Archive for the ‘Tax Research’ Category
Tuesday, January 6th, 2009
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) is the only government entity that conducts internal audits the IRS. Well, now you can read the most recent interesting report that covers their audit April 1, 2008 through September 30, 2008. The report is TIGTA’s semiannual report to Congress.
There are some “blockbuster” (technical tax term) statements and recommendations in the report.
TIGTA says that IRS must focus on closing the Tax Gap noting that IRS does not consistantly assess penalties or penalize taxpayers for making false statements when filing returns. TIGTA recommends that IRS expand its enforcement efforts. As I have predicted before, along with other tax experts, in the future IRS will be increasing enforcement efforts. In fact, Chief Counsel, IRS, is looking for more attorneys, see Click Here
TIGTA said: “Now, more than ever, the IRS must focus efforts to close the Tax Gap – the difference between the amount of tax that taxpayers should pay and the amount that is paid voluntarily and on time. In audits conducted over this reporting period, TIGTA found that the IRS has neglected to consistently assess penalties on non-compliant businesses and individuals. Additionally, TIGTA noted that the IRS generally does not penalize taxpayers for making false statements when filing official tax forms. The IRS must aggressively address the lack of taxpayer compliance and hold those in violation accountable for their actions.”
Read the whole report: Click Here
Bill Lowrance
Tax Attorney
Tags: cirme, collect tax, failure to pay, income tax, Office of Chief Counsel IRS, Tax, tax collection, tax crimes, tax evasion
Posted in Attorney, Collections, Controversy, IRS, IRS Audits, Tax Attorney, Tax Crime, Tax Liens, Tax Litigation, Tax Problems, Tax Research, Uncategorized, income tax | No Comments »
Monday, January 5th, 2009
IRS has published the Form 1040 that individuals file for their 2008 tax returns. Yes, it is time to think about filing your 2008 individual income tax return. The normal due date is April 15, 2009. There a some new changes this year. IRS publishes the new Form 1040, along with instructions, every year. The instructions are, believe it or not, organized and easy to read.
Many people are talking about the economic stimulus payment, recovery rebate credit and withdrawal of your stimulus payment from a tax favored account, see my favorite tax blogger Taxgirl. You should read the IRS 1040 instructions, page 6, for some plain talk explanations. Click Here
Any stimulus payment you received is not taxable for federal income tax purposes, but it may reduce your recovery rebate credit. What? The recovery rebate credit, you ask. The credit is available if, for some reason, you did not receive a stimulus payment in 2008 and meet other requirements. In the instructions there is a full explanation and a somewhat workable “worksheet.” Also, see Recovery Rebate Credit Here
Other new items:
First time home buyer: If you bought a home after April 8, 2008, and before July 1, 2009, and did not own a main home during the prior 3 years, you may be able to take the “first time home buyer credit.” The single largest provision in the $15.1 billion package of housing tax incentives in the recently enacted Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008 (the “Housing Act”) is a measure allowing individuals buying their first home to take a tax credit of up to $7,500 of the purchase price. Qualified home buyers can subtract the credit amount from their federal income tax when they buy a home and even get a refund if the credit exceeds the tax. However, they are then required to pay the credit back over 15 years. The result is that the credit resembles an interest-free loan that must be repaid to the government.
The IRS standard mileage rate for business use of your vehicle in 2008 is 50.5 cents per business mile driven through June and 58.5 cents per business mile thereafter. The standard mileage rate for 2009 is 55 cents. You will need to allocate your automobile expenses between business and personal use based on miles driven during the year. Proper recordkeeping is crucial in the event of an IRS challenge.
If you received an economic stimulus payment last year that was directly deposited to a tax favored account and you withdrew the payment by the due date of your return (including extensions), the amount withdrawn will not be taxed. Good news, eh?
Of course, I must tell you that all of the above information is general in nature. It is not meant to tax advice or a legal opinion. Always consult a tax professional before thinking that information here is a “slam dunk” for tax advice.
Bill Lowrance
Tags: 2008 tax return, income tax, IRS, recovery rebate credit, stimulus payments, tax credits, tax law, taxes
Posted in Attorney, IRS, Tax Research, income tax, tax credits, tax return | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 17th, 2008
The annual “More Tax Than You Want To Know” is now available via the IRS website. Publication 17 explains everything you need to know about your taxes, returns and filing. See Publication 17
From IRS News:
“The IRS has placed its comprehensive tax guide for individuals on IRS.gov, updating it for tax year 2008. The updated on-line version of IRS Publication 17, “Your Federal Income Tax,” contains more than 900 interactive links.
Publication 17 has been updated with important changes for 2008, including information on the new recovery rebate credit, new first-time-homebuyer credit, and an additional standard deduction for real estate taxes. It has been published annually by the IRS for more than 65 years and has been available on the IRS Web site since 1996.
As in prior years, the publication provides information on how to file an individual tax return, what to include as income, how to calculate capital gains and losses, how IRAs and other expenses can affect how much income to report, whether to take the standard deduction or itemize, and how to figure taxes and credits.”
Printed copies of Publicaiton 17 will be available in January 2009.
All the good year to you.
Bill Lowrance
Lowrance Law LLC
Tags: IRS, Publication 17, Tax
Posted in Attorney, IRS, Tax Attorney, Tax Crime, Tax Liens, Tax Litigation, Tax Problems, Tax Research | No Comments »
Monday, December 15th, 2008
The IRS announced that it is hiring senior level Economists and Internal Revenue Agents (International Examiner, Financial Products & Transactions Examiner, and Team Member/Domestic Agents for entry on duty in March and April 2009. This is another indicator that the IRS will be stepping up enforcement efforts in 2009 and subsequent years. Special emphasis will be on international transaction including offshore bank accounts, offshore trusts, offshore income and other cross border transactions.
IRS Announcement: See Whole Article Here
“Do you have a specialty in tax administration? Do you have family, friends, or neighbors with this expertise who might be interested in joining the Internal Revenue Service? If so, look no further—the Large and Mid-Size Business (LMSB) Division of the Internal Revenue Service has challenging positions available now!
LMSB is seeking to fill 100 technical GS-11, GS-12, and GS-13 positions nationwide, including Economists and Internal Revenue Agents (International Examiner, Financial Products & Transactions Examiner, and Team Member/Domestic Agent) with entry on-duty dates planned for March and April 2009. To view more details and apply for these vacancies, visit the Office of Personnel Management Web site for IRS jobs at: http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/a9trirs.asp . Select “Economist” or “Internal Revenue Agent” under Occupational Series and click on Search for Jobs.”
Bill Lowrance
Lowrance Law LLC
McLean, VA
Tags: international tax, IRS, Offshore, revenue agents, Tax, tax enforcement, tax havens
Posted in IRS, IRS Audits, Offshore Accounts, Tax Attorney, Tax Crime, Tax Litigation, Tax Problems, Tax Research | No Comments »
Thursday, November 13th, 2008
The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 contains two provisions that provide tax benefits for businesses. The first provision increases the limit up to which a business can expense property purchased and placed in service during its 2008 tax year. The second provision provides an additional 50 percent special depreciation allowance for property acquired and placed in service during calendar year 2008.
Unlike the economic stimulus payments that millions of individuals have already received, the tax benefits for businesses are not automatic; businesses must act to take advantage of the new provisions by purchasing qualifying property.
The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that businesses stand to lower their 2008 tax bills by roughly $45 billion as a result of the two business provisions in the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008; these provisions accelerate into 2008 the tax benefits that otherwise would not have been available until future years.
See IRS Small Business
Bill Lowrance
Tags: business deductions, IRS, Small Business, Tax, tax deductions
Posted in Attorney, IRS, IRS Audits, Tax Attorney, Tax Crime, Tax Litigation, Tax Problems, Tax Research | No Comments »
Thursday, October 30th, 2008
IRS has a great Small Business web page at IRS Business. Check out starting, operating or closing a business at Start/Close Business. Also, check the latest business news that gives small business owners information about the latest mileage rates, worker classification (employee vs. independent contractor) and other announcements See Business News. Get the IRS information on business expenses at Business Expenses.
But as always, remember this is IRS general information. For a more in-depth research and analysis check with your tax attorney or accountant.
Bill Lowrance
Tags: IRS, small businenss, tax news
Posted in Attorney, Collections, Controversy, IRS, IRS Audits, Tax Research | No Comments »
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