Michael Gray, CPA's Tax and Business Insight
April 7, 2026
© 2026 by Michael C. Gray
ISSN 1539-395X
A monthly report to help you prepare for your financial future, keep more of what you earn by minimizing your taxes, and build an extraordinary business!
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Table of Contents
- Happy Earth Day!
- Family celebrations.
- The due date for 2025 individual, calendar year estates and trusts, and calendar year corporation income tax returns is April 15, 2026.
- Remember that an estimated tax payment is also due on April 15.
- What if you don't have the money to pay the tax?
- Remember that an estimated tax payment is also due on April 15.
- Remember the Foreign Financial Accounts Report, FinCEN Form 114, is also due on April 15 with an automatic extension (no form required) to October 15.
- Remember the second California real estate tax payment is due April 10.
- Reminder to get an IRS individual online account.
- Apply for an IRS Identity Protection PIN.
- Do you sell products, services or software to CPAs?
- Attention CPAs-would you like help with marketing your services?
- Attention CPAs-do you need support for tax issues?
- Attention Accountants! Speed up processing your business closings!
- Please share your good experiences with Michael Gray, CPA.
- Financial Insider Weekly past episodes.
- Follow me on social media!
- Check out my blogs.
- Subscribe/Remove from Michael Gray, CPA's Tax & Business Insight
Janet at Badwater Basin, the lowest altitude place in the U. S., at Death Valley on March 28, 2026. Happy Earth Day!
Earth Day was first observed on April 22, 1970. I remember having presentations by students at Prospect High School on that date.
On Earth Day, we remember that, as stewards of our planet, we must preserve our environment and seek renewable energy resources.
Family celebrations.
April is a big birthday month for my family. My daughter and office manager, Dawn Siemer, her husband, John, and her daughter, Kara, all have April birthdays! Allen Le, Thi Nguyen's husband, is also celebrating his birthday this month. Happy Birthdays!
The due date for 2025 individual, calendar year estates and trusts, and calendar year corporation income tax returns is April 15, 2026.
Remember that an estimated tax payment is also due on April 15.
The first 2026 estimated tax payment for individuals and most other calendar year entities is also due on April 15, 2026. The penalties for late payment of estimated taxes are computed as simple interest, but the interest rate has been increasing. The federal estimated payment can be based on 25% of last year's tax liability. California "front loads" the first estimated tax payment as 30% of last year's tax liability. California taxpayers with taxable income of $1 million or more must make their estimated tax payments based on their actual income and deductions.
What if you don't have the money to pay the tax?
You can file your income tax returns without paying the tax. The IRS will bill you for the tax due. It's better to get in touch with the IRS to set up a payment plan. Late payment penalties might be reduced with a payment plan.
Here's a URL to apply for a payment plan with the IRS. https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application
The IRS will allow you to file an extension without paying the tax. You are still required to include an estimate of the tax due on the form. (The extension will not be accepted without this amount being entered.) The late filing penalty will be waived provided your income tax returns are filed on the extended due date, which is October 15, 2026 for most individuals.
Remember the payment date has also been extended for taxpayers who are residents in a disaster area where the IRS has announced filing relief, so late payment penalties won't apply provided the balance of the tax is paid by the designated date for the disaster. Here is the URL for the IRS web page summarizing disaster relief. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations
A late payment penalty of 1/2% per month will apply for any tax due not paid by April 15, 2025, unless at least 90% of the tax finally determined was paid by that date.
Interest will also be charged for the unpaid tax and can't be waived. (The current rate is 7% for individuals.)
If a 2025 individual income tax return isn't filed by April 15, 2026 and a valid extension isn't filed by that date or the due date hasn't been extended as disaster relief, the late filing penalty is 5% of the unpaid tax per month filed late, to a maximum of 25%. (In some cases, California will assess a penalty on the entire tax without reduction for payments received. See your tax advisor for details.)
Remember that an estimated tax payment is also due on April 15.
The first 2026 estimated tax payment for individuals and most other calendar year entities is also due on April 15, 2026. The penalties for late payment of estimated taxes are computed as simple interest, but the interest rate has been increasing. The federal estimated payment can be based on 25% of last year's tax liability. California "front loads" the first estimated tax payment as 30% of last year's tax liability. California taxpayers with taxable income of $1 million or more must make their estimated tax payments based on their actual income and deductions.
Remember the Foreign Financial Accounts Report, FinCEN Form 114, is also due on April 15 with an automatic extension (no form required) to October 15.
Here's a link to an IRS explanation for when you are required to report ($10,000 or more of foreign financial accounts). https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/report-of-foreign-bank-and-financial-accounts-fbar
Remember the second California real estate tax payment is due April 10.
There is a nasty penalty for paying real estate taxes late, and the date slips past us because we're thinking about April 15. Why not make this payment now, so you don't forget it?
Reminder to get an IRS individual online account.
Another CPA recently shared that one of his clients experienced having someone else create an IRS individual online account to access the client's information. Set yours up before someone else does and help protect yourself against identity theft and fraud.
Among other things, taxpayers can check the status of their refund, get account transcripts, and access their information returns (W-2s and 1099s) online.
Here's a URL to set up an IRS individual online account. https://www.irs.gov/your-account
(IR-2026-21, February 3, 2026, "Create an IRS Individual Online Account today for security and convenience.)
Apply for an IRS Identity Protection PIN.
One way to avoid identity theft is to apply for an IRS Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN). A new number is issued each year. The IRS sends a letter with the number. Keep it in a safe place where you can find it. Apply for an IP PIN well in advance of the due date for your income tax return so you have time for the IRS to send it to you. Why not now for 2026?
Here's a URL to apply for your IRS IP PIN. https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin
Do you sell products, services or software to CPAs?
Maybe I can help with writing promotional material and marketing ideas. Call me, Michael Gray, at 408-918-3161 or email mgray@taxtrimmers.com.
Attention CPAs-would you like help with marketing your services?
Maybe I can help with writing promotional material and marketing ideas, including encouraging referrals from your current clients. Call me, Michael Gray, at 408-918-3161 or email mgray@profitadvisors.com.
Attention CPAs-do you need support for tax issues?
Michael Gray, CPA can help you with research and guidance on complex tax planning and tax return reporting issues. mgray@taxtrimmers.com.
Attention Accountants! Speed up processing your 2019 business closings!
Do you still have 2019 business income tax returns on extension that need to be done? Check out this trial balance software, EZ Trial Balance, that's super-easy to set up and use. There is a desktop version and an online version. The online version includes consolidations and ratio analysis for analytical review. http://www.eztrialbalance.com
Please share your good experiences with Michael Gray, CPA.
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Financial Insider Weekly past episodes
After eight years of production, I have discontinued producing new interviews for Financial Insider Weekly. Doing the show has been a rewarding experience and I consider back episodes to be my legacy of financial literacy education to our community. Back episodes available at https://www.youtube.com/user/financialinsiderweek.
Michael Gray regrets he can no longer personally answer email questions. He will answer selected questions in this newsletter.
For your questions about dependent exemptions, see IRS Publication 501 at www.irs.gov.
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Michael Gray, CPA2482 Wooding Ct.San Jose, CA 95128(408) 918-3162FAX: (408) 938-0610email: mgray@taxtrimmers.comHours: 8am - 5pm PDT Monday - Friday
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