Stephen Lee, CPA, CPWA® Podcast By Stephen Lee CPA CPWA® cover art

Stephen Lee, CPA, CPWA®

Stephen Lee, CPA, CPWA®

By: Stephen Lee CPA CPWA®
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Hi, I’m Stephen Lee — Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®). On this channel, I share proven strategies to help high earners, business owners, and professionals keep more of what they make, minimize taxes, and build lasting wealth. Whether you’re optimizing your S-Corp, investing smarter, or managing 1099 income, this channel gives you the tools to make confident money moves — backed by real client experience. Subscribe for smart, actionable advice. The information provided on this channel is for general information and entertainment purposes only.Stephen Lee, CPA, CPWA®
Episodes
  • 1.3 Million Americans About to Lose Their Tax Refunds | Weekly FAQ
    Mar 24 2026

    🚨 $1.2 BILLION in Unclaimed IRS Refunds — Don’t Miss the April 15 Deadline 🚨


    Over 1.3 million Americans still haven’t filed their 2022 tax returns — and the IRS is holding $1.2 BILLION in unclaimed refunds.


    If you don’t act by April 15, 2026, your refund becomes property of the U.S. Treasury… permanently.


    In this video, I break down:

    ✔️ Who is at risk of losing their refund

    ✔️ How much money you could be owed (median $686+)

    ✔️ Hidden credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (up to $6,935)

    ✔️ What happens if you haven’t filed recent tax returns

    ✔️ Step-by-step how to still claim your refund


    ⚠️ This is one of the most overlooked IRS deadlines — and it could cost you thousands.


    00:00 Unclaimed Refund Warning

    00:50 Deadline and Refund Amounts

    01:19 EITC and Refund Holds

    02:09 How to File Without Docs

    02:40 Rental Loss vs Depreciation

    03:19 Senior Standard Deduction

    03:45 Car Loan Interest Cutoff

    04:11 Final Deadline Reminder


    Subscribe for more tips and strategies tailored for business owners and high earning professionals.


    On this channel, Stephen Lee shares proven strategies to help high earners, business owners, and professionals keep more of what they make, minimize taxes, and build lasting wealth.


    Whether you’re optimizing your S-Corp, investing smarter, or managing 1099 income, this channel gives you the tools to make confident money moves — backed by real client experience.


    Subscribe for smart, actionable advice — and take control of your financial future.


    The information provided on this channel is for general information and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to serve as legal, financial, or tax advice. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included on this channel without seeking appropriate legal, tax, or other professional advice specific to your individual circumstances. The use or reliance on any information contained on this channel is solely at your own risk.

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    5 mins
  • How to Mail Your Tax Return Safely in 2026: Avoid IRS Pitfalls!
    Mar 4 2026

    Avoid the USPS Postmark Trap: How to Prove Your Tax Return Was Filed On Time


    CPA Stephen Lee explains the “USPS postmark trap” that can make a tax return mailed on April 15 (or March 15) appear late if the postmark is dated after the deadline due to processing delays at regional facilities. Because the IRS system relies on the postmark date, a late postmark can trigger failure-to-file and failure-to-pay penalties, compounding interest, and automated notices. He recommends avoiding blue mailboxes near the deadline and using proof-based options: IRS-approved private carrier services with tracking (and verifying the exact service level is approved), USPS certified or registered mail obtained at the counter with a receipt as legal proof, or best of all, e-filing for an electronic timestamp and acceptance confirmation.


    00:00 Mailbox Deadline Myth

    00:35 Timely Mailed Rule Explained

    01:10 Subscribe and Support

    01:37 The Postmark Lag Trap

    02:14 Penalties and IRS Automation

    02:58 Three Safe Filing Options

    03:10 Use IRS Approved Carriers

    03:56 Certified or Registered Mail

    04:27 E File Gold Standard

    05:04 Key Takeaways and Pro Tips

    05:43 Comments Like and Subscribe

    06:08 Final Reminder and Goodbye


    Subscribe for more tips and strategies tailored for business owners and high earning professionals.


    On this channel, Stephen Lee shares proven strategies to help high earners, business owners, and professionals keep more of what they make, minimize taxes, and build lasting wealth.


    Whether you’re optimizing your S-Corp, investing smarter, or managing 1099 income, this channel gives you the tools to make confident money moves — backed by real client experience.


    Subscribe for smart, actionable advice — and take control of your financial future.


    The information provided on this channel is for general information and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to serve as legal, financial, or tax advice. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included on this channel without seeking appropriate legal, tax, or other professional advice specific to your individual circumstances. The use or reliance on any information contained on this channel is solely at your own risk.

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    7 mins
  • Watch This Before Filing for an Extension
    Mar 21 2026

    How to File a Tax Extension for Form 1040 (2026 Deadlines + 3 Easy Methods)


    CPA Stephen Lee explains how to request an automatic six-month tax extension for a Form 1040 using IRS Form 4868 for the 2026 tax season, covering key deadlines and common mistakes that can trigger IRS penalties. He emphasizes that an extension gives more time to file—not more time to pay—and that unpaid taxes after April 15, 2026 may incur interest and late-payment penalties, with the IRS generally expecting at least 90% paid by the deadline. The video walks through estimating tax liability and completing Form 4868 lines for total tax, payments, balance due, and amount paid with the extension. He details three ways to extend: making an electronic extension payment, e-filing Form 4868, or mailing a paper Form 4868 with proof of mailing, plus special rules for taxpayers abroad and disaster relief.


    00:00 Tax Deadline Stress

    00:31 Extension Basics

    01:12 Deadlines and Payment Rule

    02:06 Estimate What You Owe

    02:52 Three Ways to Extend

    04:22 Special Situations

    05:16 Key Rules and Reminders

    06:03 Three Takeaways

    06:39 Wrap Up and Subscribe


    Subscribe for more tips and strategies tailored for business owners and high earning professionals.


    On this channel, Stephen Lee shares proven strategies to help high earners, business owners, and professionals keep more of what they make, minimize taxes, and build lasting wealth.


    Whether you’re optimizing your S-Corp, investing smarter, or managing 1099 income, this channel gives you the tools to make confident money moves — backed by real client experience.


    Subscribe for smart, actionable advice — and take control of your financial future.


    The information provided on this channel is for general information and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to serve as legal, financial, or tax advice. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included on this channel without seeking appropriate legal, tax, or other professional advice specific to your individual circumstances. The use or reliance on any information contained on this channel is solely at your own risk.

    Show more Show less
    7 mins
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