The IRS announced it has a new automated way to raise a substantial amount of taxes from US taxpayers who fail to file US tax returns. The new announcement from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration says enforcement is aggressively increasing and has new focus at the IRS targeting...
The Future for Independent Contractors in California
There has been an historic change in how employees or independent contractors are classified, especially here in California. California employers with 1099 workers face audits from every direction. The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently added 700 auditors who will be entirely focused upon auditing businesses in search of misclassified...
Status of Banks Reporting Data to the IRS Under FATCA
When does the final onslaught of data to the IRS from banks around the world begin? What is the status of banks reporting data to the IRS under FATCA and when will FBAR and offshore related audits begin in earnest? These are questions tax experts around the world continue to...
IRS to Retire PIN System – How to Protect Your Business Information
The IRS announced plans to retire the automated PIN system for filing returns electronically, due to extensive hacking and compromised personal and business information of more than half a million US taxpayers. Despite its best efforts the IRS has not been able to protect your business information or your personal...
How was the IRS Audit Window Recently Expanded from 3 Years to 6 Years?
How was the IRS audit window recently expanded from 3 years to 6 years? What changes provided the IRS with more power to go back into prior year's returns than ever before? The standard IRS statute of limitations for an IRS audit was considered to be 3 years. The key...
Once Contacted by the IRS – You Cannot File OVDP or other FBAR Compliance
The IRS Offshore Audits Have Begun The IRS has begun the first round of offshore income, asset and bank account reporting audits, and once contacted by the IRS a taxpayer cannot file OVDP or other FBAR compliance paperwork or applications. At this point the only alternative is to contact the...
IRS Hires 700 New Auditors
The IRS hires 700 new auditors raising the ire of republican watchdogs and raising new questions about Commissioner John Koskinen's previous testimony regarding budget cuts and the need for an increase in the budget for the IRS. The Chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee responded sharply: "Now, less than...
Top IRS Audit Triggers from the Past Year
Tax watchdogs monitor IRS audits and poll many organizations of tax preparers and accounting professionals in an attempt to identify the top IRS audit triggers each year. The list for 2015 has some newcomers. The primary caveat to all of this information is simple: if you have a legitimate expense...
US GAO Weighs In on IRS Audit Selection Process
The US Government Accountability Office or GAO recently evaluated the IRS audit selection process, and raised several concerns about political targeting, as well as selection criteria for small businesses and self employed taxpayers. The IRS audit selection process was found to be skewed and unfair according to the GAO report....