In this episode:

• Why "goals" beat New Year's resolutions (and how business owners can take that mindset into tax season).

• A rundown of 2026 tax law changes that matter most for business owners—especially those involving deductions, 1099s, and retirement contributions.

• Proactive security and document exchange tips during tax season (and why SafeSend might be your new best friend).

• Key updates for employers: 1099 filing thresholds are changing, and new fringe benefit rules might affect your planning.

• Why HSAs and Roth 401(k) catch-ups are worth a closer look this year.

Diane Laird, Executive Director of the Downtown Dover Partnership (DDP), shares how Dover's revitalization has evolved from piecemeal, market-driven change to a coordinated, community-led transformation. With decades in interior design and urban policy, she explains how a master plan has brought together public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders under one vision.

Key projects like the Mobility Center and a mixed-use redevelopment of the old Acme site are already underway, backed by creative financing and strategic zoning changes. The DDP's new nonprofit, Capital City Transformation Alliance, will reinvest parking revenue directly into future improvements, an unusual and impactful move.

Diane also previews Winterfest 2026, a free downtown celebration with ice sculptures, food trucks, music, and more—all part of a broader effort to boost foot traffic, local pride, and small business success downtown.

In this episode:

• What Trump Accounts are, who qualifies, and why parents of young kids should pay attention in 2026.

• How the "no tax on tips/overtime" headlines are misleading and what employers need to prepare for now.

• Why hobby losses are red flags for the IRS, especially for side gigs that never turn a profit.

• A timely breakdown of gift tax rules, including how to move money to family members tax-free and when you do have to file something.

• Creative ways to give to charity, including donor-advised funds and how businesses can deduct donations as advertising.

In this episode, we explore some of the most important tax updates and strategies that business owners should have on their radar. Topics include:

• A game-changing update that makes a popular capital gains deferral tool available for the long term

• A new IRS process that could save compliant taxpayers time and frustration when dealing with penalties

• A significant tax credit for businesses that invest in employee childcare and support services

• How the IRS is finally adding clarity to error notices, and why it matters for your bottom line

• What's coming soon to simplify cryptocurrency tax reporting for both individuals and businesses

• Key year-end tax strategies you may still have time to take advantage of

• A major change in Delaware's approach to depreciation, and how it could impact planning

• New deductions tied to everyday financial choices, like vehicle loans and charitable giving

• Expanded options for using 529 Plans that go well beyond traditional college tuition

In this episode:

• Why outdated beliefs about avoiding taxes on home sales can be costly, and the real rules you need to follow today.

• A surprising stat on how much of the country's income taxes are paid by just the top 1%.

• Key updates to Social Security thresholds, earnings limits, and the wage base for 2026.

• Smart year-end tax strategies that look beyond just 2025.

• A heads-up on the expanded SALT cap and how it might make itemizing deductions worth another look.

• A creative way to turn your home into a source of tax-free income for up to 14 days.

• The new age for RMDs, why inherited IRAs can trigger unexpected tax burdens, and how to rethink your Roth.

Inclind founder, Shawn Tyndall, joins us and shares the lessons he learned scaling a web design and digital marketing firm from a college startup to a nationally recognized remote agency. He explains why specializing early matters, why client relationships trump one-time projects, and how his team thrives by keeping websites simple, fast, and evolving. From building trust beyond state lines to hiring for remote success, Shawn's insight is a blueprint for sustainable, tech-savvy entrepreneurship.

In this episode:

• C vs. S corp: where taxes really hit

• LLCs vs. S corps: payroll and flexibility

• Double taxation decoded

• Profit splits: fair or fixed?

• When losses save you money

• Recourse vs. nonrecourse debt explained

• Why planning before filing matters

• Clean books = real tax options

• Hiring experts beats DIY mistakes

• Paying advisors as an investment

Today on the podcast, we're joined by Christopher VonLindenberg, Founder and CEO of Lindenberg Financial. Chris is a lifelong entrepreneur with a passion for helping people unlock their potential, both financially and personally. In our conversation, he shares how growing up in a blue-collar family shaped his work ethic, how he learned to redefine success beyond "just working harder," and why he believes true financial planning starts with life planning.

Episode Overview:
In this episode, listeners will hear:

• How Chris turned uncertainty about his future into a career built on service and entrepreneurship.

• Why "living life while you work" matters more than saving it all for retirement.

• The difference between working in your business and working on your life vision.

• How collaboration between CPAs, financial planners, and attorneys creates better outcomes for clients.

• Why tax and financial planning shouldn't happen in silos—and how proactive teamwork can change your financial trajectory.

• The art and science of planning: blending data with human goals to build lasting confidence.

By the end, you'll walk away with a renewed perspective on money, purpose, and how building the right advisory team can help you live life, not just plan for it.

In this episode:

• What the IRS's latest move on paper checks means for your refund timing.

• The "tip deduction" that could put more money back in the pockets of both employees and self-employed workers.

• New per diem rates that might change how your company reimburses travel.

• A helpful update for farmers dealing with drought-related losses.

• What crypto investors should watch for in their mailbox this coming tax season.

• Inside scoop on IRS staffing challenges, and how that could delay refunds and responses.

• The ripple effect of new legislation on tax software, filing timelines, and your 2026 tax prep.

This week on Accounting and Accountability, Tammy and Hilari sit down with Amy Thompson, President and CEO of the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to keep a beach town's business community thriving year-round.

Amy shares how Ocean City's economy is evolving beyond tourism, why festivals like Oceans Calling and Country Calling are a massive win for local businesses, and what legislative issues are making waves, from short-term rental regulations to the offshore wind debate.

Listeners will hear how the Chamber advocates for small business owners at every level of government, why membership is more than just mixers and ribbon cuttings, and where the next wave of entrepreneurial opportunity may be hiding in Ocean City.

In this episode:

• Navigating government shutdowns and IRS updates for business owners
• The impact of state vs. federal marijuana laws on business deductions
• Understanding the QBI deduction and how it affects entrepreneurs
• Beneficial ownership reporting: what changed and why it matters
• Key tax deadlines and what to do after tax season
• Foreign bank account reporting requirements (FBAR)
• State-specific tax law changes (Maryland vs. Delaware)
• Deep dive into the Research & Development (R&D) tax credit:
  
  • Who qualifies and the four-part test
  • Real-world examples for startups, manufacturers, and tech companies
  • Payroll tax offsets for early-stage businesses
  • Documentation tips and audit triggers
  • Common misconceptions and maximizing your credits

In this episode:

• Why the IRS is phasing out paper checks and what that means for paying or receiving tax refunds going forward

• How misleading labels on draft IRS forms could confuse clients (hint: "No Tax on Tips" doesn't actually mean that)

• A major 401(k) rule change for high earners that could impact catch-up contributions starting in 2027

• Year-end tax planning tips for business owners, including strategies you must act on before December 31

• Smart ways to manage estimates, avoid penalties, and use paycheck withholdings to your advantage

If you want fewer surprises come April and smarter decisions in Q4, don't miss this one.