The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is colliding with IRS staffing shortages and new tax law changes. Advisors should prepare now to help clients navigate delays and stay organized.

Every fall, you hear the same (still very relevant) reminders for year-end tax planning: check withholding, plan charitable contributions, get documents in order. These timeless to-dos still matter. But this year brings a new layer: the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). It opens the door to fresh planning opportunities and gives advisors even more ways to be invaluable to a client’s tax season.

The IRS has introduced four new deductions for tax years 2025–2028, all reported on Schedule 1-A. They lower taxable income but not AGI - a key distinction every advisor should understand.