can result in tax liability. You must report the income tax that’s due, including capital gains on sales of assets, on your personal tax return. Right for you? For many individuals, a revocable trust can be an invaluable part of their estate plans, offering flexibility, privacy and efficiency. However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Before deciding, weigh the benefits and drawbacks in the context of your unique financial situation and estate planning goals. Contact us with questions regarding a revocable trust. Be sure to consult with an estate planning attorney to draft your revocable trust. © 2025 

Information technology (IT) is constantly evolving. As the owner of a small to midsize business, you’ve probably been told this so often that you’re tired of hearing it. Yet technology’s ceaseless march into the future continues and, apparently, many companies aren’t so sure they can keep up. In October of last year, IT infrastructure services provider Kyndryl released its 2024 Kyndryl Readiness Report. It disclosed the results of a survey of 3,200 senior decision-makers across 25 industries in 18 global markets, including the United States. The survey found that, though 90% of respondents describe their IT infrastructures as “best in class,” only 39% believe their infrastructures are ready to manage future risks. A tricky necessity The concept and challenge of keeping business technology current is called “IT modernization.” And to be clear, the term doesn’t refer only to IT infrastructure — which includes your hardware, software, internal networks, cloud services and cybersecurity measures. It also refers to your company’s IT policies and procedures. To stay competitive in most industries today, some more than others, you’ve got to modernize everything continuously. But here’s the tricky part: You have to approach IT modernization carefully and cost-consciously. Otherwise, you could wind up throwing money at the problem, severely straining your cash flow and even putting the business at financial risk. 4 tips for getting it right So, how can you develop an effective IT modernization strategy? Here are four tips to consider: 1. Begin with an IT audit. Many small to midsize businesses develop their technology improvisationally. As a result, they may not be fully aware of everything they have or are doing. If you really want to succeed at IT modernization, a logical first step is to conduct a formal, systematic review of your infrastructure, policies, procedures and usage. Only when you know what you’ve got can you determine what needs to be upgraded, replaced or eliminated. 2. Align modernization with strategic objectives. It’s all too easy to let IT modernization become a game of “keeping up with the Joneses.” You might learn of a competitor investing in a certain type of hardware or software and assume you’d better follow suit. However, your modernization moves must always follow in lockstep with your strategic goals. For each one, ensure you can clearly rationalize and project how it will bring about a desired business outcome. Never lose sight of return on investment. 3. Take a phased, pragmatic approach. Another mistake many small to midsize business owners make is feeling like they’ve fallen so far behind technologically that they must undertake a “big bang” and effectively recreate their IT infrastructures. This is a huge risk, not to mention a major expense. Generally, it’s better to modernize in carefully planned phases that will have the broadest positive impact. Prioritize mission-critical areas, such as core business applications and cybersecurity, and go from there. 4. Train and upskill your people. As funny as this may sound, IT modernization isn’t just about technology; it’s also about your users. If your employees don’t have the right skills, attitude and security-minded approach to technology, the most up-to-date systems in the world won’t do you much good. So, as you mindfully develop every aspect of your IT infrastructure, policies and procedures, pay close attention to how modernization initiatives will affect your people. Be prepared to invest in the training and upskilling needed to roll with the changes. Tech support The evolution of business technology will be ongoing — especially now that artificial intelligence has taken hold in nearly every sector and industry. The good news is that you don’t have to undertake IT modernization alone. Be sure to leverage external relationships with trusted consultants and software vendors. And don’t forget our firm — we can provide tailored cost analysis and financial insights to support your company’s technological evolution. © 2025 

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) has long been a valuable tax break for families with qualifying children. Whether you’re new to claiming the credit or you’ve benefited from it for years, it’s crucial to stay current on its rules and potential changes. As we approach the expiration of certain provisions within the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) at the end of 2025, here’s what you need to know about the CTC for 2024, 2025 and beyond. Current state of the credit Under the TCJA, which took effect in 2018, the CTC was increased from its previous level of $1,000 to $2,000 per qualifying child. The TCJA also made more taxpayers eligible for the credit by raising the income threshold at which the credit begins to phase out. For both 2024 and 2025, the CTC is $2,000 per child under age 17. Phaseout thresholds in 2024 and 2025 will continue at the levels established by the TCJA: $200,000 for single filers, and $400,000 for married couples filing jointly. Refundable portion The refundable portion of the credit for 2024 and 2025 is a maximum $1,700 per qualifying child. With a refundable tax credit, you can receive a tax refund even if you don’t owe any tax for the year. Credit for other dependents A nonrefundable credit of up to $500 is available for dependents other than those who qualify for the CTC. But certain tax tests for dependency must be met. The credit can be claimed for: Dependents of any age, Dependent parents or other qualifying relatives supported by you, and Dependents living with you who aren’t related. What’s scheduled after 2025? If Congress doesn’t act to extend or revise the current provisions of the TCJA, the CTC will revert to the pre-TCJA rules in 2026. That means: The maximum credit will drop down to $1,000 per qualifying child. The phaseout thresholds will drop to around $75,000 for single filers and $110,000 for married couples filing jointly (inflation indexing could alter these figures). In other words, many taxpayers will see their CTC cut in half if the current law sunsets in 2026. Consequently, families could experience a larger federal tax liability starting in 2026 if no new law is enacted. Proposals in Washington When it comes to the future of the CTC, there have been various proposals in Washington. During the campaign, Vice President J.D. Vance signaled support for expanding the CTC. While specifics remain unclear, there have also been indications that President Trump favors extending the current $2,000 credit beyond 2025 or even increasing it. Many Congressional Republicans have voiced support for maintaining the credit at the $2,000 level or making it permanent. However, in a 50-page menu of options prepared by Republicans on the House Budget Committee, there’s a proposal that would require parents and children to have Social Security numbers (SSNs) to claim the CTC. (Currently, only a child needs a valid number.) That would make fewer families eligible for the credit. Because these proposals haven’t yet been enacted (and may not be), taxpayers should keep an eye on legislative developments. Claiming the CTC To claim the CTC, you must include the child’s SSN on your return. The number must have been issued before the due date for filing the return, including extensions. If a qualifying child doesn’t have an SSN, you may currently claim the $500 credit for other dependents for that child. To claim the $500 credit for other dependents, you’ll need to provide a taxpayer identification number for each non-CTC-qualifying child or dependent, but it can be an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number or SSN. Stay tuned The CTC remains a critical resource for millions of families. For the 2024 and 2025 tax years, you can still benefit from up to $2,000 per qualifying child. The future of the credit after that is uncertain. As always, you can count on us to keep you informed of any changes. Contact us with any questions about your situation. © 2025 

Businesses in certain industries employ service workers who receive tips as a large part of their compensation. These businesses include restaurants, hotels and salons. Compliance with federal and state tax regulations is vital if your business has employees who receive tips. Are tips becoming tax-free? During the campaign, President Trump promised to end taxes on tips. While the proposal created buzz among employees and some business owners, no legislation eliminating taxes on tips has been passed. For now, employers should continue to follow the existing IRS rules until the law changes — if it does. Unless legal changes are enacted, the status quo remains in effect. With that in mind, here are answers to questions about the current rules. How are tips defined? Tips are optional and can be cash or noncash. Cash tips are received directly from customers. They can also be electronically paid tips distributed to employees by employers and tips received from other employees in tip-sharing arrangements. Workers must generally report cash tips to their employers. Noncash tips are items of value other than cash. They can include tickets, passes or other items that employees receive from customers. Workers don’t have to report noncash tips to employers. Four factors determine whether a payment qualifies as a tip for tax purposes: The customer voluntarily makes a payment, The customer has an unrestricted right to determine the amount, The payment isn’t negotiated with, or dictated by, employer policy, and The customer generally has a right to determine who receives the payment. There are more relevant definitions. A direct tip occurs when an employee receives it directly from a customer (even as part of a tip pool). Directly tipped employees include wait staff, bartenders and hairstylists. An indirect tip occurs when an employee who normally doesn’t receive tips receives one. Indirectly tipped employees can include bussers, service bartenders, cooks and salon shampooers. What records need to be kept? Tipped workers must keep daily records of the cash tips they receive. To do so, they can use Form 4070A, Employee’s Daily Record of Tips. It’s found in IRS Publication 1244. Workers should also keep records of the dates and values of noncash tips. The IRS doesn’t require workers to report noncash tips to employers, but they must report them on their tax returns. How must employees report tips to employers? Employees must report tips to employers by the 10th of the month after the month they were received. The IRS doesn’t require workers to use a particular form to report tips. However, a worker’s tip report generally should include the: Employee’s name, address, Social Security number and signature, Employer’s name and address, Month or period covered, and Total tips received during the period. Note: If an employee’s monthly tips are less than $20, there’s no requirement to report them to his or her employer. However, they must be included as income on his or her tax return. Are there other employer requirements? Yes. Send each employee a Form W-2 that includes reported tips. In addition, employers must: Keep employees’ tip reports. Withhold taxes, including income taxes and the employee’s share of Social Security and Medicare taxes, based on employees’ wages and reported tip income. Pay the employer share of Social Security and Medicare taxes based on the total wages paid to tipped employees as well as reported tip income. Report this information to the IRS on Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return. Deposit withheld taxes in accordance with federal tax deposit requirements. In addition, “large” food or beverage establishments must file another annual report. Form 8027, Employer’s Annual Information Return of Tip Income and Allocated Tips, discloses receipts and tips. What’s the tip tax credit? Suppose you’re an employer with tipped workers providing food and beverages. In that case, you may qualify for a valuable federal tax credit involving the Social Security and Medicare taxes you pay on employees’ tip income. How should employers proceed? Running a business with tipped employees involves more than just providing good service. It requires careful adherence to wage and hour laws, thorough recordkeeping, accurate reporting and an awareness of changing requirements. While President Trump’s pledge to end taxes on tips hasn’t yet materialized into law, stay alert for potential changes. In the meantime, continue meeting all current requirements to ensure compliance. Contact us for guidance about your situation. © 2025 

President Trump and the Republican Congress plan to act swiftly to make broad changes to the United States — including its federal tax system. Congress is already working on legislation that would extend and expand provisions of the sweeping Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), as well as incorporate some of Trump’s tax-related campaign promises. To that end, GOP lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives have compiled a 50-page document that identifies potential avenues they may take, as well as how much these tax and other fiscal changes would cost or save. Here’s a preview of potential changes that might be on the horizon. Big plans The TCJA is the signature tax legislation from Trump’s first term in office, and it cut income tax rates for many taxpayers. Some provisions — including the majority affecting individuals — are slated to expire at the end of 2025. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that extending the temporary TCJA provisions would cost $4.6 trillion over 10 years. For context, the federal debt currently rings in at more than $35 trillion, and the budget deficit is $711 billion. In addition to supporting the continuation of the TCJA, the president has pushed to reduce the 21% corporate tax rate to 20% or 15%, with the goal of generating growth. He also supports eliminating the 15% corporate alternative minimum tax imposed by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), signed into law during the previous administration. It applies only to the largest C corporations. Regarding tax cuts for individuals beyond TCJA extensions, Trump has expressed that he’s in favor of: Eliminating the estate tax (which currently applies only to estates worth more than $13.99 million), Repealing or raising the $10,000 cap on the deduction for state and local taxes, Creating a deduction for auto loan interest, and Eliminating income taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security benefits. Finally, he wants to cut IRS funding, which would reduce expenditures but also reduce revenues. Without offsets, these plans would drive up the deficit significantly. Possible offsets The House GOP document outlines numerous possibilities beyond just spending reductions to pay for these tax cuts. For example, tariffs — a major plank in Trump’s campaign platform — may play a role. The GOP document suggests a 10% across-the-board import tariff. Trump, however, has discussed and imposed various tariff amounts, depending on the exporting country. The 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican products, which were imposed earlier, have been paused until March 4. An additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports took effect on February 4. In addition, Trump said tariffs on goods from other countries, including the 27-member European Union, could happen soon. While he maintains that those countries will pay the tariffs, it’s generally the U.S. importer of record that’s responsible for paying tariffs. Economists generally agree that at least part of the cost would then be passed on to consumers. The House GOP document also examines generating savings through changes to various tax breaks. Here are some of the options: The mortgage interest deduction. Suggestions include eliminating the deduction or lowering the current $750,000 limit to $500,000. Head of household status. The document looks at eliminating this status, which provides a higher standard deduction and certain other tax benefits to unmarried taxpayers with children compared to single filers. The child and dependent care tax credit. The document considers eliminating the credit for qualified child and dependent care expenses. Renewable energy tax credits. The IRA created or expanded various tax credits encouraging renewable energy use, including tax credits for electric vehicles and residential clean energy improvements, such as solar panels and heat pumps. The GOP has proposed changes ranging from a full repeal of the IRA to more limited deductions. Employer-provided benefits. Revenue could be raised by eliminating taxable income exclusions for transportation benefits and on-site gyms. Health insurance subsidies. Premium tax credits are currently available for households with income above 400% of the federal poverty line (the amounts phase out as income increases). Revenue could be raised by limiting such subsidies to the “most needy Americans.” Education-related breaks are also being assessed. The House GOP document looks at how much revenue could be generated by eliminating credits for qualified education expenses, the deduction for student loan interest and federal income-driven repayment plans. The GOP is also weighing the elimination of interest subsidies for federal loans while borrowers are still in school and imposing taxes on scholarships and fellowships, which currently are exempt. The hurdles Republican lawmakers plan on passing tax legislation using the reconciliation process, which requires only a simple majority in both houses of Congress. However, the GOP holds the majority in the House by only three votes. That gives potential holdouts within their own caucus a lot of leverage. For example, deficit hawks might oppose certain proposals, while centrist members may prove reluctant to eliminate popular tax breaks and programs. Republican representatives of all stripes are likely to oppose moves that would hurt industries in their districts, such as the reduction or elimination of certain clean energy incentives. And, of course, lobbyists will make their voices heard. Stay tuned The GOP hopes to enact tax legislation within President Trump’s first 100 days in office, but that may be challenging. We’ll keep you apprised of important developments. © 2025