Eric J. Cohen CPA

Wondering how Sec. 530A accounts (also known as Trump Accounts) may be invested? The IRS has issued proposed regulations clarifying the investment options allowed during the “growth period.” This period begins when the beneficiary’s initial account is established and ends on Dec. 31 of the year the child turns 17. During this time, eligible investments generally include mutual funds or exchange-traded funds that track an equity index of mainly U.S. companies, don’t use leverage, and have annual fees and expenses of no more than 0.1% of the fund’s balance. The proposed regulations would apply to tax years starting on or after Jan. 1, 2026. Call us at (561) 948-0706 with questions.

There are several benefits to having an estate plan. It can protect your wealth while giving you peace of mind that your assets will be distributed according to your intentions. In addition, it can save taxes, minimize legal complications and family disputes, and reduce expenses for your heirs. Do you have young children? An estate plan is a must so you can name guardians for them in the event of your untimely death. If you’re ready to begin your estate planning journey, or if you’d like us to review your current plan, contact us at (561) 948-0706.

Selling investments at a loss generally reduces taxes, but the wash sale rule can get in the way. If you buy the same or a “substantially identical” investment within 30 days before or after the sale, the loss may be disallowed. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid triggering the wash sale rule and still achieve your goals. Contact us at (561) 948-0706 to discuss balancing tax considerations with investment objectives.

Business owners: Should you use cash to pay federal tax debt or keep it for operational needs? Paying the IRS sooner may ease stress and reduce penalties, but draining cash can disrupt operations, payroll and growth. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. In many cases, the IRS offers options — such as installment agreements, temporary collection holds or penalty relief — that may help you stay compliant while preserving cash flow. The biggest risk is choosing extremes, either depleting cash reserves or ignoring the issue. A balanced strategy often works best. Call us at (561) 948-0706. We can review your options and help you create a plan.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is making permanent the suspension of the beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements for U.S. companies and U.S. persons. If these Corporate Transparency Act requirements had gone into effect, millions of U.S. businesses would have faced the administrative burden of an initial BOI filing and subsequent updates for any BOI changes. FinCEN will also delete previously reported information it believes belongs to U.S. persons (such as information linked to U.S. driver’s licenses and U.S. passports). Foreign entities that are reporting companies must still report BOI for foreign individuals. Call us at (561) 948-0706 if you have questions.

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a long-time homeowner, mortgage interest may save you taxes. If you itemize deductions rather than claim the standard deduction, interest you pay on mortgage debt to buy, build or substantially improve a primary or second home generally is deductible. Points paid related to your primary residence may also be deductible. Beginning in 2026, mortgage insurance premiums potentially can be deducted as mortgage interest. The $750,000 debt limit for most mortgage debt incurred after Dec. 15, 2017, is now permanent. Contact us at (561) 948-0706 to discuss your tax situation.

If your trust is subject to high state income tax, you may be able to change its residence (or “situs”) to a state with low or no income taxes. Relocating a trust may offer a tax advantage if the trust is an irrevocable nongrantor trust, accumulates (rather than distributes) substantial amounts of ordinary income or capital gains, and can be moved to a state with low or no taxes on accumulated trust income. Call us at (561) 948-0706 for more information.

Tax planning requires more than preparing returns at filing time. We work with individuals and businesses throughout the year to identify tax-saving opportunities, address compliance requirements and respond to changing tax laws. Call us at (561) 948-0706 to schedule an appointment to discuss your tax needs.

Beginning in 2026, employers can claim a tax credit for a portion of premiums for paid family and medical leave (PFML) insurance policies, instead of for a portion of actual wages paid during employees’ PFML. Employers can choose to claim the credit for a percentage of qualifying insurance premiums paid or incurred during the tax year for active PFML coverage. The IRS has issued guidance (Notice 2026-28) that helps employers apply the premium-based method. It addresses how the premium-based method compares to the wage-based method, how to allocate the qualifying premiums, and how to elect between the premium method and the wage method. Contact us at (561) 948-0706 to learn more about tax breaks for PFML.

The 40% generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax generally applies to transfers made to people two generations or more below you, like your grandchildren. And it applies on top of any gift or estate tax due. The good news is that a large GST tax exemption is available: $15 million for 2026. So most taxpayers don’t need to worry about the GST tax. But if you have a large estate, you can allocate your GST tax exemption to contributions to a dynasty trust and allow assets to skip several generations of taxation. Contact us at (561) 948-0706 to learn more.