Can the IRS use private debt collectors to collect delinquent taxes?
- March 9th, 2016
- David Greene
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Yes, the IRS has begun that practice again, but only if certain criteria are met. If you remember, several years ago the IRS used private debt collectors on a wide variety of cases. They eventually stopped the practice due to…
Does a divorced person still owe the taxes generated in a previous marriage?
- March 3rd, 2016
- David Greene
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I have been asked this question many times before. The general answer is that he owes all of the taxes because he signed the return. For a joint return the signers are jointly and severally liable for the tax. This…
What is the status of tax credits for tax year 2015?
- March 1st, 2016
- David Greene
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Will any of the tax credits we had in tax year 2014 still be available for tax year 2015? Yes, I’m happy to say that the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015 preserved many of the consumer…
What exactly is the Trust Fund Penalty?
- February 23rd, 2016
- David Greene
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First let me clarify that the Trust Fund Penalty is not really a penalty added to tax owed but is a portion of the payroll taxes owed by a corporation. The Trust Fund Penalty only applies to corporations, not to…
Is a Personal Representative ever liable for the delinquent taxes of the deceased?
- February 17th, 2016
- David Greene
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If the deceased owes delinquent taxes at death, the IRS must file a claim for taxes owed by that decedent just as any other creditor must. They can collect out of the estate, but not from the Personal Representative’s personal…
What are the differences in a will and Durable Power of Attorney?
- February 10th, 2016
- David Greene
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Each individual, even husbands and wives, needs to make a will in order to pass his/her assets after death. A Durable Power of Attorney, though, simply gives someone you trust the authority to act in your behalf when you can’t…
How long does the Offer in Compromise process take?
- February 9th, 2016
- David Greene
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Let me make one thing clear at the outset, dealing with the IRS is not like dealing with your neighbor down the street or a local business. A submitted Offer will not be resolved in a matter of a few…
When can a business deduct gifts to Charities?
- February 5th, 2016
- David Greene
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Gifts to charities by a business are not alweays deductible, but in some cases they are. The IRS Chief Counsel recently issued an Advice Ruling in which he said that when a business conducts a promotion where it advertises that…
Are consumer tax return preparation programs right for everyone?
- February 2nd, 2016
- David Greene
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The answer depends on the complexity of your tax situation. If you have only W-2 income and claim the standard deduction, you can probably prepare your own tax return or the available programs would be fine. However, if you claim…
How the IRS deals with Offshore Accounts
- January 29th, 2016
- David Greene
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If you receive a letter from a revenue agent about an offshore bank account or credit card you need to be very concerned. The fact that this letter comes from a revenue agent (as opposed to a revenue officer) means…