Blog
Who Can Claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit? Guidance for Paducah Parents
Quick Answer: The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) must be claimed by whoever legally lists the student as a dependent on their federal tax return. If a parent claims the undergraduate, the parent gets the credit; if the student is independent, they...
Do You Get Better Tax Breaks For Being Married, Paducah Couples?
Key TakeawaysMost married couples lower their tax liability by choosing the Married Filing Jointly status, which preserves access to deductions that separate filers lose. When there is a significant income gap between partners, combining earnings on a joint...
2026 Guide to Short-Term Rental Taxes for Paducah Airbnb & VRBO Hosts
Key TakeawaysYou do not have to pay federal income tax on rental earnings if you rent your home for 14 days or fewer per year and use it personally for more than 14 days (or 10% of the rental period). You will only receive a Form 1099-K if you exceed...
Do You Have to Pay Taxes On Sports Betting? What Paducah Bettors Need To Know
Key TakeawaysThe IRS considers all sports betting payouts as ordinary income, regardless of the amount or whether you received a tax form. For the 2026 tax year, you can only deduct 90% of your gambling losses against your winnings, even if you ended the...
The Paducah Taxpayer’s Guide: How Do I Calculate My Federal Tax Withholding?
Key TakeawaysA large refund is an interest-free loan to the government, while a big bill suggests you are at risk for IRS underpayment penalties. Updating your Form W-4 by late April allows you to spread adjustments across the majority of the year,...
How Does Self-Employment Tax Work For Paducah Taxpayers Leaving Their 9-to-5?
Key TakeawaysAs a W-2 employee, you pay half of Social Security and Medicare tax through withholding. As a self-employed taxpayer, you pay both halves through self-employment tax. Self-employment tax is 15.3% of your adjusted net earnings, and you also pay...
Your Tax Pro’s Guide To Spring Cleaning Your Tax Reduction Strategy
Key Takeaways Use your 2025 return as a diagnostic tool to calculate your real tax percentage and identify specific areas for AGI reduction. Use the post-tax season window to calibrate your withholding or estimated payments. IRS limits have increased for 401(k)s...
Mistakes Paducah Taxpayers Should Avoid When Filing For a Federal Tax Extension
Key TakeawaysA federal extension provides six extra months to file, but all taxes owed must still be paid by the April 15th deadline to avoid penalties and interest. For 2026, the IRS assesses a 0.5% monthly failure-to-pay penalty plus 7% annual interest...
s the Self-Employment Tax Credit Real? And Other Tax Scams Paducah Taxpayers Should Watch For
Key TakeawaysToday’s tax scams look professional, sound convincing, and are built to get your Social Security number, filing credentials, or signature on a bad return. A big refund promise is one of the clearest warning signs of a scam. You are...
Will the IRS Ever Call You On the Phone? 6 Tax Scams for Paducah Taxpayers to Avoid
Key TakeawaysThe IRS does not initiate first contact by phone, text, email, or social media. Initial contact is generally made by mail. A message demanding immediate payment, threatening arrest, or asking for gift cards, crypto, or banking information is a...
M Dean Owen, CPA, PSC’s Top 4 Reasons For Filing a Tax Extension
Key TakeawaysA federal tax extension gives you until October 15 to file your individual return, but it does not extend the time to pay tax due. Filing an extension makes sense when your return would otherwise be incomplete or inaccurate. You should...
Essential Financial Skills Every Small Business Owner Needs to Thrive
Paducah-area small business owners and freelancers make money decisions every day, yet many are forced to rely on gut feeling because the numbers feel unclear or intimidating. That gap shows up fast as pricing that doesn’t cover costs, hiring that strains cash...
