Tax News & Views Healthcare Credits with the Harlem Globetrotters Roundup

Healthcare Credits

Jeffries Tees Up House Vote to Extend Obamacare Tax Credits – Maeve Sheehey, Bloomberg ($):

The House will vote this week on a three-year extension of enhanced Obamacare tax credits, after Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called up Democrats’ signature health-care bill Tuesday night — forcing GOP leaders to schedule a vote within two legislative days.

Jeffries (D-N.Y.) is able to compel the vote over the objections of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) after four moderate Republicans joined Democrats in signing a discharge petition, giving it the 218 signatures necessary to trigger a vote. The three-year extension faces long odds in the Senate and substantial opposition from conservative Republicans who bristle at the cost of the Affordable Care Act subsidies that expired Dec. 31.

Thune Outlines What Kind of ACA Deal Could Pass Senate – Katie Lobosco & Cady Stanton, Tax Notes ($):

A straight-up, three-year extension of the enhanced premium tax credit poised to pass the House is unlikely to pass muster in the Senate.

Instead, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said any bill to extend the expired Affordable Care Act tax credit would have to include some reforms to the program, a provision to expand health savings accounts, and protections to further ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t used for abortions.

Corporations Lobby for Tax Break Fixes

Expired Tax Breaks Spur Corporate Push for Retroactive Fixes – Zach C. Cohen, Bloomberg ($):

The question is no longer whether a suite of tax breaks for businesses will expire, but for how long.

Congress left town for the holidays without renewing a handful of subsidies known as “tax extenders” that ended Jan. 1.

Lobbyists for industries benefiting from the carveouts, such as racetracks and film studios, will now have to look to whether those breaks can be revived this year in enough time to reap the gains.

Opening of Business Tax Filing Season

IRS Opens 2026 Business Tax Filing Season Starting Jan. 13 – Erin Slowey, Bloomberg ($):

Businesses that want to begin filing their tax returns can do so starting Jan. 13, the IRS said Tuesday.

While the IRS has not yet announced the start of the tax filing season for individuals, which typically begins at the end of January, businesses usually get an early start.

Tax Filing Tips

Prepare to file in 2026: Get Ready for tax season with key updates, essential tips – IRS:

With the 2026 filing season quickly approaching, the Internal Revenue Service is urging taxpayers to take a few simple steps now to prepare for filing their 2025 federal income tax returns. Visit Get Ready on IRS.gov for checklists, updates and no-cost filing options.

One of the most important steps taxpayers can take is to access their IRS Individual Online Account. IRS Individual Online Accounts are available 24/7, to view account information, make payments, manage communication preferences and protect tax information.

Fired Federal Workers

Fired Federal Workers Test New Claims Over Political Retaliation – Khorri Atkinson, Bloomberg ($):

Federal employees alleging the Trump administration fired them in retaliation for their politics will need judges and an independent body that handles federal worker disputes to determine how established First Amendment and civil service protections apply to their terminations.

The cases filed last month involve claims against the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Health & Human Services, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Unlike earlier lawsuits challenging the legality of mass layoffs by the Trump administration, these cases focus on adverse actions allegedly linked to perceived political ideology and association.

Continuing Leadership at IRS

Bisignano Expected to Stay at the Helm of IRS – Benjamin Valdez, Tax Notes ($):

IRS CEO Frank Bisignano is positioned to lead the tax agency through the next filing season and beyond, according to observers.

After seeing seven different commissioners — including one who underwent a full-length confirmation process — the IRS ended 2025 with a leader whose position didn’t exist two months ago.

Bisignano, who is also commissioner of the Social Security Administration, finds himself running the IRS as it quickly approaches the first filing season following the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21) and the agency losing about a quarter of its workforce.

California Wealth Tax

The tax fight dividing California Democrats – Jeremy B. White, Dustin Gardiner, and Blake Jones, Politico:

California welcomed the new year with a tax fight that both foreshadowed a core 2026 conflict in the state and previewed a point of tension Gavin Newsom will face in his likely presidential campaign.

It started with a familiar sight: very online Silicon Valley players turning apoplectic over the latest big swing from California’s left — Rep. Ro Khanna’s embrace of a proposed wealth tax ballot initiative that infuriated founders and funders who accused Khanna, also a potential presidential contender, of selling out his tech industry constituents.

Charitable Exemption Revoked

Milk-Giving Charity’s Tax-Exempt Status Goes Sour – Trevor Sikes, Tax Notes ($). “A charity that purported to give milk to starving children rightfully had its tax-exempt status revoked because the organization pursued commercial activities outside of its charitable purpose, the Tax Court held.”

What Day is it?

Randomly, its Harlem Globetrotter’s Day! A favorite of mine from my youth. If you haven’t caught Scooby-Doo Meets the Harlem Globetrotters, you’re missing out!

Tax News & Views Healthcare Credits with the Harlem Globetrotters Roundup

Make a habit of sustained success.

Trina Pinneau