My Tax Blog

  • What is the real cost of starting a tax business?

    If you are considering starting a tax preparation business, there are a few different types of actual costs to consider.  Each type of cost will require sacrifice and planning. The three main types of small business start-up costs to consider are: finances, time, and effort (mental and physical costs).  To help measure the real financial […]

    Tips on Basic Online Security & Identifying Tax Related Email Scams

    Start by knowing that the IRS or software vendor will never ask you for your personal information and security questions via email. Please take some time to read our online information security tips below.  Always be suspicious of unexpected emails, even if it appears to come from a legitimate source.  Triple check emails before ever […]

    Alert: Watch for Scam/Phishing Emails!

    Please be on the alert for fraudulent email messages requesting sensitive personal and business tax information.  These emails can appear to come from many different sources pretending to be the IRS, Federal Direct, State Departments of Revenue, Tax Software Companies, etc.  One such recent IRS tax scam email has been identified as coming from a […]

    ITIN Credit Rules Enforced. Here are some tips.

    No, an ITIN holder cannot claim credits for back year’s returns. The law changed in Dec. 2015 with HR2029.  This means no Child Tax Credit or American Opportunity Credit (among others) for any year beyond a current and timely filed tax return. If you file late, as in after April 15th, you will NOT get […]

    PTIN System Open and Free

    Today, the IRS re-opened the PTIN System and is again issuing PTINs. Since the IRS is enjoined from charging a fee, it will issue the PTINs at no cost to the preparer. If you currently have a PTIN, you can now log into your account to make changes and view CPE information as normal.

  • IMPORTANT! IRS RTRP Regulations Shot Down in Court!

    Released yesterday was news the tax preparers, along side a libertarian justice group, won it’s case against the IRS.  Essentially, the lawsuit challenged the IRS, stating that it had no right to impose such regulations on tax preparers and that it was giving itself more authority than it had.  The judgement opinion was that until […]

    Delay To start of Filing Season 1/30/2013

    The IRS has made official that they will be delaying the start of the electronic filing season to 1/30/2013.  This relates to 1040, Individual tax returns.  The IRS also indicates that they expect additional delays associated with less common individual forms that they will be releasing a list of later.   We will keep you […]

    Fiscal Cliff Tax Deal Details A.K.A Governmental “Tough Love”

    Well, with this new deal we averted the cliff or did we? Maybe we had a parachute that kept us safe for a while, gave us a nice feeling that we’d land softly and smoothly, but then, half the way down we noticed large hole in the chute. The Good- The deal restores the top […]

    *EITC Update* The IRS Choses Identity Protection Over Speed

    Not only has the IRS announced that they will not be releasing a funding cycle, they will also only tell callers, requesting refund dates, that they should see their refund within 23 days. The IRS has been fighting with itself over maintaining it’s two main goals: Identity protection and the quick disbursement of refunds. Well, […]

    IRS Not Conducting Church Audits and Getting Sued

    The Freedom From Religion Foundation is suing the IRS for failing to enforce the ban on churches contributing to/intervening with political campaigns. Separation between Church and State? Not lately. The IRS says that the audits are on hold until finalizing rules that requires “high-level” official to approve the examinations.  The Freedom From Religion Foundation believes […]

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