Category Archives: IRS

Chaffetz Introduces Impeachment Resolution of IRS Commissioner Koskinen

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Russ

This past Friday the US Department of Justice announced that there would be no criminal prosecution of Lois Lerner related to the IRS scandal. I certainly wasn’t surprised. If you don’t remember, the Department of Justice won my Tax Offender … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | 1 Comment

Monsters Under the Bed

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Russ

Two Florida tax preparers (I hesitate to use the word “professionals” based on what they’re accused of) are facing a lawsuit from the Department of Justice seeking a civil injunction to prevent them from owning a tax preparation firm and … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS, Tax Preparation | Tagged | Comments Off on Monsters Under the Bed

Up In Smoke, Again

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Russ

A California non-profit corporation tried to find a way around Section 280E of the Tax Code at Tax Court. Would they be successful or would yet another marijuana business fall victim to the difference between federal and state law? In … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS, Tax Court | Tagged | 1 Comment

That Was the Year that Was

Posted on October 18, 2015 by Russ

Last November I wrote about “The Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Upcoming Tax Season.” This definitely wasn’t the best tax season but it also wasn’t the worst (but it was close to the bottom). The four issues that I identified … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS, Tax Preparation, Taxable Talk | Tagged , | 1 Comment

It’s October 13th and I’m Still Not Ready to File my Taxes; What Should I Do?

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Russ

Somewhere, there’s a procrastinator wondering that exact question. He’s likely thinking, “I don’t have to do anything; I have until October 15th!” That’s not a good answer (with one exception [1]). First, most tax professionals will not be able to … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS, Tax Preparation | 3 Comments

IRS to Tax Professionals: Rules for Thee but Not for Us

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Russ

Today I received an alert from the IRS that a new version of Publication 4557 is available. (At this point, only the web version of the publication is available.) Interestingly, the IRS notes the following: To safeguard taxpayer information, you … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged , | 2 Comments

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 →

Posted in IRS | Comments Off on IRS Computers Won’t be Completely Shutting Down Over Columbus Day Weekend

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