Client newsletter · September 2026
Our Strength. Your Numbers.
Your September Checklist.
Summer is behind us and the busiest stretch of the tax calendar is here. This month brings the third-quarter estimated tax deadline, the final due date for extended business returns, and the first full year under Georgia’s new lower income tax rate. Here is what to have on your radar — and how our team can help you finish 2026 strong.
Georgia update
Georgia’s income tax rate drops to 4.99%
Legislation signed this spring (HB 463) cut Georgia’s flat individual income tax rate from 5.19% to 4.99%, retroactive to January 1, 2026 — the largest state income tax cut in Georgia’s history, arriving three years ahead of the original schedule. The bill also exempts qualified overtime pay and cash tips from Georgia income tax through 2028, and raises the retirement income exclusion to $70,000 starting in 2027.
What it means for you: if your paycheck withholding or estimated payments were set using the old rate, you may be overpaying. We can recalculate your Georgia estimates before the September 15 payment so you keep more of your cash flow now instead of waiting for a refund next spring.
Federal tax law
Four 2026 changes every business owner should know
- 100% bonus depreciation is permanent. Equipment, vehicles, and other qualifying assets placed in service this year can be fully written off in 2026. If a purchase is on your list, timing it before December 31 matters.
- The 20% QBI deduction is here to stay. Owners of S corporations, partnerships, and LLCs no longer face the scheduled sunset — making entity structure and reasonable-compensation planning worth a fresh look.
- 1099 thresholds are rising. For payments made in 2026, the 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC reporting threshold increases from $600 to $2,000, and the 1099-K threshold returns to $20,000 and 200 transactions. Keep collecting W-9s from contractors anyway — it makes January painless.
- Some credits are gone. Clean-vehicle and several clean-energy credits ended after 2025. If you were counting on one, let’s talk about alternatives before year-end.
Planning tip of the month
Retirement plans: the year-end clock starts now
A Solo 401(k), cash balance, or defined benefit plan can shelter a significant share of a profitable year’s income — but most must be established before December 31 to count for 2026, and set-up takes weeks. With three quarters of results already in, September is the ideal time to project your year and pick the right plan. It is also a good moment for a QuickBooks tune-up so your books are clean before the fourth-quarter push.
How we can help
Tax Services
Individual and business preparation, tax planning, IRS audit representation, back taxes, and payment plans.
Learn moreBusiness Services
Small business accounting, payroll, part-time CFO, compilations and reviews, and new business formation.
Learn moreQuickBooks Services
Setup, training, and cleanup so your numbers are accurate and ready for decisions.
Learn moreSe Habla Español
Our bilingual team is happy to serve you and your business in English or Spanish.
Learn moreLet’s talk
Questions about any of the items above? New clients receive a free initial consultation.
This newsletter is provided for general information and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice for your specific situation. Deadlines and figures reflect our understanding as of September 2026; please contact our office before acting on any item.