Writing
Tax, explained by the people who file it
Practical writing and tools from Valim’s CPAs, who sit at the intersection of tax and AI expertise.
Vishant Mehta, CPA, Ex-Big 4
Donor-advised fund: giving appreciated stock under the 2026 rules
A donor-advised fund lets you deduct a gift this year and grant it to charities later. Here are the 2026 rules for giving stock, the limits and the downsides.
- donor-advised fund
- charitable deduction
- appreciated stock
- high earners
Vishant Mehta, CPA, Ex-Big 4
Tax write-off for vehicles over 6,000 lbs: 179, bonus or mileage
A tax write-off for vehicles over 6,000 lbs can cover the full business share in year one. See how Section 179, bonus depreciation and mileage compare.
- small business
- Section 179
- bonus depreciation
- vehicle deduction
Vishant Mehta, CPA, Ex-Big 4
S corp reasonable salary: how much to pay yourself in 2026
An S corp reasonable salary is what you would pay someone to do your job. No IRS rule sets a percentage. Here is how the IRS judges it, and how to set yours.
- S corp
- reasonable compensation
- payroll tax
- small business tax
Vishant Mehta, CPA, Ex-Big 4
Big Beautiful Bill: small business tax changes for 2025 and 2026
The One Big Beautiful Bill's small business changes are law, from a permanent 20% QBI deduction to 100% bonus depreciation. Here is what changed, and when.
- small business tax
- One Big Beautiful Bill
- QBI deduction
- bonus depreciation
Vishant Mehta, CPA, Ex-Big 4
Washington state income tax: 9.9% over $1 million from 2028
A Washington state income tax of 9.9% on income over $1 million is set to start in 2028. Initiative 645 on the November 3 ballot would repeal it first.
- Washington tax
- income tax
- Initiative 645
- multi-state tax
Vishant Mehta, CPA, Ex-Big 4
Trump account employer contributions: offering the $2,500 benefit
Trump account employer contributions of up to $2,500 a year are free of income tax, but not payroll tax. Here is what the proposed IRS rules would require.
- Trump accounts
- employee benefits
- section 128
- payroll tax
Vishant Mehta, CPA, Ex-Big 4
Dependent care FSA limit 2026: $7,500, and what employers must do
The 2026 dependent care FSA limit is $7,500, up from $5,000. Here is how it works for families, and what employers must do to offer it.
- employee benefits
- dependent care FSA
- section 129
- cafeteria plans
Vishant Mehta, CPA, Ex-Big 4
Deferred compensation plan (NQDC) and 409A: defer or take it now?
A deferred compensation plan delays income tax on part of your pay until it is paid. Here is how it is taxed, and whether to defer before December 31.
- deferred compensation
- Section 409A
- executive pay
- high earners
Vishant Mehta, CPA, Ex-Big 4
2026 capital gains tax rates: 0%, 15%, 20%, plus the 3.8% surtax
The 2026 capital gains tax rates are 0%, 15% and 20% on long-term gains, set by taxable income. Here are the limits, the 3.8% surtax and a $300,000 example.
- capital gains tax
- high earners
- net investment income tax
- qualified dividends
Vishant Mehta, CPA, Ex-Big 4
California wealth tax (Prop 40): who would pay the one-time 5%
The California wealth tax, Prop 40, would take a one-time 5% of net worth from billionaires resident on January 1, 2026. Here is who would pay, and when.
- California tax
- wealth tax
- Prop 40
- multi-state tax
Vishant Mehta, CPA, Ex-Big 4
The crypto tax bill (H.R. 10357): 7 changes and when they apply
The crypto tax bill, H.R. 10357, would bring the wash sale rule to crypto sold after September 14, 2026. Here is what else it would change, and when.
- crypto tax
- H.R. 10357
- wash sale
- legislation
Vishant Mehta, CPA
The Small Business Tax Savings Guide: 10 Legal Ways to Keep More of What You Earn
10 legal, IRS-approved tax strategies for small business owners, explained in plain English with real math. No jargon, no black box. Free guide.
- small business
- tax savings
- S-corp
- deductions
Vishant Mehta, CPA
Client Document Request Generator for Bookkeepers
Generate a complete, industry-specific document request checklist for any client in two clicks. 32 checklists covering monthly close, year-end, tax prep, and onboarding. Free.
- tools
- bookkeeping
- checklists
- tax prep
Vishant Mehta, CPA
What To Do When Clients Ask You To File Their Taxes
Bookkeepers: when clients ask you to file their taxes, you have 4 options. Learn which one lets you keep the client, earn 10% of tax filing revenue, and take on zero liability.
- bookkeeping
- tax filing
- referral partnerships
- bookkeeper revenue
Vishant Mehta, CPA
How Peter Thiel Turned $1,700 Into $5 Billion Tax-Free
In 1999, Peter Thiel put $1,700 of PayPal founder stock into a Roth IRA. By 2019 it was worth $5 billion. Federal tax owed: zero. Here's the structure he used.
- tax strategy
- Roth IRA
- founder equity
- pre-IPO
Valim AI Team
Should I File an Extension? A Decision Tool for CPAs
Answer 5 questions about your client's situation and get an instant file-or-extend recommendation with a downloadable PDF summary.
- extension
- 1040
- tax deadline
- CPA tools
Valim Team
1040 Safe Harbor Checker
Free tool for tax pros: instantly check if your client hit safe harbor for 2025. Enter 3 numbers from the prior-year return for an instant IRS §6654 verdict.
- safe harbor
- tax tools
- 1040
- CPA
Valim Team
How AI Tax Prep Automation Works: A Guide for CPA Firms
Learn how AI automation is helping CPA firms prepare 5x more returns with zero manual data entry. A practical guide to automated tax preparation with Drake and UltraTax.
- tax prep
- AI
- CPA
- automation