Contents1 The Start-Up Expense Limitation: Starting a Business in Retirement2 Facts & Procedural History3 Start-Up or Pre-Opening Expenses4 Factors Indicating a Trade or Business Had Started5 Business Revenues6 Advertising and Solicitations7 Evidence of a Business Plan8 Start-Up Expense Election The Start-Up Expense Limitation: Starting a Business in Retirement There are several occupations where highly skilled…
Tax Articles
IRS Collections for U.S. Military Personnel
Contents1 Military Tax Rights under the SCRA2 Military Tax Rights Under the SCRA3 IRS and State Tax Collections4 IRS and State Tax Collection Statutes5 IRS and State Tax Penalties and Interest6 Who Does the SCRA Cover? Military Tax Rights under the SCRA Judicial and administrative proceedings are temporarily suspended for those serving in the United…
Unmarried Taxpayers Can Claim Mortgage Interest Deduction
Mortgage Interest Deductions for Unmarried Couples In Voss v. Commissioner, 796 F.3d 1051 (9th Cir. 2015), the court addressed the rule that limits the deductibility of interest on home mortgages and home equity loans. This rule limits the amount of interest that can be deducted on mortgages in excess of $1 million and home equity…
Real Estate Professionals Subject to Material Participation Rules
But can you be a real estate professional for the passive activity loss rules and then have your passive losses denied under the material participation rules? The Gragg v. United States, No. 14-16053 (9th Cir. 2016) case presents an opportunity to consider this fact pattern. Contents1 The Facts & Procedural History2 The Passive Activity Loss…
TIGTA Review of the IRS’s Practices in Levying on Social Security Payments
The IRS has the power to levy on or take a taxpayer’s property. This includes nearly all property, including Social Security payments. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), the agency that audits the IRS, recently released a report that examined the IRS’s practices in levying on Social Security payments. Social Security Payments TIGTA’s…
The IRS’s Streamlined Procedures for Foreign Accounts
Given its limited resources and ability to detect foreign assets, accounts and income, the IRS has offered various voluntary programs to entice taxpayers to come clean and report this information. The IRS’s OVDP program and the more recent streamlined procedures are two examples. The Maze v. Internal Revenue Service, Nos. 15-1806 (D.D.C. 2016), highlights several…
Online Account Trigger FBAR Filing, Not Poker Websites
In Hom v. United States, No. 14-16214 (9th Cir. 2016), the court addressed whether an online payment account and poker websites triggered FBAR filing requirements. The stakes are high with FBAR penalties, so those with foreign accounts should take heed. Contents1 FBAR Filing Requirements2 What Foreign Accounts Trigger FBARs?3 The Technical Explanation4 The Layman’s Explanation5…
Five IRS Audits in Ten Years is Not Harassment
There are times when the IRS does not act reasonably. It happens. There are also instances where a few IRS employees take it upon themselves to thoroughly examine all aspects of the taxpayer’s finances. Taxpayers do have rights, but these rights only go so far. This brings us to the Appenrodt v. United States, No.…
IRS Whistleblower Claimants May Be Entitled to Larger Awards
The IRS is often gets more from whistleblowers than one may think. Specifically, the IRS may be able to recoup taxes, penalties and interest for other years or related but different issues. There is a question as to whether the whistleblowers who shine the light on these other years or issues should be compensated for…
Taxpayer Not Entitled to Attorneys Fees Despite Prevailing In Lawsuit
The government makes mistakes. It is not perfect. The United States v. Appelbaum, No. 5:12-CV-186 (W.D.N.C. 2016) , case provides an example. In Appelbaum, the government sued the taxpayer for nearly $4 million that the taxpayer did not owe. The question before the court was whether the taxpayer could recover attorneys fees he incurred in…