Taxing Subjects
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A Checklist to Help Prevent IRS Underpayment Penalties
Protect clients. Prevent surprises. Underpayment penalties aren’t just a tax issue — they’re a client experience issue. When clients receive an IRS notice, they call you. Even avoidable penalties create stress, additional work, and unnecessary frustration. Use this checklist to identify clients at risk for 2026 estimated tax underpayment penalties and take proactive steps to…
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Common Tax Filing Errors to Avoid During the Busy Season
Guidance to help tax professionals reduce errors, delays, and IRS notices Tax season is in full swing, and for tax professionals, accuracy matters more than ever. With millions of returns filed each year and IRS systems matching taxpayer data more aggressively, even small mistakes can trigger refund delays, notices, or amended returns. (IRS) The IRS…
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Common Phishing Scams Targeting Tax Preparers
By: Oscar Hernandez-Gutierrez, Security Operations Analyst, Drake Software In my current role as a Security Operations Analyst, I’ve seen firsthand how threat actors exploit this critical period to launch sophisticated phishing campaigns aimed at tax professionals. These attacks are often well-crafted, highly targeted, and capable of inflicting serious damage on both firms and their clients. In…
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Featured Webinar: Best Practices for Extensions
Tax extensions don’t have to mean stress or last-minute chaos. During this webinar, you’ll learn: – practical strategies for managing extensions work – keeping clients informed, and – staying organized through final filing deadlines. If you’re ready to work smarter—not longer—this webinar is for you. Complete the form below to access the on-demand recording and…
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New Feature: Smarter Document Collection That Identifies and Organizes Client Uploads
Designed to simplify secure document exchange and reduce administrative workload, this enhancement automatically identifies and organizes client-uploaded IRS forms and supporting documents. Instead of spending valuable time sorting, renaming, and reviewing files, your firm can rely on Drake Portals® to categorize documents accurately — helping you move returns through the preparation process more efficiently. See how secure document…
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IRS Research: Five IRS Tax Changes to Watch This Tax Season
Tax professionals should start the 2026 filing season fully informed of the major shifts in tax law and IRS procedures. Many of this year’s key updates stem from the (OBBB) otherwise known as the Working Families Tax Cut Act, which enacted sweeping changes in 2025 that apply for returns due in April 2026. Here are…
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Desk Reference Guide for Tax Year 2025 – Version 3 is here!
Save time during the busy filing season with a comprehensive tax reference guide for tax year 2025. It’s ready — an updated desk reference guide to help make your life a little easier. Why is the Tax Year 2025 desk reference guide considered a tax season best practice?From a preseason checklist to due diligence requirements to…
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AI & Cybersecurity in Tax Practice: How to Protect Your Firm and Your Clients
As tax professionals, we handle some of the most sensitive data in the financial ecosystem — Social Security numbers, bank account details, incomes, and identity credentials. That trust also makes our firms high‑value targets for criminals seeking to exploit weaknesses for fraud, identity theft, and ransomware attacks. In an era when artificial intelligence (Cybersecurity Awareness and WISP Planning…
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5 Powerful New Features in Drake Portals That Make Tax Season Easier
As tax professionals look for ways to streamline their workflow and enhance client experience, Drake Portals® continues to evolve with features designed to help simplify and accelerate the tax preparation process. Here’s what’s coming soon: 1. Fresh New Look for Tax Preparers and Taxpayers The document checklist (a checklist designed by tax preparers to organize and…