McSwain & Company, PS
Facilitating Access to Housing and In-State Tuition, Sanctioning Iran and the Battle Over DHS Funding
April 1, 2026 · Blog, Congress at Work, Uncategorized
Disclaimer 
These articles provide general information on tax, accounting, and financial topics for small businesses and individuals. They are educational in nature and are not specific legal, accounting, financial, tax, or other professional advice, and should not be relied upon as such. This content was prepared by Service2Client and may have been reviewed or edited by the website owner for accuracy and compliance. Look for a trust mark below for verification details. No representation is made that any approach described will achieve a particular result, and no regulatory or professional body has reviewed or endorsed this content. Because each situation is different, readers should consult a qualified professional about their specific circumstances before acting. Images accompanying these articles are protected by copyright and may not be copied or reused.
April 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on April 1, 2026
Categories
đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min read21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (HR 6644) – As many local governments face the problem of rising affordability and severe housing shortages, this bipartisan bill would update existing housing programs to increase the housing supply, as well as streamline federal regulations that slow construction. Among its provisions, the legislation would authorize a pilot program designed to convert vacant or underused buildings into residential housing, issue grants for infrastructure improvements for utilities and transportation, and include construction of new housing units for low- and moderate-income residents. The legislation was introduced on Dec. 11, 2025, by Rep. French Hill (R-AR). It originally passed in the House on Feb. 9, but the Senate made changes before passing it […]
Do you like it?
April 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on April 1, 2026
Categories
While Cash EBITDA isn’t recognized by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), it’s a way for company owners and investors to account for deferred revenue during valuation modeling. This financial metric…
Do you like it?
April 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on April 1, 2026
Categories
đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min readThe era of artificial intelligence as a competitive advantage has hit a structural barrier – the Governance Wall. Some time back in 2024 and 2025, organizations raced to adopt AI tools to automate decisions, improve efficiency and cut costs. Now, as we move through 2026, the conversation is shifting from “How powerful is your AI?” to “Can you explain its decisions to a regulator, customer or even a judge?” As global regulations move from abstract guidelines to strict enforcement, businesses must move from pure automation to strategies defined by traceable, human-centred oversight. The Shift From Innovation to Accountability In the early days of AI adoption, the priority was speed and results. Algorithms made decisions behind the […]
Do you like it?
April 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on April 1, 2026
Categories
You might have heard this saying, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” which is from the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. However, the principle of taking tiny steps along a path to achieve a larger financial…
Do you like it?
April 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on April 1, 2026
Categories
đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min read Picture two things happening at the same time. The agency responsible for reviewing your tax return is understaffed and buried under a backlog, and the software that the agency uses to catch filing errors just keeps getting better. That combination should give any taxpayer pause this season. Not because an audit is necessarily coming, but because if something does go wrong, the window for getting it resolved quickly has shrunk considerably. The IRS Is Running Lean, But It’s Technology Isn’t The agency lost more than a quarter of its workforce in 2025. The National Taxpayer Advocate’s most recent annual report to Congress documented the drop: from roughly 102,000 employees to about 74,000. Those departures, through […]
Do you like it?
April 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on April 1, 2026
Categories
🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readHurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes and earthquakes are becoming more severe and more frequent with each passing year. Without sufficient protection, these events can cause lasting financial disruption. While no one can prevent a natural disaster, preparing your finances in advance is one of the most practical forms of crisis readiness. Build a Financial Safety Net Save at least three to six months of essential living expenses in a liquid account that you can access quickly. This money can help cover temporary housing, food, transportation, or medical needs if your income is disrupted or your home becomes uninhabitable. In addition to emergency savings, keep a small amount of cash on hand (e.g., $200 to $500 in small […]
Do you like it?
March 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on March 1, 2026
Categories
đź–¨ Print⏱ 3 min read Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the DC Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 (HJRes 142) – After passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the Council of the District of Columbia (DC) opted out of the tax code from the Act, amending several provisions and restoring the DC child tax credit. This resolution nullifies DC’s amended legislation. It was introduced on Jan. 22 by Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX). It passed in the House on Feb. 4, the Senate on Feb. 12, and was enacted on Feb. 18. Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act (S 3705) – This bill instructs the Architect of the […]
Do you like it?
March 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on March 1, 2026
Categories
With 57 percent of public companies offering their workers employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs), according to the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals (NASPP), understanding how qualifying dispositions work is an essential…
Do you like it?
March 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on March 1, 2026
Categories
🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readArtificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a competitive advantage; it has become a necessary infrastructure. Businesses now heavily rely on AI-powered systems, from automated customer service to predictive analytics and decision-making tools. These platforms are cloud-based, and their reliance comes with growing concern of AI lock-in. This dependence on major cloud providers and the convenience of Big Tech ecosystems can turn into long-term dependency. In response, cloud sovereignty is gaining momentum. What Is Cloud Sovereignty? Cloud sovereignty refers to the ability of an organization to maintain full control over its data, infrastructure, and digital assets. This includes where data is stored, how it is processed, and which legal jurisdiction governs it. Unlike traditional cloud hosting, where […]
Do you like it?
March 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on March 1, 2026
Categories
đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min readWhen investors think about building a strong equity portfolio, U.S. stocks often dominate the conversation. The United States is home to many of the world’s most innovative, profitable, and well-known companies, and has a history of delivering strong long-term returns. However, the United States is not the only country with successful, growth-oriented businesses. In fact, nearly half of the global equity market is located outside the United States, offering investors a much broader opportunity than in domestic markets alone. Despite this reality, many investors stick to a home country bias. This behavioral tendency means they prefer companies headquartered in their own country because they’re more familiar and feel safer. Unfortunately, home country bias can unintentionally increase […]
Do you like it?
March 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on March 1, 2026
Categories
If you’re a high-income earner, generally defined as household incomes over $350,000, there are some key things you might want to keep in mind come tax season. Here are a few of the strategies to consider…
Do you like it?
March 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on March 1, 2026
Categories
đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min read Tax season is here, and while the IRS opened its doors for 2025 returns on Jan. 26, with the familiar April 15 deadline intact, this year’s filing experience is shaping up to be anything but routine. A perfect storm of workforce cuts, rushed new tax breaks, and strained systems means that getting your return right the first time has never been more important. A Smaller IRS With a Bigger Job The numbers tell a sobering story. According to the Taxpayer Advocate, the IRS entered this filing season with 27 percent fewer employees than it had just a year ago. Congressional funding clawbacks combined with the Department of Government Efficiency’s push for retirements and reductions have hollowed […]
Do you like it?
February 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on February 1, 2026
Categories
For private equity investors, 2026 is going to be a good year. Financing conditions are stabilizing, interest rates are decreasing and valuations are beginning to reset. Further, these firms are moving to growth-at-any-cost strategies, deeper diligence…
Do you like it?
February 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on February 1, 2026
Categories
đź–¨ Print⏱ 6 min readWiring money is like sending cash: Once you’ve sent it, it’s gone. It is very difficult to retrieve – in fact, more difficult than recovering physical dollar bills. For businesses, always call the recipient to verify ACH details before sending; this is required by law in 50 states. This law does not require calling, but if the sender’s or recipient’s email is hacked, calling will help prevent the hacker from changing ACH details in a hacked email account. If wire fraud takes place due to a security breach, such as a hacker infiltrating your account and initiating a wire transfer, you may have protection. Reputable financial institutions will generally cover your losses in the case of a cyber attack. […]
Do you like it?
February 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on February 1, 2026
Categories
🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readEvery modern business is paying rent. Not for office space or equipment, but for the digital infrastructure that runs the company. This might include the cost of CRMs, email platforms, project management tools, automation tools, analytical dashboards, and countless other tools designed to solve a specific business need. Individually, these tools seem affordable; collectively, they form a permanent tax on business growth. For several years now, software-as-a-service (SaaS) has been sold as a form of freedom. Businesses were promised low upfront cost, instant deployment, and minimal complexity. For a long time, SaaS delivered on this promise. It helped companies move faster, scale quickl,y and compete globally regardless of size. But this is shifting. Now, business leaders […]
Do you like it?
February 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on February 1, 2026
Categories
Whether you are an investor, an owner or an internal financial analyst, understanding how the equity multiplier works and how to interpret it is a helpful skill.
Do you like it?
February 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on February 1, 2026
Categories
đź–¨ Print⏱ 3 min readCommerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 (HR 6938) – This Act is one of the remaining budget bills to fund the government through Sept. 30, 2026. It includes funding for several agencies, including the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Energy, and the Environmental Protection Agency. The bill was introduced by Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) on Jan. 6. It passed in the House on Jan. 8, the Senate on Jan. 15, and was signed into law on Jan. 23. Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026 (HR 7006) – […]
Do you like it?
February 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on February 1, 2026
Categories
🖨 Print⏱ 4 min read After a whirlwind 2025 that produced what may be the largest tax bill in American history, the coming year looks dramatically different. Tax policy experts are predicting a legislative standstill, a turbulent tax filing season, and lingering questions about how new provisions will work when put into practice. A Year of Legislative Gridlock The forecast for 2026 tax legislation is bleak. With Republicans clinging to an impossibly thin House majority of just 218 or 219 seats following recent resignations, passing any significant bills will be extraordinarily difficult. Every single Republican vote would be needed to advance legislation through reconciliation, and as 2025 demonstrated, keeping the caucus unified is no small feat. While there has been […]
Do you like it?
January 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on January 1, 2026
Categories
đź–¨ Print⏱ 3 min readVeterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025 (S 2392) – This Act was introduced by Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) on July 23. It passed in the Senate on Nov. 9, the House on Nov. 17, and was signed into law on Nov. 25. The purpose of this bill is to increase rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities, as well as the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans. The rate hikes became effective on Dec. 1. Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act of 2025 (HR 970) – This bipartisan Act was introduced on Feb. 4 by Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA). It authorizes increases to servicemember and veteran […]
Do you like it?
January 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on January 1, 2026
Categories
An activity cost driver is anything that causes a company's variable costs to either reduce or grow. Since measuring an activity cost driver is a way to streamline the administration of managing production costs, it’s…
Do you like it?
FREE 30-Minute No-Obligation Consultation