Category Archives: IRS

Well, That’s One Way to Avoid ClubFed

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Russ

Peter Mizioch pleaded guilty on September 4th to one count of preparing a false tax return. Mr. Mizioch was allowed by the sentencing judge to go on a Caribbean cruise. Mr. Mizioch is now answering to a higher authority — … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS, Tax Evasion | 1 Comment

IRS Computers Won’t be Completely Shutting Down Over Columbus Day Weekend

Posted on October 4, 2015 by Russ

Next Monday, October 12th, is Columbus Day. That’s a federal holiday. In prior years the IRS computer systems completely shut down over the three-day weekend. There was no efiling, no pulling of transcripts, no anything in dealing with the IRS. … Continue reading →

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TIGTA: “IRS Can’t Track International Correspondence.” IRS: “So What.”

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Russ

The nature of my practice is such that I have a relatively large number of clients who live outside the United States. When one of my expatriate clients gets an IRS notice, I shudder. The IRS offices that handle international … Continue reading →

Posted in International, IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment

We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Phone Calls

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Russ

The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) released this morning an analysis of the 2015 filing season. There is both good news and bad news in the report. First, some good news. The IRS has improved the detection of … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | 1 Comment

The NAEA Won’t Like This Post

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Russ

I’m a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents. Generally, I’m supportive of their policies. However, I am not a fan of mandatory preparer regulation. Other than giving the IRS more money and getting rid of the lowest hanging … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 2 Comments

IRS Removes Social Security Number from Some Notices But…

Posted on September 6, 2015 by Russ

The IRS has begun removing social security numbers from some IRS notices in the header (leaving just the last four digits, such as xxx-xx-1234). The reason for this is the problem of identity theft. And I give kudos to the … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 2 Comments

Sergeant Schultz to the Rescue!

Posted on August 30, 2015 by Russ

Back in the 1960s there was a television show called Hogan’s Heroes. The comedy was set in a prisoner-of-war camp in Germany during World War II. One of the characters on the show was Sergeant Schultz. Here’s an excerpt via … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | 1 Comment

When Even IRS Employees Are Tempted to Commit Identity Theft…

Posted on August 30, 2015 by Russ

…you know there’s a huge problem. Especially given that the employee should realize that the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) does look at alleged criminal activities by IRS employees. Yet it happens. Take Kenneth Goheen of Austin. Mr. … Continue reading →

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IRS Data Breach Impacted 334,000, Not 100,000 as IRS First Said

Posted on August 17, 2015 by Russ

The IRS announced today that the data breach impacting the online version of the “Get Transcript” application impacted approximately 334,000 taxpayers, not the 104,000 the agency had first said. The IRS will offer free credit monitoring services to victims. The … Continue reading →

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IRS: Free Identity Protection Services After a Data Breach Isn’t Includable in Income

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Russ

The IRS noted Announcement 2015-22 today, that states: [T]he IRS will not assert that an individual whose personal information may have been compromised in a data breach must include in gross income the value of the identity protection services provided … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 3 Comments