McSwain & Company, PS
What to Expect from U.S. Tax Policy in 2026
February 1, 2026 · Blog, Tax and Financial News, Uncategorized
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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.
February 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on February 1, 2026
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🖨 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 […]
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February 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on February 1, 2026
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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…
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February 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on February 1, 2026
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🖨 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 […]
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February 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on February 1, 2026
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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.
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January 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on January 1, 2026
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🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readCampaign messaging would have you believe retirees just scored a major victory. The talking point is everywhere: Social Security benefits are now tax-free. But anyone who reads the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will discover something different. The legislation contains nothing that removes Social Security from federal taxation. Zero provisions. The tax structure that has applied to benefits for over four decades remains fully intact. So, what did pass? A new deduction aimed at older Americans. And through some rhetorical gymnastics, that deduction is being sold as something it fundamentally is not. A Deduction Is Not an Exemption The OBBBA creates an additional deduction exclusively for seniors. Single filers get $6,000 while married couples receive $12,000. […]
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January 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on January 1, 2026
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đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min read American parents now have access to a completely new savings tool designed to give children a financial foundation for the future. Established through The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, these accounts carry the name of the current president and come with a unique set of rules that the IRS has just begun to clarify. Who Can Open One? Any minor holding a Social Security number who has not yet turned 18 by Dec. 31 of the current year meets the eligibility criteria. Getting started requires an authorized adult, typically a parent or legal guardian, to submit an application to the Treasury Department. Once processed, the government establishes the child’s account. Free Money for Newborns Families […]
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January 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on January 1, 2026
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🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readThe way people interact with the web is changing fast. Attention spans are shorter, app fatigue is real, and users no longer want to download, sign up, or navigate complex interfaces just to engage with content. New technologies like frictionless web-based augmented reality (WebAR) are emerging as powerful solutions. This shift opens great opportunities for creators, brands, and small businesses. What is Frictionless WebAR? Every extra step between a user and an experience reduces engagement. Downloading apps, dealing with permissions, updates, and onboarding screens all create friction. However, frictionless WebAR is delivered directly through a web browser. It uses web standards like WebXR and WebGL to deliver digital content without downloads or installations. With a shift […]
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January 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on January 1, 2026
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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…
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January 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on January 1, 2026
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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 […]
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January 1, 2026
Published by Service2Client on January 1, 2026
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If you’re tired of the 9 to 5 grind, then passive income could be for you. While not a get-rich-quick scheme, it’s a way to build systems that contribute to financial stability and extra money. It can even support long-terms…
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December 1, 2025
Published by Service2Client on December 1, 2025
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🖨 Print⏱ 5 min readIn 2024, the median household income in the United States was $83,730. However, the national average annual cost of 24-hour paid long-term care (LTC) for a retiree age 65 and older was more than $125,000, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Moreover, one in five seniors will require care for more than five years. Obviously, the math varies by household, but the reality is that the majority of older Americans who rely on paid caregiving will use much of their retirement savings and investments to pay for it. When considering insurance, there are presently two options: Long Term Care Insurance (LTCi) and Hybrid Life Insurance with an LTC component. Be aware that each […]
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December 1, 2025
Published by Service2Client on December 1, 2025
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Giving to charity is good for a couple of reasons. First, giving to organizations you believe in is intrinsically good – for them and for you. When we give, the “love hormone” oxytocin is released. Second…
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December 1, 2025
Published by Service2Client on December 1, 2025
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đź–¨ Print⏱ 3 min readEpstein Files Transparency Act (HR 4405) – The purpose of this bill is to require the Department of Justice to release all documents and records in its possession of investigations and court cases related to Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein was previously convicted of soliciting prostitution from an underage girl, and also faced new sex trafficking charges prior to his 2019 death in custody. The files are expected to reveal the names of other people involved in the sex trafficking scheme. The act was initially introduced by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) on July 15. It was updated and passed in the House on Nov. 18, in the Senate the next day, with only one opposing vote between the […]
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December 1, 2025
Published by Service2Client on December 1, 2025
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đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min read Tax planning feels like homework nobody wants to do, but here’s the reality: real money is sitting on the table. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act changed the rules this year, and most people are still figuring out what matters for their wallets. Max Out Everything While You Can Here’s something many people miss. Every Dec. 31, workplace retirement accounts basically close their books for the year. That’s it, opportunity gone. The limit is $23,500 this year, or $31,000 for those over 50. Also, anyone between 60 and 63 can throw in an extra $11,250 with the new super catch-up provision. That’s serious money that could be working harder instead of going to taxes. HSAs […]
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December 1, 2025
Published by Service2Client on December 1, 2025
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đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min readPhishing is a major threat that keeps evolving and has now become a sophisticated and costly cyber risk facing businesses of all sizes. Previously linked to malicious links in an email, phishing is now powered by AI, automation, and social engineering. The attacks have become harder to detect; they are faster to execute; and they can be very damaging if successful. With many business processes happening online – such as payments, approvals, and customer engagement – the attack surface has expanded, and so has the creativity of cybercriminals. The Changing Landscape of Phishing Modern phishing is unlike the previous suspicious and poorly written emails, and today cybercriminals are using AI tools to do many things, including: […]
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December 1, 2025
Published by Service2Client on December 1, 2025
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Whether it’s an individual investor or a business owner looking to increase their earning power, understanding how accretion works is essential for individual and business investors to make the correct decisions…
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November 1, 2025
Published by Service2Client on November 1, 2025
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đź–¨ Print⏱ 4 min read America’s housing crisis has reached a breaking point. With median home prices soaring past $400,000, the National Association of Home Builders reports that 60 percent of U.S. households can’t even afford a $300,000 home. The math has become impossible for most American families. While we often blame high mortgage rates, restrictive zoning laws and rising construction costs for the housing shortage, there’s another culprit hiding in plain sight: a decades-old tax rule that’s trapping millions of homeowners in houses they’d rather leave. The $500,000 Problem When Congress overhauled capital gains taxes on home sales in 1997, they created what seemed like a generous benefit: homeowners could exclude up to $250,000 in profits from taxes ($500,000 […]
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November 1, 2025
Published by Service2Client on November 1, 2025
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For some of us, last-minute holiday shopping is just what we do. That said, it’s probably never fun and two things invariably seem to happen: The gifts you want aren’t available and you end up paying…
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November 1, 2025
Published by Service2Client on November 1, 2025
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đź–¨ Print⏱ 3 min readNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (S 2296) – Introduced by Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) on July 15, the Senate passed this legislation on Oct. 9. The bill is a carve-out of the 2026 budget bill intended to fund military appropriations for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill was largely supported by Republicans but less so by Democrats, who are in favor of keeping the government closed until all of their budget concerns are addressed. In addition to establishing funding and policies for military and defense-related activities, the bill includes a roadmap for bomber modernization, a real-time database for contractor compliance oversight, and authorizing programs for nuclear weapons facilities. The legislation would authorize $32.1 […]
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November 1, 2025
Published by Service2Client on November 1, 2025
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đź–¨ Print⏱ 3 min readThe rules for IRAs inherited after 2020 changed when Congress passed the Secure Act in 2019. The new rules eliminated the opportunity for non-spousal beneficiaries to “stretch” inherited IRA earnings over their own lifetime. Up until this year, required minimum distributions (RMDs) and associated penalties were waived while the IRS clarified the new rules; but in 2025, they are in full force for most inherited IRA beneficiaries. For clarity: Non-spouses who inherited IRA assets after 2020 MUST take RMDs starting this year. RMD Rules For Non-Spouses For Traditional IRAs inherited after 2020, the first thing a non-spousal beneficiary must do is transfer the inherited assets into an inherited IRA under his own name. Note that RMDs […]
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