Money Matters

“That drawer, that box, and probably your purse too…” 😂 If your receipts are playing hide-and-seek, it may be time to organize them before tax season finds you first. Good records today can mean less stress—and more money tomorrow! 💚

September 24, 2026

Issue Number: Notice 2026-52

Notice 2026-52 extends the relief provided in Notice 2025-55, 2025-43 I.R.B. 625, in connection with the excise tax imposed on certain remittance transfers by section 4475 of the Internal Revenue Code. Specifically, this notice extends relief for remittance transfer providers related to the failure to deposit penalty imposed by section 6656 and the deposit safe harbor provided in § 40.6302(c)-1(b)(2). This relief is available for semimonthly periods ending before the applicability date of final regulations issued under section 4475.

Notice 2026-52 will be in IRB: 2026-43, dated: October 5, 2026.
https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpub%2Firs-drop%2Fn-26-52.pdf/1/010001a0d3f9c95b-b0358618-9d3f-4d6c-9246-6545f77325a7-000000/oyy-bpmNjt-ELZRDPWIZKSPg0D9EqtpaQId9bDhl-kk=452

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September 24, 2026

Issue Number: Notice 2026-60

Notice 2026-60 announces the special per diem rates effective October 1, 2026, which taxpayers may use to substantiate the amount of expenses for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses when traveling away from home. This notice provides the special transportation industry rate, the rate for the incidental expenses only deduction, and the rates and list of high-cost localities for purposes of the high-low substantiation method.

Notice 2026-60 will be in IRB:2026-43, dated: October 19,2026.
https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpub%2Firs-drop%2Fn-26-60.pdf/1/010001a0d3c441ed-657070bd-53c4-42bf-aa0e-bc65e5e25c99-000000/7Q8eSW55is8QWBzecixCKdVPsrsNXhNUoBTLVT3N-Tw=452

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The Receipt That Got Away.

Caring for a family member or relative?

Understand the special tax rules

Family members who are paid to take care of a loved one may have tax responsibilities. This depends on whether they are considered an employee or provide their services as their own business.

Let’s go over the special rules of being a family caregiver.

When a caregiver is considered an employee
A caregiver is someone who performs in-home services for elderly or disabled individuals. Generally, they are considered an employee and the person being cared for is considered the employer. This could make them responsible for employment taxes. However, there are some cases when the employer may not owe employment taxes. Some examples are when the caregiver is:

Their spouse
Their child under the age of 21
Their parent, unless an exception applies
An employee who is under the age of 18 at any time during the year, unless an exception applies
It’s important to know that even if they don’t owe employment taxes, they are still required to report the caregiver’s compensation on Form W-2. See Table 1, “Do You Need to Pay Employment Taxes” on page 5 of Publication 926, Household Employer's Tax Guide, for more information.

When a caregiver isn’t considered an employee
Sometimes, caregivers aren’t considered employees, but they are still required to report the compensation as income on their Form 1040 or 1040-SR. They may also be required to pay self-employment tax depending on the facts and circumstances.

Here are some examples of when a family member caregiver typically wouldn’t owe a self-employment tax:

If a family member caregiver is paid by an insurance company to take care of their spouse. The taxpayer would still be required to report the income though.
If a family member caregiver received income from a state agency to care for their grandchildren so their daughter could work. Again, the taxpayer would still be required to report any income.
When self-employment tax may apply
If the caregiver is engaged in a trade or business providing care services, they would be required to pay self-employment tax. For example:

A caregiver received income from a state agency to care for their grandmother, and they operate a sole proprietorship adult day-care business for multiple clients, including their grandmother, in their home. The taxpayer would owe self-employment tax since the taxpayer is engaged in a trade or business of providing care giving services as a sole proprietor operator of an adult day care. The taxpayer must report the full amount of the payment as income on both Schedule C and Schedule SE.

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