A REMINDER

As 2025 ends a reminder –

Donald “The Man Who Would Be King” Trump, the current President of the United States, is a totally worthless piece of excrement, completely devoid of intelligence, character, integrity, honor, humanity, sympathy, and empathy who does not possess a single redeeming positive human quality or value.  He does not care one ounce about anyone or anything but himself and has never performed a single totally unselfish act in his entire adult life.  Trump is the absolute worst human being to hold national public office in US history.

No one single individual has ever done more damage to America, the American people, American freedom and democracy, and true American values than Donald Trump.

The greatest threat to America, the American people, American freedoms and democracy, and true American values continues to be Trump and today’s Republican Party.  In 2026 it is VITAL that ALL intelligent and patriotic Americans vow to work to defeat EVERY Republican candidate in EVERY election at EVERY level.

Our future depends on it!

TAFTY

WHAT’S THE BUZZ, TELL ME WHAT’S A HAPPENNIN’?

The last BUZZ of 2025!

* The 2025 NJ state income tax forms and instructions available on the NJ Division of Taxation website.

The only change to the 2025 NJ-1040 I could find is a question about Digital Assets at the top of Page 1.

The final version of the 2025 Form 1040 and 1040-SR, as well as New York and PA state tax returns, are not yet available online.

* The TAX FOUNDATION identifies “State Tax Changes Taking Effect January 1, 2026”. 

* It’s that time of year again – time for “PNC's 2025 Christmas Price Index®: Holiday Cheer Comes at a Premium!” (highlights are mine) -

“The cost of celebrating Christmas is climbing again. Now in its 42nd year, the PNC Christmas Price Index® (PNC CPI) reveals that the cost of the gifts from the classic holiday carol ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ has risen 4.5% compared to last year, outpacing the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index (BLS CPI) October year-over-year reading of 3.0%.

The PNC CPI, launched in 1984, is a light-hearted take on the BLS CPI and measures the change in prices consumers could expect to pay for True Love's gifts. Data is compiled by PNC's Investment Office using sources from across the country, including dance and theatre companies, hatcheries, pet stores and others. Overall, the 12 gifts that comprise the PNC CPI increased to a tree-topping $51,476.12 this year.”

The biggest percentage jump is the 5 golden rings – up 32.5 % from 2024.

* The IRS has finally released the 2026 Standard Mileage allowances -

“Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck will be:

·  72.5 cents per mile driven for business use, up 2.5 cents from 2025.

·  20.5 cents per mile driven for medical purposes, down a half cent from 2025.

·  20.5 cents per mile driven for moving purposes for certain active-duty members of the Armed Forces (and now certain members of the intelligence community), reduced by a half cent from last year.

· 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations, equal to the rate in 2025.”

The charitable rate is set by Congress and hasn’t been increased for several years.

TTFN 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watchv=CKT1yU033C0&list=RDCKT1yU033C0&start_radio=1

 

A very Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year.

Let's hope it's a good one,

without any Trump!

WHAT’S THE BUZZ, TELL ME WHAT’S A HAPPENNIN’?

 

* From Russ Fox at TAXABLE TALK – “New Jersey: We Delayed Processing Your Extension Payment So We’re Going to Penalize You for Our Error”.

As Russ points out –

“This is also a reminder to you that many notices sent by tax agencies are wrong in part or in whole.  Do not blindly pay a notice!  Send it to your tax professional and have them check it for accuracy.”

In my experience, more often than not error notices from the IRS and state tax agencies are incorrect.  And especially notices from the NJ Division of Taxation.

* The NJ DIVISION OF TAXATION website discusses “One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and the New Jersey Gross Income Tax” (highlight is mine)–

“For Tax Years 2025 through 2028, under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) there are new federal income tax deductions for senior citizens, overtime, and tips. However, the New Jersey Gross Income Tax (GIT) has defined categories of income and deductions and is not computed based on federal adjusted gross income. Therefore, federal deductions under the federal OBBBA regarding overtime, tips, and senior citizens do not affect a taxpayer's New Jersey Individual Income Tax return (Form NJ-1040, NJ-1040NR, or NJ-1041).”

And “One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) - Changes to Charitable Contribution Deductions” (again, highlight is mine) -

“For the purposes of the New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act, there is no provision similar to the Federal Internal Revenue Code allowing charitable deductions. Therefore, there are no changes for Gross Income Tax purposes.”

* The NATP reports “IRS first-time penalty abatement: automatic in 2026” (highlight is mine) –

“The IRS administrative penalty waiver for first-time abatement (FTA) has been in existence since 2001. In the past, tax professionals and taxpayers had to write or call the IRS to request the waiver. Starting in 2026, taxpayers who qualify for FTA will automatically receive the abatement from the IRS.”

The article includes an overview of the First-Time Abatement requirements.

THE LAST WORD

Every single person who voted for convicted felon and indicted traitor Trump for President in 2024 is truly an enemy of the state and an enemy of the people, a traitor to the United States and to the Constitution, and the greatest threat facing America today.

There has NEVER been an intelligent or acceptable reason for ANYONE to vote for Trump for ANY office!

TTFN

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 

WHAT’S THE BUZZ, TELL ME WHAT’S A HAPPENNIN’?

 

All the BUZZ in this installment comes from the federal government.

* The IRS has released a draft of the Form 1098-VLI - Vehicle Loan Interest Statement - to be used beginning in 2026 to report the interest paid on a qualified passenger car loan that qualifies for the new BBNSBB deduction

* This just in – “Social Security Announces 2.8 Percent Benefit Increase for 2026”.

And “ . . . the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) is slated to increase to $184,500 from $176,100.”

* Sad news.  Jory Heckman reports “IRS tells states Direct File ‘will not be available’ in 2026” at the FEDERAL NEWS NETWORK (highlight is mine) - 

“The IRS sent an email on Monday to 25 states it partnered with on Direct File, which has been running for two filing seasons, telling them that ‘Direct File will not be available in Filing Season 2026,’ and that ‘no launch date has been set for the future’.”

This was done despite -

“Former members of the Direct File team, however, claim the project largely succeeded in its goal of making it faster and easier for individuals to file their taxes.”

The corrupt Trump Administration clearly gave in to pressure from Henry and Richard and other commercial tax preparation companies.

* And the IRS has released the cost‑of‑living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2026. 

THE LAST WORD

Just so you know –

Over the past 50+ years I have voted for Democratic, Republican, and Independent candidates – depending on the election, the issues, and the candidates.

As I posted in the past –

“In 2012 I voted for Mitt.
But I’ll never vote for Trump,
‘cause he’s a worthless piece of shit.”

I have no issues with “traditional” Republicans or true conservatives.  I do, however, strongly oppose and denounce “today’s” Trump-embracing and Religious Right controlled Republican Party – and very seriously believe that it is truly the greatest enemy of and danger to America and American democracy.

TAFN

VOTE!

 

The greatest threat facing America and American democracy is today’s Trump-embracing and Religious Right controlled Republican Party.

It is truly vital for the future of America that you vote against EVERY Republican candidate in EVERY election on EVERY level today!

If Republicans win America loses.