The Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% boost to monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for 2026, another rate drop versus last year's increase of 3.2%. The increase is based on the rise in the Consumer Price Index over the past 12 months ending in September 2025. For those contributing to Social Security through wages, the potential maximum income subject to Social Security taxes is increasing to $184,500. This represents a 4.8% increase in your Social Security taxes. What's of interest here is the continued practice of raising the income subject to Social Security well beyond the annual Consumer Price Index. Here's a recap of the key dollar amounts:

The IRS doesn’t care how exciting your rodeo belt buckle is — they care whether you’re engaged in the activity with the actual intent to make a profit.If it’s a business, losses are deductible.If it’s a hobby, deductions are limited and can’t create a net loss against other income.   Key Test: Can you demonstrate a profit motive? The IRS presumes a profit motive exists if you make a profit in 3 out of 5 consecutive years (or 2 out of 7 for horse-related activities, including breeding, racing, and showing — and yes, rodeo counts if horses are integral to the activity).  

Fair market value (FMV) is the price that property would sell for on the open market. It is the price that would be agreed on between a willing buyer and a willing seller, with neither being required to act, and both having reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts. Source: IRS Publication 561 This definition is the standard the IRS uses to determine if an item sold or donated by you is valued properly for income tax purposes. It's also a definition that's open to interpretation. If the IRS decides your FMV opinion is incorrect, you're not only subject to more taxes, but also penalties to boot. Here are some tips to help defend your FMV in case of an audit.