How Aggressive Are IRS Collections Today?
- August 31st, 2010
- David Greene
- Comments Off on How Aggressive Are IRS Collections Today?
How likely are you to be audited or levied this year? I cannot give you “odds” on the IRS pursuing you. It depends on how much you owe, how old the tax is, how much your tax return deviates from prior years, your occupation and other factors.
Does The IRS Have To Obey a State Court Order?
- August 24th, 2010
- David Greene
- Comments Off on Does The IRS Have To Obey a State Court Order?
Many times, in a divorce or legal separation action, a Family Court will order one spouse (e.g. husband) to be liable for all delinquent taxes owed by the couple for jointly filed tax returns. Then, the wife is surprised when the IRS begins collection activity against her. She tells them she doesn’t have to pay because the Court ordered husband to pay and is shocked when they ignore her protests.
Deductible Job Hunting Expenses
- August 16th, 2010
- David Greene
- Comments Off on Deductible Job Hunting Expenses
Many people have lost jobs due to the economy and are out “beating the bushes” looking for work. I’ve been asked whether or not some of the money they are spending can be deducted on this year’s taxes. I’m not an accountant and one should check with her own tax preparer for guidance, but I’m happy to say that
Statute of Limitations To Collect Tax
- August 10th, 2010
- David Greene
- Comments Off on Statute of Limitations To Collect Tax
There are several different statutes of limitations dealing with the processing and collection of federal taxes. The most important one for most people is the ten year statute of limitations on collection of taxes that have been assessed. This means the IRS has ten years to collect your taxes from the time they were registered in the IRS computers, not from when due. Thus, if you filed your 1999 taxes in 2001, the ten years would not be up yet.
Inheritance of Real Property through Unprobated Estates
- August 2nd, 2010
- David Greene
- Comments Off on Inheritance of Real Property through Unprobated Estates
The only way for real property to pass with clear title to a devisee or heir is for each prior owner to have gone through the probate process in the county in which the property is located, for at least for 60 years back. If the land does not pass by virtue of being probated, there is a cloud on the title. Clear title means
In-Business Offer In Compromise
- July 27th, 2010
- David Greene
- Comments Off on In-Business Offer In Compromise
In general, Offers in Compromise are not encouraged or accepted for on-going businesses. The tax debt arises from unpaid payroll taxes and/or unpaid corporate income taxes. If a business is closing or has just closed, the IRS will consider an Offer in
Early Withdrawal from Retirement Account
- July 20th, 2010
- David Greene
- Comments Off on Early Withdrawal from Retirement Account
Retirement accounts such as IRA’s, 401k’s and company sponsored retirement accounts receive special tax treatment because the money is not supposed to be used by the owner of the account until she reaches a specified age, usually over 62 or over 65. The thought is that she can put aside that money now tax free into the restricted account while she is working and is in a higher tax bracket. Then, when
Denial of child exemption on a 1040
- July 15th, 2010
- Administrator
- Comments Off on Denial of child exemption on a 1040
Many people are audited each year due to the IRS questioning their claiming children as dependents who are not biological or adopted sons or daughters. The basic rules are that the child has to have some relationship to the taxpayer, has to live with the taxpayer for the majority of the year and that the taxpayer must provide the majority of the support for the child. Most problems arise when two ex-spouses both claim the child. The IRS
Power of Attorney
- July 15th, 2010
- Administrator
- Comments Off on Power of Attorney
I have found in my practice that many people do not understand the limitations of a Power of Attorney and sometimes think it can be used like a will. Let me make one thing clear. A Power of Attorney has legal validity only during a person’s lifetime and a will has legal validity only after a person dies. When “A” grants “B” a Power of Attorney, “A” is giving “B” the right and privilege to make all of the financial and other types of
Wills and Trusts
- July 15th, 2010
- Administrator
- Comments Off on Wills and Trusts
I feel that everyone, young or old, should have a will because a will ensures that the deceased’s property and assets will be distributed as she wants after death and not by rule of law. There is a statute in the Probate Code that dictates the manner in which property is distributed to heirs if the decedent died without a will, i.e. intestate. In general, it bequeaths the probate estate to relatives in order from closest to more distant relatives.