Tax Problems – Tax Problem Resolution

When tax problems occur, it can be difficult to hide from the IRS. Being familiar with these tax problems allow you to recognize them as soon as they occur. Whether you are an individual or a business entity, make sure that you are aware of these common problems regarding taxes.
Payroll [...]

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Table 16.  Delinquent Collection Activities, Fiscal Years 2005-2008

[Money amounts are in thousands of dollars.]

Activity

2005

2006

2007

2008

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Returns filed with additional tax due:

Total amount collected [1]

[r] 27,615,348   

[r] 29,172,915   

[r] 31,952,399   

28,465,648   

Taxpayer delinquent accounts (thousands):

Number in beginning inventory

5,981   

6,478   

7,074   

8,240   

Number of new accounts

5,870   

6,100   

7,146   

7,099   

Number of accounts closed

5,373   

5,504   

5,980   

6,107   

Ending inventory:

Number

6,478   

7,074    [...]

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IRS Back Taxes
Mike Habib, EA
You incur IRS back taxes when you haven’t been filing your income tax returns religiously every year. Tax season can be a stressful time and there are a lot of people who tend to overlook the deadlines so they find themselves having to rush to make it in time. For those [...]

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IRS has a check for you

Mike Habib, EA Tax Relief & Tax Problem Resolution

IR-2009-16, March 3, 2009

WASHINGTON — Unclaimed refunds totaling approximately $1.3 billion are awaiting over a million people who did not file a federal income tax return for 2005, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. However, to collect the money, [...]

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Widow entitled to equitable spousal relief for some years

Martinez, TC Memo 2008-165
Mike Habib, EA Tax Relief & Tax Problem Resolution

The Tax Court held that a widow was entitled to equitable spousal relief for two of four tax years even though she had knowledge of her and her husband’s tax liabilities, because she took [...]

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Newly revised 2008 Form 5405, First-Time Homebuyer Credit, reflects Recovery Act IR 2009-14
Mike Habib, EA Tax Relief & Tax Problem Resolution
In a news release issued on Feb. 25, 2009, IRS has announced that it has posted a revised version of the 2008 Form 5405, First-Time Homebuyer Credit, to reflect recent improvements to the [...]

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Enhanced first-time homebuyer credit in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Mike Habib, EA Tax Relief & Tax Problem Resolution

In hopes of spurring the housing industry, the recently enacted “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” (the 2009 economic stimulus act) includes an enhanced tax credit for first-time homebuyers. Here are the [...]

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“Making Work Pay” tax credit in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Mike Habib, EA Tax Relief & Tax Problem Resolution

The recently enacted “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” (the 2009 economic stimulus act) contains a wide-ranging tax package that includes tax relief for low and moderate-income wage earners, individuals and families [...]

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IRS urged to issue pre-April 15 guidance for Madoff victims

An influential voice in politics, former New York State Governor George Pataki, has asked IRS to issue pre-Apr. 15 guidance for victims of the Ponzi scheme alleged to have been perpetrated by dealer and advisor Bernard Madoff and his firm. Separately, members of the Senate Banking [...]

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While the new law tax changes in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 were the most significant developments in the final quarter of 2008, many other tax developments may affect you, your family, and your livelihood. These other key developments in the final quarter of 2008 are summarized below. Please call us for [...]

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As you start to organize your records for your 2009 tax preparation, I thought you might find this brief rundown of 2009 tax changes useful.
* ADOPTION TAX CREDIT increases to $12,150 for adoption
of an eligible child.
* SECTION 179 maximum deduction decreases to $133,000.
Phase-out threshold is $530,000. (It is generally
expected that a stimulus law in early [...]

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No More Tax Problems in 2009

Mike Habib, EA

Here is a New Year resolution you can’t afford to ignore… No more tax problems!! Yes, you can get rid of your tax problems in 2009.

You can solve your tax problems and get tax relief through our tax resolution services. You can finally get a [...]

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IRS tips for year-end charitable contributions IR 2008-138
Mike Habib, EA
IRS reminds individuals and businesses making contributions to charity that they should keep in mind several important tax law provisions that have taken effect in recent years. One provision offers older owners of individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) a different way to give to charity. [...]

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IRS boosts 2008 housing cost allowances for those working abroad in high-cost areas Notice 2008-107, 2008-50 IRB
Mike Habib, EA
A new Notice effectively increases the maximum housing cost exclusion for U.S. citizens and residents working abroad in specified high-cost locations. The increases are based on geographic differences in foreign housing costs relative to U.S. [...]

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Year-end tax planning client letter with checklist
As the end of the year approaches, it is a good time to think of planning moves that will help lower your tax bill this year and possibly the next. Factors that compound the challenge include the stock market’s swoon, the difficult economic climate we’re in right now, [...]

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How businesses are affected by tax changes in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
As I’m sure you’re aware, on Oct. 3, 2008, the President signed into law the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-343). Although virtually all of the press coverage of this law has concentrated on its hotly debated $700 [...]

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Once is enough as far as collection of the trust fund recovery penalty is concerned Chief Counsel Advice 200838027

The IRS has issued a new Chief Counsel Advice (CCA) on the trust fund recovery penalty. The IRS notes that the CCA may not be used or cited as precedent.
IRC §6672, imposes a penalty on [...]

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Year end planning moves that optimize enhanced election to expense business property

Thanks to the Stimulus Act of 2008, most small businesses, and even moderate-sized businesses that don’t have huge capital equipment needs, may be able to claim a full Code Sec. 179 expensing deduction for the cost of business machinery and equipment purchased [...]

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Do you have back tax returns that are Unfiled? Are you missing the records and forms necessary to file your tax returns?
The IRS will not allow you to file an offer in compromise or get an installment agreement if you are not current on filing your back tax returns.
If you have a refund coming to you and you file more than 3 years past the due date, the IRS will keep the refund.

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IRS discusses easing of cell phone recordkeeping requirements [Information Letter 2008-0012]:
The IRS has issued an information letter in response to a question regarding the noted difficultly that states and localities are having drafting cell phone policies that comply with IRS recordkeeping requirements.
Under IRC §162(a), individuals may take deductions for all ordinary and necessary [...]

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House Subcommittee Passes IRS Funding Bill

The House Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee this week passed a bill that would appropriate $11.4 billion to IRS for FY 2009.

The bill would grant IRS budget authority to spend $5.1 billion on enforcement, $2.2 on taxpayer services, and $3.8 billion on operations.

The total is about $40 million more than the [...]

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Business standard mileage rate increases for last half of 2008 – other rates also rise Mike Habib, EA
IRS has announced that the optional mileage allowance for owned or leased autos (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) will increase 8¢ from 50.5¢ to 58.5¢ per mile for business travel from July 1, 2008 to Dec. [...]

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IRS may prepare substitute returns in worker classification cases Chief Counsel Advice 200822026
A Chief Counsel Advice (CCA) has concluded that, in employment tax cases where worker classification issues are present, revenue officers have authority under Code Sec. 6020(b) to prepare employment tax returns, but the requirements of Code Sec. 7436 must be [...]

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Tax relief for Peace Corps volunteers and employees in the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008
The recently enacted “Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008” (the 2008 Heroes Act) contains a wide-ranging package of tax cuts for military personnel and veterans. In addition, a provision in the 2008 Heroes Act [...]

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Tax Problem Solver – Why You Need Professional Help
Tax problems come in different forms; IRS tax problems, State tax problems, and Sales tax problems. Tax authorities are constantly increasing their tax enforcement efforts through tax collection and tax audit.
When taxpayers receive the dreaded tax notice that their tax return or their business is going [...]

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You missed the tax deadline April 15th, so now what?

Mike Habib, EA
myIRSTaxRelief.com
Although the IRS has received a record number of returns this year, there are still thousands of people who did not file tax returns on April 15th. The reasons for this are numerous, but the IRS research shows that often people do not [...]

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Memo explains how state property tax credits are taxed and reported – Chief Counsel Advice 200814022
Mike Habib, EA
myIRSTaxRelief.com
In Chief Counsel Advice, IRS has explained the proper federal income tax treatment of certain state property tax credits and the extent to which the state must provide information reports about the credits to IRS [...]

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Avoiding IRS Tax Penalties and the Tax Gap
Mike Habib, EA
myIRSTaxRelief.com

IRS — The Internal Revenue Code imposes many different kinds of penalties, ranging from civil fines to imprisonment for criminal tax evasion.
If you do not file your return and pay your tax by the due date, you may have to pay a penalty. You may also [...]

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New, changed and expired provisions affect 2008 individual estimated tax Mike Habib, EAMyIRSTaxRelief.com
Apr. 15, 2008 is the due date for affected calendar year taxpayers to make their first installment of 2008 estimated tax. There aren’t any drastic changes in the estimated tax rules themselves for 2008. However, there are a number of new, changed [...]

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Truckers Tax Relief – Are you a truck driver with tax problems?
If you’re a truck driver and owe the IRS, you’re better off resolving your tax debt now. As you know, tax problems do not go away by themselves! Stop your IRS wage garnishment today, stop your IRS bank levy today, and release your [...]

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Tax breaks for qualifying relatives are limited – what you should knowInternal Legal Memorandum 200812024
Mike Habib, EAmyIRSTaxRelief.com
An Internal Legal Memorandum (ILM) explains that various tax breaks are not allowed for qualifying relatives. Specifically, the ILM concludes that, apart from a dependency exemption, a taxpayer’s qualifying relative may not qualify him for the [...]

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IRS Has $1.2 Billion for People Who Have Not Filed a 2004 Tax Return
Mike Habib, EA
MyIRSTaxRelief.com
IRS-2008-46, March 19, 2008
IRS WASHINGTON — Unclaimed refunds totaling approximately $1.2 billion are awaiting about 1.3 million people who failed to file a federal income tax return for 2004, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. However, to collect the [...]

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Did you know that forgiven credit card debt triggered taxable income
Mike Habib, EAmyIRSTaxRelief.com
A new Tax Court case illustrates how a taxpayer generally has taxable income when a credit card company agrees to accept a reduced payment in settlement of his or her account.
Background. A solvent debtor usually realizes income from the discharge [...]

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“Makeup” required minimum distributions salvage lifetime payouts to nonspouse IRA beneficiaryMike Habib, EAmyIRSTaxRelief.comA private letter ruling allows the nonspouse beneficiary of an IRA to salvage lifetime payouts even though she failed an essential rule requiring distributions to begin by the end of the year following the year of the IRA owner’s death. She made up [...]

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If you owe the IRS, you’re better off resolving your tax debt now. As you know, tax problems do not go away by themselves! Stop IRS wage garnishment today, stop IRS bank levy today, and release IRS tax lien today.
As you can see from the statement below by Mr. Douglas H. Shulman, [...]

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IRS unveils 2008 list of notorious tax scams – the “Dirty Dozen”
Mike Habib, EA
myIRSTaxRelief.com
IRS has recently unveiled its latest list of notorious tax scams, which it calls the “Dirty Dozen,” highlighted by Internet phishing scams and several frivolous tax arguments. New to the “Dirty Dozen” this year is a scheme, which IRS auditors discovered, that [...]

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IRS website provides guidance on S corporation election problems Filing Requirements for Filing Status Change, on IRS website
Mike Habib, EAmyIRSTaxRelief.com
In a recent posting on its website, IRS explains the steps to be taken and forms to be filed by taxpayers requesting to change their filing status from a C Corporation (filing Form 1120) to [...]

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Starting March 2008, casinos and other sponsors of poker tournaments will be required to report most winnings to winners and the Internal Revenue Service, according to the IRS.
Mike Habib, EAmyIRSTaxRelief.com
The new requirement, which went into effect on March 4, 2008, was contained in guidance released Sept. 4 by the Treasury Department and the IRS. The [...]

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Help Yourself by Filing Past-Due Tax Returns
Mike Habib, EAmyIRSTaxRelief.com
Most citizens voluntarily file their tax returns and pay their taxes. Most people explain it by saying they want to pay their fair share. Others file to get a refund, claim a credit or avoid breaking the law.
There are times when normally law-abiding citizens fail to file. [...]

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Reconstructing Your Records
Mike Habib, EA
Reconstructing records after a disaster may be essential for tax purposes, getting federal assistance or insurance reimbursement. Records that you need to prove your loss may have been damaged or destroyed in a casualty. While it may not be easy, reconstructing your records may be essential for:
* Tax [...]

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Direct from the IRS
Mike Habib, EA
Is an Offer in Compromise Right for You?
Should the IRS determine that a taxpayer is unable to pay the liability in a lump sum or through an installment agreement and has exhausted the search for other payment arrangements the last option would be to file an Offer in Compromise (OIC).
An [...]

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Want to stop a wage levy or a bank levy? Read on….
Mike Habib, EA
If you have not noticed, the IRS is getting more aggressive in their collection, and audit activities. Enforcement actions is at its highest level for years now!
Here is the scoop directly from the IRS
Fiscal Year 2007 Enforcement and Services Results
The IRS continues [...]

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In an effort to stimulate the economy, the recently-enacted Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 requires the U.S. Treasury to send rebate checks to eligible individuals.
Who qualifies for rebates, how they are calculated, and what, if anything extra, needs to be done to get one.
You’ve probably heard that the government is going to be sending [...]

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Final substitute return regs adopt temporary and proposed regs with one minor changeT.D. 9380, 2/12/2008; Reg. § 301.6020-1
Mike Habib, EA
In 2005, IRS issued temporary (also issued as proposed regs) that broadened the scope of when IRS-prepared substitute returns (SFR) are valid. Specifically, the temporary regs provide that a document or set of documents (including a [...]

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S corporations tax challenges by the IRS and other taxing authorities
Tax Advocate’s Report highlights S corporation issues
Despite the fact that Subchapter S corporations are the most common corporate entity (over three million S corporations filing returns in fiscal year 2006), the National Taxpayer Advocate’s 2007 Annual Report notes that IRS is still struggling to develop [...]

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What’s New: IRS has $110 million in undeliverable refunds

Are you still waiting for your tax refund? If so, you may be one of the 115,478 taxpayers to whom the IRS has been unable to deliver a refund check. The refunds total about $110 million.
Every year there are taxpayers who don’t update the IRS or [...]

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Mortgage Tax Debt Relief, AMT Relief – why you need professional tax advice

AMT relief. In general terms, to find out if you owe alternative minimum tax (AMT), you start with regular taxable income, modify it with various adjustments and preferences (such as add-backs for property and income tax deductions and dependency exemptions), and then subtract [...]

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I thought you might find this list of tax provisionsexpiring 12/31/07 helpful as you do year-end taxplanning.
TAX PROVISIONS EXPIRING 12/31/07
* Deduction of up to $2,000 or $4,000 (depending on income) for college tuition.
* Option to deduct state and local sales tax instead of state income tax.
* Election to include combat pay as earned income for [...]

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As you prepare for the upcoming tax year, I thought youmight find this brief rundown of 2008 tax changes useful.
* ADOPTION TAX CREDIT increases to $11,650 for adoption of an eligible child.
* SECTION 179 maximum deduction increases to $128,000. Phase-out threshold increases to $510,000.
* STANDARD MILEAGE RATE for business driving increases to 50.5¢ a mile. [...]

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On December 26, 2007, President Bush signed the “TaxIncrease Prevention Act of 2007,” providing a one-year“patch” to the alternative minimum tax (AMT).
Without this legislation, an estimated 25 milliontaxpayers would have had to pay an average of $2,000in additional taxes for 2007.
The new law increases the 2007 AMT exemption amount to$66,250 for joint filers, to $33,125 [...]

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