Potential Income and Estate Tax Savings
The death of a husband or wife can be an overwhelming time for the surviving spouse, especially when it comes to financial decisions.
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Using Your 990 to Tell Your Story
More and more third parties are looking at not-for-profit organizations’ IRS Form 990, so don’t just report; learn how you can use your 990 to tell your organization’s story.
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On a Personal Level – What Has COVID Taught Us?
Since last March, our world dramatically changed in many ways! Based upon all of the changes that have been thrust upon us, what have we learned about the following areas of concern that we may not have thought about pre-COVID, regardless of age?
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If I am unable to communicate on my own, do I have all of the necessary legal documents in place to address my wishes? Do I have a will? Do I need a trust?
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Have I thought about my healthcare wishes if I become unable to make my own medical decisions? Do I have a Living Will and Healthcare Power of Attorney in place?
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4 Things to Consider Before Gifting Your House to Your Child
One nearly universal element of the American Dream is the desire for your children to have more and do better than you. Many parents consider the legacy they will leave for their children as a part of their financial goal. read more…
11 Items to Include on Your “Love Letter” / “Letter of Instruction”
An important piece of an estate plan (as well as good organization of your paperwork) is to put together a “Love Letter”, also sometimes referred to a “Letter of Instruction”. We have written about them in the past, but in case you are not familiar, a Love Letter is a document that lists important information for your heirs in the event that something should happen to you.
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Ask the Expert: How much life insurance should I carry?
How much life insurance should I carry?
This is a great question! We hear it frequently, so we wanted to cover it here on our blog. The question is usually asked in the context of: “I’m about to purchase a life insurance policy. How much coverage do I need?”
The answer is – it depends. read more…
My child has special needs. What can I do to ensure that he is cared for?
One of the challenges when providing for loved ones with special needs is to do so in a way that they do not lose their eligibility for governmental assistance such Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. Recipients can lose eligibility for these programs if their assets exceed a certain level. One of the ways around this is to create a trust. read more…
Changes to the Estate and Gift Tax Exemption under TCJA
The Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) has brought about the largest change to the U.S. tax code in
over 30 years. One of the areas of the code that has been significantly impacted by these sweeping changes deals with estates.
What to Do When a Client Dies
As a trusted advisor, one’s CPA is often one of the first people notified when a client dies. As a CPA, it is critical to know and understand both the legal and moral steps involved in helping a family cope with a death.
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The 10 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid in Estate Planning
If you’re like most, you want to be able to leave something to your progeny when you die. 
Leaving a legacy for our children is just part of the American dream of wanting them to “have it better” than we did. But many well-intended parents have had their wishes left unfulfilled because of simple errors in estate planning. read more…
Since 1938, Zinner has counseled individuals and businesses from start-up to succession. At Zinner, we strive to ensure we understand your business and recognize threats that could impact your financial situation.
Important Changes to the Deductibility of Employer-Provided Meals
On Jan. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) significantly tightened the rules on the tax deductibility of employer-provided meals. If your business has historically relied on deductions for meals and food-related benefits, these changes require immediate...
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Launch CAPE Tool for Tariff Refund Claims
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has launched the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) tool to help importers and customs brokers claim tariff refunds following a landmark Supreme Court ruling. If your business paid IEEPA tariffs in...
Trump Accounts: The Future of Tax-Efficient Retirement Savings
Trump Accounts are a new type of tax-advantaged retirement account for minors, established under the One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law on July 4, 2025. With contributions of up to $5,000 per year and a potential $1,000 government seed contribution for eligible...
DOL Proposes New Independent Contractor Rule
What Employers and Workers Should Know The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division announced a proposed rule intended to clarify when a worker is an employee and when the worker may be classified as an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards...
USPS Postmark Changes
A Tax Filing Risk Alert for Taxpayers For decades, many taxpayers have relied on a simple rule of thumb: if it is in the mail by the deadline, you are fine. However, recent U.S. Postal Service (USPS) clarification makes that assumption riskier. On Dec. 24, 2025, the...
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