Taxpayer Advocate and Associates, Inc.

Just a reminder that tax deadline day is tomorrow April 18. If you haven't filed contact us and we'll get you an extension to avoid the non or late filing penalty

We will be able to begin efiling on Monday

Please be reminded that if you sign a joint tax return with a balance due you are responsible for that balance due even if you did not have any income. If you divorce years later you are still liable if it hasn't been paid.

The IRS scammers are getting more creative. They now actually give the IRS number as a call back but they tell you you will have to wait a long time. So then they give their direct number which is a scammer number. Please remember the IRS will not call you. Do not give them money or information

WASHINGTON As the 2014 filing season nears an end, the Internal Revenue Service today issued another strong warning for consumers to guard against sophisticated and aggressive phone scams targeting taxpayers, including recent immigrants, as reported incidents of this crime continue to rise nationwide. These scams won’t likely end with the filing season so the IRS urges everyone to remain on guard. The IRS will always send taxpayers a written notification of any tax due via ...Continue reading

Beware of Fake IRS Emails and Phone Calls Tax scams that use email and phone calls that appear to come from the IRS are common these days. These scams often use the IRS name and logo or fake websites that look real. Scammers often send an email or call to lure victims to give up their personal and financial information. The crooks then use this information to commit identity theft or steal your money. Some call their victims to demand payment on a pre-paid debit card or by wi...re transfer. But the IRS will not initiate contact with you to ask for this information by phone or email. If you get this type of ‘phishing’ email, the IRS offers this advice: Don’t reply to the message. Don’t open any attachments or click on any links. They may have malicious code that will infect your computer. Don’t give out your personal or financial information. Forward the email to [email protected]. Then delete it. If you get an unexpected phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS: Ask for a call back number and an employee badge number. If you think you may owe taxes, call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS employees can help you. If you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to think that you do, call the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484 to report the incident. You should also report it to the Federal Trade Commission by using their FTC Complaint Assistant on FTC.gov. Please add "IRS Telephone Scam" to the comments of your complaint. Be alert to scams that use the IRS as a lure. The IRS will not initiate contact with you through social media or text to ask for your personal or financial information. More information on how to report phishing or phone scams is available on IRS.gov.

I love meeting new clients - thank you Linda Williams - Halverson's Photography - for the referral.....

Happy New year to all of our wonderful clients and friends. We look forward to meeting your needs in 2014 and thank you for your business in 2013

Please be aware there is a scam going around from people saying they are from the IRS that you owe money and if not paid by noon they will come arrest you. THIS IS A SCAM!!!! Do not talk with them and do not give them any information.. They specifically say do not call your CPA or representative. The IRS will not contact you by phone - your initial contact will be by mail further more they will not put you in jail for owing money unless there is substantial fraud involved. If you do get calls like this you can report it on the IRS website or contact us and we will report it for you. Remember DO NOT GIVE OUT ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION ON THE PHONE TO ANYONE!!!!

Picked up new clients today. We are here for all your tax and accounting needs. We work with you and for you. We do as much as you want us to do. From complete Monthly service to just reviewing your work. Give us a call for s personalized free consultation

Two day seminar on representation. Awesome teacher learning do much to make me even better at representing you before the IRS

Tips to Start Planning Next Year's Tax Return For most taxpayers, the tax deadline has passed. But planning for next year can start now. The IRS reminds taxpayers that being organized and planning ahead can save time and money in 2014. Here are six things you can do now to make next April 15 easier. 1. Adjust your withholding. Each year, millions of American workers have far more taxes withheld from their pay than is required. Now is a good time to review your withholding to... make the taxes withheld from your pay closer to the taxes you’ll owe for this year. This is especially true if you normally get a large refund and you would like more money in your paycheck. If you owed tax when you filed, you may need to increase the federal income tax withheld from your wages. Use the IRS Withholding Calculator at IRS.gov to complete a new Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate. 2. Store your return in a safe place. Put your 2012 tax return and supporting documents somewhere safe. If you need to refer to your return in the future, you’ll know where to find it. For example, you may need a copy of your return when applying for a home loan or financial aid. You can also use it as a helpful guide for next year's return. 3. Organize your records. Establish one location where everyone in your household can put tax-related records during the year. This will avoid a scramble for misplaced mileage logs or charity receipts come tax time. 4. Shop for a tax professional. If you use a tax professional to help you with tax planning, start your search now. You’ll have more time when you're not up against a deadline or anxious to receive your tax refund. Choose a tax professional wisely. You’re ultimately responsible for the accuracy of your own return regardless of who prepares it. Find tips for choosing a preparer at IRS.gov. 5. Consider itemizing deductions. If you usually claim a standard deduction, you may be able to reduce your taxes if you itemize deductions instead. If your itemized deductions typically fall just below your standard deduction, you can ‘bundle’ your deductions. For example, an early or extra mortgage payment or property tax payment, or a planned donation to charity could equal some tax savings. See the Schedule A, Itemized Deductions, instructions for the list of items you can deduct. Planning an approach now that works best for you can pay off at tax time next year. 6. Keep up with changes. Find out about tax law changes, helpful tips and IRS announcements all year by subscribing to IRS Tax Tips through IRS.gov or IRS2Go, the mobile app from the IRS. The IRS issues tips regularly during the summer and tax filing season.

Some good info from the IRS: IRS Fresh Start Program Helps Taxpayers Who Owe the IRS The IRS Fresh Start program makes it easier for taxpayers to pay back taxes and avoid tax liens. Even small business taxpayers may benefit from Fresh Start. Here are three important features of the Fresh Start program:... Tax Liens. The Fresh Start program increased the amount that taxpayers can owe before the IRS generally will file a Notice of Federal Tax Lien. That amount is now $10,000. However, in some cases, the IRS may still file a lien notice on amounts less than $10,000. When a taxpayer meets certain requirements and pays off their tax debt, the IRS may now withdraw a filed Notice of Federal Tax Lien. Taxpayers must request this in writing using Form 12277, Application for Withdrawal. Some taxpayers may qualify to have their lien notice withdrawn if they are paying their tax debt through a Direct Debit installment agreement. Taxpayers also need to request this in writing by using Form 12277. If a taxpayer defaults on the Direct Debit Installment Agreement, the IRS may file a new Notice of Federal Tax Lien and resume collection actions. Installment Agreements. The Fresh Start program expanded access to streamlined installment agreements. Now, individual taxpayers who owe up to $50,000 can pay through monthly direct debit payments for up to 72 months (six years). While the IRS generally will not need a financial statement, they may need some financial information from the taxpayer. The easiest way to apply for a payment plan is to use the Online Payment Agreement tool at IRS.gov. If you don’t have Web access you may file Form 9465, Installment Agreement, to apply. Taxpayers in need of installment agreements for tax debts more than $50,000 or longer than six years still need to provide the IRS with a financial statement. In these cases, the IRS may ask for one of two forms: either Collection Information Statement, Form 433-A or Form 433-F. Offers in Compromise. An Offer in Compromise is an agreement that allows taxpayers to settle their tax debt for less than the full amount. Fresh Start expanded and streamlined the OIC program. The IRS now has more flexibility when analyzing a taxpayer’s ability to pay. This makes the offer program available to a larger group of taxpayers. Generally, the IRS will accept an offer if it represents the most the agency can expect to collect within a reasonable period of time. The IRS will not accept an offer if it believes that the taxpayer can pay the amount owed in full as a lump sum or through a payment agreement. The IRS looks at several factors, including the taxpayer’s income and assets, to make a decision regarding the taxpayer’s ability to pay. Use the Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier tool on IRS.gov to see if you may be eligible for an OIC.