Tax Help

Obama Business Tax Impact

February 28, 2009 | Mike Habib, EA

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (commonly referred to as the Recovery Act), which was signed into law on Feb. 17, 2009, makes a number of beneficial changes for business. Here’s a review of the more widely applicable provisions that could have an impact on you and your enterprise.

Mike Habib, EA Tax Relief & Tax Problem Resolution

Liberal expensing limits continued for another year. The Recovery Act gave a one-year lease on life to enhanced expensing rules, which allow qualifying businesses the option to currently deduct the cost of business machinery and equipment, instead of recovering its cost via depreciation over a number of years. For tax years beginning in 2009, the maximum amount that a business may expense is $250,000, and the expensing election begins to phase out when a business buys more than $800,000 of expensing-eligible assets. These dollar limits are the same as those that were in effect for 2008. Had the Recovery Act not been passed and signed into law, the dollar limits would have dropped this year to $133,000 and $530,000 respectively.

Major Tax Changes

February 27, 2009 | Mike Habib, EA

President’s FY 2010 budget will propose many major tax changes for businesses and individuals

“A New Era of Responsibility: Renewing America‘s Promise,” the Administration’s preview of its FY 2010 budget, is available at http://www.omb.gov

Mike Habib, EA Tax Relief & Tax Problem Resolution

Tax changes affecting individuals and families

February 25, 2009 | Mike Habib, EA

Tax changes affecting individuals and families in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Mike Habib, EA Tax Relief & Tax Problem Resolution

The recently enacted “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” (the 2009 economic stimulus act) contains a wide-ranging tax package that includes tax relief for low and moderate-income wage earners, individuals and families with college expenses, and home and car purchasers. I’m writing to give you an overview of the more widely applicable tax changes affecting individuals and families in the new law. Please call our offices for details of how the new changes may affect you and your family.

Offer in compromise tax relief

February 24, 2009 | Mike Habib, EA

IRS not obligated to accept offer in compromise

Bennett, TC Memo 2008-251

Mike Habib, EA

Release your federal tax lien

February 9, 2009 | Mike Habib, EA

IRS Speeds Lien Relief for Homeowners Trying to Refinance, or Sell their house

Contact Mike Habib, EA to release your IRS Federal Tax lien

The Internal Revenue Service announced an expedited process that will make it easier for financially distressed homeowners to avoid having a federal tax lien block refinancing of mortgages or the sale of a home.

Tax Controversy

January 16, 2009 | Mike Habib, EA

As you can see from the article below, the IRS tax code is getting more complicated than ever. Further, the IRS‘s reach of audits has no limits.

If you have a tax problem, can not pay your tax bill or is facing an IRS tax audit contact us now.

Tax problem complicates Geithner’s confirmation process

As reported by the Los Angeles Times

Many senators want a better explanation from Obama’s would-be Treasury secretary about past underpayments. His hearing is delayed till after the inauguration.

No More Tax Problems

January 5, 2009 | Mike Habib, EA

No More Tax Problems in 2009

Mike Habib, EA

Here is a New Year resolution you can’t afford to ignore… No more tax problems!! Yes, you can get rid of your tax problems in 2009.

Offer In Compromise

December 30, 2008 | Mike Habib, EA

Taxpayer’s failure to timely file breached offer-in-compromise justified renewed collection action Trout, (2008) 131 TC No. 16

Mike Habib, EA

The Tax Court has concluded that IRS didn’t abuse its discretion in finding that a taxpayer had breached his offer-in-compromise (OIC) and deciding to proceed with its collection efforts where the OIC made timely filing and payment of tax an express condition of the agreement.

Expat Tax Help

December 15, 2008 | Mike Habib, EA

IRS boosts 2008 housing cost allowances for those working abroad in high-cost areas Notice 2008-107, 2008-50 IRB

Mike Habib, EA

A new Notice effectively increases the maximum housing cost exclusion for U.S. citizens and residents working abroad in specified high-cost locations. The increases are based on geographic differences in foreign housing costs relative to U.S. housing costs.

Trust Fund Recovery Penalty

September 29, 2008 | Mike Habib, EA

Once is enough as far as collection of the trust fund recovery penalty is concerned Chief Counsel Advice 200838027

The IRS has issued a new Chief Counsel Advice (CCA) on the trust fund recovery penalty. The IRS notes that the CCA may not be used or cited as precedent.

IRC §6672, imposes a penalty on any person who is required to collect, truthfully account for, and pay over withheld income and Social Security taxes who willfully fails to do so. The amount of the penalty is equal to the amount of the tax that was not collected and paid. The penalty is often referred to as the “trust fund recovery penalty” (TFRP). The penalty is imposed on a “responsible person.” A “responsible person” is anyone within a corporation or partnership who has the duty to collect, account for, or pay over the tax. Depending on the facts of the case, a responsible person could be an officer, a director, an accountant, a comptroller, or even a payroll manager.