Recent policy changes are breaking down long-standing walls between U.S. government databases, allowing immigration authorities increased access to tax, healthcare, and benefits data. For visitors, students, and families who spend time in the U.S., these shifts raise new risks around tax residency, privacy, and compliance. Understanding how time spent in the U.S. and personal data now intersect is more important than ever.

As the 2025 tax year unfolds, inflation-adjusted brackets, restored incentives like 100% bonus depreciation, and increased IRS reporting enforcement are already impacting how much taxpayers owe—and how much they can save. While there’s no sweeping tax reform this year, proactive planning is more important than ever. Here’s what individuals and business owners need to know to stay compliant and maximize tax savings in 2025.

If you accept payments through platforms like Stripe, PayPal, Venmo, Etsy, or Shopify, you may receive a Form 1099-K this year. Learn what the form reports, why it often causes confusion, and how to report it correctly to avoid IRS issues.