by Marketing | Jul 14, 2016 | Tax Tips
According to recent statistics, budget cuts, staff attrition, and a heavy workload for IRS employees mean your chances of undergoing a tax audit are less than 1%. Does that sound like a non-event to you? Don’t be lured into a false sense of security. The statistic is a blended rate covering many types of incomes and taxpayers. Here are some of the reasons returns were audited.
- No adjusted gross income (AGI). For AGI of zero, audit risk jumped to over 5%. The IRS benchmarks AGI because it is total income including losses from businesses and investments.
- Large adjusted gross income. Audit risk was nearly 2% for returns with AGI over $200,000. Audit risk climbed to 16% when AGI was $10 million or more.
- International returns. Due to a focus on offshore tax evasion, the audit rate of international returns was almost 5%.
- Estate taxes. Approximately 8.5% of estate returns were audited. Gross estates of $10 million or more were tagged with a 27% audit risk.
- Corporate returns. Small corporations experienced up to a 2% audit risk. The risk for large corporations with assets over $20 billion was 85%.
Be aware that even if you don’t fit into any of these categories, your return may still be selected for audit. That’s one reason it’s essential to keep good records to support all deductions and credits you claim on your tax return for at least three years after filing. Examples of required recordkeeping include:
- When you deduct expenses for meals and entertainment, the written evidence must show who was in attendance and what business was discussed.
- A home office deduction must be supported by evidence showing your home office is used regularly and exclusively as the principal place of business.
- Certain non-business property that you gift, donate, or intend to distribute through your estate requires an appraisal.
Contact us for more information.
by Marketing | Jun 24, 2016 | Tax Tips
Did you know that you can claim a federal income tax credit when you pay someone to care for your kids while you’re at work or school? The Child and Dependent Care Credit is valuable because it reduces the amount of tax you owe dollar-for-dollar. Here’s an overview of the rules.
- Child care expenses must be work-related. This requirement means you have to pay for child care so you can work or actively look for work. If you’re married, you and your spouse must both work. Exceptions to this “earned income” rule include spouses who are full-time students or who are not able to care for themselves due to mental or physical limitations.
- Expenses generally must be paid for care of your under-age-13 child. However, expenses you pay to care for a physically or mentally disabled spouse or adult dependent may also count.
- Expenses must be paid to someone who is not your dependent. Amounts you pay your spouse, your child’s parent (such as an ex-spouse), anyone claimed as a dependent on your tax return, or your own child age 18 or younger do not qualify for the credit. For example, if you pay your 17-year-old dependent child to watch a younger sibling, that expense doesn’t count for purposes of claiming the credit.
- The care provider has to be identified on your tax return. You’ll typically need to show the name, address, and taxpayer identification number. You can request this information by asking your provider to complete Form W-10, Dependent Care Provider’s Identification and Certification.
- The amount you can claim depends on how much you spend for the care up to a dollar limit of $3,000 of expenses for one dependent and $6,000 for two or more dependents.
by Marketing | Jun 9, 2016 | Tax Tips
Check your advance payments of the premium tax credit.
Did you choose to reduce your monthly health insurance premium by having advance payments of your federal income tax credit sent to your insurance company? If you’re getting married this summer, having a baby, or changing jobs, you need to estimate the impact of those events on the advance payments. Otherwise you may end up with a surprise in the form of a smaller refund or a required repayment next year when you file your federal income tax return.
by Marketing | Jun 6, 2016 | Security
The latest credit cards have a new feature: a half-inch square on the card’s face that looks like a mini circuit board. The square is a small computer chip called an EMV. The acronym stands for Europay, MasterCard, and VISA, the developers of the technology. Over the next several years, these chip-embedded cards are expected to replace the familiar magnetic strip technology on cards that you now swipe at point-of-sale devices. When you use your EMV card, you’ll need to “dip,” or insert, it into a new type of reader.
Why the change? The new chips are expected to improve credit and debit card security. Data on cards with the older technology is much easier for crooks to steal because the information on the magnetic strip is static and can be copied. As a result, a thief can use your card for multiple fraudulent transactions. Cards with the new chip are different. Every time you use an EMV card, the chip creates a unique transaction code. As a result, the newer cards aren’t as useful to counterfeiters and card thieves.
by Marketing | Jun 1, 2016 | Tax Tips
June 30, 2016, is the deadline for filing the 2015 Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, known as the FBAR. Not sure if you need to file? The general rule is that a return is due when you have a financial interest in, or signature authority over, foreign financial accounts if the aggregate value of those accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year. The requirement applies to both individuals and entities such as trusts and businesses, and you may need to file even if your foreign account produces no income.
Be aware that June 30, 2016, is a “hard” deadline. Your 2015 Form 114 must be filed electronically with the Treasury Department no later than that date. No filing extension is available for 2015 forms – even if you filed an extension for your federal income tax return.
How to respond to an IRS notice
If you find yourself on the IRS mailing list, here’s what to do.
- Scan the heading. The first line, generally printed in bold type and centered beneath your name and address, will tell you why the IRS is contacting you. Questions about missing information, additional taxes owed, or payments due mean you’ll want to take prompt action to avoid more notices or assessments of interest and penalties.
- Review the discrepancy. You’ll find the tax form and the year to which the notice applies printed in the upper right corner. Pull out your copy of the corresponding tax return, along with the supporting documents, and compare what you filed with what the IRS is questioning.
- Prepare your explanation. Are the proposed changes correct? Did the IRS misapply a payment? Whatever the issue, there’s usually no need to file an amended return. However, the IRS typically wants a response, either by phone or mail, in order to clear the notice from your account.
- Do not delay. Ignoring IRS correspondence will not make it go away. Reply to the IRS in a timely manner even if you don’t have all the information being requested.
Please contact us if you receive a notice from the IRS, or your state or local taxing authority. We’re here to set your mind at ease by helping you resolve the matter as quickly as possible.
