ndssmall2

An IRS Identity Protection Unit Saga: Part 3 September 11, 2023
One week ago I uploaded Part 2 of my client’s ongoing saga of obtaining his 2020 tax refund. My client, call him John Smith, was supposed to either receive his refund by mid-August or we were supposed to receive a call. Mid-August came, and Mr. Smith had not received his refund (and it did not […]
Russ
An IRS Identity Protection Unit Saga: Part 2 September 5, 2023
When we last left the Identity Protection (IP) Unit saga of John Smith, he successfully verified his identity and was told he should receive his refund within nine weeks (or by May 25th). On July 12th Mr. Smith sent us a message saying he hadn’t heard a thing (nor had he received his refund). I […]
Russ
Many Floridians Receive Hurricane Extension Due to Idalia August 31, 2023
The IRS announced yesterday that victims of Hurricane Idalia have their tax filing deadlines extended until February 15, 2024. As of this moment, most of central and northern Florida including the Tampa/St. Petersburg area, Orlando, and Jacksonville are eligible for this extension. This is an extension for filing, not paying your tax. But if you […]
Russ
An IRS Identity Protection Unit Saga: Part 1 August 28, 2023
I’ve written about James Smith before. A few years ago, Mr. Smith was the victim of IRS “help” when they changed the Employer Identification Number (EIN) without his knowledge; that saga ended in 2022. Unfortunately, Mr. Smith is now suffering through an Identity Protection Unit saga with no end in sight. In 2021 Mr. Smith’s […]
Russ
Everything Is in the Best of Hands: “Security Weaknesses Are Not Timely Resolved and Effectively Managed” August 14, 2023
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) released a report today, and it doesn’t make for pleasant reading; it’s titled, “Security Weaknesses Are Not Timely Resolved and Effectively Managed.” If you wonder why some don’t feel confident with the IRS preparing tax returns, look no further. The summary (relating to what the IRS is […]
Russ
Vermont Flood Victims Get an Extra Month to File their Returns July 13, 2023
Many areas of Vermont have seen severe flooding over the past couple of weeks. The area has been declared a federal disaster area. The IRS announced today that impacted individuals have an extra month to file returns on extension (until November 15th); business returns on extension are also now due on November 15th. Unfortunately, today’s […]
Russ
The Supreme Court Takes Up a Wealth Tax; You May Need to File a Protective Claim for Refund June 26, 2023
At the end of 2017, Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). This complex measure added some deductions (such as the Deduction for Qualified Business Income), added restrictions on other deductions (such as the $10,000 limit on taxes as an itemized deduction), and added a few taxes. One of the taxes added was […]
Russ
When the IRS Computer Sends Out Lots of Bad Notices… June 7, 2023
Almost everyone in California has an extension for filing and paying their taxes until October 16th (a result of the flooding in the state in January). The IRS certainly know about this: they issued multiple announcements on the extensions. Thus, a California taxpayer could file his or her return today and pay in October without […]
Russ
Why Were California Returns Extended Again from May to October? (A Theory) May 8, 2023
Back in January, severe winter storms impacted California. Much of the state was declared a federal disaster area; these declarations are always county-by-county. As of today, only two counties in California (both in the northeastern corner of the state) are not federal disaster zones. The IRS rightly extended tax filing deadlines from April 18th to […]
Russ
Why You Use Certified Mail When Mailing Items to Tax Agencies April 26, 2023
My mother passed away last year (after a long and fruitful life). I filed her final tax returns–and money was due to both the IRS and California. I could not use IRS Direct Pay, nor could I have the funds debited from my bank account; thus, I mailed checks (and vouchers) to the tax agencies. […]
Russ