I wrote this latest press release after reading a CNN Money article titled “Spending cut bright spot: Fewer IRS audits.” I needed to dispute the article’s assertion that there would be fewer questioned tax returns as a result of the sequestering budget by Congress. The CNN article states that over $600 million in cuts to the IRS could result in IRS employee layoffs including examiners who audit tax returns. I agree
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This was a short, yet busy week for tax relief news. Stories ranged from celebrity tax woes and prison sentences for tax evaders to tax tips and benefits for military personnel.
Actor Chris Tucker Pays Nearly $1 Million toward Tax Debt – Chris Tucker has been in the spotlight over the last few years, not so much for his talent but sadly, for his huge $12 million tax debt. A recent
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It appears actor and comedian, Chris Tucker is taking a bite out of his huge $12 million dollar tax debt. According to a TMZ.com article titled: “Chris Tucker’s Tax Debt – $1,000,000 Down, 12 More to Go!“, it seems that the actor recently wrote checks totaling $985.028.98 to pay off two Georgia state tax liens: one for $592,594.82 for tax year 2007 and $392,332.16 for tax year 2006.
We reported in
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Memorial Day gives us a chance to honor military personnel for their service and sacrifice. It also allows tax professionals the opportunity to remind service members of the tax benefits they are entitled to. A recent article from Don’t Mess with Taxes titled,”Memorial Day 2013: Remembering those who gave all, offering some tax help for those still giving“ provides tax tips using the IRS Publication 3, Armed Forces Tax Guide. Here are
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The stories that caught our attention this week ranged from tax evasion and fraud, to how the Offer in Compromise Program can help consumers, erasing tax debt in bankruptcy to the increase in IRS criminal investigations to the IRS under intense scrutiny.

The IRS Gets Scrutinized – By far the biggest IRS story this week revolved around the IRS itself! The agency is being closely examined for unfairly targeting conservative
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Question: I am filing bankruptcy to get out from underneath debt brought on by some bad financial decisions. Can I discharge in bankruptcy the IRS back taxes I owe for tax years 2008 and 2009 that amount to roughly $25,000? I am struggling financially to pay off all the debt I incurred in this mess but am particularly overwhelmed with the tax debt. Do I have any chance at tax
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Just last week, the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) released its Annual Report for 2012 showing strong increases in enforcement actions and IRS penalties imposed on convicted tax criminals for the year ending Sept. 30, 2012. According to the IRS bulletin announcing the report’s release, the criminal investigation division investigates potential criminal violations of the Internal Revenue Code and related financial crimes in a manner to foster confidence in the
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Apparently, Lauryn Hill’s “Miseducation” may relate to how badly she handled her IRS tax problems. According to Accounting Today’s article titled: Fugees Singer Lauryn Hill Sentenced to Prison for Tax Evasion, Hill was sentenced Monday to three months in prison plus three months home confinement for failing to file tax returns for five years and not reporting more than $2.3 million in income. The article explains the terms of her
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Every year after the tax day, clients inquire as to what tax documents they need to keep and for how long. Last tax season I wrote a blog post on the subject, inspired by a Forbes article by Tax Girl, Kelly Phillips Erb titled: “How Long Should You Keep Records after Tax Day?” I thought the information would be helpful for those who may be wondering what documents to hold
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I recently wrote a post for the Tax Matters blog about a newly released Government Accountability Office (GAO) report showing IRS budget cuts forcing the furlough of 100,000 employees therefore reducing the ability to audit taxpayers at the same rate. A Huffington Post article titled: “Offshore Tax Havens: Sequestration Damages IRS Battle with Tax Evasion“ provides additional GAO report information shining a light on how the sequester/IRS budget cuts will
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It’s the day after tax day and for those taxpayers who don’t intend on filing a tax return, you may want to reconsider. Not filing means you will be facing significant IRS tax issues. Failure to file is considered a misdemeanor that can be punishable up to $10,000 per year and one year in jail. In fact, IRS penalties are more severe for non-filing than for non-payment. If it sounds
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I came across an interesting Fiscal Times article titled: “High Income, No Taxes: How Big Money Beats the IRS“. The article highlights an IRS report written by economist Justin Bryan that provides comprehensive data on the number of taxpayers who make more than $200,000 and pay zero income taxes.
The report contains detailed data and summary data for the period 1977 to 2008 as well as charts and graphs of almost 4
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During my interview last tax season on the Midday Sunday Fox 11 with host Tony Valdez program, Mr. Valdez posed a scenario that many today may be facing: they have finished preparing their taxes, but don’t have the money to pay them. What should they do? This is a common question and the good news is that taxpayers with tax debt have options! Below the video, I offer some solutions.

If
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Thanks to Frank Byrt at The Street, we learned that the IRS announced the release of their “2012 Internal Revenue Service Data Book [1],” This annual report provides an overview of agency activities, including information and statistical tables dating from October 1, 2011, to September 30, 2012. The report provides helpful data and information on the following: returns filed, taxes collected, enforcement actions, taxpayer assistance, IRS budget and workforce, and
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Reminder: 18 days left until Tax Day!
Here’s a review of the tax relief news covered this week. Featured topics include: IRS releases 2013 Dirty Dozen Tax Scam/Scheme List, businessmen guilty of tax evasion and filing false returns, IRS apologies for expensive Star Trek training video and hiring a tax professional versus tax preparation software.
IRS Releases 2013 Dirty Dozen Tax Scam-Scheme List – as well as a video to remind taxpayers
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