The Worst-Case Result of a Civil Audit Undergoing an IRS audit is a very stressful time for any individual or business. The possibility of heavy fines and other civil penalties hangs over your head until the matter is resolved. If, however, the auditor should uncover fraud or suspects other criminal […]
As the end of the year approaches, it is time to start thinking about preparing your 2012 income tax return. But what if you are one of the thousands of people who have failed to file one or more previous years’ returns? Will filing a tax return this year simply […]
The Internal Revenue Services (IRS) commissioner recently testified at the Senate Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee hearing on the potential for serious issues in future tax collection efforts. Ultimately, his message is that the agency continues to receive subpar funding. Without proper funds, he contends, the agency cannot perform […]
Recently, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations unit released a yearly report showing that the number of prosecutions increased in fiscal year 2012. The increase in criminal tax investigations was noteworthy in part, because the number of people employed in the unit has decreased. In fiscal year 2012, which ended […]
Many small business owners may feel that they are in the cross hairs of the Internal Revenue Service. Since last fall, the agency has sent out 20,000 letters to small businesses seeking more information related to “possible income under-reporting” of their business receipts. A 2008 change in the law allowed […]
The sharing economy has proved a conundrum for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for years. How can the federal agency efficiently tax a market that operates almost solely online; an economy that involves an exchange generally just between two people? It appears the federal agency may have found an answer. […]
The tax code is incredibly complicated and intricate. Even when a business or an individual intends to be in compliance with tax requirements, cost-saving measures can easily slip over the line into illegal territory. As the new year approaches, many tax experts are reporting an increase in tax audits. Come […]
We are now in the thick of the Atlantic hurricane season, something many of us in Texas have to be concerned about, particularly if we own property along the Gulf. Of course, summer also frequently brings severe thunderstorms to our state, complete with damaging hail, straight-line winds, tornadoes and devastating […]
Many sub contractors in the construction fields rely on a network of friends and acquaintances when work starts to roll in during the busy season. Asking a cousin to help on one project and paying in cash may seem easier than cutting a check or determining whether he might qualify […]
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is trying to reboot efforts to outsource tax debt collection efforts. What does this mean? This means that four different companies are now allowed to contact and demand payment from taxpayers. The companies are CBE Group, Conserve, Performant and Pioneer. Any other company claiming to […]