Now that the tax season is official underway, I thought it’d be a good time to give a little advise on what to avoid when looking for a tax preparer.  Here are 5 of the top reasons to avoid choosing a tax preparer:

1.  Make certain to avoid tax preparers who claim they can obtain larger refunds or guarantee refunds. Also be careful to avoid any tax preparer who base their fees on a percentage of the refund. 

2. You want to avoid any tax preparer who completely closes their offices immediately after tax day, April 15th, every year.  If there is any doubt in your mind, speak to a trusted friend. A personal reference is a better way than choosing one blindly.

3. Absolutely avoid any tax preparer who try to persuade you to say something on your tax return that is not true, regardless if you will get a bigger refund.  Although the tax preparer completes your forms, you are ultimately responsible and will be held liable for your federal income tax return.

4. Never, ever choose a tax preparer that asks you to sign a blank return or requires the refund be sent directly to them. This should automatically send up a red flag as a possible scam.

5. You want to avoid a tax preparer who pressures you into buying additional products and services.

Other Notes:
Make sure your preparer fully explains every form you are asked to sign. In addition, ask your preparer about the use and disclosure of your personal tax return information.  The information on your tax form is sensitive, and in the wrong hands, could lead to identify theft – and then you will be confronted with a whole load of very serious problems.

In closing, use your common sense.  If you don’t feel completely comfortable with your tax preparer, find someone else.  And when in doubt, talk to a trusted friend for a personal recommendation.

Well, what are you waiting for, April 15th is not that far away!

Do you want to do some undercover work for the IRS? The IRS is encouraging you to report promoters of off-shore tax avoidance schemes. Whistle-blowers who provide allegations of fraud to the IRS may be eligible for a reward.

With that said, the IRS is reminding United States citizens and resident aliens that income received from foreign sources must be reported on your Federal tax return. Lately there has been interest in of IRS in taxpayers with accounts in Liechtenstein. The interest of the IRS extends beyond accounts in Liechtenstein to accounts anywhere in the world. So make sure to report your worldwide income on your U.S. tax return.

U.S. citizens and residents alient must report all income whether or not you receive a W-2 Wage and Tax Statement, a Form 1099 or foreign equivalents. This is true whether you reside inside or outside the United States. This applies to earned income (such as wages and tips) as well as unearned income (such as interest, dividends, capital gains, pensions, rents and royalties).

If you reside outside the US, you may be able to exclude part or all of your foreign source income. For details, see Publication 54, Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad).

Hiding Income Offshore
Not reporting income from foreign sources may be a crime. The IRS and its international partners are pursuing those who hide income or assets offshore to evade taxes. Specially trained IRS examiners focus on aggressive international tax planning, including the abusive use of entities and structures established in foreign jurisdictions. The goal is to ensure U.S. citizens and residents are accurately reporting their income and paying the correct tax.

Foreign Financial Accounts
In addition to reporting your worldwide income, you must also report on your U.S. tax return whether you have any foreign bank or investment accounts. The Bank Secrecy Act requires you to file a Form TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR), if:

• You have financial interest in, signature authority, or other authority over one or more accounts in a foreign country, and
• The aggregate value of all foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year.

Consequences for Evading Taxes on Foreign Source Income
You will face serious consequences if the IRS finds you have unreported income or undisclosed foreign financial accounts. These consequences can include not only the additional taxes, but also substantial penalties, interest, fines and even imprisonment.

If you have a tax question, check the information on www.irs.gov or call 1-800-829-1040

source: www.irs.gov

The Internal Revenue Service has offered answers to the four most frequently asked questions about Estimated Tax, they are:

1. Is an S-Corporation required to pay quarterly estimated tax?

Rarely does an S corporation make estimated tax payments.

An S Corporation must make installment payments of estimated tax if the total of these taxes is $500 or more:

The tax on certain capital gains,
The tax on built-in gains,
The excess net passive income tax, and
The investment recapture tax.

2. How do I know if I have to file quarterly individual estimated tax payments?

If you owed additional tax for the prior tax year, you may have to make estimated tax payments for the current tax year.

You must make estimated tax payments for the current tax year if both of the following apply:

You expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax for the current tax year, after subtracting your withholding and credits.
You expect your withholding and credits to be less than the smaller of:
90% of the tax to be shown on your current year’s tax return, or
100% of the tax shown on your prior year’s tax return. (Your prior year tax return must cover all 12 months.)
There are special rules for:

Certain taxpayers with higher adjusted gross income
Farmers and commercial fishermen
Aliens
Estates and Trusts

3. Do self-employment taxes need to be paid quarterly or yearly?

If you are required to make estimated tax payments, self-employment tax is paid by making quarterly estimated tax payments which include both income tax and social security tax.

4. When are the quarterly estimated tax returns due?

You only make estimated tax payments using payment vouchers. There is not an estimated tax return.
Your first estimated tax payment is usually due the 15th of April.
You may pay the entire year’s estimated tax at that time, or
You may pay your estimated tax in four payments that are due April 15th, June 15th, September 15th, and January 15th of the following year.
If the due date for making an estimated tax payment falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the payment will be on time if you make it on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

If you have a specific question about your Federal Tax return you can call the IRS and receive Live Telephone Assistance. Here are the particulars:

Telephone Assistance for Individuals:
Toll-Free, 1-800-829-1040
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. your local time (Alaska & Hawaii follow Pacific Time).

Telephone Assistance for Businesses:
Toll-Free, 1-800-829-4933
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. your local time (Alaska & Hawaii follow Pacific Time).

source: irs.gov