Most people don’t know that the IRS stops trying to collect on tax debt after 10 years. This 10-year statute of limitations can be valuable to people who owe back taxes from several years ago. Read more >>
May 13, 2017
IRS Tax Debt Ten-Year Clock
IRS
IRS Private Letter Rulings
Sometimes a taxpayer makes a seemingly minor technical mistake on his return that ends up with large consequences down the line. Shocking, yes, but it’s been known to occur. Read more >>
May 2, 2017
Fewer Tax Audits by IRS
I attended the USC Tax Institute, a gathering of tax geeks in downtown Los Angeles, last month. Among the more accessible topics was a presentation on tax audits given by Ted Meyer, a former territory manager for IRS auditors. Read more >>
February 18, 2016
Ministers, “Love Gifts” & Income Taxation
Churches and ministers receive many tax breaks: churches do not need to withhold social security taxes from their ministers’ pay; churches receive income tax-free; and ministers do not pay tax on the cash value of church-provided housing. But receiving a tax-free salary is not one of the breaks ministers receive. Read more >>
February 14, 2016
Tax Season is Phishing & Scam Season
I recently received an email — purportedly from the IRS — claiming I have a refund coming and asking me to follow a link to file my return and process the refund. Read more >>
February 2, 2016
If You Sign Your Tax Return, You’re Responsible For It — Even If You Relied On A Preparer….
My client called in a panic. He was being audited, and the IRS wanted to know why he claimed $2,500 in mileage expense on his Schedule C. My client doesn’t own a Schedule C business. Read more >>
January 18, 2016
Americans with Foreign Bank Accounts and the IRS
If you own a foreign bank account, you need to report it to the IRS, or else, as the case of poor Mr. Gubser below illustrates. Read more >>
January 14, 2017
The IRS Appeals Officer & Process
When a taxpayer disagrees with the IRS auditor’s determination, the IRS assigns the matter to an appeals officer. This is a second, new IRS employee that the taxpayer can negotiate with. Read more >>
January 12, 2016
The IRS *Never* Calls First
One of my clients has several years of unfiled tax returns. Like many people with several years of unfiled tax returns, he’s been putting off working with me. So I hadn’t heard from him for about six months when he called me in a panic. Read more >>
July 16, 2015
Tales From the Tax Troll Trenches: Tax Refund Majorly “Stuck”
When the IRS and the California state tax agencies do particularly bone-headed things, it’s time for another tale from the tax troll trenches. Here’s one that reminded me of why the IRS and state tax agencies are so disliked by many taxpayers. Read more >>
July 13, 2015