The desire to steal other people’s money has probably been around since the invention of money. The only thing that’s changed over time has been the lies criminals tell to get that money. Because of the emotional reaction people often have to the IRS, many scammers focus on taxes as a means of tricking their potential victims. Let’s take a look at some of the newer and more common schemes you and other taxpayers are likely to see this tax season.
Continue reading “Tax Scams to Watch Out for and Avoid”Category: IRS appeals
Find resources to help you better understand IRS appeals.
Income Tax Deductions: Itemized Versus Standard
Tax season is well underway. If you haven’t already filed your income tax return for the 2023 tax year, you’re either getting ready to start the process or already in the swing of things. One of the questions you might need to address is whether to take the standard deduction or itemize your tax deductions.
The answer to that question is really easy, at least in theory. You take the deduction that offers you more tax savings. But how do you know which one offers more tax savings? That’s a tougher question and its answer depends on your unique situation. However, if you’re like most taxpayers, you’ll be better off taking the standard deduction. But why is that? We’ll answer that question in this blog post, but before we do, let’s take a quick look at tax deductions.
Continue reading “Income Tax Deductions: Itemized Versus Standard”Seven Strategies for the 2024 Tax Filing Season
The tax season for the 2023 tax year has officially begun and the IRS is now accepting income tax return filings. Whether you prepare and file your returns yourself or hire a professional, here are some tips to file your return as efficiently as possible and gain the biggest financial rewards the tax code allows.
Continue reading “Seven Strategies for the 2024 Tax Filing Season”An Overview of IRS Form 1099
There’s a lot of talk about the tax gap and how there are billions of dollars that taxpayers don’t pay (or pay on time) to the IRS. However, a lot of this tax gap doesn’t come from the typical individual.
Continue reading “An Overview of IRS Form 1099”An Overview of the Gift Tax
There’s a cynical saying that goes something like this: “No good deed goes unpunished.” If you’re not familiar with it, it means that people who act kindly will often get punished for their acts of kindness. Whether this is true may be up for debate. What’s not up to debate is that subject to certain conditions, the IRS will gladly tax anyone for the gifts they give.
Continue reading “An Overview of the Gift Tax”An Overview of IRS and California Energy Tax Credits
Whether motivated by economic and/or environmental reasons, state and federal governments often offer financial incentives to individuals and businesses to utilize clean energy. One of the biggest monetary tools for promoting clean energy is through the use of energy tax credits.
Continue reading “An Overview of IRS and California Energy Tax Credits”The Child and Dependent Care Credit: What You Need to Know if You’re a Parent
If you’re a parent who regularly files income tax returns to the IRS, you’re probably already aware (and taking advantage of) the Child Tax Credit. But did you know there’s another tax credit you might be able to take advantage of if you’re a parent?
Continue reading “The Child and Dependent Care Credit: What You Need to Know if You’re a Parent”An Overview of IRS Tax Penalties
Getting in trouble with the IRS is not a fun experience. If you’re lucky, the only thing you’ll lose is your time (and maybe a little sanity). If you’re unlucky, you might have to pay some hefty monetary penalties to the IRS for unpaid taxes. In this blog post, we’ll examine why you might have to pay a penalty to the IRS. We’ll also look at ways to avoid having to pay tax penalties.
Continue reading “An Overview of IRS Tax Penalties”TIN Versus EIN – All About Tax ID Numbers
When you file a return with the IRS, you have to include more than just your name. You also need to include a Taxpayer Identification Number, or TIN. But many of you reading this right now are probably thinking, “I usually just put my Social Security number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN), so what’s a TIN?”
Continue reading “TIN Versus EIN – All About Tax ID Numbers”Should I File an Amended IRS Tax Return?
The vast majority of taxpayers try to file an accurate tax return with the IRS. But sometimes, they realize they made a mistake in the tax filing. In other situations, circumstances change, so the previously filed return is no longer correct.
Continue reading “Should I File an Amended IRS Tax Return?”