Here are seven tax topics that seem innocent but can cause problems if not handled correctly. 1. Gambling winnings. If you receive a tax form at a casino for your winnings, that information is sent to the tax authorities. Since the form typically only contains the amount you won, save copies and records of any gambling …
ALERT: Small Business Beneficial Ownership Reporting Update
The requirement to report beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is now not to be actively enforced or fined per recent announcements from the US Treasury and FinCEN. Background The Corporate Transparency Act requires most small businesses to file a report on FinCEN.gov to report their owners with confirmed identification, or face substantial …
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Understanding the Tax Gap
Voluntary tax compliance is measured While more and more legislation is introduced that penalizes all of us for doing things wrong on our tax returns, please remember that at its origin, tax collection in the U.S. is a voluntary. In other words, the tax code is defined, we are given due dates, and the government …
The Impact of IRS Layoffs
During the recent chaos of Federal employment moves over the past couple of weeks, two actions will impact how filing your tax return this year could go and how to prepare accordingly. Voluntary termination After being offered voluntary termination, approximately 75,000 employees across all departments of the federal government took up the executive branch’s offer. …
The New Problem with IRS Identity Theft
PLUS: Small Business FinCEN Update! In its most recent annual report to Congress, the Taxpayer Advocacy Service outlines troublesome trends it sees in the processing and administration of tax returns and taxpayer support. By law, the National Taxpayer Advocate’s report must identify the 10 most serious problems taxpayers face in their dealings with the IRS …
Does Your Mileage Log Travel the Distance?
The tax code allows deductions for qualified miles driven for business, medical, moving and charitable purposes. But to claim this deduction you must keep adequate records of actual miles driven. During an audit, this is an often disallowed deduction, despite the fact that you actually drove the distance claimed. How can you make sure this …
Review and Correct Your 1099s NOW!
What to do to fix this thorny problem It's sometime in February and you realize the Form 1099 you received is in error. In fact, it overstates your income by several thousand dollars. What should you do? Gather your facts. Put yourself in the shoes of the vendor, bank or investment company representative. Gather evidence they …
Contractor versus Employee
Knowing the difference is very important As informational tax forms start flowing in, you are reminded to review the forms and determine the correctness of the form. One of the keys is whether your employer (or contractor) sends you the correct form. Getting it wrong could cost you plenty in the way of Social Security, …
IRS Proactively Issues One Million Rebate Payments!
What you need to know In late December, the IRS announced plans to issue automatic payments to eligible people who did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns. The payments should be received in late January. No action is needed for eligible taxpayers to receive the credit with a maximum payment …
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2025 Mileage Rates are Here!
New mileage rates announced by the IRS Tip Category: What's New Mileage rates for travel are now set for 2025. The standard business mileage rate increases by 3 cents to 70.0 cents per mile. The medical and moving mileage rates stay at 21 cents per mile. Charitable mileage rates remain unchanged at 14 cents per mile. …
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