Tax Law BlogPage 24 of 28
Expert insights on IRS tax resolution, criminal tax defense, and compliance from our attorneys.
IRS Q&A TIME
Question: I just received a letter form the IRS informing me they want to audit my 2014 income tax return. I really didn’t need this right now. What should I do? Answer: First, take a deep breath knowing there is expert help available to you. As part of the IRS’s audit process they’ll ask you […]
Delivery Business Owner Gets a Package from the IRS
David B. Schmitt of North Tonawanda, NY was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $748,459 in restitution for his conviction of tax evasion. Schmitt, who operated three delivery businesses, attempted to evade payment of a large part of federal employment taxes by filing false forms wit
Pizza Store Owners Fail to Report a lot of “Dough” to the IRS
Charles and Mary Bangle, owners of a popular pizza restaurant chain, who reside in Ocean City, NJ, both pled guilty to tax evasion. Charles pled guilty to structuring transactions to avoid reporting requirements to his 2010 personal tax returns. His wife, Mary Bangle, pled guilty to knowingly making
What is a John Doe Summons?
Federal law requires U.S. taxpayers to pay income tax on all earnings worldwide. U.S. taxpayers are also required to report to the IRS any foreign financial accounts if the value of those accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time in a calendar year. U.S. taxpayers seeking to hide their assets in offshore
Dentist Gets Drilled by the Federal Court
A Washington state couple, dentist Dr. James Hood, and his wife, Karen Hood were found in contempt from a Federal Court for violating a previous permanent injunction requiring them to file payroll tax returns and pay payroll taxes in a timely manner. The Court previously entered a permanent injuncti
Owner of Iceoplex Skates on Thin Ice with the IRS
A tax attorney from Pittsburgh, PA and co-owner of the Iceoplex recreational sports facility, Steven Lynch, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for failing to collect, account for and pay over employment taxes to the IRS. From 2012 to 2015, Lynch controlled the finances for the business and withhel
Talk to Your Adult Children About Tax Scams
Many twenty-somethings are just filing their tax returns for the very first time. Unless they are informed about how the IRS works, they could easily fall victim to the IRS phone scam. Let your children know that the IRS will NEVER contact them by phone. If there is an issue with their tax return, t
The IRS Puts the Brakes on “Denson’s Fast Tax Services”
A tax preparer from New Orleans, LA, Tiga Bryant, was named in a civil suit filed by the US to bar her from preparing tax returns as they were found to be fraudulent. In the suit, the government claims Bryant attempted to fraudulently reduce her customer’s tax liabilities by claiming bogus deduction
IRS Audit Appeals: "Hazards of Litigation"
Most often when we are engaged to represent a taxpayer in an audit we are able to achieve a fair and accurate assessment. That the entire goal of an audit – to determine the actual tax liability due. However, we sometimes encounter a situation in which we are either dealing with an overzealous Reven
A Sovereign Citizen Loses His Sovereignty
Harold Stanley of Peculiar, Missouri, is yet another individual who tried, but failed, to declare himself a sovereign citizen in order to avoid paying taxes. Stanley, 62, was a consulting electrical engineer who refused to pay any federal income tax on his income. From 2005 to 2009, Stanley received
IRS Secret: They don't want to seize your assets
The IRS often sends notices to delinquent taxpayers threatening to seize their assets, however this is actually somewhat uncommon. Now the term asset is up for deliberation. They will absolutely levy your bank account or garnish your wages without the blink of an eye. Those "assets" are the low hang
The History of Income Tax In the United States
The first tax on income was created in 1861 to finance the Civil War. Congress also passed the Internal Revenue Act in 1862 which created the Bureau of Internal Revenue which eventually became the IRS. The Bureau initially placed excise taxes on goods ranging from tobacco to jewelry, but it did not
Staff Director for Homeland Security Tries to be Sneaky
Issac Avant, a former Congressional Staffer was sentenced to 4 months in prison and ordered to pay $149,962 restitution for failing to file an individual tax return from 2009 to 2013. Avant also had no federal income tax withheld, filing a form with his employer claiming he was exempt from federal i
Attorney-Client Privilege for Accountant: Kovel Letter
Attorney-client privilege affords taxpayers great relief when dealing with the IRS. Communications between a taxpayer and their attorney are privileged and are non-discoverable to the IRS or any other taxing agencies. Accountants however do not hold such a privilege. Statements, denouements or omiss
What the IRS doesn't want you to know
Giving too much information to the IRS can often cause more harm than good. We often speak with Taxpayers who just want to speak with the IRS one last time before retaining us to see whether they can work out a deal. After they cannot get a favorable or manageable negotiation they then come to […]
Your IRS Questions Answered Here…
Question: I’m currently separated from my spouse, who owns his own business, and we are in the process of getting a divorce. I have always filed jointly with my spouse and now the IRS is sending me notices stating I owe $35,000. I have no idea how they are coming up with this amount as […]
What the IRS doesn't want you to know: Audit Secret
When facing an audit, one is guilt until they prove their innocence. Moreover most taxpayers are so afraid of the IRS that they never challenge the exhortation assessment made in the audit. This is why you need a representative who knows whether the auditor is being fair and reasonable or needs to b
IRS Updates Publication on Deducting Travel, Entertainment, and Car Expenses
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has updated Publication 463 (Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses) for use in preparing 2016 tax returns that are filed in 2017. This publication explains what travel, entertainment, and car expenses are deductible, how to report them on returns, what reco
Infamous International Tax Evaders
It’s not just citizens of the United States that try to get out of paying their taxes—this is a worldwide issue. Listed below are a few famous tax evaders from around the world: The number 1 tennis player in the early 2000’s, Boris Becker lived in Germany but claimed he resided in Monte Carlo to […]
And Yet Another New Scheme; The Latest Tax Scam
Issuing an alert to tax professionals and taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service is warning them about a new fake tax scam involving fake CP2000 notices. CP2000 notices are sent as part of the IRS’s Automated Underreporter Program when income reported from third party sources, such as employers or
Celebrity Federal Tax Lien Filing: Steve Harvey
According to radaronline.com the TV host, Steve Harvey owes the IRS roughly $85,771.52 after failing to pay his Federal Tax Liabilities for three separate years. The almost all of the liability is for the 2015 tax year.
Employers Must Use New Form I-9
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released a new version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. As of January 22, 2017, employers must use the updated form. Federal law requires employers to hire only individuals who may legally work in the United States–either U.S. ci
Montana Man Files False Income Tax Returns Using Personal Information Obtained from Craigslist
Steven D. Pjevach, former resident of Nevada and Montana pleaded guilty to one count of corruptly interfering with the administration of the internal revenue laws. Using personal information he obtained by placing false help wanted ads on Craigslist, including names and social security numbers, Pjev
Tariq El-Shabazz, Philadelphia DA Candidate Battles with IRS
Tariq El-Shabazz, a Democrat running for Philadelphia District Attorney, is starting his candidacy with questions arising over his tax debts. Philly.com reported that there are more than $190,000 in tax liens filed against him. Mr. El-Shabazz has stated that he is in a payment agreement with the IRS
Mobile Home Park Owners will be Moving to Prison
John and Peggy DeYoung of Montana pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States in Federal Court in January, 2017. The DeYoung’s failed to file tax returns since 1998, although they earned income from their ownership interests in two mobile home parks. They were accused of sett
IRS places Federal Tax Lien on school system
The Internal Revenue Service has placed a federal tax lien on the Morgan County School System’s property because of $700,000 in unpaid taxes from the first quarter of 2015. With penalties and interest, the amount owed by the school system to the IRS is over $1.1 million. “While we are disappointed t
PENNSYLVANIA ANNOUNCES 2017 TAX AMNESTY DETAILS
Pennsylvania has announced the details of its new tax amnesty program. It will run from April 21 to June 19, 2017. Significant penalty and interest relief is available to all who participate. The Amnesty Period The Amnesty Period will run from April 21 through June 19, 2017. The Amnesty Details
Showing 622–648 of 732 articles
Beyond the blog
Hire us, don't just read about it
Criminal Tax Issues
When the government wants to put you in a cage — we put ourselves between you and them.
Tax Resolution Services
The IRS has lawyers. So should you.
IRS Collections Defense
When the IRS stops asking and starts taking — there's a legal counter to every move.
Additional Tax Services
Specialty tax matters — bankruptcy, foreign accounts, estate planning, payroll, gambling, and more.
More from the resource library
