As part of recent efforts to collect unpaid taxes, the Senate Finance Committee has held a confirmation hearing on July 14 to consider the nomination of William Wilkins to be IRS Chief Counsel. Wilkins is expected to spearhead IRS efforts to close the $345 billion a year tax gap.
In this recession, the government feels more hard-pressed than ever to collect unpaid tax revenue in order to fund economically beneficial projects
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The Obama Administration has given the IRS more financial and human resources to restrict tax evasion for the next couple of years–making it more difficult for tax cheats to escape unscathed. In an effort to bridge the enormous tax gap (most of which can be attributed to underreported income–$285 billion), the U.S. Treasury is working with the IRS to accomplish a number of stricter regulatory goals that would result in
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Obama proposed nearly doubling funds to enforce tax compliance and has asked Congress for a $400 million boost for IRS enforcement activities in fiscal year 2010, to support its goal of cracking down on offshore tax dodgers.
The additional $400 million is an increase of about 8% that would bring the total IRS enforcement budget to around $5.5 billion for FY 2010. By doubling the tax law enforcement budget, the White
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President Obama announced an overhaul of the tax code to “detect and pursue” U.S tax evaders and go after their offshore tax shelters.
The President’s two-part plan calls for nearly 800 new IRS agents to enforce the U.S. tax code - and help wage war against multi-national corps and their offshore tax havens.
Under the current tax code, companies with operations overseas pay U.S. taxes only if they bring the profits back
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The IRS just released its strategic plan for fiscal years 2009-2013. The plan outlines how the agency will improve service to taxpayers and enforcement of the law over the next five years.
According to IRS Commissioner Douglas H. Shulman, the agency’s first goal is to make voluntary compliance easier in an effort to maintain the fairest and most effective system of voluntary compliance in the world.
In other words, their goal is
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When I was on the BigBiz Show with Russ and Sully ealier this month, we talked about what taxpayers should know about working with the IRS to solve their tax problems.  We also talked about the tough economic times that we’re experiencing and how it’s not so much a Great Depression - but a Great Correction.
And as Sully pointed out, for many Americans, April 15th is not tax filing deadline,
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In attempts to close the tax gap, the IRS is increasing tax compliance and aggressively taking action against tax cheats and tax promoters. As the tax gap grows, more Americans than ever will be facing audits and the IRS will be re-asserting it’s position on individuals who maintain frivolous arguments for not paying their taxes.
CCH (http://tax.cchgroup.com/) reports:
Sanctions were properly imposed on an individual who advanced a frivolous argument that he was not
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Bloomberg News columnist John M. Berry makes some interesting points regarding President Obama’s new task force created to close the tax gap by focusing on closing loopholes, streamlining tax code and generating revenue.
“It may not accomplish much,” he says.
Highlights from the article include:
With April 15 fast approaching, stronger enforcement and a lot more resources for the Internal Revenue Service should head the administration’s to-do list.
The tax code could be undoubtedly
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I’ve blogged before about how closing the tax gap could help fund deficit reduction activities. And the White House is definitely searching for new tax revenues. Plans are underway to create a task force that will be looking to end corporate loopholes and bolster IRS enforcement.
The Wall Street Journal reports:
Mr. Obama’s budget proposal began the process of addressing problems such as the tax gap, the difference between taxes owed and
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I recently blogged about the new economic stimulus package and how it affects your IRS bill. In addition to funding deficit-reduction activities, the federal government is looking at ways to close the tax gap by taking a closer look at employment tax returns.
According to the most recent estimates, payroll tax mistakes cost the IRS $15 billion - and tax experts agree that today’s figure is much greater! For several years
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In her recent report to Congress, National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson urged the Internal Revenue Service to take steps to ease the tax burden on Americans hit by the recession and consider the economic circumstances of a taxpayer before initiating “enforcement actions.”
As I’ve said before, the IRS will continue to aggressively pursue tax collection compliance, despite the prevailing harsh economy. The IRS is under increasing pressure to track down the
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With the volatility of the current market, I have been asked for a lot of advice on how to offset losses. When I was on Financial Lifeline Radio, I told hosts Dave Harbison and John March that your individual situation is really what will dictate how you handle your investments. Some people will indeed just ride it out.
But overall, I think it is advisable to be prudent and reasonable with
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It’s been another busy month with lots of people asking the tax expert for advice with the October 15 tax extension deadline coming up. I’ve also been asked to share my opinions on the growing tax gap and the proposed bailout plan.
Check back often for updates and media excerpts! Also check out my previous media appearances and interviews.
October 1 WVOX 1460 (New Rochelle, NY), Good Morning Westchester with host Bob Marrone
October 1 WMBS 590 AM
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Closing the $345 billion tax gap could help us cope with the proposed $700 billion bailout without costing Americans another dime. The last time the IRS estimated the tax gap was in 2001, and most tax experts agree that today’s figure is much greater, despite the agency’s push to increase tax compliance. Even though the IRS has spent several years aggressively taking action against tax cheats and tax promoters, what we are seeing today is a growing tax gap
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