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By: O'Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong & Laing S.C.

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Margarita Castaneda
Kerry Dwyer
Carl Holborn
Dennis Hollman
Nicole M. Beitzinger
Britany Morrison
Kelly Spott

Latest from Tax & Wealth Advisor Blog

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word TAXES is written on wooden cubes standing on a black background

The U.S. tax code just underwent its most significant overhaul since 2017. On July 4, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) into law, a far-reaching tax reform law that touches nearly every corner of the tax system, including estate and gift taxes, business deductions, international provisions, and individual income tax rules.

Some provisions apply as early as tax year 2025, while others begin in 2026 or later, making it important to understand the…
Continue Reading One Big Beautiful Bill Becomes Law: What the Sweeping Tax Reform Means for You and Your Business

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The IRS has issued new guidance on its phased rollout of 1099-K reporting requirements, impacting millions of users of platforms like PayPal, Venmo, Etsy, and eBay. These updates build on the IRS’s December 2023 announcement, where it delayed the implementation of a $600 reporting threshold due to concerns over taxpayer confusion and administrative burdens.

As we discussed in our December 2023 post, the IRS had originally planned to drop the 1099-K reporting threshold from $20,000 (and 200 transactions)…
Continue Reading Important Update for PayPal and Venmo Users: IRS Adjusts 1099-K Reporting Thresholds

Beginning January 1, 2025, Wisconsin will implement a new excise tax on electric vehicle (EV) charging stations under 2023 Wisconsin Act 121. If your business owns, operates, manages, or leases EV charging stations, here’s what you should know:

Who Must Register: Any business delivering electricity through EV charging stations must register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue using the Online Business Tax Registration system. This requirement applies regardless of whether:

    • The charging station is open to the public or

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Continue Reading Reminder: Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Charging Station Excise Tax and Registration Requirements Begin Jan. 1, 2025

The recent Tax Court case Estate of Anne Milner Fields v. Commissioner underscores the risks involved when transferring assets to a family limited partnership or family limited liability company close to death. Approximately a month before Anne Milner Fields died, her great-nephew and agent under her durable power of attorney transferred $17 million of assets to an FLP with himself as the general partner. After her death, Anne’s estate discounted the FLP value on her estate tax return for

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Continue Reading IRS Invalidates Discounts Used in an FLP Formed Shortly Before Death

The recent election of Donald Trump as president signals potential changes to the U.S. tax code in 2025. Some anticipated adjustments align with Trump’s proposals to extend or expand certain cuts from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, enacted during Trump’s first term, as well as new measures aimed at encouraging economic growth and adjusting tax policies for individuals and businesses.

Individual Income Taxes: Lower Rates, Expanded Cuts Individual taxpayers may see a continuation of the lower…
Continue Reading What to Expect for Tax Policy in 2025 After Trump’s Election Victory

The IRS has released inflation adjustments for the 2025 tax year, bringing changes to tax brackets, deductions, and credits that may affect taxpayers across income levels. Here’s a quick overview of the updates:

Income Tax Brackets

Tax brackets will shift higher to accommodate inflation, helping prevent “bracket creep.” For example, the 37% top rate now applies to incomes over $626,350 for individuals and $751,600 for married couples filing jointly. Other rates are as follows:

  • 10% for incomes up

…
Continue Reading 2025 IRS Tax Adjustments: What You Need to Know

October 21-27, 2024, is National Estate Planning Awareness Week—a timely reminder to think about your estate plan. If you haven’t yet created an estate plan, we have a handy guide to help you understand the basics. You can check it out here: Estate Planning Guide.

If you already have an estate plan in place, now is a great time to review it to make sure it still aligns with your needs and goals. Changes in your personal circumstances,

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Continue Reading National Estate Planning Awareness Week

When high-net-worth individuals and families incorporate charitable giving into their estate planning, they often consider donor-advised funds and private foundations as vehicles for managing their philanthropy. Both options have unique advantages, and the choice depends on the donor’s goals, level of control, and financial considerations.

Donor-advised funds are like charitable savings accounts. Donors contribute to a DAF through a sponsoring organization, receiving an immediate tax deduction, while funds can be invested or disbursed over time. DAFs are easy to

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Continue Reading What is the Difference Between a Private Foundation and a Donor-Advised Fund?

Wisconsin families received a significant boost with the recent signing of Assembly Bill 1023. The bill was signed into law by Governor Tony Evers on Monday, March 4, 2024. This groundbreaking legislation, effective immediately for the 2024 tax year, expands the state’s child and dependent care tax credit from 50% to 100% of the federal credit, potentially providing substantial relief to families grappling with childcare expenses.

The amended law not only doubles the benefit percentage, but it also…
Continue Reading Wisconsin Expands Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit

To continue our holiday series “Harmony of Legacy: A 12-Day Estate Planning Celebration,” we share with you the last days of Christmas. In case you missed the previous days you can find them here in part 1 and part 2.

Day 9: Nine Ladies Dancing = Gracefully Transferring Your Real Property at Death

Similar to the elegant and harmonious nine dancing ladies, retitling your home into the name of your Revocable Trust ensures the smooth and graceful transition…
Continue Reading Harmony of Legacy: A 12-Day Estate Planning Celebration (Days 9 to 12)

The IRS recently made a significant decision that could impact users of platforms like PayPal’s Venmo and Etsy. It has chosen to delay a requirement set by a 2021 law, which mandates companies to send tax forms (1099-K) to customers involved in business transactions surpassing $600.

Key Takeaways from the Delay

This delay for the 2024 filing season brings a sigh of relief for casual sellers, as they will not be receiving the 1099-K form for now, which usually…
Continue Reading Important Update for PayPal and Venmo Users: IRS Postpones 1099-K Reporting Requirement!

To continue our holiday series “Harmony of Legacy: A 12-Day Estate Planning Celebration,” we share with you four more days. In case you missed our first few verses, you can find them here.
Day 5: Five Golden Rings = Jewelry and Prized Possessions
On the fifth day of Christmas, our attention turns to our favorite things. How to divvy up jewelry and other valuable possessions can lead to disputes among family members and beneficiaries. Wisconsin law permits you…
Continue Reading Harmony of Legacy: A 12-Day Estate Planning Celebration (Days 5 to 8)

Day 1: A Partridge in a Pear Tree = The Foundation of Your Estate Plan
Welcome to our “12 Days of Christmas” Estate Planning Series. On the first day, let’s start with the basics of how to protect your family tree—or those outside your family tree—with the solid foundation of an estate plan. Whether you are single or married, with children or without, everyone should have an estate plan to assist with their affairs while living and to pass…
Continue Reading Harmony of Legacy: A 12-Day Estate Planning Celebration (Days 1 to 4)

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The IRS allowed amounts of the federal gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions will materially increase in 2024. With exemptions reaching historically high levels, this presents a golden opportunity for strategic and tax-free gifting. In this post, we’ll explore the key changes and opportunities you should consider for your financial planning.

Exemption Amount Increase:

Starting in 2024, the gift and estate tax exemptions will increase to $13,610,000, allowing individuals to transfer significant assets during their lifetime or at…
Continue Reading IRS Announces Changes to Estate and Gift Tax Exemptions for 2024

As we approach the end of September, the possibility of a government shutdown looms large, and the Internal Revenue Service is making preparations for the potential impact on its operations. Below is a summary of the IRS’s contingency plans and what taxpayers can expect in the event of a government shutdown.

Government Shutdown: A Looming Threat

If Congress fails to reach a short-term agreement to fund the government by the end of September, a government shutdown is likely to…
Continue Reading IRS Preparing for Potential Government Shutdown: What You Need to Know

When a loved one passes away, the emotional toll can be overwhelming, and dealing with the complexities of tax implications may not be a priority. However, understanding the concept of “step-up in tax basis” can significantly impact the tax burden on inherited assets. In this blog post, we’ll explore the basics of the step-up in tax basis, focusing on IRC Section 1014, and how Wisconsin’s marital property laws can provide a double stepped-up basis for inherited assets.

What is…
Continue Reading Tax & Wealth Advisor Alert–Understanding the “Step-Up in Tax Basis”