October 22, 2013
2014 Income Tax Filing Season will Start Late Again
Last year, it was the fiscal cliff that delayed the start of tax season- this coming year, blame it on the partial government shutdown.
October 22, 2013
Treasury Inspector General Says IRS Must Do More to Reduce Improper Payments
The Internal Revenue Service has made no significant improvement in reducing improper Earned Income Tax Credit payments, according to the latest report released by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
October 15, 2013
Thomson Reuters Checkpoint Report Provides IRS Tax Guidance for Same-Sex Marriage
Thomson Reuters released a report on the IRS’s guidance on same-sex marriage following the Supreme Court’s ruling that struck down section three of the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional.
October 8, 2013
Oct. 15 Tax Extension Deadline Stands, Despite Government Shutdown
The current lapse in federal appropriations does not affect the federal tax law, and all taxpayers should continue to meet their tax obligations as normal. Individuals and businesses should keep filing their tax returns and making deposits with the IRS, as required by law.
October 7, 2013
Will New Healthcare Laws Hurt the CPA-Client Relationship?
As this column goes to print, provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (also known as the “ACA,” or ObamaCare) will change accountants and tax preparers from “trusted advisors” to a more derogatory status:
October 1, 2013
Government Shutdown Begins- What it Means for Small Business
On Monday night, the U.S. Congress rejected the U.S. Senate's version of the House bill for a debt limit increase, which effectively shuts down some of the non-critical operations of the federal government.
September 27, 2013
Unlicensed tax preparer gets probation for tax fraud
A Tulsa, Oklahoma, woman was sentenced Wednesday to five years of probation and was ordered to pay more than $79,000 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service after pleading guilty to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false federal income tax return.
September 18, 2013
Swiss Banks to Turn Over Info on U.S. Accounts
The Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice has announced an agreement with Switzerland that would permit all but a few Swiss banks to avoid criminal prosecution by paying substantial fines and turning over information on accounts held by American clients.
September 17, 2013
IRS gives tax relief to businesses and individuals affected by Colorado flooding
The Internal Revenue Service is providing tax relief to individual and business taxpayers impacted by severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides in Colorado.
September 16, 2013
IRS Tax Gap Estimate Has Room for Improvement
The Internal Revenue Service estimate of the Tax Gap, the difference between taxes owed and taxes paid voluntarily and on time, could be more comprehensive, accurate, reliable and timely, according to a new report released publicly today by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
September 14, 2013
Nonprofits & the IRS: 5 Risk Areas to Watch For
As the Internal Revenue Service Exempt Organization division twists and turns in the wind over the recent scandal involving undue scrutiny on certain tax-exempt applications, nonprofit managers and practitioners might wonder how this will impact them.
September 12, 2013
What Would You Ask a Former IRS Auditor?
Do all IRS agents think that all taxpayers selected for audit are cheating on their taxes?