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09/20/2026

Important Announcement About 2027 Insurance Changes

1. Effective January 1, 2027, Providence hospitals and providers in Oregon and Washington will no longer be in-network for UnitedHealthcare Individual Medicare Advantage plans.

2. Providence is exiting most of its health insurance business beginning in 2027. This includes:
• Their current Medicare Advantage plans
• Their ObamaCare (Individual and Family) plans on the marketplace
If you are currently enrolled in a Providence Medicare Advantage plan or a Providence ObamaCare plan, you will need to choose a new plan for 2027.

We understand that these changes can feel unsettling and create uncertainty.
Please know that we are here to walk alongside you through this difficult time. We can help review your specific situation and work with you to find a suitable solution based on your current coverage and income.

If you are on a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan, a Providence Medicare Advantage plan, or a Providence ObamaCare plan and would like assistance, please feel free to contact us so we can discuss your options.

📞 Office: (503) 207-5583 (please text if it’s after business hours)
📧 Email: [email protected]
📍 12720 SE Stark St, Building H, Portland, OR 97233

We always here to listen and support you.

Sincerely,

01/18/2026

One of the Most Common Tax Questions Parents Ask

After many years working in tax, one of the questions I hear most often is:

“My child is over 18, attending college full-time, and earning about $12,000 per year.
Should my child file taxes as Independent?”

As both a Tax Consultant and a former College Planner, my answer is very clear:

NO.

⸻

❗ A Common FAFSA Misunderstanding

Many parents believe that if their child files taxes as “independent,” then FAFSA will no longer consider the parents’ income when determining financial aid or student loans.

Unfortunately, that is not how FAFSA works.

FAFSA determines whether a student is independent based on federal rules — not tax filing status.

⸻

FAFSA considers a student independent ONLY if the student:
• Is age 24 or older
• Is married
• Has children they support
• Is in the military
• Has been legally emancipated by a
court

If these conditions are not met, FAFSA will automatically classify the student as a dependent student, regardless of how taxes are filed.

👉 Even if the student files their own tax return, FAFSA will still require the parents’ income information.

⸻

⚠️ Why filing as Independent can actually hurt

When a student does not meet FAFSA independence requirements and has low income, filing as independent often causes more harm than benefit:
• Parents lose eligibility for the American
Opportunity Tax Credit (up to $2,500)
• The student usually has little or no tax
liability, so education credits provide
minimal or no benefit
• FAFSA results remain unchanged,
whether the student is claimed or not

📌 Result:
You lose valuable tax benefits — but financial aid does not increase.

⸻

📄 Should the student still file a tax return?

Yes — absolutely.

Students should still file their own tax return to:
• receive any tax refund
• Income is over the standard deduction

However, they should file their own return as a DEPENDENT student.

⸻

💡 What about retirement accounts?

Good news:

FAFSA does not count student retirement accounts, including:
• Roth IRA
• Traditional IRA
• 401(k), 403(b)
• SEP IRA or SIMPLE IRA

Retirement accounts are not considered assets on the FAFSA application.

If parents are separated or divorced — whose income does FAFSA count?

FAFSA counts the income of the parent who provides the MOST financial support,

NOT the parent who claims the child on taxes.

This rule changed starting with the new FAFSA (2024–2025 and later).

⸻

✨ Understanding the difference between tax rules and financial aid rules can save families thousands of dollars each year.

Wishing everyone a smooth tax season and the maximum refund possible.

Mimi Nguyen
Portland Insurance & Tax Services
12720 SE STARK ST
PORTLAND, OR 97233
(503) 207-5583

hings You Need to Know Before Filing Taxes for 2025.As everyone knows, tax year 2025 will have many changes. But not eve...
01/06/2026

hings You Need to Know Before Filing Taxes for 2025.
As everyone knows, tax year 2025 will have many changes. But not everyone knows how to prepare or what they need.
Today, I will guide everyone on how to get all your tax forms without having to call each company individually. How to check if your employer has included tips on your W-2 or not. Where to find overtime (OT) pay?
At the same time, I’ve attached a checklist of the items you need to bring when filing taxes for individuals and businesses:
1. How to know if you have all your tax documents and where to get them without calling each company?
• Go to www.IRS.GOV and create an account for yourself. If it’s for personal taxes, click “Individual”.
• Once you’re in the account, click on “Information Return Documents.” There you will find all the forms that companies have sent you. Usually, they send one copy to you and one copy to the IRS. It’s best to wait until the end of February for everything to be complete. By doing this, you’ll have all the same forms the IRS has. This greatly reduces your chances of being audited.
1. Soon, when you receive your W-2, please look at Box 14. There should be an item called “Tips & OT Premium.” If you don’t see that item but you’re certain you earned tips or OT, you must immediately ask your employer to correct it. If it’s not listed in Box 14, the tax preparer won’t be able to make the adjustment on your return to reduce your taxes. This is a very important step—please pay close attention!
2. I’ve attached a detailed sheet listing everything you need to bring when filing taxes for businesses and individuals. Due to Facebook’s limitations, I can’t attach a PDF or Excel file. If anyone needs it, please send me a message on Messenger or come to Mimi’s office to pick it up.
Wishing everyone a smooth tax season with lots of refunds!
Mimi Nguyen
(503) 207-5583
12720 SE STARK ST
PORTLAND, OR 97233

Address

12720 SE Stark Street Portland, OR 97233
Portland, OR
97213

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+15032075583

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