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Preventing & Recovering from Tax Identity Theft “I wish someone would intercept my big tax refund,” said no one ever. But when tax identity theft enters the scene, that’s exactly
May 18, 2018
Three Steps to Address an IRS Notice CP14 Unfortunately, filing your tax return isn’t always your only contact with the IRS for the year. If the federal tax agency finds
May 8, 2018
An estimated 80 percent of Americans will get a tax refund this year. But where is yours? The IRS typically issues your tax refund within 21 days of filing your return. There may
May 1, 2018
Tax Day is finally over, but that doesn’t mean you’re completely off the hook from any tax return mistakes. Even if you swore your tax return was perfect, it can
April 25, 2018
The IRS has called for backup from the private sector, and these four companies could be coming after your tax debt in lieu of the IRS. Here’s what you need to know to stay informed, lawful and safe.
April 19, 2018
Tax Day isn’t anyone’s favorite holiday. Whether you own a corporation or started your first part-time job last year, the April deadline is stressful for the entire U.S. population. But
April 12, 2018
If you haven’t figured it out from every U.S. adult sweating profusely over their W-2s, receipts, and calculators, April 17 is Tax Day this year. But what does it take
April 4, 2018
No matter where you live in the U.S., you have to pay taxes (sorry). But the type and amount you pay do depend on where you live. Now, taxpayers in
March 27, 2018
Tax season is (quickly) coming to a close – have you filed yet? Taxpayers have until April 17, 2018 to file their tax return, but waiting until the last minute
March 16, 2018
Across the country, CPAs are crunching (and crunching, and crunching) numbers to assess how their clients can benefit from the new tax reform law. And for business owners, becoming a
March 12, 2018
If you’re a business owner, you know taxes are a part of the gig. And for S Corporations and Partnerships, the spring tax deadline is even earlier than for most
March 1, 2018
It’s tax season. Did you just shiver? Filing tax returns on your own can be – to put it lightly – a nightmare. Luckily, you can hire a tax
February 8, 2018
You Don’t Want to Miss Tax Forms Like most Americans this time of year, you’re probably camped out by the mailbox waiting for your W-2 to come. Ok, maybe that’s
February 1, 2018
Cryptocurrency investments, such as Bitcoin, are on the rise. You see it on the news and in your digital feeds. The IRS sees this money as taxable and is
December 21, 2017
When you apply for a payment plan, including certain types of Installment Agreements, Offer in Compromise, or Currently Not Collectible status, the IRS asks you for a financial statement, Form
December 15, 2017
The end of the year is the appropriate time to make financial adjustments to lower your tax bill for the year. Making adjustments in income can make a greater difference
December 9, 2017
Whether it is paying your current taxes or handling back taxes, the IRS provides various payment options. Even though electronic payment transfers are becoming popular, you may choose the method
December 2, 2017
Taxes have a long and storied history in the United States. In fact, the taxes levied by the British Empire on the American colonies were at the heart of the
November 17, 2017
What is an IRS Notice of Deficiency (CP3219A)? An IRS Notice of Deficiency, or Notice CP3219A, lets you know that the information you reported on your tax return is different
November 10, 2017
Even the IRS can be forgiving. Learn about the circumstances in which taxpayers can have their tax debt partially forgiven.
November 4, 2017
The White House is saying “snip, snip” to the IRS’s budget this year, but not for the first time. The agency’s allowance has been cut by 20 percent in just seven years, even though it collects $4 for every $1 spent. The cuts will affect taxpayers these six ways.
September 20, 2017
If you owe the IRS and don’t know where to start, then you’re one of over 8 million Americans who are in the same boat. And while many financial pros can claim to help, selecting one isn’t the same as choosing a candy bar at the grocery checkout line.
July 11, 2017
With summertime in full swing, you may be considering some much-needed time away from home. Whatever your travel plans, you might want to consider whether or not you’ll be able
July 7, 2016
You probably take for granted just how much time you spend in your car every week. What you do notice is the cost you incur for fuel, general maintenance and ill-timed auto
July 5, 2016
It’s critical to determine how your taxes – and any existing problems – can upset your postmortem financial blueprint.
June 30, 2016
While the IRS cannot call up your employer and tell them you owe back taxes, tax debt can have serious consequences on your employment. Tax Defense Network explains how tax debt can affect your job.
June 16, 2016
Taxpayers who earn income which requires them to estimate and pay their taxes will be required to perform their quarterly task on June 15th. This deadline must be met in
June 14, 2016
If you owe back taxes, the IRS does not report the debt to credit agencies. In other words, your credit report does not show any balance due for taxes. However,
June 9, 2016
A new tax scam targeting students has been quickly gaining momentum. Scammers are making calls to demand payment of a non-existent tax, which they call the “federal student tax”. No
June 7, 2016
Taxpayers that owe back taxes receive an IRS notice regarding payment. This notice includes the amount owed, the due date for payment, IRS penalties and interest, and basic instructions on
June 2, 2016
The IRS sends CP523 Notice to inform taxpayers that they have defaulted on their Installment Agreement. Non-payment of the monthly payment will lead to termination of the agreement. Upon termination
May 31, 2016
Taxpayers receive Notice CP501/CP502 when they owe taxes to the IRS. Usually, incorrect deductions or credits, or excluding certain income on a return can lead to a tax debt. The
May 26, 2016
Notice CP90 is received when a taxpayer owes back taxes, and did not respond to earlier IRS notices regarding payment. This is the final notice a taxpayer receives regarding payment
May 24, 2016
Notice CP3219 is also known as the “90 day letter”, or the statutory notice of deficiency. Taxpayers receive this notice when the IRS has determined that they owe taxes. Taxpayers
May 19, 2016
Taxpayers receive notice CP-2000 if they do not report income on their return that was reported to the IRS by a payer. Also, if the IRS believes that payments, credits
May 17, 2016
The IRS sends Notice CP59 when a taxpayer does not file his or her tax return. If you were required to file and you did not file your return, you
May 10, 2016
It’s National Teacher’s Day today! In recognition of teachers and their work, here are some deductions for educators that can help save tax dollars. The biggest tax deduction available to
May 3, 2016
Spring cleaning and discovering piles of used household items can help save you tax dollars. By donating used clothing, electrical appliances, jewelry, vehicles, etc. to charitable organizations, you can get
April 28, 2016
Keeping all your tax documents forever can lead to clutter and confusion. In the interest of making tax filing simple every year, it’s good to know which tax records to
April 26, 2016
Saving the environment sometimes has the added benefit of paying less in taxes. Individuals and businesses purchasing or using energy-efficient systems may be able to reduce their tax liability. Here
April 21, 2016
The tax-filing season is over in most states, except in Maine and Massachusetts. Taxpayers that could not pay their tax bill have various options to avoid or reduce penalties and
April 19, 2016
Mistakes on a tax return can lead to needing to file an amended return and a delay for your refund. The last-minute rush often causes taxpayers to create basic errors
April 14, 2016
Individuals and businesses can reduce their tax liability by claiming tax deductions on their return. If you are doing last-minute return preparation, you can consider claiming these tax deductions: Individual
April 12, 2016
The IRS has issued a warning against the most dangerous and widespread tax scam that taxpayers may encounter: the IRS phone scam. Over 5,000 victims have paid over $26.5 million
April 7, 2016
When Internet fraudsters impersonate legitimate business to attempt to steal your personal information, it is called phishing. They use fake emails, websites and text messages to carry out phishing. The
April 5, 2016
There are less than three weeks remaining in the 2016 tax-filing season. Taxpayers that cannot file their tax return by the April 18 deadline or are missing tax forms can
March 31, 2016
Those that bought health insurance from the Marketplace may need to determine if they are required to make shared responsibility payments or are eligible for an additional premium tax credit.
March 29, 2016
Schedule K-1 (Form 1065, Partner’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc.) is filed by partnerships to report to the IRS their share of income, deductions, credits, etc. received from the
March 24, 2016
Many taxpayers do not receive income solely from wages; income may also come from investments and interest. If taxpayers receive income from interest, dividends or capital gain distributions, they should
March 22, 2016
Gambling income, including winnings in a jackpot, race, raffle or contest are considered taxable income and must be reported on your tax return. If you win a car or other
March 17, 2016
Any asset in a foreign financial institution that exceeds a certain amount needs to be reported to the IRS. Failure to report can lead to a heavy penalty and/or imprisonment.
March 15, 2016
If the only income you received last year was your social security benefits, you may not be required to pay taxes on them or file a tax return. However, if
March 8, 2016
If you are a business and accept payments online, you will receive Form 1099-K, Payment Card and Third Party Network Transactions from credit card or third party processors. 1099-K is
March 3, 2016
Form 1099-C is used to report cancellation of debt if the cancelled debt amount is $600 or more. The lender is required to file form 1099-C to the IRS to
March 1, 2016
Taxpayers have until April 18, 2016 to file their tax return, but delaying the process can create problems. Even when complying with tax laws, having less time to prepare and
February 25, 2016
Qualifying taxpayers can get free return preparation help with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites across the country. These sites have IRS-certified volunteers
February 23, 2016
Hiring a return preparer sometimes becomes necessary when taxes are more complicated than simple calculations. A professional with knowledge of the tax code and tax breaks can help save you
February 18, 2016
Preparing a tax return using software is affordable, compared to hiring a return preparer. Even still, return filers need to know how dependable software is and which ones they can
February 16, 2016
A large number of taxpayers still prefer to file paper tax returns. For those who are not computer savvy, paper filing is preferable to electronic filing. If you are more
February 11, 2016
The IRS offers free tax return preparation for those earning less than $62,000. Filers who are employees, employers or self-employed can choose from 13 brand-name software programs to prepare their
February 9, 2016
The simplest way to prepare and file a tax return for free, download tax forms, check refund status, and more is to use the IRS website. The IRS encourages taxpayers
February 4, 2016
Even if you earned income in 2015, you might not need to prepare a tax return this filing season. Generally, if your total yearly income is below your standard deduction
February 2, 2016
Filing tax returns electronically is fast and secure, and generally makes the processing of your return faster. There are a variety of ways to file your return electronically. Individual taxpayers
January 21, 2016
Al Capone was a famous gangster who was charged with the most severe tax crime: tax evasion. After he was imprisoned for just nine months for carrying a concealed weapon
January 7, 2016
Preparing your tax and financial records for 2015 will help you to keep track of your income, expenditures, savings and taxes. These four elements are vital in measuring monetary growth.
December 31, 2015
Tax season begins on January 19, 2016. Filing your tax return early in the season can help you to avoid falling victim to identity theft. It also means getting your
December 29, 2015
If you have a 529 plan, you may consider using a Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA) as well. It supports a 529 perfectly and helps you to save more for
December 24, 2015
Paying too much or too little in taxes calls for a review of your withholding. If you paid too much in taxes, you essentially gave an interest-free loan to the
December 22, 2015
You are no doubt used to taking either the standard deduction or itemized deduction when you file taxes. If there was no major change in your financial situation in 2015,
December 17, 2015
If you received a big tax refund last year, you might be withholding more than you are required to. Excess withholdings mean that you are essentially providing an interest-free loan
December 15, 2015
A capital loss is incurred when you sell an asset for less value than its purchase price. Capital losses are bad for your finances, but they can be good for
December 10, 2015
Saving for the future has several benefits. You pay less in taxes, ensure your retirement years are secure and qualify for tax breaks. The simplest way to realize the full
December 8, 2015
Any taxpayer that donates to a qualified charity can reduce his or her tax bill. Regardless of the amount or the number of items donated, deductions for charitable contributions can
December 3, 2015
The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS that provides free assistance to taxpayers in resolving tax problems. The TAS can be beneficial to both individual
November 27, 2015
The Treasury of Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) was established to provide independent oversight of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) activities. Since 1999, the year of its inception, TIGTA has
November 24, 2015
IRS penalties can be forgiven under certain situations. If an IRS officer or employee provides erroneous written advice to a taxpayer, then the IRS will abate the penalty. Also, a
November 19, 2015
The IRS relaxed many qualifying restrictions under its Fresh Start program to make it easier for individuals to resolve their back taxes. Taxpayers can now avoid IRS collection actions, such
November 17, 2015
The IRS accepts partial payments in installments if a taxpayer is financially incapable of making the full payment of tax debt. These payments are made under the payment plan called
November 12, 2015
The statute of limitations for a tax debt is the time period of ten years the IRS gets to collect back taxes. If the IRS is unable to collect any
November 10, 2015
The IRS adopted the Taxpayer Bill of Rights as proposed by Nina Olson, the National Taxpayer Advocate, after it was determined that many taxpayers were unaware of their rights before
November 5, 2015
To make it easier for taxpayers to file, report, and make inquiries, the IRS offers various online services such as Where’s My Refund?, Online Payment, and Withholding Calculator. These services
November 3, 2015
The IRS can be scary when they take a closer look at your tax returns and finances to find mistakes and discrepancies. IRS audits can be upsetting even if you
October 29, 2015
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) was enacted in 2010 to combat tax evasion by U.S. persons holding unaccounted income in offshore accounts. The aggressive implementation of FATCA by
October 27, 2015
The IRS initiates collection action when taxes are not paid on time or paid in full. The financial condition of the taxpayer does not initially factor in to this process.
October 22, 2015
Federal tax liens are more damaging than other liens because the IRS is not required to file a lawsuit against the taxpayer beforehand. If they have sent sufficient notices to
October 20, 2015
Civil asset forfeiture is the legal process by which law enforcement agemts, including IRS officers, can seize assets (cash, car, home, etc.) from a person suspected of carrying out an
October 15, 2015
Maybe the only attractive aspect of tax season is receiving a refund. But when the amount received is only a portion of the original refund amount, or is not received
October 13, 2015
An SFR is a Substitute for Return – a Form 1040. It is a tax return that the IRS files on the behalf of a taxpayer that failed to file
October 8, 2015
The IRS charges a variety of penalties for different kinds of non-compliances. They typically will charge either a civil penalty or criminal penalty, depending upon the infraction. A civil penalty
October 6, 2015
Revenue officers are highly skilled employees of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) who are responsible for collecting back taxes and resolving tax debt cases. Their duties may vary depending on
October 1, 2015
Among the logistical responsibilities that come with closing a business, some important tax-related steps need to be taken. Specifically you need to report the closure to the IRS, file the
September 29, 2015
Calculating and collecting sales tax is one of the most difficult parts of running a small business. The U.S. has no federal sales tax that applies to all the states.
September 24, 2015
All businesses are required to deduct payroll taxes from their employees’ paycheck and deposit them to the IRS. Mistakes made with tax duties can lead to an audit, tax debt,
September 22, 2015
If you deduct personal expenses as business expenses, the IRS may conduct an audit; and ask you to remove the incorrect deductions and pay the balance. Generally, you cannot deduct
September 17, 2015
There are few chances that you get caught in the Tax Audit. Still, you should care of the following points from IRS to steer clear of a tax audit process.
September 17, 2015
If your income is not subject to withholding, you may need to pay estimated taxes. Usually, corporations and those who are self-employed pay estimated payments because they have no one
September 15, 2015
Foreclosure is a procedure which entails a mortgaged property being sold by the lender after a borrower defaults on payments. If the selling of the property does not satisfy the
September 10, 2015
If you are a seller on eBay, Amazon or other online retail platforms, you need to pay income tax on profits from sales if they surpass a certain threshold. Beginning
September 3, 2015
“Are my retirement savings taxed?” is a question many retirement account holders ask. Usually, your retirement savings are not taxed until you retire and start taking distributions. In fact, to
September 1, 2015
When you receive proceeds from a legal settlement, you may not need to pay certain taxes, depending upon the circumstances. Here are some points to consider following your settlement: Personal
August 27, 2015