As with nearly everything else, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected taxpayers and their upcoming obligations with the IRS. A few federal bills have been passed that aim to help U.S. citizens stay financially afloat the next few months, and some parts of those laws affect what is already a busy season for filing taxes. To help clear up some of the confusion surrounding coronavirus and its effect on tax programs, we Read More

While the IRS has promulgated many options for taxpayers to become compliant with their IRS tax and reporting requirements, including Voluntary Disclosure and Streamlined Procedures, another option that may, in certain cases, be a reasonable alternative is “filing quietly” or a “quiet disclosure.”  Although the IRS officially looks down on a quiet disclosure, there are certain instances where it may make sense for a Read More

The IRS relies on taxpayers self-reporting their income, offshore bank accounts, real estate holdings, and other reportable assets. Because taxpayers have a voluntary relationship with the IRS, they can often find a way to get back in the agency’s good graces when they find themselves in non-compliance with some provision of tax law. One way the IRS extends mercy to taxpayers who admit wrongdoing is through Voluntary Read More

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES”) is a recently passed assistance package. INDIVIDUAL PROVISIONS Recovery Rebates (Refundable Tax Credit) – The CARES Act provides direct rebates of up to $1,200 for each qualified adult ($2,400 for married couples) and $500 per child. The full rebate amount is available if you have income at or below $75,000 per adult ($150,000 for married couples), Read More

The good news for taxpayers is that the risk of being audited is historically low. While just over one percent of taxpayers were audited in 2010, that number dipped to 0.45 percent for 2019. Still, a significant number of American taxpayers faced audits last year for a variety of reasons. Some of the causes are outside of their control, but many can be avoided. Below is a list of deductions and other actions taken on Read More

The IRS hasn’t yet extended the deadline to file your taxes, but you do have a lot more time to pay them. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, speaking at a coronavirus news conference Tuesday, said the government is deferring $300 billion in IRS payments by 90 days, penalty-free. “If you owe a payment to the IRS, you can defer up to $1 million as an individual,” Mnuchin said. Businesses can defer up to $10 million in Read More

Every tax season, you take great care to file everything you need to file and report everything you need to report. After you are satisfied you have completed everything truthfully, you finally send your return to the IRS and the task is off your plate – or so you thought. Months later, you get a letter in the mail informing you that your tax burden is several times what you thought you owed. Or, that refund you Read More

When the IRS has determined that you have an outstanding balance, they will sometimes accommodate your situation by offering installment agreements, or payment plans, in order to collect. These payment plans are exactly what they sound like – agreements for you to pay down your tax liability through regular payments. These plans are not for everyone, though; there are eligibility requirements for these payment Read More

Wondering if a certain amount of money that is deposited or withdrawn in one transaction will pique the interest of the IRS or any federal law enforcement agency? The answer is yes, and the magic number here is more than $10,000. Customers of banks or other financial institutions will automatically trigger a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) for transactions that go above this threshold. A report will be sent to the Read More

When the IRS begins pursuing unpaid taxes and imposes penalties on an individual or business, it will not let up easily. There are, however, exceptions filers may use to avoid paying back taxes, interest, and penalties, and one of those ways is by applying for Innocent Spouse Relief. You may be eligible for this form of tax relief if you and your spouse (or ex-spouse) filed a joint tax return.  Four-Part Read More