Don’t Fall for Scam Calls and Emails Posing as IRS

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It was last year about this time that I received more than one call from the someone claiming to be the IRS stating that I owed them money and I needed call an 800# to get it all cleared up.  It sounded so real I could see how anyone would believe it, and the fact that they called more than once I decided to get on the IRS.gov website and do a little research to make sure it wasn’t real. I knew in my gut they wouldn’t contact me that way but still I was appalled at the audacity of someone to execute this type of a scheme.

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Take the Mystery Out of Your Client’s Future Tax Return

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Tax Planning Tutorial

Some of the most common questions we are fielding this year are regarding the “The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017“ and how it affects the taxpayers taxes. It’s totally understandable as people are either excited or concerned about the unknown. To help you be able to answer some of these questions, King T. Dalton, CPA and Founder of Taxware Systems, Inc. wrote an article that is currently posted on our blog here. As more information is made available we plan on writing additional articles, so look for those in future newsletters and blog posts.

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Taxpayers Can Choose to Take Standard Deduction or Itemize for Tax Year 2017

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Most taxpayers claim the standard deduction when they file their federal tax return. However, some filers may be able to lower their tax bill by choosing to  itemize when they file their 2017 tax return. Before making that decision, it’s a good idea to figure deductions using both methods and choose the method with the most benefit. The IRS offers the following tips to help taxpayers decide:

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Taxpayers with Expired ITINs Should Renew Now

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Taxpayers with Expired ITINs Should Renew Them Now to File Their 2017 Taxes

Taxpayers with an expired Individual Taxpayer Identification Number should renew it as soon as possible if they need to file a 2017 tax return. They can renew it by submitting a Form W-7. Tax returns with expired ITINs will face delays. Affected taxpayers may also lose out on key tax benefits until they renew their ITINs. It can take the IRS up to 11 weeks to complete an ITIN renewal during tax season.

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The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

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By King T. Dalton, CPA and Founder of Taxware Systems, Inc.

This is a preliminary analysis of the new tax act that will affect 2018 tax returns, and is based on my understanding of the new law, which may need further clarification. The analysis is not intended to be complete, but to provide a guide to the significant changes. Taxware is working to update our Individual Tax Planning programming to incorporate the new law as much as possible.

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Remotely Signing the 8879

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The IRS requires that an 8879 be signed by the taxpayer before the 1040 can be efiled. Usually this would be a physical signature in person, but there are ways to do this without the taxpayer stepping foot into your office.
A great solution for remotely signing an 8879 is the Adobe Acrobat program. This is a free software that is most likely already on your clients’ computers and it now has the option to fill and sign documents electronically.

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Planning for Next Year

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When tax season is over, we in the tax industry want to let everything go until extensions are due. While time off is often well-deserved, there are some easy things you can do to get your clients–and yourself–ready for next tax season well before January.

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Before Disaster Strikes

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In the tax industry, you could say that we have learned to expect the unexpected, especially with tax laws being updated consistently throughout the tax year. What about fires, power outages or even cybercrime? No one knows when disasters will strike, but as a taxpayer and a tax professional, you can be ready to combat problems and keep your important information safe.

Backups: Store paper client data and documents in securely locked areas. Make sure to have strong computer passwords to protect client information and be sure to back up your data daily on an external hard drive or in a cloud storage space in case of disaster such as flood, fire or power outage.

Avoid Scams: Phishing emails can look authentic, and people impersonating reliable agencies might threaten you or your clients into divulging personal information. Stand firm; if you receive an email from someone you are not familiar with, do not click on any links in the email. If you receive a threatening call, hang up immediately.

Document Valuables: Take photos or videos of the contents of your home or business, including equipment and storage areas. These visual records can help prove the value of lost items. They could help with insurance claims or casualty loss deductions on a tax return.

Emergency Plans: How well can your business come back after a disaster? Make sure to have an operations plan in place and review it annually. Just as your business changes over time, so do your preparedness needs. As you add employees or major changes occur, update your plans and inform your people.

For more information on how to prepare in case of disaster, please visit:

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/preparing-for-a-disaster-taxpayers-and-businesses

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Missed the Deadline? Helpful Hints

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The tax deadline for most taxpayers was April 18th, 2017. If for some reason your client missed the deadline without filing an extension, here are some helpful hints about what to do next.

File and Pay: For a client who owes tax, let them know they should file and pay as soon and as much as possible to minimize penalties and interest charges.

File Electronically: E-file is the safest, easiest and most accurate way to file a tax return. The IRS will send electronic confirmation when it receives the tax return and issues nine out of ten refunds in less than 21 days.

Installment Agreement: Those who need more time to pay taxes can apply for a direct debit installment agreement, Form 9465. To find that form on the Taxware Systems software, go to the Individual Tax program, Forms and Schedules line [78] Installment Agreement and fill out the information there.

Refunds: File as soon as possible to get a refund. Clients who are not required to file may still get a refund if they had taxes withheld from wages or they qualified for certain credits such as Earned Income Tax Credit. Those who don’t file their return within three years could lose their right to the refund.

If you have questions, feel free to contact us!

support@taxwaresystems.com

1-800-877-1065

What to Do About an IRS Notice or Letter

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If a client coming to your office receives a notice or letter from the IRS, your client might come to you for help, and you need to know how to respond. Here are some tips should your clients get a notice from the IRS.

Do NOT Ignore It: In most cases, notices from the agency can be addressed quickly and easily. It is important that the client replies right away if a reply is needed.

 Follow Instructions: Read the notice carefully. It will tell you if the client needs to take action. The notices are usually quite specific about an issue with a tax return or account. The letter should give you the reason for the contact and instructions on how to handle the issue.

Correction Notices: If the IRS has made corrections to your client’s tax return, make sure to review the information provided by the agency and compare it to the original tax return. If the client agrees with the changes and there is no payment owed, there is nothing else that needs to be done. If your client does not agree with the changes, it is important that they respond. Follow the instructions on the notice for the best way to respond to the IRS.

The Premium Tax Credit: The IRS may send a letter asking your client to clarify or verify their Premium Tax Credit information. The letter may ask for a copy of Form 1095-A, a Health Insurance Marketplace Statement. You should follow the instructions on the letter. This will help the agency verify information and issue the appropriate refund.

No Need to Visit: Most notices can be resolved without visiting the IRS in person. If questions arise, call the phone number provided on the notice. Have a copy of the tax return and the notice when you call. Also, make sure to keep a copy of the notice along with the client’s tax records.

Watch Out for Scams: Don’t be fooled by people claiming to be the IRS through calls or emails; the IRS will contact you through postal mail first, not by phone. Be aware that the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers through email, text or social media.

 For more tips and information about notices, please visit

https://www.irs.gov/uac/if-you-get-an-irs-notice-heres-what-to-do