Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) is an investment vehicle formed as a company or partnership with the goal of investing in property within Qualified Opportunity Zones. This program was formed per the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to provide a tax incentive for private, long-term investment in economically distressed communities. There are thousands of low-income communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories that are designated as Qualified Opportunity Zones. Taxpayers can invest in these zones through Qualified Opportunity Funds. This type of opportunity funds assists taxpayers in giving tax advantages and rewards to investors.

Certain types of businesses cannot be included in opportunity funds, even if it falls within opportunity zones. Following are types of business which are not included in opportunity funds.

• Golf courses
• Country clubs
• Massage parlors
• Hot tub facilities
• Suntan facilities
• Racetracks or other facilities used for gambling
• Liquor stores

Eligibility Criteria

To certify and maintain a Qualified Opportunity Fund, an entity must:

• Be a partnership, corporation, or LLC that is treated as a partnership or corporation, and it must have filed a federal income tax return;
• Be organized for the purpose of investing in Qualified Opportunity Zone property under the laws in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, a U.S. possession, or a federally recognized Indian tribal government: and
• Hold 90% of its assets in Qualified Opportunity Zone property.

IRS Form Required to Certify as a Qualified Opportunity Fund

The entity must file Form 8996, QOF, with the qualifying partnership or corporation’s federal tax return each year to attest and retain its status as a Qualified Opportunity Fund. The entity must file Form 8996 by the due date for 2022 tax return (including extensions).

Form 8996 is used to:

• Certify the corporation or partnership is organized to invest in Qualified Opportunity Zone property.
• Report that it meets the 90% investment standard of section 1400Z-2.
• Figure the penalty if it fails to meet the 90% investment standard.

Benefits to the Taxpayers

The QOF basically provides tax deferral to the capital gains if the taxpayer elects to do so. The basis in the QOF investment becomes zero when one elect to defer the gain. The longer the investment in the QOF, the higher the basis grows. The tax benefit received is determined by the length of time one retains the Qualified Opportunity Fund investment. For instance

• After five years, a taxpayer who defers gains through a Qualified Opportunity Fund investment obtains a 10% step-up in tax basis
• It will be followed by another 5% step-up after seven years. Note that the taxpayer must have invested before December 31, 2019, to receive the entire 15% step-up in tax base. The taxpayer will have held the investment in the fund for seven years when the tax is triggered at the end of 2026, thereby qualifying for the 15% increase in tax basis.
• If the taxpayer holds the investment in the QOF for at least 10 years, then such taxpayer may be able to permanently exclude gain resulting from a qualifying investment when it is sold or exchanged.

A team of tax attorneys from IRS Audit Groups helps taxpayers in filling their IRS return for 2022. We are certified tax lawyers who represent taxpayers during any IRS audit. We can resolve common tax problems to complex audit sessions to help comply our clients. Get free consultation by calling or filling the enquiry from our website below

https://irsauditgroup.com/contact/

Telephone Number: (310) 498-7508

Email address: info@irs-audit-group.com

What is FBAR?

According to the Bank Secrecy Act, one must declare and keep records of certain foreign financial accounts, such as bank accounts, brokerage accounts, and mutual funds, to the Treasury Department every year. The accounts are reported on a Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Form 114 called a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). The annual due date for filing FBARs for foreign financial accounts is April 15^th of every year.

Who must file FBAR?

A citizen, resident, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, or estate in the United States must file an FBAR to report if they have a financial interest in or signature or other authority over at least one financial account located outside the United States and its aggregate value of those foreign financial accounts exceeded $10,000 at any time during the calendar year reported.

However, you are exempt from reporting foreign financial accounts if they are:

• Correspondent/Nostro accounts
• Owned by a governmental entity
• Owned by an international financial institution
• Maintained a U.S. military banking facility,
• Held in an individual retirement account (IRA) of which you’re an owner or beneficiary,
• Held in a retirement plan of which you’re a participant or beneficiary, or
• Part of a trust of which you’re a beneficiary,  if a U.S. person (trust, trustee of the trust or agent of the trust) files an FBAR reporting these accounts.

Further taxpayers don’t have to file an FBAR for the tax year 2022 if you meet the following criteria:

• All your foreign financial accounts are reported on a consolidated FBAR, or
• You jointly own all your foreign financial accounts with your spouse and:
  • You completed and signed FinCEN Form 114a authorizing your spouse to file on your behalf, and your spouse reports the jointly owned accounts on a timely-filed signed FBAR.

Note: Your eligibility for this exception is unaffected by your filing status, such as married-filing-jointly or married-filing-separately.

How to file the FBAR?

The FBAR must be filed online using FinCEN’s (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) BSA E-Filing System. The FBAR is not filed with the federal tax return. You need to call FinCEN’s Resource Centre to request an exemption from e-filing if you want to file your FBAR on paper. If FinCEN authorises your request, you will get a printed FBAR form to fill out and mail to the IRS.

If you wish someone else to file your FBAR on your behalf, fill out FinCEN Report 114a, Record of Authorization to Electronically File FBARs, and provide it to them. FinCEN Report 114a is not submitted with the FBAR; instead, retain it for your records and make it available to FinCEN or the IRS upon request.

Deadline to file for the Tax year 2021

The FBAR is an annual report that is due on April 15 of the year reported. If taxpayers miss the FBAR annual due date of April 15, they will get an automatic extension until October 15. To file the FBAR, you do not need to request an extension.

More information related FBAR filing and other resources available on the IRS website here – https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/report-of-foreign-bank-and-financial-accounts-fbar

IRS Audit Group are a team of Tax Professionals, CPAs, Enrolled Agents and Tax Attorneys, primarily specializing in Internal Revenue Services (IRS) Tax Audit Representation. We resolve your tax audit issues and represent on behalf of you to the IRS. Call us to get free consultation from our tax professional to understand our Tax audit concerns.

Telephone Number: (310) 498-7508

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IRS defines a “GIG” economy as sharing economy where individuals earn income by providing on-demand work, services, or goods per the flexibility of both parties.  It often involves a digital platform like a website or mobile application.  Examples include ride-hailing apps, food delivery apps, and holiday rental apps.  It’s a growing segment, bringing economic benefits of productivity and employment.

Who has to File Tax Returns Under Gig Economy?

The gig economy is taxable.  Taxpayers need to report the income in their filings, even if the income is.

• From part-time, temporary, or side work,
• Not reported on an information return form – like a Form 1099-K, 1099-MISC, W-2, or other income statement or
• Paid in any form, including cash, property, goods, or virtual currency.

Tax Slab for Gig Workers

A gig worker who is primarily dependent on the Gig Economy needs to consider taxes to be paid as a self-employed taxpayer.  They need to file tax returns for 2021 if their income from self-employment equals or exceeds $400.  Therefore, it is important to keep a record of all receipts to track income, deduct expenses, and complete tax returns.

How to File Your Income Tax Returns as Gig Workers?

Independent contractors or Gig workers, whether it is a full-time, part-time or side job, need to file their tax returns for 2021 using the below forms.

• Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return or Form 1040-SR, U.S.  Tax Return for Seniors
• Schedule SE (Form 1040), Self-Employment Tax
• Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship)

 In case the filed tax return needs to be modified, use Form 1040-X, Amended U.S.  Individual Income Tax Return.

IRS provides various options to guide the taxpayers in filing their returns.  Below are a few options that can be utilized by any individuals

• IRS Free File — Use free tax prep software or fillable forms based on your income and the forms you must file.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site — Get free, in-person filing help near you.
• Authorized e-file provider — Search the list of tax professionals approved by the IRS for e-filing.
• File your return by mail — Find addresses by the state to mail your tax return.

IRS Audit Group is a Los Angeles-based Tax Audit Representation firm that helps in resolving common tax problems and provides points of clarification on issues such as tax relief, tax fraud, California state tax issues, and other tax debt-related circumstances.  Our certified tax attorneys help taxpayers in facilitating their filings as well as after filing issues like IRS audits.  Contact us to get a free consultation from our staff members to help us understand your problems.  Email: info@irs-audit-group.com, Telephone Number: (310) 498-7508

https://irsauditgroup.com/contact/

It is that time of the year when the tax return is due.  The deadline for submitting tax return for the year 2021 is April 18, 2022.  Those who requested an extension will have until October 17, 2022, to file their full 2021 tax return.  Filing a tax return sometimes turns out to be a confusing process for quite a few.  It happens mostly if the rules and deadlines have changed slightly over the previous year.  It’s a good idea to get it straight so you know exactly what to file and when.

Now, there is a reminder from the IRS for those who have yet to file under several provisions of the American Rescue Plan, and it will have an impact on their 2021 tax return.  More than two-thirds of the tax cuts and direct payments go to families earning less than $90,000 a year, making it one of the most progressive pieces of legislation in history.

How the American Rescue Plan affect taxes in 2021

The ARPA’s (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) impact will be felt primarily on the 2021 tax return, as many of the provisions were designed to provide tax relief to taxpayers dealing with the effects of COVID-19 in 2021.  The tax provisions primarily expand on current Tax Code provisions, with few exceptions.

Stimulus Payments

Families will get payments from the government for every qualified dependent child listed on their tax returns, not just those under the age of 17.  Importantly, Stimulus funds are available to the US residents and Green Card holders living abroad.  The first two installments can be claimed as a refund in the 2020 federal tax return.  The third payment can be claimed on the 2021 federal tax return if they are not received automatically.  For expats, this is excellent news.

Child and Dependent Care Credit

For 2021, ARPA made significant changes to the child and dependent care credit.  The credit will be a refundable credit on the 2021 tax return, which will benefit low-income taxpayers significantly.  For more details visit:

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/child-and-dependent-care-credit-information

Earned Income Tax Credit

For low-income individuals, there is an extension of the Earned Income Tax Credit.  As well as raising the income cap and expanding the beneficiary age bracket, it hopes to raise the credit limit for childless adults from around $530 to close to $1,500.  Check if you qualify using IRS virtual assistant:

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/use-the-eitc-assistant

Unemployment Benefits Exclusion

The American Rescue Plan improves unemployment insurance to make it easier for workers to receive benefits.  Unemployment compensation is available for periods ranging from 24 to 53 weeks, while unemployment assistance is available for periods ranging from 50 to 73 weeks.

Forgiven Student Loans are Excluded

The legislation includes a broader exclusion for forgiven student loans that apply to loans discharged after 2020 but before 2026.

It is important that you file your tax return 2021 before the deadline.  It means you will not face financial penalties for late filing and that you will be able to keep up with payments.  Even if you do not feel you have enough money to pay your entire tax return, filing early and paying as much as you can afford will save you money in the long run.

IRS Audit Group can assist you in filing your tax return by analyzing all the eligibility criteria to your benefits in reducing tax payable.  Contact us for a free consultation: https://irsauditgroup.com/contact/

Telephone Number: (310) 498-7508

info@irs-audit-group.com

IRA or the Individual Retirement Account will help lower your taxable income for the tax season 2022. IRA is easy to set up, and it allows to save for retirements with tax-free benefits. One can open a traditional IRA from a bank, brokerage, mutual fund, or insurance company. The money saved in this account can be used to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and other approved investments.

As we know, IRA is an individual-owned account that provides more flexible benefits than the 401(K) plans.  The 401(K) plans are sponsored by employers.    The employer has the right to change the plan or limit the investment options.

Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA

These are two common IRAs that an individual can set up to contribute to their retirement savings. The important difference between these two is traditional is tax-deferred and Roth is tax-free.

Traditional IRA: The contribution is deductible from your tax return. The earnings grow tax-deferred until you withdraw them upon retirement. But the withdrawals are taxable as income after age 59½. There is also a 10% IRS penalty tax in addition to current income tax if the withdrawal is made before 59½. Individuals with a low tax bracket at the time of retirement or taking withdrawals can use a traditional IRA.

Roth IRA: Savings for Roth IRA is contributed after the tax is paid. But the withdrawal is penalty-free and tax-free after the age of 59½. Still, one needs to wait at least five years to withdraw the savings from Roth IRA.

What has been changed for the tax year 2022?

The contribution limit for tax season 2022 is not changed from the previous year for the IRA, but the adjusted gross income (AGI) has been increased like every year. One can contribute a maximum of $6,000 in the tax year 2022 if you are below the age of 50. An additional contribution of $10,00 is allowed for individuals older than 50. But the contributions for the 401(k)s and 403(b)s plans that are provided by employers for the tax season 2022 have been increased. For the retirement savers younger than 50, the maximum contribution limit has been set as $20,500 in 2022, an increase of $1,000 from 2021. Those 50 and older can add an extra $6,500 (same as 2021) — for a maximum contribution of $27,000 in 2022.

The AGI limits for the tax year 2022 on Traditional IRA tax deduction are summarized below

The AGI limits for the tax year 2022 on Roth IRA tax contribution are summarized below

The savings on an IRA can help build sizable retirement savings. It gives more investment options and choices while having benefits like tax-deductible and tax deferral. Take advantage of this terrific opportunity and jump-start your IRA account. Taxpayers can contribute to an IRA for the 2021 Tax Year until the tax deadline (April 18, 2022).

Call our consultants with IRS Audit Group, Telephone Number: (310) 498-7508 for more information and to find out if you are eligible to contribute. Let us help you establish your retirement funding plan today.

info@irs-audit-group.com