Does a divorced person still owe the taxes generated in a previous marriage?
- March 3rd, 2016
- David Greene
- Comments Off on Does a divorced person still owe the taxes generated in a previous marriage?
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
- Comments Off on What is the status of tax credits for tax year 2015?
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
- Comments Off on What exactly is the Trust Fund Penalty?
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
- Comments Off on Is a Personal Representative ever liable for the delinquent taxes of the deceased?
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
- Comments Off on What are the differences in a will and Durable Power of Attorney?
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
- Comments Off on How long does the Offer in Compromise process take?
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
- Comments Off on When can a business deduct gifts to Charities?
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
- Comments Off on Are consumer tax return preparation programs right for everyone?
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
- Comments Off on How the IRS deals with Offshore Accounts
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…
How to fight IRS denial of your Earned Income Credit and exemptions.
- January 26th, 2016
- David Greene
- Comments Off on How to fight IRS denial of your Earned Income Credit and exemptions.
Many people find their Earned Income creit and/or claim for exemptions for relatives denied by the IRS each year. This usually arises in the context of recently separated or divorced parents. Both will claim the exemption and credit and the…