If you’ve requested a six-month extension to submit your taxes then your deadline is coming up quick! October 16, 2017 is the last day to file your individual or corporation return. This includes the 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ or 1120 tax forms. Beware of penalties for late payments or filing.

Don’t let this extra time go to waste. Be sure that you file your return immediately and see if you qualify for common credits and deductions. Low and moderate income families may be eligible for special tax benefits as well.

According to the IRS, you could also receive credit if you’ve paid college tuition or fees in the last year. Same goes for those that have made their homes energy efficient.

E-filing will reveal guides and tips to help you complete your return, but you can also call us for a one-on-one consultation with a tax professional. If you’ve missed important deadlines in the past or fear you won’t get the paperwork done in time for the upcoming deadline please give IRS Audit Group a call to learn how we can help resolve your tax issues ASAP.

If you got an extension on your taxes earlier this year, the time has now come to submit your returns. The business tax deadline is approaching on September 15 and you don’t want to miss it!

If you want to be sure everything is done quickly and accurately, then contact us today! IRS Audit Group is ready to help and we are just a call or click away. Don’t waste another second wondering how you will complete all the paperwork in time – we got you covered.

For those of you that have yet to file, remember that the Personal Tax Extension Deadline is coming up as well on October 15.

Year-end tax planning is approaching, which means thousands of ads are going to flood your computer while browsing the web with suggestions on what to do in order to help you prepare.

The fact of the matter is that somehow and somewhere; you’re going to collect information and put it to use. However, we want to make sure you’re choosing the right sources to consume information from.

Being a business owner, you understand that taxes are a mandatory and vital component of operating a business. One small mistake can cost you a nice chunk of money. And proper preparation can save you tons of money as well.

Your tax money is used for mostly government functions. But, that’s beside the point. The point is that you need to be more involved and educated in order to make sure you consume the right information and make the right decisions when preparing for tax season. The good thing is that this can be accomplished by becoming active incredible organizations such as; The National Small Business Association, or the local state and National Chamber of Commerce.

When it comes to consuming information, you only need to trust reliable sources like the ones mentioned above. Just because a person is a; friend, neighbor, or relative doesn’t mean they’re educated in taxes and finances. Sorry to burst your bubble. They could be consuming the wrong information as well since there’s so much false information circulating around in society anyway.

So, if you can’t rely on people close to you such as relatives or friends, who do you go to? The simple answer is to hire a CPA. Although, there are definitely untrustworthy and inexperienced CPA’s, this is your best bet. But, figuring out who to trust all comes down to your best judgment.

Owning a business and dealing with highly complex tax returns will require education and experience in an accountant. We understand the importance of hiring an advisor or accountant to handle your financial affairs. However, the dilemma that most business owners face is choosing whether or not to hire an individual accountant or a firm.

This decision will all come down to how much firepower will be needed for the job. For example, paying $400/hr to a tax analyst for a simple 1040EZ is wasteful. That’s a simple job that shouldn’t require you to pay an arm and a leg. Therefore, it all comes down to how complex your situation is.

Another good rule of thumb is making sure your tax advisors main focus is tax pro. We’ve have seen many individuals try to have a tax auditor prepare their taxes, and it just doesn’t work out the way they want it to all the time. This is due to many advisors having different primary practices. Even if you’re paying top dollar, that doesn’t mean you’re going to get the best results if their primary practice is different than what you require.

Besides being wary of the advisor you hire, be careful of ads on the radio and TV as well. There are many companies who spend tons of money on advertising, using the money they made from previous clients they charged. Simply put, you want to hire people with experience and not because they engaged in a marketing blitz to make themselves seem credible.

Your chances of getting positive results this tax year will drastically increase when hiring the appropriate person, and being cautious of who and where you consume information from. Consider all of these options, and you will have much success this filing season.

Contact us for free consultation [email protected] /1-888-300-6670

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you didn’t file your tax return? Well … You basically lose your refund (if you pass the three year tax deadline date) which for some people can be a significant loss. Also, you put yourself at risk of having the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) file for you.

Don’t wait on the IRS to file your taxes on your behalf. Let IRS Audit Group file your taxes in full compliance with the IRS. We will collect all the information from tax authorities, review it with you and file your tax return.

According to the IRS, substitute for return (SFR) and delinquent return procedures were developed to deal with taxpayers who do not file required tax returns. They use this to assess the correct tax liability by either:

1. Securing a valid voluntary tax return from the taxpayer (delinquent return), or
2. If securing a return is not possible, computing tax, interest, and penalties based upon information submitted by payers, or based on other available information (SFR).

If the IRS files a return, it will be based on the information they have available through existing records and it is usually done automatically. The downfall to this is that whether you were married filing jointly, had dependents you could claim for that year or whether you had any deductions are not taken into consideration. You’d sacrifice any of the credits that could lower your taxes and may end up owing substantially more taxes based on the SFR than if you filed your own tax return.

This triggers the snowball effect: If you fail to pay the taxes the IRS has assessed against you, the IRS will begin collection proceedings to collect the taxes. Which could include issuing levies against your bank account or wages and filing liens against your property.

Don’t face the risk of increasing your tax liability – contact IRS Audit Group today to file your returns or for help on other tax issues. You still have options in cases like this and our team of tax professionals would be happy to guide you through them!

Do you have a problem with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)? Specifically when it comes to your payment options? You should opt for a payment plan! This way, you don’t need to wait until you can pay off the total amount which can easily add up due to penalties.

This is the ideal option for those looking to save their money and are trying spend wisely while on a budget. The best part? You can apply for individuals and businesses. This provides the opportunity to pay in installments or online.

We understand that taxpayers have plenty of costs to cover which is why we want to help you get set up with affordable payments. This process is quicker and much simpler; rather than dealing with larger amounts, you’ll owe what you can pay within a certain time frame.

The IRS states that individuals must owe $50,000 or less in combined individual income tax, penalties and interest to be eligible and businesses must owe $25,000 or less in payroll taxes. Both must have filed all required returns as well.

Call IRS Audit Group at (888)330-6670 and we can set up a payment plan for you to immediately break down your costs. We know exactly what to do! As experts in negotiation, we can and will communicate with the IRS on your behalf.

If you’re worried about how to pay your dues to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), you’ll want to review all your options. A good choice would be to make monthly payments through an installment agreement. This would help reduce or eliminate penalties and interest fees and your wallet won’t take such a big blow.

In order to qualify, the IRS requires that you file all required tax returns prior to applying. You may be eligible for an online payment plan if you owe $50,000 or less in combined individual income tax, penalties and interest or if your business owes $25,000 or less in payroll taxes.

The trickiest part of this agreement is getting approved – IRS Audit Group can help you understand the process and will stay on top of deadlines. Negotiating with the IRS is easier with the help of a tax professional who will represent you and is willing to speak effectively on your behalf.

IRS agents are trained on specific audit techniques for different industries. The guides that these agents are trained to use are referred to as Audit Techniques Guides (ATGs), and they focus on providing guidance for examiners in different market segments. These guides are so crucial to the IRS because they create consistency in their audits, since everyone is using the same guidelines.

The ATGs usually consist of; common and rare industry issues, techniques for examinations, jargon for that particular industry, business practices, and any other information that can assist them in the examination process.

Once you receive a notice of an IRS audit, it would be wise to review the ATG for your industry in depth with your representative. The reason any business owner can find value in these guides is due to the abundance of information you can find. The audit target will give you an advanced view of what to expect in the exam, that way you can prepare a strong defense instead of walking into the exam blind. These documents even give the revenue agent resources within the IRS database to find out; credit scores, currency transaction reports, and information returns that were provided to the taxpayer by third parties.

And if you’re thinking about trying to hide sources of income, think again. These reports are so in depth, that they provide methodologies for finding any cash income that went unreported. So, to ensure the best possible outcome in the case of an audit, it’s essential for the taxpayer to perform a thorough review of the appropriate ATG.

The guides below can be viewed at the IRS website address: Remember to find the most appropriate guideline for your business.

NOTE: The dates that these guides were issued are shown next to them. These guides are up to date as of October, 2016.

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/audit-techniques-guides-atgs

1. Aerospace Industry; 01/05
2. Air Transportation; 04/08
3. Architects and Landscape Architects; 08/2011
4. Art Galleries – Audit Technique Guide; 01/2012
5. Attorneys Audit Technique Guide; 03/2011
6. Business Consultants; 07/2011
7. Capitalization v Repairs; 11/2010
8. Cash Intensive Businesses; 04/2010
9. Child Care Provider; 03/09
10. Coal Excise Tax; 05/05
11. Commercial Banking; 5/01
12. Conservation Easement; 11/2011
13. Continuation of Employee Healthcare Coverage; 03/2012
14. Construction Industry; 05/09
15. Cost Segregation; 01/14/05
16. Credit for Increasing Research Activities (i.e. Research Tax Credit) IRC§41; 06/05
17. Entertainment Audit Technique Guide; 10/2015
18. Equity (Stock) – Based Compensation Audit Techniques Guide; 08/2015
19. Excise Tax on Indoor Tanning; 7/2012
20. Executive Compensation – Fringe Benefits; 02/04/05
21. Factoring of Receivables; 06/06
22. Farmers; 07/06
23. Fishing Audit Technique Guide; 08/2011
24. Foreign Insurance Excise Tax; 04/08
25. Golden Parachutes; 02/04/05
26. Hardwood Timber Industry; 12/2012
27. IC-DISC Audit Guide: 03/2012
28. Inland Waterways: 12/08
29. IRC 162(m) Salary Deduction Limitation: 02/04/05
30. IRC § 183: Activities Not Engaged in For Profit: 06/19/09
31. The Laundromat Industry: 6/00
32. Lawsuit Awards and Settlements: 01/11
33. Low-Income Housing Credit – Guide for Completing Form 8823: 08/2015
34. Ministers: 04/23/09
35. New Markets Tax Credit: 05/2010
36. New Vehicle Dealership Audit Technique: 1/05
37. Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation: 06/15
38. Obligations Not in Registered Form: 6/06
39. Obligations Not in Registered Form D: 06/2006
40. Oil and Gas Industry: 5/96
41. Ozone Depleting Chemicals (ODC) Excise Tax: 9/07
42. Partnerships: 3/08
43. Passive Activity: 02/05
44. Placer Mining: 7/99
45. The Port Project: 8/95
46. Real Estate Property Foreclosure and Cancellation of Debt: 2/15
47. Reforestation: 8/95
48. Rehabilitation Tax Credit: 12/02
49. Research Credit Claims: Credit for Increasing Research Activities §41: 5/08
50. Retail Industry: 2/09
51. Sections 48A and 48B – Advanced Coal and Gasification Project Credits: 5/09
52. Split Dollar Life Insurance: 3/05
53. Wine Industry: 05/2011

Simply put, it will be in the taxpayers’ best interest to thoroughly review these ATGs with their representative when the IRS decides to open an audit.

The consequences of ignoring any sort of communication from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can be severe. The notices typically require more information on your end and will specifically explain the issue and exactly what you need to do – don’t let them scare you out of responding.

You must first determine whether or not the notice is legitimate. IRS scammers are on the rise and you’ll want to identify them sooner rather than later. That being said, you don’t have to respond to everything! Some letters are sent to simply notify you of changes on your account or updates to your file. If you notice something wrong, then you should respond with information that the IRS can use to adjust the discrepancies. Otherwise, there is no need to send a response.

Letters from the IRS will have a number in the upper right-hand corner for you to call if you have any questions or concerns. They provide a list of sample letter that are usually sent out and why they are sent – see here.

When there is a serious issue that the IRS is trying to inform you about, they will take more serious actions and you may end up owing money or spending time in jail if you are completely unresponsive. There may be a delay while you gather and sort the required information, but try to get everything out within 3-5 business days.

If you do respond and send additional information, be sure to note that correspondence in your records and store copies of everything. While you may be quick to reply, the IRS could take up to 30 days to get back to you … Be patient.

So what’s really going to happen if you keep shredding letters from the IRS instead of cooperating with their requests?

• They may end up calculating your tax return for you and determining how much you owe and what you’ll get in return.
• A tax revenue officer might pay you a visit to question your financial situation and understand if and when you’ll be able to pay them.
• You can face criminal charge for tax evasion, which can lead to arrest or jail time if left unresolved.
• Your wages could be garnished and money will be deducted from your paycheck before you get it just to pay off debt.
• The IRS also has the power to seize your assets in order to repay the tax bill.

You’re better safe than sorry, so follow these tips and avoid any trouble with the IRS. As always you can contact IRS Audit Group if you have any questions!

We get it, filing taxes is not something everyone loves to spend their time on. However, it is crucial to read and understand what is being asked of you, especially if you’re submitting your taxes electronically on your own time. It’s easy to fall into the trap of rushing just to get it done.

What if you work with a tax preparer? Well, the IRS can still audit you if you; fail to disclose all sources of income you may have, give the tax preparer insufficient information to complete your tax return to the fullest, or giving incomplete tax documents to the preparer. The IRS could care less if this was done accidentally or purposeful, which is why rushing will get you nowhere.

What are some reasons for a tax audit?

You leave out sources of income

This is the easiest way taxpayers can face a tax audit. This is very common in sole proprietors and independent contractors who also receive a 1099 form instead of a W-2. Many may not fully understand how much of a tax burden a 1099 form can cause. So, when a tax bill arrives that doesn’t look very appealing, it’s common to not disclose that information to keep 100% of taxpayers income tax-free. That isn’t a smart move in this scenario. The IRS has systems that are created to catch these errors when the numbers don’t quite add up.

You use whole or rounded numbers

Rounding your numbers may seem ideal and makes the calculations a whole lot easier and less time consuming, but it also raises a red flag in the IRS system. Why? Seriously, what are the odds of having an even number on your net earnings, or deductions? Slim to none. While it usually never gets this far, taxpayers can face criminal and civil charges providing inaccurate information. So it’s best to do the math right to avoid any consequences.

You file many deductions

Tax deductions are a good thing for many. It keeps you from paying taxes on certain expenses. However, deductions such as “home office deduction” raises a red flag due it being commonly misused by individuals. How will the IRS know if the deductions are legitimate? Well, they usually have a general idea due to your income level and other quantitative data they have gathered from similar filers. So, do not fall into the trap of thinking you can outsmart the IRS 100% of the time. It doesn’t happen that way for everyone.

How likely is that you’re going to get audited?

Lucky for taxpayers, while there’s still a chance of an audit, the chances are slim to none. 99% of the common persons’ taxes glides through the IRS system without being audited. As for the other 1%, of course, they’re being audited. If you’re a millionaire, your chances of being audited are 1 in 10. And if you’re a white house official, your chances are 100%. It may not be every year like Donald Trump’s situation for the past 12 years, but it will happen eventually to them.

As mentioned before, even though the chances of an audit are slim for the average person, anything is possible. $1 spent on a tax audit, brings in $4. Do the math. Do you think the IRS is going to let everyone continue to slide by without an audit? Not for long because it makes them more money. And let’s face it, all the IRS wants is your taxpayers’ dollars.

When filing your tax returns, make sure to take your time. The consequences outweigh the cost of telling the truth.

If you haven’t heard of Renee M. Schoenberg, you will now. Her work is all over the map in multiple countries! Renee is a DLA Piper Senior Counsel who has structured and helped so many nonprofits across 5 continents. She has helped so many that she can’t even name some of the countries that they’re located in right off the top of her head.

Some of these organizations work in an array of fields which include; fighting global hunger, offering less fortunate D.C. residents affordable legal services, sparking interest in science experiments for Chicago youth, and much more!

What makes these projects impressive isn’t just the projects themselves, but the complexity and new problems that arise during the projects. All of the causes that Schoenberg supports brings about new technical challenges when applying for tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

This is the reason for Renee becoming interested in doing work for the public good in the first place. She enjoys the challenges that arise by overcoming them, and the emotional response that comes with overcoming these challenges comes second.

Renee has earned many achievements from doing this as well. She was one of the 5 recipients recognized for her “outstanding commitment” to volunteer legal services.

“To me, it’s the pinnacle of recognition, like a lifetime achievement award,” according to Renee.

It’s not a surprise that Schoenberg is someone who is dedicated to perfecting her craft and making a difference. Many wonder how Renee first started getting into the act of her pro bono work. Well, Renee first started helping nonprofits as a spinoff from her trust and estates work. She knew of a family who wanted to underwrite a psychiatrist’s fees so that people of lower-income can afford it.

Due to fear that the psychiatrist was trying to turn his organization into a tax-exempt organization, Renee’s application was rejected by the IRS. However, the second application was approved once she showed how the psychiatrist was charging less than the market value price for low-income customers. This sparked her interest even more in learning how to structure many different nonprofit organizations.

Renee went on to learn that the key to success when applying for tax-exemption is “Knowing what the hot button issues are going to be and diffusing them in the application.” She gives credit to thorough research to accomplish this.

Anne Geraghty Helms, who is DLA Piper’s U.S. Pro Bono Programs director and counsel, refers to Schoenberg as the nonprofit guru of the office. She consistently supervises and mentors young tax attorneys or young tax lawyers who are interested in her field, while helping the firms thousands of tax attorneys or tax lawyers located in over 30 countries.

Renee is serving a good cause in the world. No one has ever heard of Renee “declining” someone who may be in dire need of support. The fact of the matter is that they’re not too many Renee Schoenberg’s out here, that’s for sure.