The IRS Got an $80 Billion Raise. How Will That Affect You?
There’s no doubt you’ve spent at least a moment worrying about the $80 billion funding boost the IRS just received as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Should you be worried about increased audits? Possibly. For most taxpayers, however, the infusion won’t be notable. First of all, if you heard that the funding will be […]
When Do Unpaid Payroll Taxes Become Criminal?
There’s talk that the IRS is more proactively tracing how unpaid payroll tax money is spent during trust fund recovery investigations. The outcome? Potentially, it’s a swifter handover to the IRS Criminal Investigation Division for criminal prosecution. Bloomberg Tax published a commentary on the development this summer. In his observations, Attorney Eric Green of Green […]
Your Tax Preparer Isn’t Responsible for Your Omissions
A former small business shareholder recently found guilty of tax evasion serves as a reminder that your tax preparer isn’t responsible for what they don’t know. The case involves a buyout agreement the Brooklyn man entered into when he sold shares of stock back to a home warranty business as he exited. The company agreed […]
Proving Business Losses in Texas Courts
Business loss claims pop up in most commercial litigations. Contract disputes, business torts, and antitrust complaints are some of the most prevalent. There are several ways to claim business losses—some are still quite novel. For example, Ukrainian businesses are seeking avenues in which to hold Russia accountable for lost profits caused by Russia’s invasion of […]
How the Rich Pay Surprisingly Few Taxes
How much did you pay Uncle Sam last year? Ever wonder how the 1% like Warren Buffet and Elon Musk pay so little in taxes compared to their wealth? You may be able to use some of their strategies yourself. The White House reports that billionaires pay an average federal individual income tax rate of […]
Still Waiting for PPP Loan Forgiveness?
As COVID-19 relief for small businesses fades away, about 1 million PPP loans remain unforgiven. Roughly 9% of businesses that received PPP loans haven’t filed for forgiveness. A handful who did were denied or are still awaiting an answer. If you have a PPP loan, you should have either received forgiveness or started making payments […]
Are You an Audit Risk?
You may have heard that IRS audits are few and far between these days, and, for most taxpayers, the risk is indeed low. An average American taxpayer ten years ago was about three times more likely to be audited than they are today. The IRS just doesn’t have the staff and resources to audit like […]
Turns Out Chrisley Doesn’t Know Best
Reality television stars Todd and Julie Chrisley were recently convicted for tax fraud and willingly filing false tax returns. They blamed an employee and their accountant feigned ignorance, but the IRS wasn’t having it. What went on, and can it happen to you? The Chrisleys were found guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks out […]
New Anti-Fraud Requirement Coming for Small Businesses
A massive new filing requirement designed to crack down on shell companies and fraud is coming for certain small businesses with fewer than 20 full-time employees or less than $5 million in revenue. It’s relatively easy to set up legal entities in the U.S., and it’s also rather anonymous to do so, with a minimal […]
Avoid This Costly Charitable Deduction Mistake
It’s better to give than to receive, but receiving a tax break for your charitable giving? That’s a win-win. Making a mistake as simple as overlooking the gift receipt, however, can turn a big donation into a massive missed opportunity. Let’s look at an example from a recent court case. A New Mexico couple acquired […]