The things we take for granted these days. If you are younger than me, you may not realize it but there was a significant change that happened in the 1990s. Personal computers were just starting to actually be useful in the workplace. The ability to type and use a 10-day calculator were sought after job…
Tax Articles
Tax Debts & the Dreaded Dissipated Asset
It is very difficult to run a business and to do so in full compliance with all of our laws. Having worked with thousands of business owners, the message is the same. Something always seems to give. If the business focuses on the operational side of the business to comply with industry regulations or to…
Avoiding Tax Penalties for Bookkeeper’s Mistakes
Taxes are computed based on accounting records. Accounting records are often complied by bookkeepers who have no tax training or experience. The bookkeepers may not intend to provide tax advice. Their work product may be used to prepare tax returns, however. The tax return preparer may move the numbers from the bookkeeper’s profit and loss…
How to Challenge Payroll Taxes
Payroll tax disputes can be more difficult to resolve with the IRS than some other types of taxes. This is largely due to the IRS’s notice of deficiency process. The IRS’s notice of deficiency is the final notice the IRS sends before it assesses or records a tax as being due. The notice is required…
Enough is Enough, But An Amended Tax Return is Not
The process for reporting taxes can be more difficult than discerning whether a tax provision applies. This complexity stems from the level of information is required to be reported. The IRS reporting requirements continue increase every year. The IRS’s decision to require partnership tax capital accounts is an example. Why is that information required and…
Fixing Self-Directed IRA Errors
There are ways to structure transactions to avoid income taxes. Creative taxpayers and tax attorneys have used qualified retirement accounts for this purpose (the tax savings from ESOPs is an example). One has to be careful when structuring transactions involving these qualified plans. Given the flexibility in the rules and the absence of financial advisors,…
Hobby Loss vs. Start-Up Expense?
Just about every business starts out with losses. This is the nature of start-ups. The activity will either gain traction and produce income and possibly a profit or, eventually, the activity end. This is basic economics and capitalism at work. The U.S. economy is based on these concepts, allowing would-be entrepreneurs the opportunity and motive…
Foreign Corp Tax Returns Must Be Filed Timely
The IRS refocused its efforts on international tax issues about ten years ago. This effort has yielded scores of transfer pricing, foreign tax credit, and similar tax disputes. While not as prominent as transfer pricing and foreign tax credit disputes, the IRS has also focused on U.S.-sourced income that is not reported. The IRS has…
Funding a Business: LLC Capital Contribution vs. Loan
Taxpayers have several choices to make when starting a business. One of these choices is how to fund the business. They can fund the business with capital contributions or debt (or a combination thereof). The IRS and courts will usually follow the method the taxpayer uses. Many taxpayers do not consciously decide this issue. They…
The Contract for Deed Can Avoid IRS Liens
The contract for deed can provide a way to transfer ownership of property to someone who owes back taxes to the IRS, while preserving the right to avoid the IRS lien and IRS foreclosure. Real estate investors and those doing real estate deals may prefer these sales as they can often be made at higher…