Tax tips for parents with kids heading to college this fall
August 6, 2026 Knowledge Center
Tax tips for parents with kids heading to college this fall

A higher education is expensive, and many parents spend years saving up. Others haven’t had the financial bandwidth to save or have hit unexpected financial roadblocks along the way. Regardless of your situation, current tax breaks may be available to you (or to your children or even their grandparents) once your child begins attending college […]

Miller Kaplan Named Most Innovative Firm in 2026 | CalCPA
August 3, 2026 In the News
Miller Kaplan Named Most Innovative Firm in 2026 | CalCPA

Miller Kaplan is recognized as this year’s most innovative firm by the California CPA Society!

Business and other mileage rates increase for the second half of 2026
July 23, 2026 Knowledge Center
Business and other mileage rates increase for the second half of 2026

The IRS has made a midyear increase in the standard mileage rate for business vehicle use, including for cars, SUVs, vans, pickup trucks and panel trucks. These rates apply to gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles as well as electric and hybrid ones. But whether the rate increase will impact your business depends on the vehicle expense […]

How what you donate impacts your tax deductions
July 22, 2026 Knowledge Center
How what you donate impacts your tax deductions

Have you already made contributions to charity this year? Are you considering making more between now and year end? If so, it’s important to be familiar with the tax rules for different types of donations so you can maximize your tax benefit — or at least avoid finding out at tax filing time that your […]

IRS issues guidance on QOZ program changes
July 17, 2026 Knowledge Center
IRS issues guidance on QOZ program changes

The Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) program provides tax incentives to invest in designated low-income communities across the United States. Tax law changes enacted last year made the program permanent and altered it, with implications for investors under both the original and renewed programs. With proposed, and eventually final, regulations on the way, the IRS has […]

Will your Social Security benefits be taxable?
July 13, 2026 Knowledge Center
Will your Social Security benefits be taxable?

Last year, the new tax deduction for taxpayers 65 and older was sometimes referred to as “no tax on Social Security.” In actuality, this up-to-$6,000-per-individual deduction, also known as the “senior” deduction, is generally available whether or not someone receives Social Security benefits. (But other limits do apply, such as an income-based phaseout.) Of course, […]

IRS provides gift tax reporting relief for Sec. 530A account contributions
July 8, 2026 Knowledge Center
IRS provides gift tax reporting relief for Sec. 530A account contributions

Section 530A accounts, also known as “Trump accounts,” are available for contributions as of July 4, 2026. Created by last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, they’re custodial, tax-advantaged accounts opened by a parent or guardian for an eligible child under age 18. In late June, the IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2026-25, which, among other things, […]

Midyear tax planning: Review opportunities to save taxes this year (or next)
July 6, 2026 Knowledge Center
Midyear tax planning: Review opportunities to save taxes this year (or next)

Summer is a good time to see whether your income, deductions and investment activity are lining up as expected. Let’s take a look at a few areas that commonly provide tax-saving opportunities. Your tax bracket The legislation commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which was signed into law on July 4, […]

Proper planning can ease the pain of the probate process
July 2, 2026 Knowledge Center
Proper planning can ease the pain of the probate process

When a loved one passes away, settling his or her financial affairs can be an emotional and complex task. One legal process that often comes into play is probate. Understanding how probate works — and implementing strategies to minimize or avoid it — can help you protect your assets and simplify matters for your family […]

Is a joint trust better than separate trusts? Not necessarily
June 30, 2026 Knowledge Center
Is a joint trust better than separate trusts? Not necessarily

A single joint living trust with your spouse can simplify the management of shared assets, but separate trusts may offer enhanced asset protection and tax planning opportunities. Which option is right for your estate plan depends on a variety of factors, including your and your spouse’s combined assets, financial goals, family circumstances and applicable state […]

How a financial statement audit strengthens your fraud defenses
June 27, 2026 Knowledge Center
How a financial statement audit strengthens your fraud defenses

Fraud is a major threat facing small and midsize businesses. While audits aren’t designed to uncover fraud, they can help business owners identify anomalies and deter would-be fraudsters. Recent findings from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) underscore the important role audits play, together with other controls, in a broader fraud prevention strategy. Recent […]

Miller Kaplan Professionals Recognized for Excellence and Emerging Leadership | San Francisco Business Times
June 25, 2026 In the News
Miller Kaplan Professionals Recognized for Excellence and Emerging Leadership | San Francisco Business Times

Jesse Ward, Nicky Lipset, and Mac Waite were recognized among the Top 50 Partners in the Northern California Accounting Firm Awards, while Senior Manager Suzanna Chau was a finalist for the Next Generation Award.