The IRS is at it again… Since they were shut down on their authority to mandate all tax preparers get continuing education and take a competency test, they have now developed a “voluntary certification” that preparers can opt into. The program is called the Annual Federal Tax Refresher Course; and yes, successful completion of the […]
Just as quickly as we update our ITIN materials and guidelines the ITIN policy office within the IRS has changed their stance yet again! Just released: ITINs (Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers) will expire after 5 consecutive years of non-filing use. This is a change from the services’ previously stated policy of automatically expiring ITINs after […]
Federal Direct offices will be closed in observance of Independence Day on July 4th, 2014. Our offices will reopen Monday July 7th, 2014 at the normal time of 9am EST. If you have an emergency during this time please contact your account representative directly or contact support at: support@federaldirecttax.com. An after hours representative will contact […]
The IRS has been alerted to a new email phishing scam. The emails appear to be from the IRS and include a link to a bogus web site intended to mirror the official IRS web site. These emails contain the direction “you are to update your IRS e-file immediately.” The emails mention USA.gov and IRSgov, […]
A bill recently passed by the Senate taxwriters includes a provision that would revive and expand the use of private debt collectors, requiring the service to hand over to private firms nearly all the inactive tax receivables. The way the bill reads, that would include unpaid fines for not having health coverage, a penalty that […]
Yet another company claiming to assist taxpayers with tax debt resolution files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. From false claims of help to deceptive businesses practices, another national tax resolution company shows why it may best to go with a local tax professional. Many national tax resolution companies advertise negotiation help in resolving clients’ debt problems. […]
Two married resident aliens were convicted of willfully making, subscribing, and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return which caused the government a tax loss of over $10,000. An immigration judge ordered the couple’s deportation. On February 21, 2012, the Supreme Court decided Kawashima v. Holder, holding that the offenses that make an […]
Corporate returns that were rejected yesterday have 5 more days to refile and get accepted before any penalties will be levied. For both the corporation and shareholders the penalties for filing late are steep. Shareholders run the risk of receiving a $100 fine for being untimely. If the untimeliness boiled down to an intentional disregard, […]
The IRS has announced that it has begun to provide test results to tax return preparers who have taken the new return preparer competency test. The competency test to get your new designation, Registered Tax Return Preparer, is a 120 question test which has a perfect score of 500. Preparers must score a 350 or […]
April 15th comes to mind when you think about when taxes are due. This is a friendly reminder that if your business is an S-Corporation or a C-Corporation, your business tax return is due before March 15th. S Corporations Your S-Corp (LLC’s taxed as an S-Corp count too) is required to file IRS Form 1120S […]