← The Cima JournalMyth & Method
Before you trust a tax tip, ask these three questions.
A confident voice online is not a substitute for the rule, the tax year, and your own facts.
Cima Editorial · September 25, 2026 · Educational note
A short video can introduce a useful question. It cannot establish your eligibility for a deduction or credit.
1. Where is the rule?
Look for a current IRS page or the applicable form instructions. A screenshot of someone else’s refund does not explain which facts supported their return. The IRS warns that misleading social-media advice can lead taxpayers to claim benefits they do not qualify for.
2. Which tax year does it cover?
Save the source and note the year. An old post can continue circulating after the rules or eligibility conditions have changed. Treat a missing date as a reason to investigate, not a reason to assume.
3. Does it apply to my situation?
Bring the claim and your records to a tax professional before acting. Ask what conditions must be met and what documentation supports the position.
THE CIMA TAKEAWAYSave the question. Verify the source. Make the decision with your own facts.
Source: IRS: Tax scams. Source checked September 25, 2026.
General educational information, not individualized tax advice. Your facts and the applicable tax year matter.
LET’S MOVE FORWARD
A question about your situation?
Let’s start with the facts that matter to you.
The Filing Desk
More time to file is not more time to pay.
Two deadlines, two different responsibilities. Understand what a filing extension actually does.
Cima Editorial · September 25, 2026 · Educational note
A federal individual income-tax filing extension generally gives you additional time to submit your return. It generally does not move your payment deadline.
Separate the two responsibilities
When requesting an extension, estimate what you owe and address payment by the applicable deadline. Interest and penalties may apply when tax remains unpaid. Special rules can apply, including relief for certain disaster-affected taxpayers or people abroad; check the rules for your circumstances.
Prepare for the conversation
Gather income statements, estimated-payment records, and the information you already have. Explain what is missing. Ask separately about the filing deadline and any unpaid balance, rather than treating an extension as a payment arrangement.
THE CIMA TAKEAWAYPut two questions on your checklist: when must I file, and when must I pay?
Source: IRS: Get an extension to file your tax return. Source checked September 25, 2026.
General educational information, not individualized tax advice. Your facts and the applicable tax year matter.
LET’S MOVE FORWARD
A question about your situation?
Let’s start with the facts that matter to you.
Business, Clearly
Good records make better tax conversations.
Build a simple habit that connects each business expense to its purpose and supporting documents.
Cima Editorial · September 25, 2026 · Educational note
Organized records help you explain what happened in your business. They are the foundation for an informed tax conversation.
Keep the story with the transaction
The IRS describes supporting records that identify the payee, amount, proof of payment, date, and the item or service purchased. A combination of documents may be needed. Keep income records too, so you can identify the amounts and sources of business receipts.
Make it a repeatable habit
Set aside a regular time to collect receipts and invoices, match them with payments, and add a short business-purpose note while the details are fresh. Separate unresolved questions for your preparer. A neat folder does not make an expense deductible; the underlying facts still matter.
THE CIMA TAKEAWAYKeep the evidence and the explanation together. Your future self will thank you.
Source: IRS: What kind of records should I keep? Source checked September 25, 2026.
General educational information, not individualized tax advice. Your facts and the applicable tax year matter.
LET’S MOVE FORWARD
A question about your situation?
Let’s start with the facts that matter to you.
CIMA, DECODED
Big Words.
Plain Answers.
You don’t have to know the vocabulary to belong here. Tap a term for a quick explanation, then ask us how it applies to you.
Service bureau+
A business relationship that may combine access to tax software with onboarding, training, and support for other tax offices. The exact services, fees, and responsibilities depend on the written agreement. It is not, by itself, an IRS professional credential.
Reseller+
A business that offers another company’s software under an authorized sales arrangement. Ask who supplies the software, who provides support, and which fees or restrictions apply.
Onboarding+
The steps that get you ready to begin: reviewing your agreement, completing required account information, receiving approved access, and learning the workflow. An inquiry alone does not enroll you.
ERO+
Electronic Return Originator: an authorized IRS e-file provider that starts the electronic submission of a tax return. This describes an e-file role, not a promise of tax expertise. Read the IRS definition ↗
PTIN & EFIN+
A PTIN identifies an individual paid tax return preparer. An EFIN identifies an approved IRS e-file provider. They serve different purposes; having a PTIN does not itself authorize an office to e-file. Compare them at the IRS ↗
Professional tax software+
Tools used to prepare and manage tax returns. Available features, supported returns, licensing, training, and support vary by product and package. Ask for a demonstration and written terms for the specific offer.
