Jesse Raynor, Tax & Consulting, Inc

11/18/2025

Does your business pay independent contractors? A provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, will reduce your required reporting. Currently, businesses that pay $600 or more for services rendered by a contractor must issue a Form 1099-NEC (Nonemployee Compensation). Beginning with payments made in 2026, the threshold increases to $2,000 and will be adjusted for inflation in subsequent years. This change will simplify compliance and reduce the risk of penalties for missed filings. Contact us at (208) 290-8061 with questions about how to proceed.

11/17/2025

Starting in 2026, tax law changes could increase the risk of getting hit by the alternative minimum tax (AMT). This is especially true for high earners. At least some income-based phaseout thresholds for the AMT exemption will drop, and the exemptions will be phased out twice as fast as in 2025. Add to that the impact of larger state and local tax deductions (which aren’t AMT-deductible), and more taxpayers could face the AMT. Call us at (208) 290-8061 for help assessing your risk and finding strategies you can implement now to minimize your taxes.

11/14/2025

Taxpayers involved in a dispute with the IRS may want to consider using one of the IRS’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mediation programs. These programs can help taxpayers efficiently resolve tax issues with the IRS. Taxpayers for whom mediation can be a good option include those who don’t have many disputed issues or who’re seeking an early resolution to issues under audit. Mediation doesn’t replace the audit or collection processes. The IRS’s Independent Office of Appeals has five ADR programs: Fast Track Settlement, Fast Track Mediation Collection, Post Appeals Mediation, the Rapid Appeals Process and Early Referral. Call us at (208) 290-8061 for details if you have a tax dispute with the IRS.

11/12/2025

Did you receive an IRS audit notice but believe you did nothing wrong? Some audits are random, and some can be resolved by mail. Others are triggered by red flags that may put the IRS spotlight on your tax return. Keeping up with ever-evolving tax laws can be challenging, but one common red flag that may draw attention is a sudden, unexplained spike or drop in your reported income from one year to the next. While legitimate income changes do happen, it’s important to be prepared to justify them. Contact us for help with this matter at (208) 290-8061.

11/11/2025

Conventional wisdom says your mortgage should retire before you do. If you pay it off, you’ll enjoy a lower cost of living — not to mention the psychological boost of owning your home! But if mortgage interest provides an income tax advantage or you need to prioritize paying off other, high-interest debt, you may want to hold on to your mortgage. Contact us at (208) 290-8061. We can help you weigh the pros and cons.

11/10/2025

A sound succession plan is a must for every business owner. But even the best-laid strategies can go awry. In fact, it’s not unusual for changing circumstances to affect the feasibility of a succession plan. We’d be happy to review the strengths and potential weaknesses of yours. And if you don’t have a succession plan yet, we can help you create one. Please contact us at (208) 290-8061.

11/07/2025

Investors willing to make long-term investments in economically distressed communities have a tax incentive for doing so: the Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) program. It allows investors to defer the tax (and potentially ultimately reduce it) on recognized capital gains by reinvesting those gains in Qualified Opportunity Funds (QOFs) that, in turn, invest in QOZs. The IRS has issued guidance on two QOZ program-related provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: the definition of “rural area” and the application of the substantial improvement threshold for certain improvements to property in a QOZ located entirely in a rural area. Contact us at (208) 290-8061 for more information.

11/05/2025

College costs like tuition, books, computers and, generally, room and board have long qualified for tax-free 529 plan withdrawals, with no annual limit. For elementary and secondary school expenses, the limit has been $10,000 per year per student, with only tuition qualifying. Starting with expenses incurred after July 4, 2025, additional K–12 expenses like books and instructional materials also qualify, with the cap increasing to $20,000 per year in 2026. Also effective after July 4, 2025, certain credentialing programs qualify. Call us at (208) 290-8061 to discuss how to make the most of 529 plans.

11/04/2025

Engaging independent contractors can be a smart business strategy under the right circumstances. For example, your company might experience a seasonal upswing in workload or require specialized skills for a short period. However, there can be negative tax consequences if you inadvertently mishandle the relationship and the IRS can recharacterize an independent contractor as an employee. Please contact us at (208) 290-8061 for help understanding the tax implications and staying in compliance.

11/03/2025

If you ever wonder how your company’s financial results stack up against others in your industry, consider a benchmarking study. It can show you exactly where you stand. Contact us at (208) 290-8061 to get started. We'll help you compare key financial metrics, highlight what you're doing well and uncover areas that need attention. From there, we’ll build a strategy to strengthen your financial footing, seize growth opportunities and minimize threats in an ever-changing market. Let’s turn your financial statements into action plans!

10/31/2025

Being prepared for disasters is always important. But the IRS warns that you should also be on the alert for an uptick in scams aimed both at survivors and those who donate to help them. Scammers often sweep in after a disaster to solicit donations. They may pose as employees of federal agencies or legitimate charities. In many cases, they ask for donations by gift cards, cash or wire transfers. Scammers may also set up bogus websites with names similar to real charities and make false claims that your donations are tax-deductible. Contact us at (208) 290-8061 with questions about charitable gifts. Use the IRS's Tax Exempt Organization Search tool to verify a charity’s status and learn more details here: https://bit.ly/4pgYYiS

10/31/2025