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We value the loyal, long-standing clients that we have had the pleasure of working with for many years. Kevin Malick of Appreciated Advertising is one of those clients, and he recently shared some thoughts on his experience of working with us for nearly a decade.

We value the loyal, long-standing clients that we have had the pleasure of working with for many years. Kevin Malick of Appreciated Advertising is one of those clients, and he recently shared some thoughts on his experience of working with us for nearly a decade.

“I have been working with the professionals at The Bookkeeping Company since 2007. As a small business owner, I don’t have time to do everything and I never have to worry about my payroll and finances. Knowing that the professionals at The Bookkeeping Company are taking care of everything for me gives me great peace of mind.

When my father passed away, I took over the family business and I sought an accountant and a bookkeeper. As a member of OEA (Omaha Executives Association), I knew Bob and trusted his expertise. I thought Berger & O’Toole and The Bookkeeping Company would be a good fit for my business, and they have been ever since. They now manage my personal finances as well.

The entire staff at The Bookkeeping Company is always friendly and courteous. I used to dread tax time and tax preparation, but their staff takes care of everything for me and they have taken the worry out the process for me.”

It is our pleasure to work with Kevin, and the many clients that we have been working with for many years. Give us a call today to learn more about how the experienced accountants at Berger & O’Toole and the professionals at The Bookkeeping Company can help take the worry out of your taxes and finances.

Working for home can have many benefits, and while it may not be for everyone, many employees prefer a home office over a commute to a traditional office. According to Global Workplace Analytics, regular work-at-home employment among the non-self-employed population has increased 100% since 2005.

Working for home can have many benefits, and while it may not be for everyone, many employees prefer a home office over a commute to a traditional office. According to Global Workplace Analytics, regular work-at-home employment among the non-self-employed population has increased 100% since 2005.

A recent study conducted by the organization, one of the foremost authorities on how, when and where people are working, found that 50% of the US workforce holds a job that is compatible with at least partial telecommute, and as much as 25% of the population works from home with regularity. The study found that 80-90% of the US workforce would like to telecommute at least part-time.

The benefits of telecommuting extend beyond convenience and lack of a commute – there can be significant tax benefits for employees. Understanding if you qualify for a home office deduction is critical, and our experienced staff can help.

Here are some considerations to keep in mind:

• You must use your home for business use on a regular basis and as your principal place of business
• You must use part of your home exclusively for conducting business
• Your business use must be for the convenience of the employer, not the employee
• You must not rent any portion of your home to your employer or receive any reimbursements for the use of your home for business

If you qualify for the home office deduction, you can deduct prorated amounts for the following:

Home mortgage interest, or rent
• Utility bills
• Home repairs
• Depreciation

If you do not qualify for the home office deduction, you may still qualify for some business-related expenses. These expenses can fall into one of two categories:

• Business Expenses: business costs that are ordinary, necessary and reasonable, such as office supplies, postage, telephone line. You may also be allowed to depreciate the cost of computers, office furniture and possibly even the cost of the office itself
• Homeowners’ Deductions: expenses that are related to your home, such as home mortgage interest and real estate taxes, are allowed as itemized deductions regardless of your home office status

Taking advantage of available benefits is always advised, but the home office deduction is highly scrutinized by the IRS so understanding the rules and keeping meticulous records are essential. The experts with the Bookkeeping Company can help you manage your records on a regular basis in order to maximize eligible deductions. For example, if you conduct client meetings in your home you may qualify but the home office deduction, but meticulous records of dates and times of meetings, as well as understanding the minimum requirements, are important. Our bookkeepers can assist with the proper documentation.

As technological advances continue to improve, more companies are opting for a virtual environment. In many industries, employees can work from anywhere, and the need for a traditional brick and mortar building becomes less important. If you work virtually, or would like to consider it, let the experts in our office help you maximize the arrangement!

One thing we hear all the time from small business owners is that they never expected all the paperwork! Budgets, payroll, tax forms – it can all be very overwhelming! The Bookkeeping Company can help you wade through all the paperwork, and determine if you need the help of a bookkeeper or if an accountant is what you need.

One thing we hear all the time from small business owners is that they never expected all the paperwork! Budgets, payroll, tax forms – it can all be very overwhelming! The Bookkeeping Company can help you wade through all the paperwork, and determine if you need the help of a bookkeeper or if an accountant is what you need.

We help individuals and small business owners everyday who become overwhelmed with the papers and forms and deadlines. It’s not unusual for us to meet a client who thinks they need the help of an accountant, when in fact a bookkeeper is a better fit. So how do you know if you need a bookkeeper or an accountant? We can help!

If you struggle to keep up with invoices or the budget never seems to balance, a bookkeeper can help keep you on track and alleviate the worry. Here is a look at some of the areas a bookkeeper can help manage:

• Bank and Budget reconciliation
• Accounts payable and receivable
• Payroll services, including year-end tax reporting
• Quickbook Pro Advisor
• Financial Statements
• Sales and Use Tax Services

Our experienced staff can help with many other tasks, including notary public, contractor registration and new hire reporting. A full list of services offered by our qualified staff can be found here.

If you are comfortable with budgets and payroll, or have those covered by a qualified staff member, but you struggle with taxes, an accountant can assist you. Here’s a look at where an accountant can help:

• Full accounting services
• Audits, reviews and compilations
• Financial forecasts and projections
• Complete tax services
• Tax planning and preparation

Give us a call, we are happy to help you determine if you need the help of a bookkeeper or an accountant – or both!

According to Webster’s Dictionary, an entrepreneur is a person who starts a business and is willing to risk loss in order to make money. It is exciting to turn your dream and hard work into reality in the form of a successful business; but failing to take the proper steps to ensure your business is financially healthy can be disastrous.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, an entrepreneur is a person who starts a business and is willing to risk loss in order to make money. It is exciting to turn your dream and hard work into reality in the form of a successful business; but failing to take the proper steps to ensure your business is financially healthy can be disastrous.

When establishing your business, it is vital that you meet with an attorney to ensure your business is properly filed with state and federal entities and that your business is established with the proper state and federal IDs. Most business owners, who are experts in their own fields, are not experts in the rapidly- changing rules and regulations, so trusting those who are is crucial.

Business owners quickly learn the importance of proper record keeping. Missed deadlines or inaccurate tax or payroll filings can lead to penalties that are potentially insurmountable. Enlisting the help of The Bookkeeping Co. can give you the peace of mind that your company’s financial needs are being constantly monitored and maintained.

The Bookkeeping Co. will ensure your taxes are filed properly and on schedule, thereby avoiding any penalties for late or missed deadlines. We will not only help you balance and maintain your company’s budget, but we will help you understand the current and predicted future of your company’s financial situation. We will advise you accordingly, and ensure you understand the value and worth of your business.

Make an appointment with The Bookkeeping Co. today to learn more about how we can alleviate the worries associated with running a financially sound business, so you can focus on doing what you do best- running your business!

It’s tax season, the time of year when we are reminded of how much paper we collect and save. Many financial institutions are moving towards electronic records, which is a good solution to help cut down on the growing piles of paper. But it’s important to save and file some of documents.

It’s tax season, the time of year when we are reminded of how much paper we collect and save. Many financial institutions are moving towards electronic records, which is a good solution to help cut down on the growing piles of paper. But it’s important to save and file some of documents.

The IRS recommends maintaining tax returns and any supporting documents (W-2’s, income, deduction or credit documents, etc.) for at least seven years. This is the period of time you have to claim a refund that you are entitled to, or for the IRS to assess an additional tax if your reporting wasn’t accurate. Additional recommendations and details can be found on the IRS website.

The length of time you should hold on to other documents differs depending on the documents. Records of home improvement costs should be kept for as long as you own the home. Stock purchase documents showing the purchase price and date should be saved until you sell the investment. This can be extremely helpful if you decide to switch to a new stock broker.  

Everyday documents such as credit card statements, utility bills, banks statements and paycheck stubs can be destroyed after a year. Hold on to quarterly investment statements until you receive the annual statement. Medical bills, cancelled insurance policies and records of real estate sales should be filed for three years. Records of satisfied loans should be kept for at least seven years.

When you do dispose of records that are no longer necessary, they should be shredded to protect your sensitive information. Many organizations also offer free document shredding events to assist with safe disposal of records.

There are some documents that should be kept forever – marriage licenses, birth certificates, wills, adoption papers, death certificates and records of paid mortgages. We recommend storing these records in a safe lock box or safety deposit box.

The paper collection can be overwhelming. The Bookkeeping Co. can help you manage that growing pile by answering your questions about what needs to be kept and what can be tossed. Give us a call today and we will help you simplify your record keeping.

Generally, you must keep your records that support an item of income, deduction or credit shown on your tax return until the period of limitations for that tax return runs out.

The period of limitations is the period of time in which you can amend your tax return to claim a credit or refund, or the IRS can assess additional tax. The information below reflects the periods of limitations that apply to income tax returns. Unless otherwise stated, the years refer to the period after the return was filed. Returns filed before the due date are treated as filed on the due date.

Note: Keep copies of your filed tax returns. They help in preparing future tax returns and making computations if you file an amended return.

The IRS has provided interim guidance on the deductions for qualified tips and qualified overtime compensation under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (P.L. 119-21). For tax year 2025, employers and other payors are not required to separately account for cash tips or qualified overtime compensation on Forms W-2, 1099-NEC, or 1099-MISC furnished to individual taxpayers.

The IRS provided guidance on changes relating to health savings accounts (HSAs) under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (P.L. 119-21). These changes generally expand the availability of HSAs under Code Sec. 223.

The IRS provided guidance on changes relating to health savings accounts (HSAs) under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (P.L. 119-21). These changes generally expand the availability of HSAs under Code Sec. 223.

Background

To access HSAs, individual taxpayers (1) need to be covered under a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) and (2) should not have other disqualifying health coverage. The minimum annual deductible for an HDHP in 2025 is $1,650 for self-only coverage and $3,300 for family coverage. The out-of-pocket maximum for TY 2025 is $8,300 for self-only coverage and $16,600 for family coverage.

OBBBA Changes

The OBBA made a few key changes to HDHPs and, by extension, HSAs. First, it made permanent a safe harbor for HDHPs that have no deductible for telehealth and other remote care services. The OBBBA permanent extension applies retroactively after December 31, 2024.

Second, the term HDHP now includes any plan under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) (P.L. 111-148) that is available as individual coverage through an exchange, including bronze and catastrophic plans. Before the OBBBA was enacted, many bronze plans did not qualify as HDHPs because the plans’ out-of-pocket maximum exceeded the statutory limits for HDHPs or because they provided benefits that were not preventive care without a deductible. Similarly, catastrophic plans could not be HDHPs because they were required to provide three primary care visits before the minimum deductible was satisfied and to have an out-of-pocket maximum that exceeded the statutory limits for HDHPs. This provision amending the definition of an HDHP applies for months after December 31, 2025.

Finally, direct primary care service arrangements (DPCSA) under Code Sec. 223(c)(1)(E)(ii) are no longer treated as a health plan for purposes of determining HSA eligibility and enrollment, and enrolling in a DPCSA will not cause a taxpayer to fail eligibility to contribute to an HSA. These DPCSAs changes would apply after December 31, 2025.

Q&As

The IRS answered several common questions from the public regarding these three provisions with regards to administration and eligibility.

Notice 2026-5

IR 2025-119

The IRS has answered initial questions regarding Trump accounts, which it intends to address in forthcoming proposed regulations. The guidance addresses general questions relating to the establishment of the accounts, contributions to the accounts, and distributions from the accounts under Code Secs. 128, 530A, and 6434. Comments, specifically on issues identified in the notice, should be submitted in writing on or before February 20, 2026, by mail or electronically.

The IRS has answered initial questions regarding Trump accounts, which it intends to address in forthcoming proposed regulations. The guidance addresses general questions relating to the establishment of the accounts, contributions to the accounts, and distributions from the accounts under Code Secs. 128, 530A, and 6434. Comments, specifically on issues identified in the notice, should be submitted in writing on or before February 20, 2026, by mail or electronically.

Establishment of the Accounts

An account may be established for the benefit of an eligible individual by making an election on Form 4547, Trump Account Election(s), or through an online tool or application on trumpaccounts.gov. A Trump account may be created at the same time that an election is made to receive a pilot program contribution. A Trump account is a traditional IRA under Code Sec. 408(a).

A rollover Trump account can only be established after the initial Trump account is created and during the growth period of the account, which is the period that ends before January 1 of the calendar year in which the account beneficiary attains age 18. A rollover account must first be funded by a qualified rollover contribution before receiving any other contribution. Additional rules regarding the choice of trustee, rollover accounts, and the written government instrument requirements are discussed in section III.A of the notice.

Pilot Program and Contributions

The election to receive a pilot program contribution is made on Form 4547 or through the online tool, once available. Pilot program contributions will be deposited into the Trump account of an eligible child no earlier than July 4, 2026.

Trustees of Trump accounts must maintain procedures to prevent contributions from exceeding the annual limit of Code Sec. 530A(c)(2)(A). Trustees are required to collect and report the amount and sources of contributions. Contributions may be made to a Trump account and to an individual retirement arrangement for the same individual during the growth period in accordance with the rules of Code Secs. 408 and 530A(c)(2).

Qualified general contributions will be transferred by the Treasury Department or its agent to the trustee of a Trump account pursuant to a general funding contribution. More information on how and where permitted entities will make an application to make a general funding contribution will be provided before the application process opens.

An employer can exclude up to $2,500 from the gross income of an employee for a contribution made by the employer to a Trump account contribution program. The annual limit is per employee, not per dependent. A Trump account contribution may be made by salary reduction under a Code Sec. 125 cafeteria plan if the contribution is made to the Trump account of the employee's dependent and not if the contribution is made to the Trump account of the employee.

Eligible Investments

The terms "mutual fund" and "exchange traded fund" are explained, with additional comments requested on their definitions. The tracking of returns of an index and leverage for purposes of Trump accounts are also described. A mutual fund or exchange traded fund will meet the requirements of having annual fees and expenses of no more than 0.1% of the balance of the investment fund if the sum of its annual fees and expenses is less than 0.1% of the value of the fund's net assets. Additional questions regarding eligible investments are discussed in section III.D of the notice.

Distributions

Only permitted distributions, which are qualified rollover contributions or qualified ABLE rollover contributions, excess contributions, or distributions upon the death of an account beneficiary, are allowed during the growth period. Hardship distributions during the growth period are not allowed. If an account beneficiary dies after the growth period, the rules that apply to other individual retirement accounts after the death of the account owner apply. If the Trump account beneficiary dies during the growth period, the account ceases to be a Trump account and an IRA as of the date of death.

Reporting and Coordination with IRA Rules

Annual reporting by the Trump account trustee is required. Forms and instructions will be issued in the future. After the growth period, distributions from Trump accounts are governed by the IRA distribution rules of Code Sec. 408(d).

Notice 2025-68

IR 2025-117

The IRS intends to issue proposed regulations to implement Code Sec. 25F, as added by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (P.L. 119-21). Code Sec. 25F allows a credit for an individual taxpayer's qualified contribution to a scholarship granting organization (SGO) providing qualified elementary and secondary scholarships.

The IRS intends to issue proposed regulations to implement Code Sec. 25F, as added by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (P.L. 119-21). Code Sec. 25F allows a credit for an individual taxpayer's qualified contribution to a scholarship granting organization (SGO) providing qualified elementary and secondary scholarships.

Tax Credit

Beginning January 1, 2027, individual taxpayers may claim a nonrefundable federal tax credit for cash contributions to SGOs. Taxpayers must be citizens or residents of the United States. The credit allowed to any taxpayer is limited to $1,700. The credit is reduced by the amount allowed as a credit on any state tax return. Additionally, to prevent a double benefit, no deduction is allowed under Code Sec. 170 for any amount taken into account as a qualified contribution for purposes of the Code Sec. 25F credit.

SGO Requirements

An organization can qualify as an SGO after satisfying conditions that include (1) being a Code Sec. 501(c)(3) organization that is exempt from tax under Code Sec. 501(a) and not a private foundation; (2) maintaining one or more separate accounts exclusively for qualified contributions; (3) appearing on the list submitted for the applicable covered state under Code Sec. 25F(g); and (4) providing scholarships to 10 or more students who do not all attend the same school, as well as meeting certain other requirements.

Request for Comments

The forthcoming proposed regulations describe the certification process currently envisioned by the Treasury Department and the IRS for covered states to elect to participate under Code Sec. 25F . The IRS requests comments on these matters before December 26, 2025, through the Federal e-Rulemaking portal (indicate “IRS-2025-0466”). Paper submissions should be sent to: Internal Revenue Service, CC:PA:01:PR (Notice 2025-70), Room 5503, P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044.

Notice 2025-70

IR-2025-115

The IRS has disclosed the first set of certifications for the qualifying advanced energy project credit under Code Sec. 48C(e).

The IRS has disclosed the first set of certifications for the qualifying advanced energy project credit under Code Sec. 48C(e) for the period beginning:

• March 29, 2024, through September 30, 2025, resulting from the Round 1 allocation; and
• January 10, 2025, through September 30, 2025, resulting from the Round 2 allocation.

The Service also disclosed the identities of taxpayers and amounts of the Code Sec. 48C credits allocated to said taxpayers.

Background

Notice 2023-18, I.R.B. 2023-10, established a program to allocate $10 billion of credits for qualified investments in eligible qualifying advanced energy projects under Code Sec. 48C(e)(1). Code Sec. 48C(e)(4)(A) provides a base credit rate of 6 percent of the qualified investment. In cases where projects satisfy Code Secs. 48C(e)(5)(A) and (6), the Service would provide an alternative rate of 30 percent of the qualified investment.

Certification

Each applicant for certification has two years from the date of acceptance of the Code Sec. 48C(e) application. During this time, the applicant needs to submit evidence that the requirements of the certification have been met. The IRS will publish additional notices annually for certifications issued during each successive 12-month period beginning on October 1, 2025 for both Round 1 and 2.

Announcement 2025-22

Announcement 2025-23

The IRS and Treasury Department have provided procedures for a state to elect to be a “covered state” to participate with the Code Sec. 25F credit program for calendar year 2027 prior to identifying any scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) in the state. Form 15714 is used by a state to make the advanced election.

The IRS and Treasury Department have provided procedures for a state to elect to be a “covered state” to participate with the Code Sec. 25F credit program for calendar year 2027 prior to identifying any scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) in the state. Form 15714 is used by a state to make the advanced election.

Background

For tax years beginning after 2026, a U.S. citizen or resident alien may claim a nonrefundable personal tax credit of up to $1,700 for qualified contributions made to a scholarship granting organization (SGO). A qualified contribution is a charitable contribution of cash to an SGO that uses the contribution to fund scholarship for eligible K-12 students.

In order for a contribution made by a taxpayer to an SGO in a state (or the District of Columbia) to be a qualified contribution eligible for the credit, the state must elect participate in the credit program and must identify by January 1 of each calendar year a list of qualified SGOs in the state.

Advanced Election for 2027

A state may make an advanced election using Form 15714 to be a covered state for the Code Sec. 25F credit for the 2027. The form may be submitted any time after December 31, 2026, and before the day before the final date on which the State is permitted to submit the State SGO list (as will be specified in future guidance).

The advance election will allow a state to inform potential SGOs of the state’s participation in the credit before submitting a full SGO limit to the IRS. Any SGO list submitted with Form 15714 will not be processed by the IRS and the state will need to resubmit the list as specified in future guidance. Once a state’s advance election has been made on Form 15714 for calendar year 2027, the only subsequent submission the IRS will accept is the official submission of the state’s SGO list for the calendar year.

Rev. Proc. 2026-6

IR 2025-121

The IRS has formally withdrawn two proposed regulations that would have clarified how married individuals may obtain relief from joint and several tax liability. The withdrawal affects taxpayers seeking protection under Code Sec. 6015 and relief from federal income tax obligations tied to State community property laws under Code Sec. 66.

The IRS has formally withdrawn two proposed regulations that would have clarified how married individuals may obtain relief from joint and several tax liability. The withdrawal affects taxpayers seeking protection under Code Sec. 6015 and relief from federal income tax obligations tied to State community property laws under Code Sec. 66.

The two notices of proposed rulemaking—originally issued on August 13, 2013 (78 FR 49242), and November 20, 2015 (80 FR 72649)—offered procedural guidance for requesting equitable, innocent spouse, or separation of liability relief. These proposals also reflected statutory amendments introduced by the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 and evolving jurisprudence. The Treasury Department and the IRS decided to halt progress on these rules due to the passage of time, the scope of public comments, and resource prioritization.

While the agency acknowledged the regulatory need in this area, it cited the volume and breadth of feedback as grounds for reassessment. The IRS clarified that any future rules addressing these issues would require new proposals and another round of public comment, in line with current statutory frameworks and legal developments.

Importantly, this withdrawal does not prevent the issuance of new regulations on joint and several liability relief. Nor does it alter existing statutory or regulatory obligations in place under current law. The IRS retains authority under 26 U.S.C. 7805 to revisit and re-propose rules as necessary.

The withdrawal was announced by the IRS and Treasury on December 15, 2025, and was signed by Frank J. Bisignano, Chief Executive Officer. Tax professionals and affected individuals should continue to rely on existing law and procedures when seeking relief under Code Secs. 6015 and 66.

Proposed Regulations, NPRM REG-132251-11; REG-134219-08

The American Institute of CPAs has voiced its opposition to the Internal Revenue Service’s proposal to combine the Office of Personal Responsibility and the Return Preparer Office

The American Institute of CPAs has voiced its opposition to the Internal Revenue Service’s proposal to combine the Office of Personal Responsibility and the Return Preparer Office.

“The AICPA has an extensive and resolute history of steadfastly supporting initiatives that would enhance compliance, elevate ethical conduct, and protect taxpayer confidence in our tax system,” the organization said in a November 14, 2025, letter to the directors of the two offices. “The proposed combination of OPR and RPO contravenes those principles.” A copy of this and other AICPA 2025 tax policy and advocacy comment letters can be found here.

AICPA said it “strongly opposes any efforts to combine OPR and RPO because it would inappropriately consolidate credentialed and uncredentialed return preparers under OPR, create potential conflicts of interest, and divert resources from the primary role of OPR.”

It added that the merger “would sow confusion among taxpayers trying to understand the differing qualifications and practice rights of preparers, which would harm taxpayers and erode taxpayer confidence in our tax system.”

AICPA noted that OPR “has the exclusive delegated authority to interpret and enforce the regulations in Treasury Department Circular 230 (Circular 230), which governs tax practitioners interacting with the tax administration system,” while RPO “administers the Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) program, manages the enrolled agent practitioner program, encourages enrollment in the Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP), and processes some complaints against return preparers.”

“These two offices perform dissimilar government functions, oversee different types of preparers, and, therefore, should remain separate to avoid potential conflicts of interest,” AICPA said in the letter.

AICPA argued that the combination would divert resources away from the primary role of OPR and could undermine the credibility of OPR’s enforcement objective.

“Under a combined OPR unit, unscrupulous and incompetent preparers could readily misrepresent that they are subject to ethical obligations overseen by the ‘Office of Professional Responsibility,’ which would give such preparers a foothold to abuse taxpayers and undermine public trust and accountability in the tax profession,” AICPA stated in the letter.

By Gregory Twachtman, Washington News Editor