Tax tip of the week
Deadlines, deductions and Southwest Florida specifics, from William, your neighborhood Enrolled Agent. Miss one? They all live here.
Paying for day camp this summer so you can work? Camp costs for kids under 13, including specialty camps like sports or art, can count toward the Child and Dependent Care Credit. (Overnight camp doesn't qualify; the IRS draws the line at sleepovers.) Save the receipt plus the camp's name, address and tax ID number. Future-you, sitting at my desk next March, will be thrilled.
New for 2026: many people who take the standard deduction can still deduct charitable gifts. For years the habit has been to toss donation receipts because “I don't itemize anyway.” This year, break the habit. Keep every acknowledgment letter and receipt, and ask me about it at tax time. It may be money back you weren't expecting.
We're in season, neighbors. This week: photograph or video your home, valuables and business equipment, and put digital copies of your tax documents somewhere that isn't inside your house. My secure upload page works for exactly that. If a declared disaster ever touches us, those photos are the difference between a documented casualty-loss deduction and an argument with the IRS. Take the photos on a sunny day so you never need them.
Two ways to be on time today: IRS Direct Pay (opens in a new tab) before midnight, or a check postmarked today. The postmark counts as your payment date, so a trip to the post office counter still saves you. If you're staring at the voucher unsure what number to write, call me before you guess. Guessing is how penalties happen.
If you're self-employed, collecting 1099s, or living on income with no withholding, the IRS expects a payment one week from today. The cleanest way to pay is IRS Direct Pay (opens in a new tab): free, straight from your checking account, ten minutes start to finish. Not sure what you owe? Send me your year-to-date numbers and I'll calculate it for you. That's literally my job.
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Tips are general information, not personal tax advice: your situation is exactly what a consultation is for.
The first conversation is free, with no pressure. Book a time that suits you, or just call.