Tax Guides & Resources
Plain-English answers from our tax office — updated for the 2026 tax year, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and Virginia rules.
2026 Tax Law Changes: What the One Big Beautiful Bill Means for Your Return
No tax on tips, no tax on overtime, a $6,000 senior deduction, a bigger SALT cap and more. Here is what the One Big Beautiful Bill changed for your 2026 return, with real-number examples and the Virginia angle.
Read guide · 10 min →
Federal Employee Tax Guide: TSP, FERS, Commuting and Retirement
TSP choices, pre-tax benefits, how much of a FERS annuity is taxable, DC and Maryland withholding, shutdown back pay, buyouts and the Virginia age deduction, explained for federal workers and contractors.
Read guide · 10 min →
Form I-9 for Remote Employees: The Authorized Representative Process Explained
Hiring someone who lives hours away? Here's how to complete Form I-9 for remote employees on time — with an authorized representative or the E-Verify remote procedure — and what each person needs to bring.
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Getting a Document Notarized in Virginia: What to Bring and What to Expect
Acceptable ID, acknowledgments vs. jurats, Virginia's notary fee cap, remote notarization, apostilles, and a what-to-bring checklist so your notarization goes right the first time.
Read guide · 11 min →
Got a Letter From the IRS? What Your Notice Means and What to Do Next
A calm, step-by-step guide to IRS letters: how to tell if it's real, what the most common notices mean, and exactly how to respond before the deadline.
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Hiring Your First Employee in Virginia: Payroll, Taxes and Paperwork Step by Step
Everything a Virginia small business needs to hire its first employee: registrations, new-hire paperwork, the 2026 minimum wage, payroll tax deadlines, workers' comp, and the true cost of a $50,000 salary.
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IRS Audit: What to Expect, Step by Step
Correspondence, office and field audits explained: how returns are picked, how far back the IRS can look, what to send, your rights and how to appeal.
Read guide · 9 min →
LLC vs. S Corp in Virginia: Which Saves More Tax for Your Small Business?
An S corp election can cut self-employment tax, but it adds payroll and extra returns. Here's the honest 2026 math for Virginia owners at $60k, $100k and $150k of profit.
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Military Tax Guide for Virginia: Service Members, Veterans and Families
What's taxable, which state can tax you and your spouse, and how Virginia's military subtractions and veteran property tax exemptions work, explained for Fredericksburg-area families.
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Owe Back Taxes? Your IRS Payment Options, Explained
Payment plans, Offers in Compromise, hardship status and penalty relief: a plain-English map of every option when you owe the IRS or Virginia Tax.
Read guide · 11 min →
Quarterly Estimated Taxes: A Complete Guide for the Self-Employed
How much to send the IRS and Virginia each quarter, when it's due, how to pay, and how to avoid the underpayment penalty, with real 2026 numbers.
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Rental Property Taxes in Virginia: A Landlord's Guide for 2026
How rental income is taxed, what you can deduct, when a repair must be depreciated, how the passive loss rules and short-term rental rules work, and what happens when you sell, with Virginia-specific notes.
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Retirement Taxes in Virginia: Social Security, Pensions, RMDs and the Age Deduction
How Social Security, pensions, IRA and TSP withdrawals and military retired pay are taxed by the IRS and Virginia, with the age deduction phase-out, the new senior deduction, RMDs, QCDs, withholding and a worked example.
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Rideshare and Delivery Driver Taxes: The 2026 Guide for Gig Workers
For Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart and Amazon Flex drivers: what the 1099s mean, mileage vs. actual expenses, self-employment tax, quarterly estimates, the new tips deduction and a full worked example.
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Small Business Bookkeeping Guide: A Simple System That Holds Up at Tax Time
A practical bookkeeping system for small businesses: separate accounts, a monthly close checklist, reconciliations, how long to keep records, Virginia sales tax basics and the new $2,000 1099 threshold.
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Small Business Tax Deductions for 2026: The Write-Offs Owners Miss
Home office, the two 2026 mileage rates, permanent 100% bonus depreciation, the QBI deduction and more: the write-offs small businesses miss, and the records that back them up.
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Tax Deadlines 2026–2027: Federal and Virginia Calendar for Individuals and Businesses
One calendar for every federal and Virginia tax deadline from October 2026 through December 2027, with weekend shifts already applied, including Virginia's May 3, 2027 filing date.
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Tax Document Checklist: What to Bring to Your Tax Appointment (2026 Returns)
A printable-style checklist of everything to bring to your tax appointment for 2026 returns, including the new paperwork for tips, overtime, car-loan interest and Trump accounts, plus Virginia-specific items.
Read guide · 8 min →
Virginia State Income Tax Guide: Rates, Deductions, Credits and Deadlines
How Virginia income tax really works, from federal AGI to your final bill, with a worked example for a Fredericksburg-area family and the 2026 law changes.
Read guide · 11 min →
Year-End Tax Planning Checklist for 2026: Moves to Make Before December 31
The moves to make before December 31, 2026, updated for the new law: 2026 contribution limits, the new charitable deduction rules, smarter bunching math, RMDs, Roth conversions and Virginia-specific deductions.
Read guide · 8 min →