Midyear 2026 Update

Welcome to the new joshmauercpa.com. We’ve rebuilt the firm online — cleaner, faster, and built to actually help you between tax seasons, with an Editorial section, a clear view of membership, and more tools on the way. Consider this your first note from the new home base.

It’s also midyear — which, for us, is the real planning season. The best tax and financial outcomes happen in the months before year-end, not in the April scramble. So here’s what’s new, and what we’re working on together for the back half of the year.

Happy news — and planning around it

First, something we’re genuinely excited about: Sarah is expecting. She’ll be out on maternity leave from late November through December (and likely a little into the new year). We couldn’t be happier for her.

To make sure nothing skips a beat while she’s away, we’re getting ahead of year-end now — planning, filings, and anything time-sensitive handled early rather than crammed into the window she’s out.

A new face on the team: Mike McWilliams

We’re also glad to introduce Mike McWilliams, who joined the firm this season and is taking the lead on individual tax returns. Mike and I go back nearly twenty years — we worked together at H&R Block in financial planning & analysis and business development — and he brings a deep finance background and a real knack for the work. Having Mike on individual returns also frees Sarah and J.C. to focus on our business clients. You can meet Mike on our team page.

A small rate adjustment (effective July 1)

A modest inflation adjustment, nothing dramatic. You’ll see the new rate at your next renewal/billing date. As always, your membership is more than a once-a-year return — it’s year-round access, proactive planning, and a team that already knows your situation.

New for business owners: FP&A and a fractional CFO

For business clients who’ve outgrown “catch the books up at year-end,” we’ve rolled out a forward-looking finance offering — FP&A (financial planning & analysis) with fractional-CFO support. This is for owners who want to run on current numbers instead of stale ones: real-time visibility, the KPIs that drive your business, cash-flow planning, and a financial leader working decisions with you — not just recording history months after the fact.

Simpler discounts: Householding and Friends & Family

One thing we want to be clear about: Rita will be reviewing every account this year to make sure everyone is on the right, current structure. No existing discounts are being taken away in that review — it’s simply about getting everyone onto the cleaner programs.

Kick the tires on Fledge (and tell me what’s broken)

A personal-project note: I’ve built a beta college- and trade-planning app called Fledge — a calmer way for families to plan what comes after high school (college, trade school, the military, or going straight to work) and the money behind it. It’s free for students, it’s in early beta, and you’re welcome to try it and send me your feedback — or your complaints. :)

FYI: the Kwong penalty-refund window is closing soon

A recent federal ruling (Kwong) opened a window to claim refunds of certain COVID-era IRS penalties — but the statute of limitations is approaching, so this one is time-sensitive. If you paid IRS penalties for the 2020–2022 years, it’s worth a quick look, and we can tell you whether it’s worth pursuing in your situation.

You don’t need to do anything

That’s the whole point of the membership. Your plan, your history, and your team are already in motion. Through the summer, Rita and the team will be reaching out to walk through midyear planning, year-end moves, and anything time-sensitive — so nothing waits on the April rush. If something’s on your mind before we call, we’re always a reply away.