Azling & Associates, An Accountancy Corporation

I hope each of you are healthy and have necessary supplies! Our staff will be working both in the office and remotely over the next two weeks at a minimum. We have a new email address that is received by all staff involved in tax preparation: [email protected]. Feel free to use this email, which also goes to me as well, or you can email me directly. Phones will be answered as usual during business hours (I’m usually here until 8am to 7pm and can make arrangements for other ti...mes). We want everyone to stay healthy, so we have options to minimize your time away from your home for tax preparation. For those who haven’t sent tax data yet here are ways you can get your data to us: Scan and upload via Onvio. We can send a request link for uploading documents which is as easy as attaching a file to email. Schedule a time to drop off your data. You can come up to the office or we can meet you outside. Mail your data to us. We will scan what’s needed and return your documents upon completion of your returns. Signatures for e-file authorization can be completed via email using Adobe Sign. Please DO NOT email your data as email is NOT secure. The IRS and California FTB have extended deadlines for filing and paying taxes. The IRS has extended both filing and paying to July 15. The CA FTB has extended the filing and payment date until June 15. Given CA has a deadline prior to the IRS we need to file returns by June 15. If you’re expecting a refund, let’s get your returns filed! If you’d like to take advantage of the extra time please email or call us so we know your plans. We’re prepared to file all returns by the typical April 15 deadline. My suggestion is to file your returns by April 15 and if tax is owed you can decide how to proceed at that time. The impact of the corona virus is significant and can result in confusion, frustration and anger. We’re here to help in any way we can regarding the impact on filing taxes, making payments and estimated tax payments. Please call us with any questions and we’ll all get through this together.

Two days until the end of corporate tax season! The status of my brain: My mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening through a cosmic vapor of invention. My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought, cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.

The sun is setting on another tax year! While the holidays are upon us now is the time to dig out last year’s tax return for a quick review to see if anything has changed this year. Before we get malled and enjoy our time with family and friends here a few points to consider: Was there a change in marital status? Was there a change in dependents?... Did or will any children reach age 17 this year? Do you need to take an RMD from a retirement account? Did you sell significant investments? Did you move? For business owners: Are your books up to date? Are accounts reconciled (bank, credit card and loan accounts)? Did you purchase assets this year? Have you made estimated tax payments? Don’t wait until the new year to address taxes. Tax planning must happen during the year not after. Taxes become reactive once the year ends. Act now to avoid regret! We can help! Give us a call at 714-998-9244.

Two days until the end of corporate tax season! The status of my brain: My mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening through a cosmic vapor of invention. My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought, cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.

NEEDED: Receptionist / Administrative Assistant P/T Small CPA Firm in Anaheim Hills seeks part-time receptionist / administrative assistant. Flexible work hours, but prefer 8-2:30 M-Th. We are a full service firm offering outsource controller service, bookkeeping, and tax preparation. Proficiency in MS Office and QuickBooks, professional demeanor, and exemplary phone skills required. Prior use of UltraTax and CS Suite products a huge plus! Prefer 2+ years experience. Email cover letter with desired hourly rate plus resume to [email protected]. No phone calls please.

The sun is setting on another tax year! While the holidays are upon us now is the time to dig out last year’s tax return for a quick review to see if anything has changed this year. Before we get malled and enjoy our time with family and friends here a few points to consider: Was there a change in marital status? Was there a change in dependents?... Did or will any children reach age 17 this year? Do you need to take an RMD from a retirement account? Did you sell significant investments? Did you move? For business owners: Are your books up to date? Are accounts reconciled (bank, credit card and loan accounts)? Did you purchase assets this year? Have you made estimated tax payments? Don’t wait until the new year to address taxes. Tax planning must happen during the year not after. Taxes become reactive once the year ends. Act now to avoid regret! We can help! Give us a call at 714-998-9244.

Privileges, Rights and Responsibilities Our country is far from perfect but it’s still the best. Our society is progressively elevation privileges to the status of rights. I know I’m not the only person observing a dramatic increase in drivers ignoring cross walks, running red lights and just being inconsiderate. Driving is not a right, it’s a privilege. Many of us in SoCal enjoy our local trails, beaches and parks. Observing the amount of trash in these beautiful areas... is disheartening. One can conject the attitude of certain people: it is someone else’s job to pick up the trash they leave behind. After all, they pay tax right? This post was inspired by something I’ve enjoyed since college tailgating at sporting and concert events. Last Saturday my family cooked for about 30 during the SDSU vs UC Davis tailgate at Qualcomm Stadium. We generated 3-4 large bags of trash during our celebration of the start of the college football season. When we were finished there was nothing left behind. Contrast that with a nationally known fraternity from SDSU, which I will not rat out, left behind. I shot this photo after the game and was moved to write this post. The aftermath is unconscionable. We all enjoy driving, enjoying the outdoors and tailgating. These are privileges not rights. Each one of us must be responsible for our behavior and take positive action. Be patient while driving, don’t litter and clean up after ourselves! Consider the power of one. If we all did one courteous deed a day, our world would be better. We need to adhere to a saying that has been around for years: Pack it in, Pack it out. Elevate that saying to a responsibility.

Independent Contractor are you sure? The classification of Independent Contractor (IC) is an assertion by a company that an individual performing the work meets the criteria established by the tax authorities to be so classified. This classification has serious implications for both the company and individual. Why it matters:... This is a very hot topic with both the IRS and EDD in California. While this issue has been an audit topic for years it has risen near the top of audit reasons. Government agencies want their share of the money collected through payroll and they want workers to be covered by both unemployment and disability insurance. A worker classified as an IC must file a business tax return and is subject to Self-Employment Tax (16.75% of taxable income is a basic guide). Additionally, the worker is not covered by unemployment or disability insurance. This really means an IC in business for themselves regardless of their intent. This classification also has implications in other areas such as general liability insurance, auto insurance coverage and city business license requirements. Do you want to be in business for yourself? Self-employment is not for the faint of heart! The primary issue is control (nod to Janet Jackson). If the company has control over the individual then the worker should be classified as an employee. The tax agencies begin with the assumption the company has control and the burden of proof is on the company, not the worker. Salient issues to consider pertaining to the work: Who controls when and where the work is performed? Does the company supervise the work? Who determines the procedures to follow to complete the work? Who provides the equipment and tools required? Is the worker prohibited from providing services to other companies? Assuming the worker is being treated as an IC: Does the IC provide services to additional companies? Does the IC have a business license? Does the IC carry appropriate insurance for a business? Does the IC have an investment in their company? Does the IC have risk of loss? We can help: Our experience can help you navigate this complex area. While we cannot prevent an audit, we can assist with establishing appropriate procedures and documentation. An audit on this topic will typically cover three years which is a costly process. Don’t expose your business to unnecessary risk with inappropriately classified workers! Give us a call at (714) 998-9244.

Warning on Tax Scams Unscrupulous thieves continue to attempt to deceive tax payers. The scammers are spreading their attempts beyond federal income tax to other areas such as state income tax and property taxes. One area that is complicating this topic is the IRS is beginning to use third party collection agencies to collect back taxes. Here’s a few tips to thwart scammers: Keep your tax records current. Have a copy of your tax returns that were filed for the last fou...r years. Make certain you have these easily accessible so you can see the results of the tax returns (amounts of refunds or tax due). Knowing that your returns were filed timely and processed assures you that there is no additional tax due. Keep your banking records documenting the receipt of refunds or payment of taxes due for the last four years. The tax agencies will communicate through US Mail, not phone calls. The only exception would be if a tax return is under audit and you’re not working with a tax professional to represent you. Most tax payers are not familiar with their tax payer rights. If a return is being audited I strongly suggest you have proper representation. When sending correspondence to ANY tax agency ALWAYS send using certified mail with return receipt. The burden of proof of delivery is always on the tax payer. Keep the card that is returned with your tax records. Keep your address current with the tax agencies. If you have moved be sure to file the appropriate form with the various tax agencies or call them to provide your current address. Immediately open all mail from tax agencies. No likes receiving such correspondence, however, ignoring will not help! Scammers have been known to send certified mail to make it look more official. The tax agencies rarely do this and it will be regarding a known matter such as an audit or tax levy. Protect your loved ones! Discuss these scams with parents, grandparents and young adults. Scammers succeed using fear and preying on ignorance. Have your family members contact you if they are hit by such attempts. Please feel free to contact my office if we can be of assistance with this issue or any other tax matter. Email: [email protected] Office: 714-998-9244

I now see the light at the opening of the cave known as tax season! I encourage every to file on time, or at least file an extension, to avoid (or minimize) penalties. Get in touch with me if I can be of assistance! 714-998-9244 or [email protected]