The one Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which President Trump signed into law in July 2025, permanently extended the enhanced Child Tax Credit beyond 2025. Ed Zurndorfer explains who is a qualifying child for the CTC, and how it’s calculated. A practical example is included. more…
Important Tax-Savings Affecting 2025 Tax Filings from OBBBA
Ed Zurndorfer gives an outline of the changes in the new tax line that affect 2025 federal income taxes, including new permanently increased standard deductions, increased deduction for seniors. the increase in State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, and auto loan interest deduction more…
CSRS / FERS Lump Sum Annuity Option (And How It is Taxed)
If eligible, a retiring CSRS or FERS employee may elect to receive the alternative form of a CSRS or FERS annuity, receiving a lump sum payment equal to the employee’s contributions to the CSRS or FERS Retirement and Disability Fund. Ed Zurndorfer discusses the specific eligibility requirements, the calculation of the lump sum payment and reduced CSRS and FERS annuity, and the tax liabilities more…
How CSRS / FERS Survivor Annuities Are Taxed
Ed Zurndorfer what portion of a CSRS or FERS survivor annuity (full or partial) is federally taxable under several common scenarios (examples included) and provides an important caution CSRS and FERS annuitants and survivor annuitants regarding information on on CSA 1099-Rs and CSF 1099-Rs from OPM’s Retirement’s Office more…
How CSRS and FERS Retirement Annuities Are Taxed
Ed Zurndorfer explains how the IRS taxes CSRS and FERS non-disability annuities when a federal employee retires from federal service. Worksheet and practical example are included more…
Choosing the Right Tax Filing Status
Ed Zurndorfer explains how your tax filing status can have consequences on your federal tax liability more…
New Standard Deduction Presents Tax-Planning Opportunities for Individuals — Particularly Seniors
A law passed in 2025 allows a new temporary senior tax deduction for the years 2025 through 2028, and also changes the standard deduction for most other individuals. Ed Zurndorfer explains the changes and how they present both tax-planning opportunities and a caution for potential “stealth taxes.” Practical examples are included. more…
How to File a Tax Return for An Individual Who Died
Filing a tax return for the year an individual dies presents some unique filing and reporting rules. Ed Zurndorfer discusses the rules and provides the list of forms (with links) that the tax filer may need more…
Understanding the Complicated Roth TSP to Roth IRA Rollover Rules
Upon retiring from federal service, a Roth TSP participant has the option of rolling over their Roth TSP account to a Roth IRA. But this rollover one of the most complicated transfers, and can have major federal and tax consequences. Ed Zurndorfer explains the three most critical pieces of the rollover that federal employees and retirees need to consider more…
Who Must File a 2025 Federal Income Tax Return, How to File, and Filing Deadlines
Ed Zurndorfer discusses which individuals are required to file a 2025 federal income tax return, how to file a return, and filing deadlines. Included is a checklist of the personal information and documents you’ll need plus ways to file for free more…