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Tax Relief Blog

Item: Mike Habib, EA
Rating: 5
Author: April S.

March 22, 2019

The importаnce of hiring Tаx Consultаnts when prepаring for Tаx Audit Defense

by Mike Habib, EA

IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE, CDTFA Tax Audit Representation Defense

Allowing the government to provide exceptionаl services to the people аs well аs to fuel the growth of the nаtion tаxes is importаnt. With this, the Tax Revenue System hаs plаced strict meаsures to ensure thаt individuаls аnd businesses pаy whаt is due them. Indeed, the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE, CDTFA conduct tаx audits regulаrly to curb frаud using specific progrаms to trаck flаgs, most notаbly from businesses. These flаgs will include numerous deductions аnd fluctuаting or unreported income, аs well аs improperly filed returns.

Do it yourself, or seek audit defense representation?

March 7, 2019

Whittier, CA Tax, Accounting, Bookkeeping Help – 3 Reasons You Might Need Tax Help – Los Angeles, California

by Mike Habib, EA

Some things in life are easier than others. Gaining weight for example, is much easier than losing it. When it comes to levels of difficulty however, most taxpayers out there would agree that getting your taxes, bookkeeping in order and filing your tax return is one of the toughest things you will do all year. Today we’re focusing on Whittier, CA tax help. California is renowned for its many professional tax & accounting services and experts operating in the state, and if you’re located in Whittier and are wondering whether you should consider hiring an expert, this article could prove particularly interesting. Here’s a look at 3 reasons why you might need tax help.

Tax, accounting, bookkeeping services Whittier, Hacienda Heights, La Mirada, Buena Park, La Habra, Pico Rivera, Norwalk, Downey, Lakewood, Rosemead, Montebello, Baldwin Park, La Puente, El Monte, Santa Fe Springs, City of Industry, Bellflower, Commerce, Brea, Long Beach, Los Angeles and Orange County.

March 1, 2019

Settling Back Tax Debt using an IRS Offer in Compromise

by Mike Habib, EA

Nothing on this earth is scarier than owing money to the Federal Government. This is because of the fact that the IRS will stop at nothing to collect the taxes that are owed. They are the largest and most powerful collection agency in the United States with the full power of the Federal Government behind them. It is not a good idea to fail to file your tax returns, owe unpaid back taxes, this could result in you having to settle your Tax Debt using an IRS Offer in Compromise.

How to qualify for an Offer in Compromise

Not everyone will actually qualify to receive an OIC (Offer in Compromise) from the IRS and just because you filled out the form does not automatically qualify you for Settling a Tax Debt using an IRS Offer in Compromise. There are four preconditions that you must complete before you proceed on to The following are the four steps you must complete in order to move forward

#1 You must be current on filling all past tax returns that you are required to file by law

#2 You have to have had received at least one tax bill from the IRS previously

#3 You must be current on any estimated tax bill payments

#4 If you are business you must be current on all quarterly tax payments

When it comes to Settling a Tax Debt using an IRS Offer in Compromise, the IRS is only willing to make this kind of deal if they are reasonably certain that they are going to collect the most of the tax debt that is owed.

Whether you are an individual with a tax debt problem or a business, you cannot avoid paying your taxes. As a US taxpayer, your income is reported to the IRS by your employer and as a business owner, you are required to submit income reports at regular intervals. So, when tax time comes around the IRS simply waits for you to submit your tax return and they do their calculations and you either get money back or you will be expected to pay the difference at the time you file your return.

Get a free case evaluation today at 877-788-2937.

February 14, 2019

IRS Bank Levy Release – Taxpayer Advocate

by Mike Habib, EA

In Nina Olson’s recent report to Congress, the head of National Taxpayer Advocate, addressed challenges and concerns facing US taxpayers when dealing with the IRS.

I will only highlight one of her concerns which is releasing IRS bank levies, that’s when the IRS seizes bank accounts of delinquent taxpayers with unpaid back taxes or unfiled tax returns.

In the report to Congress, Nina Olson discussed the impact of the recent government shutdown. A major point of discussion before and during the shutdown was the permissible scope of IRS levies, bank accounts, wages and other enforcement activities. Under the Anti-Deficiency Act, federal funds may not be spent in the absence of an appropriation except where otherwise provided by law. One exception provided by law is for “emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property”. Although not stated in the law or Justice Department guidance, the IRS Office of Chief Counsel has interpreted the “protection of property” exception to apply only to the protection of government property and not to taxpayers’ property such as bank accounts.

February 4, 2019

Tax Attorney VS Enrolled Agent VS CPA – What’s the Difference? Cost & Fees

by Mike Habib, EA

Looking to get your taxes and finances in order before the IRS comes knocking on your door? If so then rest assured that you are most definitely not alone. As we are now in tax season, taxpayers all across the country are starting to panic, dig out their receipts, and attempting to get their accounts in order as soon as possible. A select few however, are cool, calm, and collected. This is because those select few have made the wise decision to hire a professional tax expert (EA, CPA, attorney) to take care of their finances and accounts for them. When selecting a tax professional however, it’s important that you understand the choices available to you, and that you know the differences. Many people often confuse CPAs with tax attorneys and enrolled agents. While the three do share some similarities, in reality they are very different. To help show you what we mean, we’ll now look at the key differences between all three.

Get a free case evaluation today by calling us at 877-788-2937.

January 24, 2019

IRS-FTB-EDD-CDTFA-BOE Tax Audit, Back Tax, Representation, Resolution Cost and Fees

by Mike Habib, EA

The first thing you need if you are facing IRS-FTB-EDD-CDTFA-BOE Tax Audit, or owe back taxes and need a settlement option, is to seek a tax representation firm [tax resolution firm] that specializes in resolving tax problems and controversy matters. Then you can inquire about the fees and cost of service.

Only an EA enrolled agent, tax attorney / lawyer, or CPA certified public accountant can represent you as a power of attorney.

BEWARE of the sales organization companies that heavily advertises on TV, Radio and Internet. Don’t fall for scams! Read our popular beware report HERE.

Not all tax or law firms specialize in audits, appeals, back tax settlement relief, resolution and representation.

Hire and retain the right firm from the first time, understand the fee, cost structure, if hourly or flat fee.

Our tax resolution firm is a tax representation firm, we represent taxpayers before ALL administrative levels of the IRS-FTB-EDD-CDTFA-BOE.

Get a free case evaluation today, or a second opinion, call us at 877-788-2937.

January 17, 2019

Tax Relief – Reasons to Seek Tax Negotiation and Representation Help

by Mike Habib, EA

It’s once again time for us to start thinking about getting our taxes and finances in order for the latest financial year. We know, we know, it quickly creeps up on us all and if you aren’t careful you could potentially wind up getting caught out by the IRS. Nobody enjoys paying tax, but if the IRS does indeed believe they are owed tax payments, you’d better believe that they’ll do everything in their power to get their money. The good news is that if you do need to seek tax relief you can hire professionals. In fact, many agree that it always pays dividends to hire professional tax experts to offer you tax relief, tax negotiation, and tax representation help and advice. There are many reasons why people seek tax relief and representation services, which is why we’re going to take a look at a few potential scenarios below.

Get a free case evaluation by calling us at 877-788-2937.

January 11, 2019

CLIENT LETTER EXPLAINS RECENT DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAY AFFECT A CLIENT’S TAX SITUATION

by Mike Habib, EA

Dear Client:

The following is a summary of important tax developments that occurred in October, November, and December of 2018 that may affect you, your family, your investments, and your livelihood. Please call us for more information about any of these developments and what steps you should implement to take advantage of favorable developments and to minimize the impact of those that are unfavorable.

Business meals. One of the provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) disallows a deduction for any item with respect to an activity that is of a type generally considered to constitute entertainment, amusement, or recreation. However, the TCJA did not address the circumstances in which the provision of food and beverages might constitute entertainment. The new guidance clarifies that, as in the past, taxpayers generally may continue to deduct 50% of otherwise allowable business meal expenses if:

The expense is an ordinary and necessary expense paid or incurred during the tax year in carrying on any trade or business;
The expense is not lavish or extravagant under the circumstances;
The taxpayer, or an employee of the taxpayer, is present at the furnishing of the food or beverages;
The food and beverages are provided to a current or potential business customer, client, consultant, or similar business contact; and
In the case of food and beverages provided during or at an entertainment activity, the food and beverages are purchased separately from the entertainment, or the cost of the food and beverages is stated separately from the cost of the entertainment on one or more bills, invoices, or receipts.

January 7, 2019

IRS Tаx Audit Representаtion

by Mike Habib, EA

Who is best to Represent me in а Tаx Audit?

Why cаn’t I represent myself? Why cаn’t I hаve my tаx prepаrer represent me? Cаn а relаtive who is professionаlly licensed аs аn EA, CPA, or аttorney, represent me?

These аre excellent questions thаt hаve to be аnswered when you receive аn IRS аudit notice. This is аlso true if you receive а correspondence letter from the IRS requesting аdditionаl documentаtion to support just а few items on your return!

December 21, 2018

Can I be held [Personally Responsible] for my company’s Payroll Taxes?

by Mike Habib, EA

As a business owner, officer, controller, or bookkeeper, you will no doubt be well-aware of the various roles and responsibilities you need to carry out on a daily basis to keep your business ticking over. In an effort to cut costs, or sometimes through sheer stubbornness, business owners with no prior tax or accounting experience will often also try to handle the taxes and accounting issues of their companies, rather than hiring professional tax services. Needless to say, this is a very time-consuming job, and it can also be stressful if you don’t know what you’re doing. You may think that by not hiring a tax lawyer or tax professional enrolled agent, CPA, attorney-in-fact to help you, that you are saving money, yet in reality the exact opposite is true. Take trust fund payroll taxes for example. If you fail to handle them correctly, you could be held personally responsible for your company’s payroll taxes.

Get a free case evaluation at 877-788-2937.

★★★★★

Mike has given us peace of mind! He helped negotiate down a large balance and get us on a payment plan that we can afford with no worries! The stress of dealing with the IRS is huge and Mike helped us through it all. The peace of mind is invaluable, thank you Mike!April S.

Mike Habib - Thank you for being so professional and honest and taking care of my brothers IRS situation. We are so relieved it is over and the offer in compromise process went just as you said. Mike is very professional and will give you honest answers to the OIC process and you can really trust him. You won't be sorry you chose him!Joe and Deborah V.

Mike is a true professional. He really came thru for me and my business. Dealing with the IRS is very scary. I'm a small business person who works hard and Mike helped me see that they are not that scary after all. He was always there with the answers I needed and was very good about calling me back which I appreciated since your first reaction is to freak out and ask a million questions. He solved a messy case and worked very hard to resolve it. His rates are VERY reasonable for the amount of work he does! I give him my highest recommendation!Marcie R.

Mike was incredibly responsive to my IRS issues. Once I decided to go with him (after interviewing numerous other tax professionals), he got on the phone with the IRS immediately (as in the same day I signed with him) to squash an impending issue. And he worked directly with them to quickly come to a resolution I am very happy with. I'd highly recommend reaching out to Mike to see if he can help you with any IRS issues. I'm very satisfied!Marshall W.

I’ve seen and heard plenty of commercials on TV and radio for businesses offering tax help. I did my research on many of them only to discover numerous complaints and unresolved tax issues. I found Mike Habib through my own online search and contacted him. He was very professional with great communication, always answering my questions and concerns. Mike resolved my complicated tax problem just as he said he would. I would definitely recommend his services to family and friends.Nancy & Sal V.

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