At least 13 companies who received some of the $300 billion in TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) funds owe hundreds of million of dollars in delinquent federal taxes but still received federal bailout money.
As a condition of receiving TARP funds, these companies signed statements indicating they owned no back federal taxes.
According to House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee Chairman John Lewis, D-Ga, the Treasury Department relied on company statements, rather
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Every month I choose a very special Client Of The Month.  It’s my way of acknowledging good friends and saying “thanks” to those who support me and my business with referrals, word of mouth and repeat business.
This month’s Client Of The Month is Mr. William H.
William owed over $320,000 to the IRS. Our negotiations and advocacy resulted in the IRS accepting a $100.00  Offer In Compromise to settle his debt.
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The new punitive tax bill that is intended to recoup bonuses paid by the federal relief money is absolutely legal, despite detractors who say the law can be construed as unconstitutional for targeting specific groups like AIG.
The legislation would tax 90% of the amount received from any institution that took at least $5 billion in taxpayer aid.  And from the looks of things, the only reason the bill isn’t taxing
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Under the NEW IRC Section 165 Safe Harbor Rules the IRS estimates it will refund victims of the Bernard Madoff’s massive ponzi scheme around $17 billion!!
The Safe Harbor provisions are crucial to obtaining relief for victims of investment stock fraud because it converts what would ordinarily be a capital loss (which is offset against capital gains and any unused capital loss is then limited to a deduction of only $3,000
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While Benrie Madoff was jailed last week after pleading guilty to charges surrounding his $65 billion Ponzi scheme, the IRS is busy issuing new guidelines for filing tax theft loss deductions.
Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Doug Shulman reached out to thousands of Ponzi victims to provide “safe harbor” procedures for taxpayers who sustained investment losses discovered to be criminally fraudulent.
In addition to simplifying and clarifying the filing process for those seeking
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Today’s question comes from a reader who spends sleepless nights worrying about tax debt…
Given what you’ve said before, I don’t think I qualify for an Offer in Compromise. But that doesn’t mean I’m not in tax debt that’s keeping me awake at night. What can I do?
You’re right — partially. Not everyone qualifies for the Offer in Compromise program, but you’re making a huge mistake by assuming from the outset
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Cheryl McMillan, 56, and Marion McMillan, 61, of Monument, Colo., were charged with tax evasion. The government alleges the husband and wife filed false and fraudulent tax returns that substantially underreported income for the tax years 2003 and 2004.
Cheryl McMillan faces two counts of tax evasion, while her husband Marion faces one count of tax evasion. They both face up to five years in prison and a $100,000 fine for
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I was recently interviewed by My Business Magazine for an article titled “Tools of the Tax Trade” – about how technology can help us take control of tax documentation.
Taking Control of Your Business Finances – and Protecting Yourself From IRS Audit Penalties

Cool new products like the Neat Co.’s NeatReceipts handheld scanner has helped many taxpayers by making it easier and less time-consuming to keep track of thier expenses. NeatReceipts
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The president of a Chicago government relations and economic development firm was charged with filing a false federal corporate income tax return for allegedly underreporting his firm’s taxable income.
Illinois Development Services Corporation president Anthony B. Bruno, 56, was charged in a single-count criminal information alleging he filed a federal corporate income tax return for Gray & Associates for calendar year 2001 which stated that Gray & Associates’ taxable income was
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The IRS says the 60% of taxpayers file a return signed by a preparer. I was recently interviewed by Consumer Report’s Money Adviser for an article about the importance of hiring a good tax preparer. These days, having a good number cruncher can help you not only minimize your tax liability, but also keep you out of trouble with the IRS as they are stepping up enforcement.
Some things all taxpayers
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Check out the new radio show, America at Night hosted by John M. Curry, premiering Monday, March 16. It’s a two-hour nightly news, political news and review show featuring interviews with nationally recognized guests
I will be sharing tax tips and advice on settling IRS debt on the show – Check it out Wednesday, March 25. The show will air on several stations through the Pacifica Radio Network. As a tax
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It’s tax time and the April 15 deadline is making many individuals and small businesses anxious. In this challenging economy, many people will be unable to pay their full tax bill on time.
I was recently interviewed by Entrepreneur magazine on options for struggling taxpayers and I offered expert tax tips on how to make a deal with the IRS.
I always say the most important thing to do if you can’t
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CCH (http://tax.cchgroup.com/) reports:
The IRS has announced that the interest rates for the calendar quarter beginning April 1, 2009, will drop one percentage point, to 4% for overpayments (3% in the case of a corporation), 4% for underpayments and 6% for large corporate underpayments. The interest rate for the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000 is 1.5%. The interest rates are computed by using the federal short-term rate based on
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In a 52-page ruling, a federal judge in Los Angeles invalidated a popular abusive tax shelter scheme used by prominent real estate investors James Thomas and Edward Fox of Los Angeles.
Thomas, a former IRS attorney, and Fox owned real estate in the Los Angeles area, including interests in the Library Tower and the Wells Fargo Center. In 2001, they sought out an abusive tax shelter known as “Son of Boss.”
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I recently appeared on a “Hey! Are you Talking to Me?” with Paul Varga on WMLN 91.5 in Milton, MA. We talked about what taxpayers need to do if they can’t afford to pay their 2008 tax bill and how people in tax trouble can get help!
Most people get into trouble with the IRS by not filing when they should. On average, our tax relief clients come to us with
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