Sellers CPA Tax Newsletter – September 2026: Football Season Kickoff — and the Other Tax Day

From the Desk of Carol Sellers, CPA Sellers CPA LLC https://sellerscpa.net 108 W Cusseta St, Dadeville, AL 36853 (256) 825-8259

Dear Valued Clients and Friends,

Fall is arriving in Dadeville the way it always does — a little cooler on the water at sunrise, stadium lights glowing on Friday nights, and that first hint of gold in the trees around Lake Martin. September means kickoff season across Alabama, and not just on the gridiron. For taxpayers, September 15 is the "other tax day" — a deadline that rivals April 15 for businesses and anyone paying quarterly estimates. And once it passes, we're officially in the fourth quarter of the 2026 tax year, when smart planning puts points on the board before December 31.

This September edition covers the big mid-month deadlines, a flurry of fresh IRS guidance issued in August, Alabama items to watch this fall, and a fourth-quarter game plan checklist to carry you into year-end.

Quote to ponder: "It's not the will to win that matters — everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters." – Paul "Bear" Bryant.

Championships and tax savings are both built the same way: preparation, long before game day.

Federal Update: September 15 Is the Other Tax Day

Mark it in ink. Tuesday, September 15 carries a double load this year:

• Q3 estimated taxes: The third installment of 2026 estimated tax is due for individuals, calendar-year corporations, and trusts. If your income shifted this summer — a strong season for your business, a property sale, extra shifts, investment gains — your voucher amount from last spring may no longer be right. A quick projection in early September beats a penalty next April.

• Extended partnership and S corporation returns: Calendar-year partnerships (Form 1065) and S corporations (Form 1120-S) that extended in March hit their final deadline. There are no second extensions. And remember the ripple effect: the K-1s issued from those returns flow straight into individual returns still on extension until October 15 — so the sooner the entity return is done, the smoother your October will be.

Washington also kept us busy in August. Three developments worth knowing:

• Trump Account employer contributions: On August 11, Treasury and the IRS issued proposed regulations on employer contributions to Trump Accounts — the new tax-advantaged savings accounts for children created under last year's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Employers may contribute up to $2,500 per year per employee (allocable among an employee's eligible dependents), excluded from the employee's federal income. Employers may rely on the proposed rules now while they're finalized, so if you own a business and want a family-friendly benefit that stands out in a tight labor market, this fall is the time to explore it.

• Simpler retirement rollovers ahead: IRS Notice 2026-49 proposes standardized sample forms and procedures for rollovers between employer retirement plans and IRAs — welcome news for anyone who has ever wrestled with a 401(k) rollover after changing jobs. The rules aren't final yet, but simplification is coming.

• Business Tax Account upgrades: The IRS expanded its online Business Tax Account in August — more ways to view digital notices, make payments, and manage federal tax information. If your business hasn't set one up, it's becoming a truly useful tool.

Also on the horizon: the federal Saver's Match — a government matching contribution for eligible retirement savers — is slated to begin in 2027, with IRS regulations now in the works (Notice 2026-48). We'll keep you posted.

Quote to ponder: "It ain't over till it's over." – Yogi Berra.

Extension filers, take heart — but October 15 is closer than it looks, and there's no overtime period after that.

Key Deadlines: Your September Scoreboard

• September 10 – Tip income: Employees report August tips to employers (Form 4070).

• September 15 – The big one: Q3 2026 estimated tax payments due; extended 2025 partnership and S corporation returns due; monthly payroll tax deposits for August due.

• September 30 – Heavy vehicles: Form 2290 heavy highway vehicle use tax due for vehicles first used in August.

• October 1 – FAFSA opens: The 2027–28 FAFSA is on track to open October 1, using information from your 2025 tax return. Much state and college aid is first-come, first-served — file early, and if your 2025 return is still on extension, that's one more reason to finish it now.

• October 15 – Final extension deadline: Extended 2025 individual returns (and extended C corporation returns) are due. If we're still waiting on your documents, September is the month — please don't make it an October 14th surprise.

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Alabama Updates: Sweet Home Housekeeping

• State estimates due too: Alabama's third-quarter individual estimated tax payments follow the federal calendar — due September 15 through My Alabama Taxes or by voucher. Don't square up with the IRS and forget Montgomery.

• Tax license renewal season is coming: The Alabama Department of Revenue requires annual online renewal of state tax account licenses — sales tax, rental tax, sellers use, lodgings, and more — each year between November 1 and December 31. Licenses that aren't renewed are cancelled, which can cost your business the ability to make tax-exempt purchases for resale. September is a good time to confirm your My Alabama Taxes login works and your business information is current, so renewal is a two-minute chore instead of a December headache.

• Grocery tax reminder: With the spring grocery tax holiday behind us, the state's 2% rate on food remains in effect (city and county rates still apply) — just keep it in mind as you budget for fall.

• Overtime deduction: Alabama's individual income tax deduction of up to $1,000 for qualified overtime compensation (2026–2028) remains available. Harvest season, holiday retail, extra Friday-night shifts — keep those pay stubs organized.

• Storm season housekeeping: September is National Preparedness Month, and here on the Gulf's doorstep we know why. Take an hour to secure digital copies of tax returns, insurance policies, and property records — good records are what make insurance claims and disaster-related tax relief go smoothly if a storm ever strikes.

Quote to ponder: "Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." – Albert Camus.

Year-end planning works the same way — the fourth quarter is a second chance to make 2026 bloom.

Your Fourth-Quarter Game Plan Checklist

With roughly 120 days left in 2026, here's your September homework:

• Make your September 15 payments — federal and Alabama Q3 estimates, right-sized by a current projection.

• Extension filers: Deliver your remaining 2025 documents this month and let's file well ahead of October 15.

• College families: Gather 2025 tax records and FSA IDs now so you're ready when the FAFSA opens October 1 — and consider 529 contributions as part of the plan.

• Business owners: Finalize extended entity returns, distribute K-1s promptly, and evaluate year-end equipment purchases while 100% bonus depreciation and expanded Section 179 expensing remain in play.

• Thinking about a new retirement plan? Fall is the traditional window to design one — plans generally must be established before year-end, so a September conversation keeps every option open.

• Employers: Take a look at the new Trump Account contribution rules and whether a benefit like this fits your team.

• Alabama businesses: Verify your My Alabama Taxes access ahead of the November 1 license renewal window.

• Everyone: Back up your records for storm season, and start a running list of 2026 charitable gifts — including the above-the-line deduction for non-itemizers ($1,000 single / $2,000 joint).

Whether you need a third-quarter projection, help finishing an extended return, or a fourth-quarter strategy session, we would be honored to be part of your game plan.

Contact Carol Sellers at (256) 825-8259 or carol@sellerscpa.net to schedule a paid consultation.

Thank you for trusting Sellers CPA with your financial journey. Here's to cool evenings, full stadiums, and a winning finish to 2026 — War Eagle, Roll Tide, and Go Tigers, whichever flag flies at your house!

Warm regards,

Carol Sellers, CPA Owner,

Sellers CPA LLC Dadeville, Alabama

This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Consult your CPA or tax professional for advice specific to your situation. Tax laws are complex and subject to change.