2026 Mileage Reimbursement Rates: Business Rate, Charitable Rate, and the Log
2026 IRS mileage rates: 72.5 cents per business mile and 14 cents for charity. See the 12,000-mile example, the $8,700 deduction, and the log that proves it.
Blog / Topic Hub
Tax Strategies
Tax strategy works when the pieces are organized before filing season: income timing, entity structure, deductions, retirement accounts, real estate losses, and documentation. This hub groups the most useful Legacy Investing Show tax guides so readers can move from broad planning to specific execution pages without wandering through the full archive.
Capital Gains Tax 2026: What You Owe When You Sell
2026 long-term capital gains rates: 0%, 15%, and 20%, plus the 3.8% NIIT. See how the thresholds work with worked examples and headroom planning.
Employer Payroll Cost Guide: What an $80,000 Salary Really Costs
An $80,000 salary costs about $87,000-89,000 after the 7.65% FICA match, FUTA, state unemployment, and workers' comp. See the full math and the loaded budget.
Home Office Deduction 2026: Who Qualifies, Both Methods, and the Math
Home office deduction 2026: the $5 per square foot simplified method, the 10% regular-method example, and who can claim it — including the W-2 employee rule.
How Much to Set Aside for Self-Employment Tax (2026 Rates and Math)
Self-employment tax is 15.3% of net profit in 2026. See the rate breakdown, the 25-30% set-aside rule, and the $80,000 worked example before you spend it.
How to Fix Your W-2 Withholding Mid-Year (Before April Surprises You)
Owed thousands at filing? Fix withholding mid-year with the W-4: estimate full-year income, compare to safe harbor, and adjust step 4c now.
Marginal vs Effective Tax Rate: What the Brackets Actually Do to Your Money
Marginal vs effective tax rate explained: the $150,000 single-filer example, a 16.7% effective rate, a 24% marginal rate, and why brackets decide raises.
Mortgage Payment Breakdown: Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance
See what a mortgage payment really costs: principal and interest at 6.7%, property tax at about 1.1%, homeowners insurance, and PMI on a $400,000 loan.
Take-Home Pay: What Your Salary Actually Pays You (2026)
A $100,000 salary takes home about $79,000 after federal tax and FICA. See the paycheck anatomy, the 2026 numbers, and how to change your take-home.
Tax Withholding Reconciliation: Check the Math Before the Year Ends
Reconcile withholding in October, not April: compare year-to-date withholding to full-year tax and the 100%/110% safe harbor, then adjust W-4 step 4c.
Annuities vs Bonds Comparison 2026: Income, Risk, and Liquidity Tradeoffs
Compare annuities and bonds in 2026 across income stability, interest-rate risk, liquidity, fees, and tax treatment so retirees and pre-retirees can make a cleaner decision.
Augusta Rule 280A for Business Owners: How the 14-Day Rule Actually Works in 2026
Learn how the Augusta Rule works under Section 280A, when a business owner can rent a home to a business, what documentation matters, and where people get this tax strategy wrong.
Best Tax Prep Software for CPAs in 2026: Filing Workflow, Review Controls, and Firm Fit
Learn how CPA firms should compare tax prep software in 2026 across return workflow, review controls, diagnostics, integrations, and firm-size fit.
Cost Segregation 481(a) Adjustment: How the Method Change Works in 2026
Learn what a Section 481(a) adjustment means in a cost segregation study, when Form 3115 is used, and how real estate investors should think about catch-up depreciation.
Cost Segregation Form 3115 Guide: 2026 Method Change Basics for Investors
Learn why Form 3115 comes up in cost segregation work, how it relates to method changes, and why catch-up depreciation discussions often point back to this filing step.
Depreciation Life of Flooring in Rental Property: 2026 Classification Guide
Learn how to think about flooring in rental-property tax treatment, why the answer depends on facts and classification, and how flooring replacement can fit into the repairs-versus-improvements analysis.
Donor Advised Fund for Appreciated Stock: 2026 Guide to Timing and Tax Fit
Learn why donor advised funds are often discussed alongside appreciated stock and how contribution timing, deduction planning, and later grants fit together.
Donor Advised Fund Tax Benefits: 2026 Guide to Deductions, Timing, and Strategy
Learn how donor advised funds work, when the deduction happens, what tax benefits high-income givers actually get, and how to avoid common timing mistakes.
Donor Advised Fund Tax Deduction Guide: Contribution Year, Itemizing, and Timing
Learn when the donor advised fund tax deduction is usually taken, how contribution timing works, and why itemizing and asset type matter more than people expect.
Estate Tax Planning Guide: 2026 Framework for High-Net-Worth Families
Learn how estate tax planning works in 2026, what major levers families use, and why lifetime gifting, trusts, liquidity, and entity structure need to be evaluated together.
Estate Tax Strategy Guide: 2026 Overview of Trusts, Gifting, and Liquidity Planning
Learn how to think about estate tax strategy in 2026, including gifting, trust planning, liquidity management, and why the best approach is usually a coordinated structure rather than one tactic.
Installment Sale Real Estate: 2026 Guide to Tax Deferral, Risks, and Deal Design
Learn how installment sales work for real estate, when tax is deferred, what interest and default risks matter, and how investors should compare this strategy with a full cash sale.
IRS Donor Advised Fund Rules: 2026 Guide to What Actually Matters
Learn the IRS-facing rules and practical compliance issues that matter with donor advised funds, including timing, substantiation, and why the deduction year is not the same thing as the grant year.
Maximum Home Office Deduction in 2026: Simplified vs Actual Expense Method
Learn the maximum home office deduction under the simplified method, when the actual-expense method is better, and how self-employed taxpayers should think about the tradeoff.
Mega Backdoor Roth 2026: Contribution Limits, 401(k) Rules, and Common Fail Points
Learn how the mega backdoor Roth works in 2026, what the annual additions limit means, and why plan rules matter more than the internet headline.
QBI Calculations Guide: 2026 Walkthrough for Forms, Limits, and Common Errors
Learn how QBI calculations work in 2026, when to use Form 8995 or 8995-A, what the taxable-income cap does, and how SSTB and wage-property limits change the result.
Qualified Opportunity Fund Guide: 2026 Rules, Deferral Timing, and Exit Planning
Learn how qualified opportunity funds work, what gain deferral means in 2026, and how investors should think about the fund timeline, holding period, and exit decisions.
Qualified Opportunity Zone Investment Guide: 2026 Rules, Timeline, and Investor Fit
Learn how qualified opportunity zone investments work, why the 2026 timing matters, and how to evaluate the structure as both a tax move and an actual investment.
Depreciation Deduction for Rental Property: 2026 Guide to What Gets Written Off
Learn how the depreciation deduction works for rental property, what parts of a property are depreciated, and how repairs, improvements, and building basis change the tax result.
Rental Property Improvements Depreciation: 2026 Guide to Capital Improvements vs Repairs
Learn how depreciation works for rental property improvements, how to think about repairs versus capital improvements, and why classification mistakes change your tax timing.
S Corp Election Break-Even Guide: When the Structure Starts Making Sense
Learn how to think about the S corp election break-even point, including profit level, salary assumptions, payroll overhead, and why the cheapest salary model is not the right model.
Schedule C vs S Corp Tax Guide: 2026 Framework for Owners and Accountants
Learn how to compare Schedule C and S corp tax treatment in 2026, including self-employment tax, salary issues, compliance overhead, and when the S corp structure actually creates net savings.
Section 179 Carryover Guide: 2026 Rules, Limits, and Planning Mistakes
Learn what a Section 179 carryover means, why it happens, and how the business-income limit affects when the deduction can be used.
Section 179 Deduction Guide: 2026 Rules, Limits, and When It Actually Helps
Learn how the Section 179 deduction works, what property may qualify, how the business-income limit matters, and when bonus depreciation might be a better fit.
Settle Student Loan Debt: 2026 Guide to Private vs Federal Reality
Learn when you can realistically settle student loan debt, why private and federal loans behave differently, and what tax, credit, and lump-sum issues matter before you negotiate.
Best Tax Planning Software with Scenario Modeling: 2026 Buyer Guide
Learn what scenario modeling actually means in tax planning software, which buyers need it most, and how to compare tools for multi-path decision work in 2026.
Tax Prep Software for Accountants in 2026: Workflow, Diagnostics, and Firm Fit
Learn how accountants should compare tax prep software in 2026 across return workflow, diagnostics, reviewer controls, integrations, and pricing for real production use.
Who Qualifies for the QBI Deduction? 2026 Guide for Owners, SSTBs, and Pass-Throughs
Learn who qualifies for the QBI deduction in 2026, what types of businesses are commonly eligible, and why income level, SSTB status, and filing facts can change the outcome.
2026 Tax Changes You Need to Know: 7 Updates That Matter
Transcript-based 2026 tax update guide covering standard deductions, SALT changes, tip/overtime deductions, retirement limits, QBI permanence, and bonus depreciation planning.
$88K Tax Savings Case Study: What One CPA Missed
Full-transcript case study of how a $300K W2 client uncovered major first-year value through entity setup, strategic deductions, withholding optimization, and retirement account sequencing.
7 Money Moves Your CPA Never Mentioned for $200K+ Earners
A transcript-based breakdown of the 7 money moves from Preston's video, including liquidity, mega backdoor Roth, S-Corp thresholds, cost segregation, debt strategy, and asset protection.
airbnb startup cost tax deductible: Complete 2026 Guide for US Hosts
Learn which Airbnb arbitrage startup costs you can deduct now, capitalize, or amortize, with practical IRS-based frameworks, examples, and a 30-day action plan.
Asset Allocation for Entrepreneurs: Complete 2026 Guide to Balancing Business Risk and Personal Wealth
Learn asset allocation for entrepreneurs with practical models, cash-runway rules, tax-aware investing, and a 30-day implementation plan for 2026.
The best 401k strategy for 2025: Complete 2026 Guide to Contribution, Tax, and Allocation Decisions
A practical US-focused playbook for building your best 401k strategy for 2025 using IRS limits, tax-bracket decisions, and a step-by-step 30-day implementation plan.
Best Asset Allocation for 60 Year Old: Complete 2026 Guide
Choose the best asset allocation for 60 year old investors using 2026 model portfolios, tax-aware account placement, withdrawal math, and a 30-day checklist.
Best Asset Allocation for Roth IRA: Complete 2026 Guide for U.S. Investors
Learn the best asset allocation for Roth IRA in 2026 with age-based models, tax-location rules, numeric examples, and a 30-day implementation checklist.
Best Asset Allocation Strategy: Complete 2026 Guide for US Investors
Learn the best asset allocation strategy for 2026 with practical portfolio mixes, rebalancing rules, tax-location tactics, and a 30-day implementation checklist.
best etf or mutual fund for ai: Complete 2026 Guide for U.S. Investors
Learn how to choose the best etf or mutual fund for ai in 2026 using fees, taxes, risk caps, and a practical 30-day implementation plan.
Best IRA Withdrawal Strategy: Complete 2026 Guide for Lower Lifetime Taxes
A practical 2026 guide to building the best ira withdrawal strategy with tax-bracket planning, Roth conversions, scenario tables, and a 30-day action checklist.
Best State for Series LLC: Complete 2026 Guide for Real-World Investors
Find the best state for series llc in 2026 using a practical framework for liability shields, taxes, costs, and multi-state compliance before filing.
Best Tax Deductions 2025: Complete 2026 Guide to Lower Your Tax Bill
A practical 2026 guide to the best tax deductions 2025, with IRS-based limits, decision tables, examples, and a 30-day plan to reduce federal taxes.
Best Tax Planning Books: Complete 2026 Guide for Real-World Tax Decisions
Compare the best tax planning books for 2026 with a decision framework, scenario table, worked savings example, and a 30-day implementation checklist.
Best Tax Planning Strategies: Complete 2026 Guide for US Households and Business Owners
Actionable 2026 guide to best tax planning strategies with decision frameworks, numeric examples, scenario table, 30-day checklist, and CPA questions for US readers.
Best Tax Strategy Books: Complete 2026 Guide for Smarter U.S. Tax Planning
Use this 2026 guide to choose the best tax strategy books, build a practical reading stack, and turn ideas into CPA-ready actions that may reduce taxes.
Capital Gains Tax for Beginners: Complete 2026 Guide to Paying Less and Avoiding Costly Mistakes
Learn how capital gains tax works, estimate what you may owe, and use a practical 30-day plan to reduce taxes on stocks, real estate, and business sales.
Capital Gains Tax for Real Estate Investors: Complete 2026 Guide to Reducing, Deferring, and Planning Your Exit
Learn how to estimate federal and state tax on rental property sales, including recapture and NIIT, then compare 1031, installment, and hold strategies for 2026 planning.
Capital Gains Tax Rate 2026: Complete 2026 Guide to Brackets, NIIT, and Smart Sale Timing
Capital gains tax rate 2026 explained with IRS bracket thresholds, NIIT, scenario math, a worked example, and a 30-day checklist to plan sales smarter.
Do I Qualify for QBI Deduction: Complete 2026 Guide for US Business Owners
A practical 2026 guide to determine QBI eligibility, income limits, SSTB phaseouts, Form 8995 vs 8995-A, and execution steps to maximize Section 199A.
How Are Series LLC Taxed: Complete 2026 Guide for Investors and Business Owners
Learn how series LLCs are taxed in 2026, including IRS default classification rules, state mismatch risks, filing paths, numeric examples, and a practical 30-day setup plan.
How Does Cost Segregation Help With Taxes: Complete 2026 Decision Guide
Learn how cost segregation can reduce near-term taxable income, when it works best, key risks, and a practical 30-day implementation plan for 2026.