After filing your taxes, you may start wondering...

Where is my refund?

The answer depends on how you filed your return:

• E-Filing will have your refund faster... your refund should be issued between two and three weeks.
• If paper filing via US Mail, this process will slow down the refund... your refund will be received in approximately six to eight weeks of filing a paper return. In the last 2 years, the process has been considerably lower.

You can check on the status of your refund by clicking on the links below.

Before taking action, talk to your tax adviser.

How many times have you seen this legal disclaimer?

Unfortunately, all too often taxpayers do not follow this advice and then must pay the price with an unnecessarily high tax bill.

Here are some of the most common situations that can save you money by seeking advice before you act:

There's still time to act!

At the end of each year there are a number of things to consider that may have a positive impact on your tax obligation. Here is a list of ideas that may be worth a quick review while there is still time. And especially this year with recent tax law changes.

🚨 California Expands Retirement Plan Mandate — Action needed by December 31, 2025

California has expanded its retirement mandate to the smallest employers. If you have even one W-2 employee (other than the owner or owner’s spouse) and do not sponsor a qualified plan, you must either (a) adopt a private plan (e.g., 401(k), SIMPLE IRA) or (b) register for CalSavers by December 31, 2025.

Penalties for non-compliance: $250 per eligible employee if you remain non-compliant 90+ days after notice, plus an additional $500 per eligible employee at 180+ days. Those add up quickly.

The Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% boost to monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for 2026, another rate drop versus last year's increase of 3.2%. The increase is based on the rise in the Consumer Price Index over the past 12 months ending in September 2025.

As of October 2025, f you’re age 70½ or older, you can transfer money directly from an IRA to qualifying charities. Those transfers are Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs).

Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), QCDs now protect even more tax benefits by keeping AGI/MAGI low while still satisfying charitable goals.

Below is the upgraded, precise version:

OBBBA adds a temporary, targeted deduction for tips. It’s not a universal “no tax on tips.” Many tipped amounts are still taxable, and payroll taxes still apply. Here’s the clean, CFO-level breakdown you can put in front of clients.

The IRS has issued 282 pages of proposed digital asset reporting regulations, along with official IRS explanation of the provisions, which cover a range of digital asset issues where there have been questions. Issues addressed include expansive definitions of brokers and a requirement that proceeds from the sale of digital assets be reported to the IRS starting in 2026, on new Form 1099-DA for transactions on, or after January 1, 2025.

Many of our clients that have applied for The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) ask about the taxability of the refunds received.

Quick Answer: Yes, the ERTC refund is taxable.

The IRS has taken the position that the income is taxable in the tax year/tax period to which the credit applies.

The ERTC refunds relate back to 2020 or 2021. These amounts will be received in later years and are to be included as income on the respective prior year return. This process will require amended returns for the entity and any shareholders/partners. This will result in tax due for in the amended tax year. Since this tax will now be deemed late, the IRS will impose Interest and Penalties.

Good News — sort of... There is a process to apply for a penalty waiver with the IRS, but unfortunately it is a manual one.