Your trusted guide
Resources
Direct links to official government sites — no middlemen, no confusion. Hey friend, here's why each one matters.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Track your money
Where's my refund?
Where's My Refund (Federal)
Where's My Ohio Refund
Your IRS accounts
Manage your taxes online
How to create your login (ID.me):
- Go to irs.gov/your-account and click "View your account information."
- Create or sign in with an ID.me account.
- Verify your identity with a photo ID and a selfie.
- Set up multi-factor authentication — done!
How to create your login (ID.me):
- Go to irs.gov/businesses/business-tax-account and click "Create account or sign in."
- Create or sign in with an ID.me account.
- Verify your identity with a photo ID and a selfie.
- Enter your business name and EIN to link your business.
- Set up multi-factor authentication — you're in!
Access depends on your business type and role (sole proprietor, partner, shareholder, or Designated Official). See the IRS page for details.
Stay safe
Protect yourself
Get an IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)
How to Choose a Tax Professional
Why we ask what we ask
Understanding Due Diligence
Hey friend — tax professionals are legally required to do "due diligence" when claiming certain credits and filing statuses: the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, American Opportunity Credit, and Head of Household. That's why we ask questions and may request documents like school or medical records, lease agreements, or proof of residency. It's not us being nosy — it protects you from audits, penalties, and having to repay credits later.
Preparer Due Diligence (IRS)
Taxpayer Bill of Rights
Watch out for "ghost preparers" — anyone who prepares your return but won't sign it. A legitimate preparer always signs and includes their PTIN. If they won't sign, walk away.
What's changing
Tax Law Changes for 1099 & Gig Workers
If you drive for a rideshare, sell on a marketplace, freelance, or contract — here's what's new and what to watch for.
1099-K reporting threshold
Third-party payment platforms (Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, Etsy, Uber, DoorDash, etc.) must report your earnings on Form 1099-K. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the reporting threshold reverted to over $20,000 AND more than 200 transactions for the 2026 tax year (filed in 2027) — the pre-2024 rule, retroactive to 2022. The previously planned $600 threshold no longer applies.
Even if you never receive a 1099-K or 1099-NEC, you're still legally required to report all income you earned.
Self-employment tax
As a 1099 or gig worker, you're self-employed — meaning you pay both halves of Medicare and Social Security tax (15.3%) plus income tax. There's no employer withholding it for you.
Quarterly estimated payments
No withholding means you pay taxes yourself, four times a year. For 2026, estimated payments are due January 15, April 15, June 15, and September 15, 2027. Missing these triggers underpayment penalties.
Track & deduct expenses
Mileage, phone, supplies, platform fees, and home-office costs may be deductible. Keep clean records year-round — good bookkeeping lowers your taxable income legally.
QBI deduction — now permanent
The 20% pass-through deduction (Section 199A) for self-employed and small-business owners was made permanent under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — the previous 2025 sunset was removed. We'll confirm your eligibility when we prepare your 2026 return.
Heads up, friend: getting a 1099-K for the first time can feel scary, but it doesn't change what you owe — it just means the IRS sees it too. We'll help you report it correctly and claim every deduction you're entitled to.
If you owe or got a letter
Tax resolution help
Mark your calendar
Tax Filing Deadlines (2026 tax year, filed in 2027)
Dates can change due to weekends, holidays, or disaster relief. Always confirm on IRS.gov.
Individuals
Form 1040 & Ohio IT 1040 due April 15, 2027 | Extension deadline October 15, 2027 | Estimated payments: January 15, 2027 (4th qtr 2026); April 15, June 15, and September 15, 2027.
Businesses
W-2s and 1099-NEC due February 1, 2027 | Partnerships (1065) & S-Corps (1120-S) due March 15, 2027; extended September 15, 2027 | Sole proprietors (Schedule C) follow individual deadlines.
Nonprofits
Form 990 series due May 17, 2027 for calendar-year organizations (the 15th day of the 5th month after your fiscal year end). Extended deadline November 15, 2027.
Penalties & Interest on Late Taxes
Failure-to-file penalty
5% of unpaid tax per month (or part of a month) the return is late, up to a maximum of 25%. If more than 60 days late, the minimum penalty is the smaller of $525 (2026) or 100% of the tax owed.
Failure-to-pay penalty
0.5% of unpaid tax per month, up to 25%. If both penalties apply in the same month, the failure-to-file rate drops to 4.5% so the combined monthly cap is 5%.
Interest on unpaid tax
Accrues daily, compounded, at the federal short-term rate plus 3%. The rate adjusts quarterly — for 2026 it ranges from 6% to 7% annually. Interest cannot be waived.
Nonprofit late filing
Form 990 filed late triggers a $20/day penalty per return. If not filed for 3 consecutive years, the organization automatically loses its tax-exempt status.
Can't pay in full? File on time anyway and pay what you can — the failure-to-file penalty is much steeper than the failure-to-pay penalty. We can help you set up a payment plan.
Share the love
Refer a Friend
Know someone who could use a little extra care with their taxes or notary needs? Send them our way — we'll take good care of them.