Be Our Guest | Kimberly Furrh, CPA — Tax Season 2026 (Part 2)
Published: February 18, 2026
By: Garrett Jackson | Lawton Town Crier
In Part Two of Be Our Guest, Lawton Town Crier continues its in-depth conversation with Kimberly Furrh, CPA, of Furrh Accounting in Lawton, Oklahoma.
While Part One focused on filing basics and recent federal changes, Part Two moves into strategy — retirement timing, itemized deductions, audit risk, cybersecurity standards, and Oklahoma-specific tax issues affecting local families, military households, and retirees.
Watch the full interview:
Click here to watch on YouTube
Retirement Contributions: You May Have More Time Than You Think
One key topic discussed is the ability to make prior-year IRA and Roth IRA contributions up until April 15.
Taxpayers effectively have additional time after year-end to fund retirement accounts for the previous tax year. Depending on income level and tax bracket, this can:
- Reduce taxable income (Traditional IRA)
- Provide long-term tax-free growth (Roth IRA)
- Allow strategic planning after final income numbers are known
For many taxpayers, retirement contributions remain one of the most powerful legal tools available to lower tax liability.
Standard Deduction vs. Itemizing: What Actually Makes Sense?
Furrh explains the difference between taking the standard deduction versus itemizing.
Common itemized categories include:
- Medical expenses (including mileage and certain travel costs)
- Property taxes
- Sales and excise taxes
- Mortgage interest
- Charitable contributions (including some unreimbursed volunteer expenses)
- Gambling losses (subject to federal limitations)
The key question is whether documented deductions exceed the standard deduction amount for your filing status. If they do, itemizing may reduce your tax bill.
Does Itemizing Increase Audit Risk?
According to Furrh, itemizing alone does not increase audit risk.
The IRS uses automated systems to compare deductions to income levels and filing status. Returns that fall outside expected statistical patterns may receive additional scrutiny.
If deductions are consistent with income level and properly documented, audit risk does not materially increase simply because a taxpayer itemizes.
Choosing a Tax Professional: What to Ask
In an era of identity theft and digital fraud, vetting a tax preparer matters.
Questions to consider asking include:
- Do you maintain a Written Information Security Plan (WISP)?
- Are you available year-round if notices arrive?
- What are your credentials and areas of specialization?
- How is client data protected?
Side Income & Reporting Requirements
The discussion also addresses reporting requirements for small-scale or cash income.
Even if a 1099 is not issued, taxpayers are legally required to report earned income above certain thresholds. Unreported income cannot be used to fund retirement accounts.
Military Families & Oklahoma Residency
Given Lawton’s proximity to Fort Sill, the interview highlights issues affecting:
- Military spouses
- Temporary-duty contractors
- State residency determinations
- Oklahoma filing obligations
Oklahoma offers favorable tax treatment for certain retirement income, including Social Security and some military retirement benefits.
Are Tax Refunds a Good Thing?
A large refund often means the taxpayer over-withheld throughout the year, effectively providing the federal government an interest-free loan.
Some households prefer the forced-savings effect. Others may benefit from adjusting withholding to increase monthly take-home pay.
Why This Matters
Tax strategy is not just about filing — it is about planning.
In Southwest Oklahoma, where households balance military income, education employment, retirement planning, and small business activity, understanding how the tax system works can directly impact financial stability.
This segment moves beyond headlines and into operational understanding — how the system actually functions.
Watch the full interview:
https://youtu.be/b8WMzAtWZrM
Need to contact Kimberly Furrh, CPA / Furrh Accounting (Lawton, OK)?
Website: https://furrhcpa.com/
This discussion is informational and educational in nature. Viewers should consult a qualified tax professional regarding their individual situation.