Tax Procedure Archives

Getting the IRS to Act Timely

There are quite a few avenues available to resolve tax disputes with the IRS. We have previously considered these options for resolving tax cases in a prior article. The number of avenues available can make it difficult to navigate the IRS bureaucracy. This plus the slow pace at which the IRS works makes it very…

The IRS’s Ability to Recoup Refund Checks

If you receive a tax refund and the IRS later asks you to repay the refund, what do you do? Do you keep the refund or repay it? This can be a very difficult question to answer. This is particularly true if you believe that you have a legitimate basis for and entitlement to the…

Are Funds Advanced to Third Party Subject to Tax?

With a cash basis taxpayer, the general rule is that the taxpayer recognizes gross income when money is received. But what if the taxpayer holds money on account for others? This is a common practice. These transfers may include deposits, advances, etc. It can even include funds held in trust for the benefit of a…

Failure to Review Tax Return Voids Penalty Defense

The IRS is quick to impose penalties. Many penalties are automatically imposed by the IRS’s computers. Even on audit, the IRS’s lead sheets direct IRS auditors to consider penalties before closing the audits. Most penalties can be abated if the taxpayer can establish reasonable cause. This is a facts and circumstances analysis. The courts have…

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…

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…

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…

When the IRS Sends Mail to the Wrong Address

The IRS sends out a lot of letters. It usually uses the U.S. Postal Service to send these letters. The volume of letters is so high that the IRS may be the U.S. Postal Service’s largest customer. These IRS letters are often required. These requirements are found in the Code. The requirement that the IRS…

Can the IRS Waive Compliance With Tax Rules?

What happens if you make a technical foot fault while working with the IRS? Say you miss a deadline or a filing requirement. Can the IRS waive compliance with the deadline or requirement? IRS personnel will often say that they cannot. But in reality, the IRS can waive most procedural requirements. The authority for this…