A Northern California newspaper publisher was sentenced to five months in prison and ordered to pay $75,000 in restitution after he pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns for 2000 to 2003.
According to the plea agreement, Harry Warren Green admitted to operating several newspapers in the San Francisco Bay Area, including the Clayton Pioneer, Brentwood Bee, Bethel Islander and the Oakley Herald. Green admitted in his plea that he under reported income he received while operating the newspapers
Documents filed with the court also state that Green failed to account for all of the income received while operating those businesses, real estate commissions he received and income received from the sale of the Clayton Pioneer newspaper in 2003.
Isn’t it ironic that the IRS counts money that people have stolen or embezzled from others as income? Most people who steal money from others, if they don’t get caught for the embezzlement, usually get caught, and punished, for evading taxes! Embezzling or stealing money from others is not the right thing to do. Not paying taxes on any income, is not the right thing to do either! If you haven’t filed your taxes, or have to settle back taxes, it may be time to seek the help of a tax professional such as a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist! Tax Resolution Services can help you with tax audits, IRS payment plans, negotiating an Offer in Compromise and many other tax relief services. Work with a tax professional to do the right thing and find tax relief. Do the wrong thing and you may end up like Kristy Watts below!
The bookkeeper for author Danielle Steel received a 33-month prison sentence for wire fraud and tax evasion. Kristy S. Watts, also known as Kristy Siegrist, was also ordered to pay $60,677 in restitution.
Watts, 48, of Tiburon, Calif., was charged with one count of wire fraud and four counts of tax evasion. She pleaded guilty on Sept. 24, 2009, to all five counts.
According to court documents, Watts worked as a bookkeeper for author Danielle Steel for approximately 15 years. Watts was trusted with oversight of and day-to-day responsibility for Steel’s personal and professional financial management, including overseeing bank accounts and credit card statements, handling payroll, overseeing the petty cash operations, obtaining foreign currency for international travel and paying bills. While handling those duties, Watts devised a scheme to steal more than $760,000 from Steel. She did not report the money as income.
Just in case you thought we were exaggerating, here’s an interesting video (see below) that reflects how tax collection agencies (at both the federal and state level) are becoming increasingly aggressive!
Joseph Abrams reports that the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has taken on Big Brother scare tactics in the latest search for delinquent taxpayers – despite recent headlines that say taxing authorities have become kinder and gentler to help struggling taxpayers in the economic recession. Abrams’ article, Creepy Pennsylvania Tax Agency Ad Goes Big Brother discusses the ominous TV commercial being broadcasted in Pennsylvania that threatens taxpayers to pay off their IRS back taxes by June 18, or else!
If you owe back taxes and live in a state like Pennsylvania that offers amnesty to taxpayers, now is the time to act. You can reduce the impact of criminal sanctions and financial penalties. However, if you believe that you owe back taxes, you need to retain an experienced tax attorney or Certified Tax Resolution Specialist now to take over all communications with the IRS. They can help bring you into compliance and ensure you don’t pay the IRS a penny more than you have to. It’s also important to know your rights as a taxpayer – and hiring an expert tax relief firm can help you not only save money, but also ensure that your case is handled fairly and that all your rights are protected.
The controversial 30-second ad running in Pennsylvania targets Tom, the average “nice guy” who owes the state $4,212 in back taxes. As the screen zeros in on Toms house via satellite Big Brother threatens: “Listen Tom, we can make this easy. Pay online by June 18th and we’ll skip your penalty and take half off your interest because Tom, we do know who you are.”
The ad warns those of us who still owe IRS back taxes to pay up pronto because the IRS and state taxing agencies are always watching, and will find you. These aggressive scare tactics have already paid off over $100 million in back taxes—a sum that is likely to inspire the IRS to continue the campaign nationwide.
Don’t wait for the IRS or state taxing agency to come after you – get tax help resolving your IRS problems and paying off your IRS back taxes before it’s too late. With the help of a tax attorney or Certified Tax Resolution Specialist, you can pay off back taxes and permanently resolve your tax troubles for good.
Relieve yourself of IRS back taxes before the taxman comes knocking on your door.
Don’t live in fear of the IRS, free yourself from tax debt. To speak with our team of expert tax attorneys call our office today at 1-866-IRS-PROBLEMS or visit www.taxresolution.com and receive a free, no-risk tax resolution consultation.
April 15th, tax day, has passed and if you have not filed your tax return, it’s not too late to do a delinquent tax return, also known as late tax filing, today! Our team of Certified Tax Resolution Specialists advise you to file your delinquent tax return the sooner, the better. Five reasons to file a delinquent tax return: you can go to jail for not filing a tax return, you can incur a 25% penalty for not filing your taxes, you can incur additional penalties for not filing your taxes, you can be subject to an increased tax bill if the IRS prepares your taxes for you, and you must have filed all taxes to be eligible for any income tax relief. And we should add that late tax filingis your right, no matter how late it is. Filing false tax returns on behalf of others (and most likely unbeknownst to them, too) is not your right! One false tax return filed is a serious penalty and, as we find out in the article below, filing many false tax returns can land you in jail for life!
A Tarzana, Calif., woman has pleaded guilty to federal tax charges, admitting that she filed more than 200 false tax returns with the IRS seeking more than $1.3 million in refunds based on fraudulently claimed First-Time Homebuyer Credits and Earned Income Tax Credits.
Kashawn Monique Savery, a real estate broker who until recently lived in Reseda, pleaded guilty to all 10 counts of making false claims.
The IRS began investigating when the fraud detection center observed suspicious activity, including a group of 231 tax returns for the 2008 tax year that sought more than $1.3 million in refunds. The majority of the suspicious tax returns were filed from a computer at Savery’s condominium in Reseda.
Savery pleaded guilty to fraudulently filing or causing to be filed 10 tax returns, five of which sought refunds based on the Earned Income Tax Credit, and five of which sought refunds based on the First-Time Homebuyer Credit. The criminal information alleges that the 10 tax returns sought nearly $68,000 in refunds. During a hearing, Savery admitted to being involved in more than 200 tax returns that sought more than $1.3 million in fraudulent refunds.
Savery faces 50 years in prison and a $2.5 million fine.
Question: A friend told me I should be concerned about doing an Offer in Compromise. He said there are a lot of tax scams out there. How can I know if an Offer in Compromise is for me, and how can I know I’m not being scammed?
Answer: Your friend isn’t wrong about tax scams. Of course, scams are everywhere, in every industry. Every year around this time, right after people have filed their tax returns and begin to realize they’re in significant tax debt, the number of scams reported begins to rise. I’ll answer your question in two parts:
First, determining whether the Offer in Compromise is for you is something you should do with the help and consultation of a qualified tax professional. Among your initial steps should be to determine whether you even qualify for the program. If you owe a substantial amount to the IRS and you now lack the means to pay that amount, you may qualify for the program.
A qualified tax professional will analyze your previous returns, assess your current situation, and provide you with a determination of whether an Offer in Compromise would be good for you. If you are among those who qualify, an Offer in Compromise can reduce your tax debt significantly.
Now, the second part: Scam artists often prey on those with tax troubles, particularly at this time of year. Some will even claim they have experience negotiating Offers in Compromise with the IRS. But most of these scam artists are fly-by-night operations using questionable marketing tactics.
If you are indeed in need of tax advice, you should research the background of your tax professional: How many years in practice? Does he or she have references? Is he or she licensed? A member of professional associations? If you need tax help, make sure you find a qualified tax professional.
With IRS enforcement on the rise – more people than ever will need expert and qualified IRS tax relief. If you’ve put yourself in a situation for which you could be prosecuted on tax charges, there’s something you should know: Your chances of convictions are high.
There are not many situations scarier than being in tax trouble. Whether you’re worried about the tax man knocking at the door or staring down at the pages of a tax evasion indictment, there are few legal situations worse in American life.
Getting in trouble with the Internal Revenue Service can be a life-altering experience. That is an indisputable fact. Even more troubling, data suggests you’re more likely to be indicted and convicted on tax charges today than you were five years ago.
In fact, available data shows the Obama administration is just as aggressive in tax enforcement as the Bush administration was.
Using data from the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Justice, the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University reviewed IRS referral and DOJ conviction numbers for tax cases in fiscal-year 2009 — Obama’s first year in office.
What TRAC found should be eyebrow-lifting to those who suspected the Obama administration might go easier on tax cheats.
Tax case convictions in fiscal-year 2009 were on par with those in fiscal-year 2008, the Bush administration’s last year in office, and in fact there were 10 percent more convictions in fiscal-year 2009 than there were just five years ago.
The most frequently reported charges were “fraud and false statements” and “attempt to evade or defeat tax.”
The takeaway for you, the taxpayer, should be obvious: Despite the alterations in policy and action that often accompany a new government, the Obama administration has chosen not to chain what has been an increasingly aggressive IRS over the previous five years. Those of you with lingering back taxes should not hesitate to seek out quick and reliable tax relief from a tax attorney or Certified Tax Resolution Specialist.
What’s more, the odds are great that tomorrow’s enforcement will become even more aggressive.
The primary reason: money.
For fiscal-year 2010, Congress increased the IRS’s enforcement budget to a record $5.5 billion — meaning more agents for more audits, more investigations, and ultimately more of a reason to obtain IRS tax relief.
Of course, that extra money in the enforcement budget comes on top of the IRS’s recent agreements with credit card companies and Swiss banks to open up the account information for U.S. taxpayers who might be stashing cash in offshore bank accounts.
So why bet against the government when the stakes include your freedom and livelihood?
There are plenty of examples of people who did bet against the government. They’ve lost.
Just last month, a Florida man received a 51-month prison sentence for tax evasion, while across the country in California a bookkeeper received a 33-month sentence for wire fraud and evasion
Scared? Now might be a good time to call me for some life saving IRS tax relief.
At TRS, we help clients by taking their tax problems off their dining room tables and into our office where we take over all communication with the IRS. We work tirelessly to defend their rights and permanently resolve their tax troubles. We’re here to help you resolve your IRS problems so that you don’t have to live in fear of the IRS. To speak with our team of expert tax attorneys call our office today at 1-866-IRS-PROBLEMS or visit www.taxresolution.com and receive a free, no-risk tax resolution consultation.
I recently provided advice about how to successfully file tax returns and avoid potential IRS back taxes during my interview on the Big Biz Show. I discussed the penalties of filing late returns and urged people to seek extensions the proper way in order to avoid failure to file penalties such as fines up to $25,000 per year and/or sentences of one year in prison per each un-filed year. Due to the current recession more people are struggling to pay their back taxes. In fact, the economy is so bad Motel 6 won’t even leave the light on anymore! Read on for more tax resolution advice from my interview.
Question: If I have not taken care of my taxes and it’s April 14th should I file an extension?
Answer: Yes, do an extension, but send in some money with it. That way, you avoid the failure to file penalties, and the IRS has a record that you actually filed an extension and made a good faith effort to pay something.
Question: Michael, before you mentioned that your average client is between four and eleven years behind on their tax returns. Is that accurate?
Answer: Yes. That’s accurate. I recently pulled something up on the Fox News website for Dallas-Fort Worth that said “Recent IRS statistics show that the number of people with tax debt problems is at a 10-year high. And this year alone, more than 4 million people will not be able to pay by April 15. There are currently more than 26 million people with some kind of IRS problem.”
Question: I left my return lying around the house, it wasn’t signed, and my girlfriend accidentally sent it in. So how does that work? Will I have to file for an extension?
Answer: Yes. You will need to get an extension or get a copy of the return, sign it, and send it in before the deadline or it will be considered a delinquent tax return.
Question: Is it true you have been able to help your clients negotiate penalties down to ten cents on the dollar? You’ve obviously negotiated some fees and interest right?
Answer: Of course. When you do an offer in compromise, which is a tax settlement situation, tax penalties don’t matter because the principle is being reduced. We don’t even talk about penalties and interest when we’re doing an offer because they’re getting a reduction on the principle.
Question: A lot of people think January 1st is a fresh start. With three quarters of the year left to get my 2010 taxes in shape, what is the first thing I need to do?
Answer: Well, you’ve got to sit down with your CPA, accountant, or tax advisor and do an estimate. Do a projection for the end of the year. Do it now. At latest do it in the summer otherwise you’re going to get a surprise and it’s not going to be pretty.
Question: Is filing a Schedule C, a tax return for small business or independent contractors, a possible red flag for auditing?
Answer: If you file a Schedule C attached to your form 1040 with $100,000 or more of gross, not net, of gross income it’s five times more likely to be audited then if you were a W-2 wage earner because small businesses often co-mingle business and personal expenses.
Question: One of my daughters is about to start working. Does she have a requirement at the end of the year to file taxes with form 1040EZ at age sixteen?
Answer: She will file her own return, but will not claim herself. It will be more advantageous for you to claim her as a dependent so she’ll get the withholding back and you’ll get a bigger refund or pay less because you support her cost of living.
Michael Rozbruch, CEO of Tax Resolution Services, is a certified Tax Resolution Specialist. To speak with our team of expert tax attorneys call our office today at 1-866-IRS-PROBLEMS or visit www.taxresolution.com and receive a free, no-risk tax resolution consultation.
With the April 15th tax filing deadline already passed, what can you do if you’re one of thousands of taxpayers who just don’t have the cash to pay Uncle Sam?
The good news is, there are still IRS tax relief options for you if you did not pay two weeks ago. According to a MarketWatch article, your best bet is to still file your tax return even if you don’t have the money to pay up front. The IRS will not “forget about you” simply if you do not file this year. In fact, you’re looking at more severe IRS penalties if you ignore the IRS than if you faced them proactively.
I want to share some IRS tax relief options from the MarketWatch article if you’re short on cash:
File for a payment extension. If you just need a few more months to get your cash together, you can apply for a payment extension of up to 120 days. Simply use the “online payment agreement” on the IRS Web site at IRS.gov. You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. While there’s no fee for this option, keep in mind that you will incur interest and the failure-to-pay penalty until you pay off the amount owed.
File for an Installment Agreement. For taxpayers who will not be able to pay their taxes in full for a longer time than 120 days, you can look into the IRS installment agreement option if you owe $25,000 or less. This is a great way to pay off your taxes without emptying your bank account all at once.
Utilize your home-equity line of credit. According to MarketWatch, “Homeowners can tap an existing home-equity line of credit or apply for a new one. Interest rates for people with top credit scores are in the 5% to 6% range right now. And interest payments are deductible in most situations (although not if you’re paying the alternative minimum tax).”
Ask for a loan from family or friends. Getting a loan from family or friends could save you from serious IRS trouble. Make sure to make the loan official by writing out and signing a formal agreement that outlines the amount loaned, interest owed, and payment schedule. If your relative or friend is unable to collect the money back from you, they can deduct the loss on their tax return.
Pay with your credit card. Although more expensive, you can option to pay your tax bill with your credit card. Expect to be charged a “convenience” fee of 2% to 4% of the tax bill, or a flat fee, depending on the IRS payment provider. Additionally, you will have to pay the credit card’s interest rate if you don’t pay off the balance right away.
Look into applying for an Offer in Compromise. For those taxpayers who qualify for this option, an Offer in Compromise is a great way for taxpayers to settle their IRS back taxes for less than what they actually owe. Since the IRS has a notoriously high rejection rate for Offer in Compromise applications, I urge you to consult with a tax attorney or Certified Tax Resolution Specialist before you invest time and money in this option.
Give the IRS a call. According to MarketWatch, “Phone calls to the IRS from perplexed taxpayers with balances due are up 34% through March 6, compared with the same time period last year, according to a report.” This means if you have questions about filing your taxes this year, you’re not alone. However, I caution you against relying on the IRS hotline to solve all your IRS problems. Read this article about what you need to know about reaching out to the IRS for tax help.
Some taxpayers may be surprised to find that instead of getting a tax refund this year, they actually owe Uncle Sam money. According to a report by TIGTA, this is because many taxpayers received more money from the Making Work Pay tax credit than they were supposed to. (Read the TIGTA report here). If you can’t pay taxes or end up stuck with unexpected tax bill of $15,000 or more, you will need expert tax representation by tax attorney or Certified Tax Resolution Specialist. Tapping into the expertise of a well-qualified tax attorney is a great way to ensure that you are getting the best tax help you need.
Instead of wasting time on IRS tax relief options that you may not qualify for, I urge you to book a consultation with a reputable tax resolution firm to explore your options.
Tax Resolution Services is a team of expert tax attorneys, CPAs, and Certified Tax Resolution Specialists who are here to help your IRS tax problems so that you can get the IRS tax relief you need. Give us a call today at 1-866-IRS-PROBLEMS for a free, no-risk tax resolution consultation or visit www.taxresolution.com.
Now that tax day has passed, some of you may be hearing from the IRS for an IRS tax audit. Did you know that how you answer the questions in an IRS tax audit can dictate your fate? IRS tax audits are designed to catch those that have been evading taxes or trying to defraud the IRS. If you are being audited by the IRS, hiring a professional tax attorney is in your best interest. Tax Resolution Services is highly skilled at tax audit representation – collectively having over 100 years in experience in IRS tax audits – and we work hard for what is in your best interest, whether you are an individual tax payer or a corporation. Unfortunately for those who willingly and knowingly choose to defraud the IRS and evade taxes, like Charlene Hughes in the article below, we cannot help.
Charlene Hughes of Waynesboro, Ga., was indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in Savannah and charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States.
The indictment arises out of a joint investigation by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation into Hughes’ alleged involvement with more than 25 fraudulent tax returns which falsely claimed more than $90,000 in refunds between April 2006 and August 2007.
The indictment alleges that these fraudulent tax returns contained false Form W-2 information, including false employers and wages.
“As we near the height of this year’s tax filing season, those who might consider preparing false tax returns should be aware of the severe consequences of doing so,” U.S. Attorney Edward J. Tarver said in a statement.
“This indictment emphasizes that the IRS, the FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office will aggressively pursue anyone who attempts to defraud America’s tax system.”
If convicted, Hughes faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Here they go again. Hollywood stars reminding us they are regular people just like everyone else. Fox News reporter, Natalie Crnosija recently revealed some of Hollywood’s biggest tax evaders in her article Hollywood Stars Who Owe Uncle Sam Big Bucks in Back Taxes. To name a few: Nicolas Cage—weighing in at $13.3 million, Pam Anderson—Dancing with the Stars despite a $1.7 million tax debt, and Joe Francis, founder of Girls Gone Wild—who bared an amount of $29.4 million. Just goes to show you that tax problems can happen to anyone. You’re not alone.
We have a boutique division that specializes in high dollar/profile cases staffed by highly trained and experienced tax attorneys, CPAs and other tax professionals. Our clients include politicians, sports figures, and celebrities in the entertainment industry. Having a big tax problem can be potentially embarrassing for anyone—especially your clients—and should be kept private as one begins the journey towards a positive resolution. As we like to say, there is a solution to every problem, especially when it comes to IRS back taxes.
If IRS issues are not handled properly they can stir up negative PR and even ruin careers. Take child star of the 90’s, Christina Ricci; she just got her name back into the paparazzi buzz. Unfortunately, it was due to IRS back taxes she’s owed since 2008, reports Doug Camilli in his article Ricci Owes IRS Nearly $180,000. Now the IRS is asking her to pay tax penalties of $179,568.30.
Bad things happen to good people—that’s life! We know that tax problems can result from a number of causes. Read about the Top 7 Tax Resolution Lessons Learned from the Worst Cases of Celebrity Tax Evasion, learn from the mistakes of others, and seek tax help. We’ve seen first hand people who’ve tried to resolve IRS problems themselves or with inexperienced CPAs and attorneys. Ultimately they land themselves in even deeper trouble than before.
When it comes to complex issues such as offshore bank accounts, investment fraud representation, IRS back taxes, criminal investigations, and referrals to the Department of Justice, Tax Resolution Services has the experience and expertise to swiftly and permanently resolve the cases. We’ve helped clients protect their financial futures oftentimes saving them millions of dollars in the process.
You deserve expert tax representation. That’s what we provide. If your client is receiving threatening collection notices from the IRS, FTB, BOE, or EDD or is facing an audit please do not hesitate to contact Tax Resolution Services. Our team of tax attorneys, CPAs, and tax resolution specialists resolve troubling tax situations daily. Call 1-866-477-7762 for a free tax resolution consultation or visit www.taxresolution.com
Read about the Top 7 Tax Resolution Lessons Learned from the Worst Cases of Celebrity Tax Evasion
If an IRS levy is filed against your business, you’re facing serious tax trouble. The IRS files a bank levy or wage levy against you or your business as a last attempt to collect taxes and is usually a result of poor or no communication between the taxpayer and the IRS. If the IRS files a levy against you, there is no doubt that you will need professional tax help and this is where Tax Resolution Services can help you find tax relief. We cannot help you, however, if you are like this business owner from Alaska – instead of complying with the IRS levy that was filed against his business, he thought he had the power to outwit the IRS. Hope he doesn’t rely on that same confidence when he goes to prison!
An Alaska businessman was convicted of felony tax evasion following a five-day trial in Fairbanks.
Roger Lee Shoffstall, 59, is the president and owner of Summit Telephone and Telegraph Company of Alaska, which is a rural telecommunications utility that provides telephone service to several hundred customers in remote areas north of Fairbanks.
According to trial evidence, Shoffstall failed to pay income taxes for the years 1996 to 2003, and he had not filed federal individual income tax returns with the IRS for those years or any years thereafter. Instead, Shoffstall mailed simulated legal process and other documents to the IRS citing frivolous tax arguments.
Additional evidence presented at trial indicated that Shoffstall used his position as president of Summit to prevent the company from complying with an IRS levy and an IRS final demand for payment that would have resulted in Shoffstall’s wages being garnished.
In addition, trial evidence demonstrated Shoffstall requested the IRS halt collection efforts so that he could negotiate a settlement while at the same time he invested in the purchase of a $225,000 house and other items on installment payments, effectively removing these mortgaged assets from the reach of IRS collection procedures.
He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Under the new health care mandate, the IRS has authority to withhold a portion of your federal tax return if you can’t demonstrate that you have health insurance coverage.
Starting in 2014, penalties for lacking qualifying coverage will range from $695 to 2.5% of your household income, whichever is greater. According to a recent Fox Business article, Steven T. Miller, IRS Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement, commented that the IRS can reduce a tax refund to collect the penalty.
The article titled “IRS May Withhold Tax Refunds To Enforce Health Insurance Mandate” also stated:
Under the new law, insurance providers will be required to provide a 1099 information return to the taxpayer and the IRS demonstrating that the individual is covered. The IRS will use document matching to identify people without coverage, and will notify those taxpayers that they may owe penalties. …The law doesn’t authorize the IRS to impose liens or levies to collect the penalties. But it doesn’t prevent the IRS from reducing a tax refund to collect the penalty.
Even though the IRS says they won’t audit you, your tax returns will be under greater scrutiny in the coming years. Increased IRS enforcement is a certainty, and now is the time to take action and get it right. IRS scrutiny from all angles also includes a Whistleblower Program that rewards people for reporting tax evasion.
Don’t wait for an IRS audit. If you have unfiled tax returns or need tax help to become compliant with the IRS, get tax relief services from a tax attorney or Certified Tax Resolution Specialist today. The pro-active approach is to take advantage of tax relief services if you owe back taxes or think you might not be in compliance.
Tax Resolution Services are experts in tax relief and can help you come into full legal compliance with the IRS. If you owe $15,000 or more in back taxes or have delinquent tax returns, visit www.TaxResolution.com or call 1-866-IRS-PROBLEMS for a free tax relief consultation.
This latest news goes to show how no one is safe from IRS scrutiny-not even its own employees.
One IRS employee was found guilty of deliberately under-reporting her actual income by neglecting to disclose the money she made from selling her used clothing and other merchandise on eBay.
According to WebCPA, “She had unreported income of $15,320 in 2004 and $21,062 in 2005. Between 2000 and 2005, she was involved in over 7,000 eBay transactions.”
I’ve always cautioned taxpayers that it is erroneous to believe that the IRS won’t come after you because of “A, B, or C.” While it is true that taxpayers who make over $100,000 a year are twice as likely to get audited, it does not mean that you are safe if you make less and are cheating on your taxes.
With the current struggling economy and the government desperate for revenue, the IRS is more relentless than ever to catch and penalize tax cheats. Don’t risk your financial future–the money you “save” by cheating on your taxes is not worth what you will end up owing in back taxes and interest–not to mention possible jail time.
If you have unfiled tax returns and owe the IRS money, you can get expert tax help from a tax attorney, CPA, or Certified Tax Resolution Specialist. You are giving yourself a better chance at settling your tax debt by proactively resolving your IRS problems today.
Tax Resolution Services is a team of expert tax attorneys, CPAs, and Certified Tax Resolution Specialists who are here to help you with your tax problems. Call our office today at 1-866-IRS-PROBLEMS for a free tax resolution consultation or visit www.taxresolution.com.
A retired FBI Agent has pleaded guilty to evading approximately $109,000 in personal income taxes.
Jan Lindsey, 67, of Henderson, Nev., pleaded guilty to one count of felony tax evasion and is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, July 9, 2010.
According to the plea agreement, Lindsey worked as an FBI Agent for 26 years and retired from the FBI in 1995. For the next 10 years, Lindsey worked for the FBI as a contractor performing background investigations. Prior to 1999, Lindsey filed tax returns with the IRS.
Beginning in 1999, Lindsey started using illegal tax-avoidance methods to file his and his wife’s joint tax returns. Lindsey failed to file or pay federal income tax for the years 1999 through 2006, and committed various acts that were designed to hide his income and assets from the IRS, including placing assets in nominee names and presenting or recording fraudulent documents in an attempt to obtain lien and levy releases on his property.
IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman recently announced that IRS agents would have more flexibility to reach settlements with taxpayers who have fallen on hard times. However, struggling taxpayers who turn to the IRS online payment service or toll-free Tax Help Line for IRS tax help may be putting their financial future at risk.
When you attempt to handle your tax problems over the phone with help from IRS agents, you’re essentially putting your financial fate in the hands of someone without specialized tax resolution training for successfully resolving an audit or unfiled tax returns and back taxes.
It’s important to keep in mind that when you work with the IRS, their agents often don’t have the proper experience or expertise to provide you with the tax help that you need. It’s a fact that 43% of the information you get over the phone from the IRS is incorrect, which means that your phone call to the IRS could end up costing you even more money down the road!
While the IRS may be doing its best to provide for options for struggling taxpayers, IRS enforcement is still on the rise. And taxpayers who owe the IRS more than $25,000 in back taxes, penalties, and interest should be prepared to fully disclose financial information to the IRS – or get expert tax help from a tax attorney or Certified Tax Resolution Specialist to work with the IRS on their behalf.
If you do end up on the phone with the IRS, take down the agent’s name, badge number and direct extension so you have a record of who you’re talking to. However, my best advice is to not risk the wrath of the IRS by representing yourself before the IRS – it’s like going to court without a lawyer.
Tax Resolution Services, Co. is dedicated to providing affordable solutions to businesses and individuals alike who find themselves in trouble with the IRS. For more information or to receive a FREE tax relief consultation, visit www.TaxResolution.com or call 866-IRS-PROBLEMS.
News, commentary, insight, tips and humor from tax expert Michael Rozbruch
Michael Rozbruch is a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist, a member of the American Society of IRS Problem Solvers and a Maryland CPA.
IRS PROBLEMS?
If you find yourself in trouble with the IRS and need professional tax attorney and tax resolution services, call (888) 699-7630. Effective tax negotiation and representation means that your tax attorney, Certified Tax Resolution Specialist or CPA will take over all communications with the IRS, filing any delinquent tax returns to bring you to full IRS compliance while vigorously defending your rights as a taxpayer to permanently resolve your back taxes and IRS problems.
