Author Archives: Russ

It’s Only $1,300; Do You Really Have To Send Me the 1099?

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Russ

The deadline for mailing 1099s to recipients is this coming Friday, January 31st. That’s a postmark deadline. If you mail a 1099 on Friday and it takes two weeks to get to the recipient, that’s not a problem. (Well, it … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

No More Ordering Transcripts Through Practitioner Priority Service?

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Russ

The IRS Practitioner Priority Service (PPS) is a wonderful tool for tax professionals. It allows us an easy way to obtain information on clients, set up installment agreements, and for practitioners to deal with the IRS. This morning I called … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 3 Comments

More Work for Tax Professionals: Submission IDs for Efiled Returns

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Russ

When a taxpayer efiles his or her tax return, he or she (or a married couple if it’s a joint return) sign Form 8879. There was a change to Form 8879 for 2013 that tax professionals need to be aware … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Trouble With Bitcoins: Taxation

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Russ

National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson noted in her recent report that the IRS needs to issue specific guidance around digital currency: The use of digital currencies, such as bitcoin, is growing. Between July and December, 2013, bitcoin usage increased by … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment

We Will Soon be Able to Efile Past Due Individual Tax Returns

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Russ

One of the annoyances of tax preparation work is that past due tax returns must be paper-filed. Well, that will no longer be the case for 2012 tax returns. Tax professionals will be able to efile 2012 individual tax returns … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 2 Comments

The IRS Has Better Things To Do than the RTRP Designation

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Russ

Recently, there has been some discussion in the tax blogosphere regarding the Registered Tax Return Preparer (RTRP) designation. The IRS wanted to make this a mandatory designation for unenrolled tax professionals (those who are not Enrolled Agents, CPAs, or attorneys). … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Fourth Quarter (2013) Estimated Payment Deadline Is Here

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Russ

The fourth quarter 2013 estimated tax payment deadline is Wednesday, January 15th. If you need to make an estimated payment, it must be postmarked on or before the 15th. If you use EFTPS, the payment must be made on or … Continue reading →

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Massages May Feel Nice, But Can You Deduct Them at the Poker Table?

Posted on January 12, 2014 by Russ

Last week I had an inquiry that asked me about deducting massages at the poker table. At many poker rooms and major poker tournaments, you can get a massage; the cost ranges between $1 and $3 per minute (plus a … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling | 4 Comments

FBAR Changes for 2014

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Russ

There have been some changes made by by FINCEN (the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) for the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) for 2014. While overall these are minor, they will impact everyone who files an FBAR. First, … Continue reading →

Posted in FINCEN, International | 64 Comments

1099 Time

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Russ

As we finish the first week of January, we’re running some repeats of important issues. It’s time for businesses to send out their annual information returns. These are the Form 1099s that are sent to to vendors when required. Let’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling, IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment