You may have heard on the radio, TV, and online, that you can settle your tax bill for less than what you owe. But are these claims actually true? And can you really settle your tax debt without hurting yourself in the long run?
Some of these national tax resolution firms you hear advertising offer very little service, just look at their Google and Yelp Reviews. So it’s important to know who to trust and get educated on what your options are to resolve your tax problem.
As a local expert Tax Resolution Firm ourselves serving Virginia, we encourage all readers facing a tax problem to contact us for a free consultation https://calendly.com/premiersmlbus/consult.
The truth is that though it’s often harder than they claim to settle for less than you owe the IRS, it is possible and you must first learn if you qualify for the program. This is called an “offer in compromise,” but settling is not necessarily a bad thing.
An “offer in compromise” is a negotiated settlement between the taxpayer and the IRS that is intended to help taxpayers who owe more than they can pay. In a lot of cases, you can settle your entire tax bill for a fraction of what you owe, if you qualify. You can only get one if you genuinely can’t afford to pay back taxes or if doing so would cause extreme hardship. This can apply, for example, if you have become disabled.
You have to be current on all legally required income tax returns and must be current on any estimated tax payments if you are self-employed and you can not file for bankruptcy.
The IRS would rather take an offer in compromise than send you to collections and potentially get less money. Taking an offer in compromise will NOT affect your credit score.. Having your offer in compromise accepted is a far better financial decision in the long run.
However, working out what offer to make on your own and learning the whole process can be challenging. That’s like representing yourself in a court of law without a lawyer. Not smart. A better answer is to find a tax resolution specialist that can help you with the process to see if you qualify and determine what you will have to pay. A tax resolution specialist will also be a licensed CPA, Enrolled Agent or an Attorney.
One of the great things about working with a qualified and local tax resolution firm is that you get protection from the overbearing IRS, letting you sleep better at night knowing you’re on your way towards permanent tax resolution. They can head-off any impending garnishments of your paycheck or levies on your bank account.
Settling with the IRS is a good thing and is often the best answer to dealing with your back tax bill and moving on with your life.
If you want an expert tax resolution professional who knows how to navigate the IRS maze, reach out to our firm and we’ll schedule a no-obligation confidential consultation to explain your options to permanently resolve your tax problem. https://calendly.com/premiersmlbus/consult
When you owe money to the IRS, it is hard to think about anything else. While being in debt is never fun, no matter who the creditor is, the IRS enjoys almost unlimited power to collect the money they are due.
Unlike your mortgage lender or credit card company, the Internal Revenue Service has the power to attach your wages, raid your bank account and even take your freedom. No other creditor even comes close in terms of its power and influence, and taking on the agency on your own could be asking for trouble.
If you have received a notice from the IRS, you need to act fast, and you need the right assistance in your corner. Taking on the IRS requires specific expertise, and that is why it is so important to work with a quality tax resolution company. Here are seven reasons why working with a tax resolution specialist could save your good name – and your bank account.
Owing money to the IRS can be pretty frightening. There is a reason those three letters strike so much fear into the hearts of ordinary citizens, even those who have done nothing wrong.
If you are in trouble with the IRS, you cannot afford to ignore the issue, so act fast and get the help you need today. Working with a tax resolution expert carries a host of benefits, starting with the nine outlined above.
Most likely, you wouldn’t go to court without a lawyer. Similarly, it’s best not to deal with the IRS without expert representation which can be provided by a tax resolution expert, who by training, is also a CPA, attorney or enrolled agent.
Reach out to our firm and we’ll schedule a no-obligation confidential consultation to explain your options in full to permanently resolve your tax problem. https://calendly.com/premiersmlbus/consult
Working at a tender age is an American tradition. What isn’t so traditional is the notion of kids contributing to their own IRA, especially a Roth IRA. But it should be a tradition, because it’s a really good idea.
Here’s what you need to know about IRAs for kids. Let’s start with the Roth IRA option.
Roth IRA Contribution Basics
The only federal-income-tax-law requirement for a child to make an annual Roth IRA contribution is to have enough earned income during the year to cover the contribution. Age is completely irrelevant.
So if a child earns some cash from a summer job or part-time work after school, he or she is entitled to make a Roth contribution for that year.
For both the 2021 and 2022 tax years, your working child can contribute the lesser of
While the same $6,000 contribution limit applies equally to Roth IRAs and traditional IRAs, the Roth option is usually better for kids.
Key point. A contribution for your child’s 2021 tax year can be made as late as April 15, 2022. So, there’s still time for that.
Modest Contributions to Child’s Roth IRA Can Amount to Big Bucks by Retirement Age
By making Roth contributions for a few years during the teenage years your kid can potentially accumulate quite a bit of money by retirement age.
But realistically, most kids won’t be willing to contribute the $6,000 annual maximum even when they have enough earnings to do so.
Say the child contributes $2,500 at the end of each of the four years. Assuming a 5 percent return, the Roth account would be worth about $82,000 in 45 years. Assuming an 8 percent return, the account value jumps to a whopping $259,000. Wow!
You get the idea. With relatively modest annual contributions for just a few years, Roth IRAs can be worth eye-popping amounts by the time your “kid” approaches retirement age.
If you would like to discuss earned income and IRS options for your child, please call me on my direct line at (757) 410-8030
One of the biggest stories in the world of business is the growing shift toward self-employment. An ever-increasing number of men and women are saying goodbye to their colleagues, their cubicles, and their corporate overlords, choosing instead to make their own way in life.
If you are one of these self-employed individuals or a new member of the gig economy, tax filing season could be more complicated than you think. Instead of merely plugging in the numbers from your W2, you will need to gather multiple forms, crunch the numbers, seek out deductions and look for solutions to tax problems you did not even know existed.
Faced with those difficulties, you will want to start your tax planning early. Here is a step-by-step plan for making the April 15 tax filing deadline a little bit less daunting.
Note: If you find yourself in tax debt, owe back taxes or are under audit, our firm can help negotiate with the IRS and potentially settle your tax debt. As a tax resolution firm, we always recommend that you reach out to a professional who knows how to aggressively negotiate and defend you against the IRS on your behalf. Call us today. Our tax resolution specialists can navigate the IRS maze so that you have nothing to worry about. https://calendly.com/premiersmlbus/consult
Verify Your Advance Tax Payments
The only thing worse than paying money to the IRS is not getting credit for it. As a self-employed individual or gig worker, you have probably made advance payments to the tax agency on a quarterly basis, so dig out those canceled checks, grab those receipts and get ready for tax time.
When you file your taxes you will need to input the dates you submitted those quarterly payments, and those days may or may not coincide with the formal schedule laid out by the IRS. Keep in mind that a small inaccuracy could create a big problem, so gather the documentation and get it right.
Add Up Your Income
Even if you are relying on your clients to issue 1099 forms, it is a good idea to tally up your income on your own. Keep in mind not all clients may issue 1099s, and the ones that do could report inaccurate or incomplete figures, and by adding it up on your own you will be able to catch these problems early, while replacement forms can still be issued.
Adding up your income will also serve a number of other purposes, each important to your timely tax filing and the maximizing of your hoped-for refund. For one thing, knowing how much you earned will allow you to maximize retirement plan contributions aimed at the self-employed, a big potential savings you might otherwise miss out on. Adding up your earnings will also allow you to estimate your tax due or refund, giving you time to prepare and helping you avoid an unpleasant shock when April 15 rolls around.
Tally Your Expenses
The world of self-employment can be taxing, but there are also potential savings to be had. As a self-employed individual or member of the gig economy, you may be able to write off everything from office supplies and furniture to computers and gasoline for your car.
Now is the time to tally your expenses so you do not miss out on a valuable deduction when filing season rolls around. Be sure to look at expenses that may have been paid automatically as well, including recurring payments for routine costs like internet access and phone service.
Seek Out Additional Deductions
The calendar year may be over, but you still have time to reap some valuable deductions. Now that you know how much you have earned in self-employment income, you have the opportunity to seek out new deductions and maximize the ones you have already taken.
If you participate in a retirement program for the self-employed, for instance, you can contribute additional money up to the tax filing deadline, giving you a chance to pile current earnings in and apply them against the taxes that would otherwise be due. These generous tax breaks for retirement savings are among the most valuable for the self-employed, and you still have time to take advantage of them.
It goes without saying that you should consult a tax expert for specific questions about retirement plan contributions, possible deductions, and other applicable subjects. Even if you plan to file your own taxes, consulting with an expert could save you a lot of money.
Run the Numbers through a Tax Estimator
For many in the self-employed community, early filing is simply not an option. If you have investments in a brokerage account, for instance, you may not receive the tax forms you need until well into February or even March, making tax planning that much more difficult.
The fact that your personal tax filing season will likely be delayed is certainly frustrating, but it does not mean you cannot run the numbers on your own. You can estimate your tax bill online using the figures you have already compiled, giving you a good idea of what to expect when the real filing season rolls around.
A number of tax preparation companies, including big names like H&R Block and Intuit, provide free online calculators, so you can assess your tax situation well in advance. If you prefer you can simply enter the numbers you do have into your favorite tax filing software program for a fast and easy estimate.
Tax filing season is stressful for nearly everyone, but it can be a particularly challenging time for gig workers and the self-employed. From chasing down forms from reluctant clients to finding deductions that will lower the tab, the self-employed and members of the gig economy must overcome many hurdles by the time the tax filing deadline rolls around, and the sooner they get started the easier their lives will be. The tips listed above will help you slay your own personal tax demons, so you can rest easy and focus on building your business.
If you find yourself a large surprise tax bill or a collection notice from the IRS, the steps you take next are absolutely critical. Trying to take on the IRS on your own is a dangerous, and potentially expensive, thing to do, and you should always contact a tax resolution firm.
By working with an expert, you can gain access to vital information about small business settlement programs the IRS offers. You can gain access to the expertise you will need to settle your tax bill for less than you owe and get back in the good graces of the IRS. Time is of the essence when the IRS comes calling, and with the interest and penalty clock ticking you do not have one second to waste. So call us, your tax resolution expert, for a case evaluation. https://calendly.com/premiersmlbus/consult
If you are running a small business, you have one unwanted partner that will dig into your pocket every year, it’s the IRS. The IRS wants to know what you are doing, how much you are earning and most importantly how much you are paying in taxes, and the tax agency is becoming increasingly aggressive in this regard. While the audit rate for individual returns has been hovering at far less than 1%, the audit rate for small businesses can be as much as 10 times higher.
It does not matter if you operate as a sole proprietor and use Schedule C to claim your income or if you are set up as a C-corp, S-corp or LLC – the IRS is watching what you do, and if they think you are not paying your fair share they will certainly come calling. When that demand letter from the IRS arrives, knowing what to do next can make all the difference, and the more you educate yourself the easier it will be to deal with, and eliminate, the tax debt.
Note: As a tax resolution firm, we always recommend that you reach out to a professional who knows how to aggressively negotiate and defend you against the IRS on your behalf. If you owe back taxes or are under audit, our firm can help negotiate with the IRS and potentially settle your tax debt. Call us today. Our tax resolution specialists can navigate the IRS maze so that you have nothing to worry about. Set a meeting here.
Small business owners are increasingly the target of enforcement efforts by the IRS, but the IRS does have some programs in place to make paying what those business owners owe easier. In some cases those small business tax relief and tax resolution programs let you settle for less than what you owe but qualifying is not as straightforward as you might think.
For businesses that may be eligible, the assistance of a tax resolution specialist is absolutely critical. These experts can help guide you through the process and make sure you qualify, so you can rest a little easier and get back to building your business.
Payment Plans/Installment Agreements
If the amount your small business owes to the IRS is relatively small and you do not want to deal with additional hassles, it may make sense to pay the entire bill in full. If paying in full would be a hardship, the IRS does offer payment plans, and setting one up can make paying back what you owe easier and more financially palatable.
Keep in mind that interest will continue to accrue while the debt remains outstanding, and that is something to think about.
Offer In Compromise
If you’re under a lot of financial hardship, it may make more sense to try for
an offer in compromise (OIC), a special IRS program that could allow you to pay back less than you owe.
The offer in compromise program is a popular one with individual taxpayers and small business owners. If paying the entire amount would create a financial hardship for you, your family or your business, a tax resolution specialist can help you make the case to the IRS that you deserve a break.
What’s the best option?
Each of these options has its pros and cons, and it is important to understand how these programs work and who qualifies to use them. If your small business is in trouble with the IRS, taking the right action right away could reduce the amount you owe, give you some breathing room and allow you to focus on your clients – not on your taxes.
Running a small business has its challenges, but those difficulties are nothing compared to the stress and anxiety small business owners feel when dealing with the IRS. With so many small business owners now in IRS crosshairs, it has never been more important for freelancers, gig workers and the self-employed to have an advocate in their corner.
If you find yourself on the wrong end of an audit, a tax bill or an enforcement action from the IRS, the steps you take next are absolutely critical. Trying to take on the IRS on your own is a dangerous, and potentially expensive, thing to do, and you should always contact a tax resolution firm.
By working with an expert, you can gain access to vital information about small business settlement programs the IRS offers. You can gain access to the expertise you will need to settle your tax bill for less than you owe and get back in the good graces of the IRS. Time is of the essence when the IRS comes calling, and with the interest and penalty clock ticking you do not have one second to waste. So call us, your tax resolution expert, for a case evaluation. Set a meeting here.
Opening the mailbox and finding a letter from the IRS is frightening, but what happens next can be even scarier. The tax agency wields incredible power, and if they claim you owe additional taxes they have many different options for forcing you to pay.
When the IRS claims you owe additional money, they will act quickly, and that could leave you reeling, and trying hard to preserve the money you need to pay your bills, feed your family and keep a roof over your head. If you are employed, the IRS can reach into your paycheck, forcing the company you work for to withhold part of what you are owed until the tax debt has been satisfied.
The IRS can also hold onto any refunds and government payments you would otherwise be due. If you have been waiting for that big fat refund check to arrive, you could be waiting a long time if you owe money to the IRS.
As if all this were not frightening enough, the tax agency also has the power to levy your bank accounts, including the accounts you need to run your business and your life. Those bank account freezes could leave you without the cash you need, putting you in a real bind and forcing you to pay back what you owe.
Your home could even be at risk if you owe money to the IRS. The tax agency could, for instance, apply for a lien against not only your primary residence but any other real estate you own. The threat of this kind of action has compelled many taxpayers to cough up the money the agency says they owe, even if they think the IRS is wrong.
As you can see, the IRS has wide latitude and plenty of power, and the tax agency is often unwilling to settle for less than the government says you owe. If you disagree with the amount the IRS is asking for, or if you simply do not have the money to pay the bill, you need to act fast. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse, and you cannot simply pretend that you never pulled that fateful envelope out of your home mailbox.
If you are on the wrong end of a compliance action by the IRS, you cannot afford to leave anything to chance, and you certainly should not try to fight back on your own. The tax code is complex, and far more pages than the Bible, and like that holy book, many of the terms are arcane and difficult to understand.
When fighting the IRS, you need the help of a professional, and that is where a tax resolution export comes into play. By working with a professional you can fight back on an even playing ground, and the money you save could be worth far more than the fee you pay.
Our firm specializes in tax resolution and helping people who owe the IRS or state $10,000 or more. We’ve seen taxpayers get blindsided every year by a huge tax bill and often falling behind on their taxes for years on end. If that’s you, we can help. Contact our firm today to discuss your tax debt settlement options [https://calendly.com/premiersmlbus/consult]
If you hire an employee for your Schedule C business, you can qualify for several valuable tax credits. Each credit is different, and certain limitations apply to all or most employer tax credits. Remember, tax credits are the best. They beat deductions. Note the difference below (using the 32 percent bracket):
Many tax credits are not available if you hire a person related to you, including children, stepchildren, a spouse, parents, siblings, step-siblings, nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, cousins, or in-laws.
Eight Valuable Tax Credits for Business Owners
Below are listed the eight non-refundable tax credits that Schedule C business owners can claim when they hire employees.
The second option is more realistic for smaller businesses. Businesses often partner with childcare companies such as the Learning Care Group, Bright Horizons, and KinderCare to offer this benefit.
Key point. You might be surprised which places the government designates as having high poverty and unemployment. It’s worth checking out.
You can claim a credit equal to 20 percent of the first $15,000 in wages you pay to full- or part-time employees who both live and work in an empowerment zone.
Thus, the maximum credit is $3,000 per employee (20 percent x $15,000). The employees must work for you for at least 90 days.
If you would like to discuss how to take advantage of these or other tax credits, please call us at 757-410-8030.
Cryptocurrency has become an incredibly popular way to invest, but the tax side of this virtual coin can be difficult to navigate. The IRS has gone back and forth over the years on it’s stance on cryptocurrency, making it confusing even for the most diligent investors.
In March of 2021, the IRS announced Operation Hidden Treasure in order to crack down on cryptocurrency reporting. If you’ve bought and/or sold cryptocurrency recently, it’s important to declare your crypto correctly on your tax forms in order to avoid fraud and evasion charges.
Here’s what you need to know.
Before we jump into it, if you know you owe IRS back taxes on your crypto gains, it’s important to reach out to a tax resolution firm like ours that is skilled in negotiating back tax debt with the IRS. We can help you file amended returns and get you back in compliance, while potentially negotiating with the IRS on your behalf. Contact us today for a consultation. https://calendly.com/premiersmlbus/consult
What Is Operation Hidden Treasure?
Operation Hidden Treasure is a joint effort by the IRS Civil Office of Fraud Enforcement and its Criminal Investigation Unit. This operation is designed to search for unreported income from cryptocurrency.
Operation Hidden Treasure has trained agents to examine the blockchain in order to find signs of tax evasion. Blockchain is the digital ledger that tracks your cryptocurrency mining and transactions. The signs that IRS agents look for are marked as signatures that make it easier to detect further fraudulent activity.
Crypto users have found ways to skirt reporting requirements by sending multiple transactions under a certain dollar amount or pouring their virtual currency into shell corporations, different countries, and cold storage. The IRS is also collaborating with European law enforcement agencies to tackle international fraud.
How To Protect Your Assets
The IRS considers virtual currency to be property akin to gold, rather than money and is taxed accordingly. If your only crypto transaction this year was purchasing crypto with US dollars, then that does not need to be reported, according to the IRS FAQ on their website. However, if you sold your crypto or you traded your crypto for any goods or services, then that does need to be reported.
When you sell your crypto, keep track of its value when you purchased it, and its value when you sold it. While crypto and the IRS can both be murky subjects, your transparency is the key to protecting your financial assets from future tax audits.
To get ready for the upcoming tax season, it’s important to get your portfolio organized. If you have bought, sold, or traded crypto in the past year, contact a tax lawyer or a tax resolution firm like ours for advice on how to report your cryptocurrency transactions.
Need Tax Relief?
If you do get in trouble with the IRS and they claim you owe $10,000 or more, reach out to our tax resolution firm and we’ll schedule a free, no-obligation confidential consultation to explain your options in full to permanently resolve your tax problem. https://calendly.com/premiersmlbus/consult
The holidays are here. Not to be a grinch but right around the corner is a less fondly anticipated time of year. Before you know it, you will be taking down the Christmas tree, pulling down the holiday lights, and getting ready for the tax season to come.
Tax season is decidedly less fun than the holiday season, but the two times of the year do have one thing in common. Just like the holidays, tax season requires lots of preparation and planning, and if you want to be ready, you need to start early.
Why are we writing this article? It’s not to spoil your holiday cheer, it’s because we’ve seen what it’s like when you’re not prepared. We help people who fall behind on their taxes and owe the IRS tens of thousands of dollars in back taxes, and it’s often because they simply failed to prepare and they procrastinate on their taxes.
If you do get in trouble with the IRS and they claim you owe $10,000 or more, reach out to our tax resolution firm and we’ll schedule a free, no-obligation confidential consultation to explain your options in full to permanently resolve your tax problem. https://calendly.com/premiersmlbus/consult
So if you don’t want to end up owing the IRS a ton of money, Here are 8 ways to get ready for tax season and reduce your stress level as this annual ritual approaches.
Now is the time to drag out last year’s tax return, pull out your most recent pay stub, and get organized before the season starts.
If you have years of unfiled returns or have a tax issue for anything besides the current year, you should get this handled now, before the upcoming tax season. When April 15th comes around, your tax professional is likely
swamped with returns and they’ll pay less attention to your back tax debt. We recommend reaching out to a specialized tax relief firm like ours that handles complicated tax debt cases all year round.
If you’re going to owe taxes, it might make sense to defer getting paid so you can lower your taxable income. If you can, you might want to defer any bonuses and incentive payments. You can also defer payments from retirement accounts and IRAs to save on current-year taxes.
Now is the time to make those last-minute donations to charity, so start writing those checks and gathering up those household goods. Be sure to get a receipt and save your canceled checks so you can substantiate your charitable giving if a question should arise later.
Not only can taking a class to improve your business or career prospects and help you get ahead, but that additional education could also lower your tax bill. You might qualify for a generous tax credit or take a good tax deduction for investing in your future.
The end of the year is the perfect time to increase your 401(k) contributions and make your annual IRA investment. Maxing out your 401(k) and IRA contributions is one of the best ways to reduce your tax bill while saving for the future.
If you have substantial capital gains in your stock portfolio or crypto portfolio, selling your losers could lower your tax bill. You can use those losses to offset your capital gains and save money on your taxes.
You will not know the exact amount of income you received until all your documents are in, but you can estimate your compensation and start doing some advance tax planning. This can be key in preventing back tax debt
since you won’t be blindsided by a large tax bill come April 15th.
Tax season will be here before you know it, and now is the time to get ready. You do not have to wait until April to start your tax planning, and the sooner you get started, the sooner you can put this unpleasant task behind you.
If you want an expert tax resolution specialist who knows how to navigate the IRS maze, reach out to our firm and we’ll schedule a no-obligation confidential consultation to explain your options to permanently resolve your tax problem. https://calendly.com/premiersmlbus/consult
Given how high the stakes are, it is surprising how little thought many people give to their taxes. All too often, individuals simply walk into a neighborhood storefront, hand over their most personal information, and trust the person on the other side of the desk to do the right thing and prepare their taxes properly.
In many cases, that trust is well placed, and the individual preparing the taxes is indeed the honest and trustworthy professional they claim to be. In other cases, however, the trust is misplaced, and the tax preparer will end up making mistakes that could cost the individual a great deal. If an audit is triggered by deliberate misrepresentation or unintentional mistake, you will still be on the hook for any additional taxes, interest, and penalties.
If you’re in tax trouble because you trusted the wrong tax preparer, then you will need a qualified tax resolution firm to help you resolve your tax problem. However, you don’t want to repeat the same mistake twice! So it is important to do your homework and know what to look for in a tax resolution firm. Here are 4 quick tips to help you find a qualified tax resolution firm.
#1 Read Their Reviews Online
By reading online reviews you can quickly see if the tax resolution firm is reputable and stands by its clients. A lot of the big national firms will have terrible reviews but they market themselves heavily, so consumers don’t think twice about their reputation. If you owe back taxes, waiting can cost you a lot of money and if the tax resolution firm disappears on you or doesn’t return your call, that wasted time could cost you dearly. This can easily be snuffed out by seeing if they have good online reviews about their services.
#2 Make Sure the Tax Resolution Firm Has Experience and A Proven Track Record
Negotiating with the IRS to settle your tax debt is a specialized skill that not all tax attorneys or tax professionals have. It’s important to ask about their recent case settlements and success stories. A true tax resolution professional will have proof they’ve done this before and successfully helped resolve back tax problems.
#3 What Does Their Communication Look Like Once You Sign-On?
A professional and experienced firm will have systems in place to make sure you’re updated regularly on your tax resolution case. The IRS moves slow and there will likely be big gaps in time in between updates from the IRS. That doesn’t mean the tax relief firm should also have communication gaps. Ask how long they think it’ll take to resolve your tax problem, and how you’ll be updated even if they don’t have any news from the IRS.
#4 Avoid Big National Firms With Salespeople Who Promise The Moon But Don’t Deliver
You’ve heard their ads on the radio or TV. If you call a big national firm you’ll likely get a salesperson who knows very little about taxes or how to settle your tax debt. Not every taxpayer qualifies for all the IRS tax debt settlement programs. However, these salespeople will promise you the moon but will fail to deliver because they didn’t take the time to understand your specific situation and they’re not licensed tax resolution professionals. Make sure to ask who will be responsible for your case and try to speak with them directly before signing up. A true tax resolution expert will be happy to speak with you to make sure they can understand your case and offer you the right solution.
Need Tax Relief?
If you want an expert tax resolution specialist who knows how to navigate the IRS maze, reach out to our firm and we’ll schedule a no-obligation confidential consultation to explain your options to permanently resolve your tax problem. https://calendly.com/premiersmlbus/consult