How Do You Stay Updated on Changes in Tax Laws? A Simple System That Works

Financial Horizons: Insights for Building Wealth and Securing Your Legacy 

By Dr. Jose G. Cardenas, Chief Tax Strategist at The C & R Group, LLC.

Tax rules shift constantly—new credits phase in, limits adjust, and compliance requirements evolve. Whether you’re an individual taxpayer or a business owner, how you stay informed can be the difference between proactive savings and preventable penalties.

The four common approaches (from the meme)

A) Follow news outlets
Great for headlines and context, but news rarely covers the fine print you need to act wisely.

B) Rely on my tax professional
Smart move. A strategist interprets changes for your situation, prioritizes what matters, and turns info into action.

C) Check IRS or state government websites
Authoritative and current—but dense. Best used for confirmations, forms, and official guidance.

D) I don’t follow tax law changes
Risky. You’ll miss planning windows (e.g., retirement limits, energy credits, business expensing) and could face underpayment issues.

Build a 3-layer “Update System”

1. Source Layer (what to watch)

• IRS + state tax e-newsletters and publications
• Industry/trusted outlets for summaries (then verify on IRS/state sites)
• Your payroll and benefits portals (withholding, HSA/FSA, retirement limits)

1. Advisor Layer (who translates it)

• Schedule quarterly check-ins with your tax strategist (align with estimated tax due dates)
• Use a shared “Tax Change Tracker” doc to log what changed, why it matters, and the action item

1. Action Layer (what to do)

• Update withholding/estimates after major law or life changes
• Adjust entity elections, depreciation methods, and retirement contribution strategy as needed
• Set calendar reminders for January 15, April 15, June 15, September 15 (typical quarterly touchpoints)

Your quick cadence

• Monthly (15 minutes): skim IRS/ state updates; note anything relevant
• Quarterly: meet your advisor; tune estimates/withholding; confirm deductions/credits on track
• Year-end (Oct–Dec): harvest gains/losses, optimize retirement contributions, time income/expenses, review entity options

High-impact items to watch each year

• Tax brackets & standard deduction adjustments
• Credit/phaseout changes (child, education, clean energy)
• Retirement limits (401(k), IRA, SEP, SIMPLE, catch-ups)
• Business expensing/bonus depreciation and §199A pass-through deduction updates
• Energy-efficient home/business credits
• State-specific changes (SALT caps workarounds, elective PTETs, etc.)

✅ Bottom line

You don’t need to read the entire tax code—you need a repeatable system and a pro who converts updates into moves that lower your liability. Put the cadence above on your calendar, and you’ll stay compliant, avoid surprises, and capture savings on time.

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About the Author

Dr. Jose G. Cardenas is a retired U.S. Army Finance Officer and the Chief Tax Strategist at The C & R Group, LLC. With a Doctorate in Business Administration and over 20 years of experience in financial strategy, tax planning, and life insurance, Dr. Cardenas helps individuals and business owners protect their wealth and build a legacy. Learn more at www.thecrgroupllc.com.

📌 Disclosure:
This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as personalized legal or investment advice. Dr. Jose G. Cardenas, DBA, provides tax advisory services through The C & R Group, LLC. Insurance strategies, including Indexed Universal Life (IUL) and annuity products, may be offered through his role as a licensed financial professional affiliated with Experior Financial Group.