Tax Relief Blog

CP 90 Final Notice Intent to Levy: Understanding Your IRS Notice or Letter

July 25, 2011 | Mike Habib, EA

First and foremost, you must respond to any IRS Notice.

If you receive a letter or notice from the IRS, it will explain the reason for the correspondence and provide specific instructions. Many of these letters and notices can be dealt with simply, without having to call or visit an IRS office.

The notice you receive covers a very specific issue about your account or tax return. Generally, the IRS will send a notice if it believes you owe additional tax, are due a larger refund, if there is a question about your tax return or a need for additional information.

Tax Relief second quarter 2011 developments

July 19, 2011 | Mike Habib, EA

The following is a summary of the most important tax developments that have occurred in the past three months that may affect you, your family, your investments, and your livelihood. Please contact us for more information about any of these tax relief developments and what steps you should implement to take advantage of favorable developments and to minimize the impact of those that are unfavorable.

Standard mileage rates increase for last half of 2011. The IRS has announced that the optional mileage allowance for owned or leased autos (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) is increased 4.5¢ from 51¢ to 55.5¢ per mile for business travel from July 1, 2011 to Dec. 31, 2011 to better reflect the real cost of operating an auto in this period of rapidly rising gas prices. This rate can also be used by employers to reimburse tax-free under an accountable plan employees who supply their own autos for business use, and to value personal use of certain low-cost employer-provided vehicles. The rate for using a car to get medical care or in connection with a move that qualifies for the moving expense also increases 4.5¢ for the last half of 2011 from 19¢ to 23.5¢ per mile.

Avoid Becoming Victims of Tax Scams

July 11, 2011 | Mike Habib, EA

IR-2011-73, July 11, 2011
The Internal Revenue Service today encouraged taxpayers to guard against being misled by unscrupulous individuals trying to persuade them to file false claims for tax credits or rebates.

The IRS has noted an increase in tax-return-related scams, frequently involving unsuspecting taxpayers who normally do not have a filing requirement in the first place. These taxpayers are led to believe they should file a return with the IRS for tax credits, refunds or rebates for which they are not really entitled. Many of these recent scams have been targeted in the South and Midwest.

Unfiled, Past Due Tax Returns? Riverside, San Bernardino County CA

July 1, 2011 | Mike Habib, EA

We provide IRS tax help, tax relief, tax resolution and IRS audit representation in the Inland Empire area of Riverside County, Cathedral city, Corona, Hemet, Indio, Jurupa Valley, Menifee, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Palm Springs, Riverside, Temecula. We also serve clients in San Bernardino County, Apple Valley, Chino, Chino Hills, Colton, Fontana, Hesperia, Highland, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, Upland, Victorville and Yucaipa.

The IRS has identified many individual and business taxpayers who fail to file income tax returns (1040 for individuals and 1120 for corporations) and employment tax returns (940 and 941) and effectively stop paying federal taxes as a serious concern to the US tax administration and the American economy as a whole. The IRS is actively pursuing non-filers owing back taxes with aggressive enforcement of the tax laws by issuing record numbers of tax levies and tax liens.

Orange County, CA IRS tax help, IRS audit, Tax resolution

June 15, 2011 | Mike Habib, EA

We provide IRS tax help, IRS audit representation, back tax help, employment 941 payroll controversies, and tax problem resolution in Orange County, CA serving cities such as Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange, and Santa Ana, CA.

If you have a tax problem such as unpaid back taxes, you should know that you have a number of options to resolve your tax matters and get your life back in order. If you cannot pay your tax debt, he IRS accepts alternatives such as installment agreements, tax settlements through OIC offer in compromise, partial pay installment agreements, penalty abatement and reduction for reasonable cause.

OIC Offer in Compromise: Tax Court upholds IRS’s rejection

June 6, 2011 | Mike Habib, EA

IRS OIC Johnson, (2011) 136 TC No. 23
The Tax Court has upheld IRS’s determination to reject an individual’s proposed offer in compromise (OIC) and sustain collection action against him. IRS’s determination, which was in part based on the inclusion of certain dissipated assets in the taxpayer’s reasonable collection potential (RCP), wasn’t an abuse of discretion.

Under Code Sec. 7122, IRS will consider an OIC offer in compromise where: (1) the taxpayer is unable to pay the tax; (2) there is doubt as to the taxpayer’s liability for the tax; or (3) a compromise would promote effective tax administration because collection of the full amount of tax would cause economic hardship for the taxpayer, or compelling public policy or equity considerations provide a sufficient basis for compromising the liability.

Tax treatment of charitable giving

June 1, 2011 | Mike Habib, EA

Charitable contribution has always been a hot IRS tax audit item.

Recently, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) published a report entitled “Options for Changing the Tax Treatment of Charitable Giving.” While the deduction of charitable donations has historically been a feature of the U.S. individual income tax system, the cost, equity and efficiency of the deduction are now the focus of increased scrutiny.

Are vineyards eligible for expensing under Code Sec. 179?

May 21, 2011 | Mike Habib, EA

Did you receive an IRS tax audit for your vineyard?

Code Sec. 179 expensing has become a potent tax saver, thanks to current law’s $500,000 deduction ceiling. So it should come as no surprise that taxpayers and their advisers are on the lookout for assets that potentially qualify as Code Sec. 179 property eligible for expensing. One such class of property is vineyards and orchards. IRS has published an Audit Techniques Guide (ATG) turning a thumbs down on expensing for such property, but its conclusion appears to be based on prior law. A more recent ATG leaves the door open to a better result. This Practice Alert presents the case for treating vineyards and orchards as Code Sec. 179 property and covers IRS’s current “conflicted” guidance as well.

Tax Controversy: Understanding IRS Guidance – Tax Help

May 20, 2011 | Mike Habib, EA

For anyone not familiar with the inner workings of tax administration, the array of IRS guidance may seem, well, a little puzzling at first glance. To take a little of the mystery away, here’s a brief look at seven of the most common forms of guidance.

In its role in administering the tax laws enacted by the Congress, the IRS must take the specifics of these laws and translate them into detailed regulations, rules and procedures. The Office of Chief Counsel fills this crucial role by producing several different kinds of documents and publications that provide guidance to taxpayers, firms and charitable groups.

Seeking an independent tax opinion letter?

Tax controversy matter? Get expert tax help at 877-788-2937.

Tax Relief Attorney: specialist in tax relief resolution

May 15, 2011 | Mike Habib, EA

Most taxpayers assume that they need a tax attorney or a tax lawyer to respond to an IRS notice or letter. Taxpayers with tax problems should consider EAs (Enrolled Agents) who specialize in tax relief and tax problem resolution.

Looking for a tax relief attorney? Our firm is headed by Mike Habib, he is an EA who specializes in tax relief and can resolve your tax problems such as releasing tax levies, stopping wage garnishments, IRS audit representation, 941 payroll tax matters, etc. Tax attorneys and criminal lawyers should be considered by the taxpayers facing criminal charges. The vast majority of tax problems in need of tax relief are civil matters, and our firm can represent you before all administrative levels of the IRS. You will need a tax criminal attorney if you’ve been visited by a criminal or special agent.