The IRS gathers quite a bit of information about taxpayers. This includes those who have unpaid tax debts and those who the IRS suspects may owe additional taxes. The IRS has the ability to contact third parties in gathering this information. There are rules that must be followed in doing so. When do the Rules……
Category: Tax
Can I Get Interest on Unpaid Taxes Removed?
The IRS charges interest on unpaid tax, penalties, and interest. This interest can add up as time passes and the amount can be substantial. The IRS will abate or remove interest balances in certain circumstances, but it is up to the taxpayer to make this request. Even experienced tax professionals often forget about this remedy.……
Can I Correct a Tax Return Filed Several Years Ago?
We are often asked if an error on a prior year tax return can be corrected if it results in an increased tax in the current year. The answer is “maybe.” There are two issues that have to be considered, namely, whether (1) there is still time to correct the prior year tax return and,……
Have a Foreign Bank Account? What You Need to Know
There are many advantages of having a foreign bank account, such as convenience, hedging against currency risk, etc. For U.S. persons, those advantages have to be weighed against the reporting requirements. Our laws require most foreign bank accounts be reported. There can be stiff civil and criminal penalties for failing to do so. The Foreign……
U.S. Foreign Tax Credit Not Impacted by Repayment of Foreign Tax Refund
The tax assessment and collection process in most foreign countries is markedly different than the process in the U.S. These differences can present a number of challenges for U.S. citizens who reside in foreign countries. In Sotiropoulos v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2017-75, the court considered one of these challenges, namely, how does one determine whether…
Court Considers Economic Substance in S Corp Transactions
The IRS challenges some tax positions by asserting that the transactions lack economic substance. This can allow the government to unwind or ignore transactions that comply with our tax laws if there is no legitimate business purpose for the transactions other than tax savings. There is a growing body of court cases that helps define…
Am I Required to File a Tax Return?
It can take a considerable amount of time to actually prepare and file a tax return. The IRS puts the time and cost at 13 hours and $210 dollars for the average income tax return. The numbers jump to 22 hours and $430 for the average business income tax return. Luckily, many taxpayers are not……
8 Things About the IRS Offer in Compromise
An offer in compromise is a legal agreement between you and the IRS that settles your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. It provides you with a path for paying off your tax debt and getting a “fresh start.” If you have unpaid tax debts, here are eight things you need……
Eight Things You Need to Know About the IRS Offer in Compromise Program
An offer in compromise is a legal agreement between you and the IRS that settles your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. It provides you with a path for paying off your tax debt and getting a “fresh start.” If you have unpaid tax debts, here are eight things you need…Continue…
Tips For Finding the Right Tax Firm
There are quite a few tax firms out there. It can be hard to tell one from another. While there are a number of factors to consider when hiring a tax firm, here are several tips on how to whittle down the list. Identify what you need from a tax firm. Do you need tax……