Issue Number: 2026-22Inside This Issue
Cybersecurity Awareness Month highlights online safety tools
The IRS reminds businesses, taxpayers and tax professionals to protect their personal, financial and tax information during Cybersecurity Awareness Month and all year long Some simple ways to strengthen online cybersecurity include:
- Using strong, unique passwords
- Enabling multifactor authentication
- Updating software
- Recognizing and reporting scams
Businesses are vulnerable to scams and should be alert for phishing, fake invoices, W-2 and payroll related schemes used to steal employee information, credentials and money. Business taxpayers should use secure tools such as Business Tax Account and Written Information Security Plan. For more information, businesses and individuals can visit Identity Theft Central and Tax Scams on IRS.gov. Back to Top
IRS provides dyed diesel fuel relief related to excise tax
The IRS is providing temporary nationwide penalty relief for businesses and individuals selling or using dyed diesel fuel on highways from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2026. It’s available to any person or business selling or using dyed diesel fuel for highway use. During this period, ordinary procedures for collection and enforcement activities will be suspended. The IRS won’t impose any penalties related to the excise tax for dyed diesel fuel sold for use or used in diesel-powered vehicles on highways nationwide during this time. The relief only applies to federal taxes and doesn’t eliminate state fuel taxes and penalties. Business taxpayers who believe they qualify, but receive a penalty notice, should follow the instructions in the notice or contact the IRS for assistance Back to Top
Proposed regulations for the new Education Freedom Credit
Treasury and IRS are providing proposed regulations for the new Education Freedom Tax Credit. The credit, effective Jan. 1, 2027 allows eligible taxpayers to claim up to $1,700.00 annually or $3,400.00 for married couples filing jointly, for qualifying cash contributions to scholarship-granting organizations. These organizations provide scholarships to help eligible K-12 grade students cover educational expenses, including tuition, tutoring and other qualifying costs. The credit is non-refundable and unused amounts may be carried forward for up to five years. States must elect to participate and identify eligible scholarship-granting organizations. Taxpayers may contribute to qualifying organizations regardless of their state of residence. For participating states, visit Federal Scholarship Tax Credit on IRS.gov. Businesses can donate to eligible scholarship-granting organizations, but the credit is intended for individual taxpayers, not businesses. For details about this new credit read the Treasury Department's fact sheet. Back to Top
Disaster tax relief for Florida, Alabama, Nebraska, West Virginia, Ohio, Wisconsin, New Mexico and Guam
Below is information about recent disaster related tax relief granted by the IRS.
- Businesses and individuals affected by Hurricane Isaias in Florida began on October 9, 2026, now have until Feb. 8, 2027, to file various federal business and individual tax returns and make tax payments.
- Businesses and individuals affected by Hurricane Isaias in Alabama began on October 7, 2026, now have until Feb. 4, 2027, to file various federal business and individual tax returns and make tax payments,
- Businesses and individuals affected by severe storms in Nebraska that began on September 9, 2026, now have until Jan. 7, 2027, to file various federal business and individual tax returns and make tax payments.
- Businesses and individuals affected by severe storms and flooding in West Virginia that began on August 14, 2026, now have until Feb. 4, 2027, to file various federal business and individual tax returns and make tax payments.
- Businesses and individuals affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding and landslides in Ohio that began on August 10, 2026, now have until Feb. 1, 2027, to file various federal business and individual tax returns and make tax payments.
- Businesses and individuals affected by severe storms and tornadoes in Wisconsin that began on July 27, 2026, now have until Feb. 1, 2027, to file various federal business and individual tax returns and make tax payments.
- Businesses and individuals affected by severe storms and flooding in Pueblo of Zuni in New Mexico that began on July 16, 2026, now have until Feb. 4, 2027, to file various federal business and individual tax returns and make tax payments.
- Businesses and individuals affected by the Super Typhoon Bavi in Guam that began on July 4, 2026, now have until Feb. 4, 2027, to file various federal business and individual tax returns and make tax payments.
The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers located in covered disaster areas and applies filing and payment relief. Affected taxpayers, who reside or have a business located outside the covered disaster area, should call the IRS Special Services toll-free number at 866-562-5227 to request this tax relief. Visit the Tax relief in disaster situations page on IRS.gov for the most recent information for taxpayers affected by a disaster. Back to Top
Other tax news
The following information may be of interest to individuals and groups in or related to small businesses:
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