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Don't Toss Those Tax Records Yet!
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Article Highlights: Reasons to Keep Records Statute of Limitations Maintaining Record of Asset Basis Even though the 2017 tax due date has come and gone, and even though you have filed your 2017 tax return, you may still need to keep your 2017 tax records. Generally, tax records are retained for two reasons: (1) in case the IRS or a state agency decides to question the information on your tax returns or (2) to keep track of the tax basis of your capital assets so that you can minimize your tax liability when you dispose of those assets. If you are like most taxpayers, you have records from years ago that you are afraid to throw away. With certain exceptions, the statute for assessing additional taxes is three years from the return’s due date or its filling date, whichever is later. However, the statute of limitations in many states is one year longer than that of federal law. In addition, the federal assessment period is extended to six years if more than 25% of a taxpayer’s gross income is omitted from a tax return. In addition, of course, the three-year period doesn’t begin elapsing until a return has been filed. There is no statute of limitations for the filing of false or fraudulent returns to evade tax payments. If none of the above exceptions applies to you, then for federal purposes, you can probably discard most of your tax records that are more than three years old; you will want to add a year to that time period if you live in a state with a longer statute. Examples – Sue filed her 2014 tax return before the due date of April 15, 2015. She will be able to safely dispose of most of her 2014 records after April 15, 2018. On the other hand, Don filed his 2014 return on June 2, 2015. He needs to keep his records at least until June 2, 2018. In both cases, the taxpayers should keep their records for a year or two longer if their states have statutes of limitations longer than three years. Note: If a due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the actual due date is the next business day. The problem with discarding all the records for a particular year once the statute of limitations has expired is that many taxpayers combine their normal tax records with the records that substantiate the basis of their capital assets. The basis records need to be separated and should not be discarded until after the statute has expired for the year when a given asset was disposed of. Thus, it makes more sense to keep separate records for each asset. The following are examples of records that fall into the basis category: Stock-acquisition data – If you own stock in a corporation, keep the purchase records until at least four years after the year when you sell the stock. This data is necessary for proving the amount of profit (or loss) from the sale. If your sales for a given year result in a net loss of more than $3,000, you may need to keep your purchase and sale records for an even longer period. This is because $3,000 is the maximum capital loss that can be deducted in any one year, so the excess loss must be carried over to the following year(s) until it is used up. If the IRS audits a return that includes a carryover loss, it will ask to see the records from the original purchase even if it was more than three years in the past. Thus, don’t dispose of such records until the statute of limitations has passed for the last year when you claimed a carryover loss. Stock and mutual fund statements (if you reinvest dividends) – Many taxpayers use the dividends that they receive from stocks or mutual funds to buy more shares of the same stock or fund. These reinvested amounts add to the basis of the property and reduce the gain when it is eventually sold. Keep all such dividend statements for at least four years after the final sale. Tangible property purchase and improvement records – Keep records of home, investment, rental-property, or business-property acquisitions, of the related capital improvements, and of the final settlement statements from the sale for at least four years after the underlying property is sold.
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Tax and Financial Insights
by NR CPAs & Business Advisors
2026 IRS Mileage Rates: Key Updates and Insights
The IRS has rolled out the inflation-adjusted mileage rates for 2026, offering taxpayers an efficient way to claim deductions for vehicle-related expenses incurred for business, charity, medical, or moving purposes. These adjustments reflect the continued economic shifts impacting car operation costs.
Effective January 1, 2026, the new standard mileage rates are established as follows:
- Business Travel: Increased to 72.5 cents per mile, inclusive of a 35-cent-per-mile depreciation allocation. This marks a rise from the 70 cents per mile rate set for 2025
- Medical/Moving Purposes: Reduced slightly to 20.5 cents per mile, down from 21 cents in the previous year, reflecting the variable cost considerations.
- Charitable Contributions: Consistent at 14 cents per mile, a fixed rate unchanged for over a quarter-century.
As is typical, the business mileage rate considers the integral fixed and variable costs of automobile operation. Meanwhile, the medical and moving rates remain contingent on variable expenses as determined by the IRS study.
It is critical to note that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) held firm on disallowing moving expense deductions except for specific cases within the Armed Forces and intelligence community, marking a substantial shift since 2017.
When engaging in charitable work, taxpayers might opt for a direct expense deduction over the per-mile method, covering gas and oil costs. However, comprehensive upkeep and insurance costs are non-deductible expenses.
Business Vehicle Use Considerations: Taxpayers can alternatively compute vehicle expenses using actual costs, which might benefit from shifting depreciation rules, particularly through bonuses and first-year advantages. Keep in mind, however, reverting from actual cost calculations to standard rates in subsequent years is restricted, particularly per vehicle protocol and when exceeding four vehicles in concurrent use.
Additionally, parking, tolls, and property taxes attributable to business can be deducted independently of the general rate, an often-overlooked advantage by many business owners.
Tax Strategies for Employers and Employees: Reimbursements based on the standard mileage framework, providing the right documentation is in place, remain tax-free for employees. Meanwhile, the elimination and continued prohibition of unreimbursed employee deductions continue, with particular exceptions offered to qualified personnel across specific occupations.
Opportunities for Self-employed Individuals: Entrepreneurs remain eligible for deductions on business-related vehicle use via Schedule C, with potential to account for business-use interest on auto loans.
Heavy SUVs and Deduction Advantages: Heavier vehicles exceeding 6,000 pounds but under 14,000 pounds open opportunities for substantial tax deductions through Section 179 and bonus depreciation avenues. The lifecycle of such a vehicle bears implications on recapturing initially claimed deductions, urging cautious tax planning.
For professional guidance on optimizing your vehicle-related tax deductions and understanding their implications on tax strategies, contact our office in Coral Gables, Florida, where expert advice and strategic insights are just a call away.
Educator's Deduction Reform: Key Changes Under OBBBA
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces significant enhancements for educators' tax deductions starting in 2026, offering both strategic opportunities and planning considerations for educators who qualify. With the reinstated itemized deduction for qualified unreimbursed expenses, educators have a broader spectrum of financial relief. This is complemented by the retention of the $350 above-the-line deduction, allowing educators to maximize their tax benefits by selectively allocating expenses between these avenues.
Understanding the nuances of these changes is crucial for educators and financial advisors alike. The dual-option deduction strategy can potentially enhance tax efficiency, thereby aligning with broader financial planning goals.
At NR CPAs & Business Advisors, based in Coral Gables, Florida, our expertise in tax preparation and planning provides invaluable support to educators navigating these changes. Our comprehensive approach, combined with personalized advice from our experienced team, ensures compliance and optimization in line with the latest tax legislations.
Given these updates, it is imperative to engage with seasoned professionals to fully leverage your deduction strategies. Contact us today to streamline your tax planning under OBBBA's new guidelines and maximize your deductions for upcoming tax years.
