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…

Settle Taxes & Keep Right to Dispute Open

Settle Taxes & Keep Right To Dispute Open

If there is any doubt as to whether a taxpayer is liable for income taxes, there is a good chance that the IRS will agree to settle for less. The IRS Office of Appeals is tasked with doing just that. IRS appeals settlements are usually all or nothing. If the taxpayer does not accept the…

How to Contest an IRS Settlement Agreement

How To Contest An Irs Settlement Agreement

What happens if the IRS enters into a settlement agreement for your tax liability and then, later, it takes a position that is inconsistent with the agreement? For example, can the IRS agree that an expense is deductible by your business only to say that the same is expense is taxable income to you as…

Tax Reporting for Returns & Allowances

Tax Reporting For Returns & Allowances

Our tax laws create categories–income/exclusion, deduction, and credit. Taxpayers are presented with structured forms that set out these categories. The IRS expects taxpayers to fill out the forms by correctly identifying what items go in each category. But it is not always clear what items go in each category. Taxpayers may engage in tax planning…

When Can the IRS Collect Tax Debts from a Dead Person?

When Can The Irs Collect Tax Debts From A Dead Person?

Dad filed his taxes but didn’t pay. Several years pass by, say five years. Dad dies. The family eventually files for probate several years later. Say 10 years has passed since the taxes were first due? Has the time limit for the IRS to collect the unpaid taxes lapsed? How does the filing of the…

Correcting Tax Overpayments After the Refund Period

Correcting Tax Overpayments After The Refund Period

There are times when tax deadlines are strict. They cannot be changed. The time period for filing a refund claim is an example. Taxpayers generally have the later of three years from the filing of a return or two years from the payment of the tax to file a refund claim. But what if the…