Our Blog
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Fraud prevention strategies for nonprofit organizations
- September 16, 2026
- Posted by: Cummings, Keegan & Co
- Category: Article
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Nonprofits are disproportionately vulnerable to occupational fraud due to small administrative teams, part-time board oversight, and heavy reliance on cash-based transactions. Asset misappropriation schemes such as skimming, billing fraud, and expense reimbursement abuse are among the most common threats, and the typical scheme goes undetected for over a year. By implementing practical internal controls, strengthening board oversight, and engaging a CPA proactively, nonprofits can significantly reduce their exposure before a loss occurs.
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Form 990 filing mistakes that can undermine your nonprofit’s credibility
- September 9, 2026
- Posted by: Cummings, Keegan & Co
- Category: Article
Form 990 is more than a tax return; it’s a public document that donors, grantmakers, and regulators use to evaluate your nonprofit. Common mistakes in filing, reconciliation, and narrative disclosures can raise questions about financial stewardship or put your tax-exempt status at risk. This article outlines the key errors to avoid and how to build a more reliable year-over-year filing process.
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Construction accounting that reveals problems early: job costing, change orders, and WIP reporting
- September 2, 2026
- Posted by: Cummings, Keegan & Co
- Category: Article
Construction businesses can stay profitable on paper while margin quietly slips away on individual jobs. This article explains how job costing, change-order management, and work-in-progress reporting work together to surface problems early. Learn what to look for in each system and how to keep all three telling the same story before issues become year-end surprises.
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IRS raises the standard mileage rates for the second half of 2026
- August 25, 2026
- Posted by: Cummings, Keegan & Co
- Category: Article
The IRS raised the standard mileage rates for the second half of 2026, effective July 1, with the business rate increasing from 72.5 cents to 76 cents per mile. Taxpayers who use their vehicle for business, medical, or qualifying moving purposes will need to track mileage separately for each half of the year. Learn what the new rates mean for your deductions, reimbursement policies, and recordkeeping.
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IRS provides gift tax safe harbor for Trump account contributions
- August 17, 2026
- Posted by: Cummings, Keegan & Co
- Category: Article
The IRS just made it easier for families to fund Trump accounts without triggering an unexpected gift tax filing requirement. In Revenue Procedure 2026-25, the IRS established a safe harbor that allows qualifying donors to contribute cash to a child’s Trump account and skip Form 709 entirely, as long as key conditions are met. Here’s what you need to know before making contributions.
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Why homeowners need to track improvements before a sale or inheritance
- August 12, 2026
- Posted by: Cummings, Keegan & Co
- Category: Article
As home values rise, the federal home sale exclusion may no longer be enough to eliminate capital gains tax when a property is sold or inherited. The difference between a large tax bill and a smaller one can come down to how well a homeowner documented capital improvements over the years. Keeping a permanent record of qualifying expenses is one of the simplest steps homeowners can take to protect themselves.
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Cash flow forecasting as a leadership tool
- August 5, 2026
- Posted by: Cummings, Keegan & Co
- Category: Article
Most business owners rely on backward-looking financials that tell them where they have been, not where they are going. A cash flow forecast fills that gap by projecting future inflows and outflows, helping leaders spot problems early and make smarter decisions about hiring, investing, and financing. Updated consistently and tied to real business decisions, it shifts leadership from reactive to proactive.
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State tax nexus in 2026: what business owners need to know about unexpected tax obligations
- July 29, 2026
- Posted by: Cummings, Keegan & Co
- Category: Article
If your business sells online, has remote employees, or uses third-party fulfillment, you may owe taxes in states where you’ve never filed a return. Learn how physical presence and economic nexus rules work, what triggers an obligation, and what to do if your business has unexpected exposure.
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Tax mistakes new business owners make in their first profitable year
- July 22, 2026
- Posted by: Cummings, Keegan & Co
- Category: Article
Your first profitable year in business is worth celebrating. But it can also bring expensive tax surprises, especially if you’re still managing the business like you did when revenue was lower. Here are the most common mistakes new business owners make and what to do instead.
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Transfer pricing and related entities: what business owners need to know
- July 15, 2026
- Posted by: Cummings, Keegan & Co
- Category: Article
Business owners who move money, goods, or services between commonly controlled entities are subject to IRS transfer pricing rules, which require that intercompany transactions be priced as if they were conducted between unrelated parties. When those prices are not set correctly, the IRS has authority under IRC Section 482 to reallocate income and assess back taxes, interest, and penalties that can reach 20% to 40% of the resulting underpayment. With the right documentation and a deliberate approach to pricing, most small and mid-size business owners can manage this exposure without complex or costly studies.
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