Category Archives: IRS

Coming Attractions: When the IRS Writes New Law When They’re Not Allowed To

Posted on October 22, 2013 by Russ

The IRS is part of the Executive Branch of government. The Executive Branch can’t write law–they can issue regulations based on laws passed by the legislative branch (Congress) and then only when Congress authorizes it. There’s an issue percolating in … Continue reading →

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Sigh: 2014 Tax Season to be Delayed up to Two Weeks

Posted on October 22, 2013 by Russ

Just the news that every tax professional wants to hear: The 2014 tax season (2013 tax returns filed next year) will be delayed one to two weeks. It appears the start date for processing will be sometime between January 28th … Continue reading →

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44 Days

Posted on October 20, 2013 by Russ

44 days isn’t much time. It’s about a month and a half. Yet in the bizarre world of the Affordable Care Act (aka ObamaCare), it’s a big deal. Over the coming weeks I’m going to be looking at various provisions … Continue reading →

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It’s One Minute Before Midnight…

Posted on October 13, 2013 by Russ

…for most of us who file tax returns. The deadline is Tuesday, October 15th at midnight for those on extension. That’s it–there’s no tomorrow (well, there is…but not for filing) with three exceptions (noted below). So what should you do? … Continue reading →

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Some Things Still Work; Others Don’t (IRS Shutdown)

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Russ

With the IRS being basically closed, some services are still available. Tonight I was able to log into e-services and print a transcript for a client–a client I already had a Power of Attorney for. Yesterday, a new client came … Continue reading →

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The Government Shutdown and Taxes

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Russ

Apparently the Republicans and Democrats couldn’t get their heads together yesterday, and the government has partially shut down. What does that mean for taxes? Your tax returns on extension are still due on October 15th. That deadline is statutory, so … Continue reading →

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It’s Only $67 Million that We Can’t Find…

Posted on September 29, 2013 by Russ

Have you ever lost something? Of course you have–we all have had experiences where we can’t find that paper we need. Of course, just after we get the second copy of the paper we find the original (Murphy’s Law at … Continue reading →

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No Loving for Dead Horses in DC Court of Appeals

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Russ

While I was enjoying Texas, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals heard the IRS’s appeal of Loving v. IRS. This is the case that stopped the IRS from regulating tax preparers. The IRS argued that the circuit court got the … Continue reading →

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A Tale of Two Audits

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Russ

Yesterday and today I represented two taxpayers in examinations (audits). I took a day trip to Texas yesterday, and today spent some time in downtown Las Vegas. One thing is certain: The IRS has far nicer quarters here in Las … Continue reading →

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The Affordable Care Act and Gamblers: A Bad Bet

Posted on September 21, 2013 by Russ

The Affordable Care Act (aka ObamaCare) is a complex law. For those who gamble, both professionally and as amateurs, there will be a multitude of impacts. The law includes twenty new taxes. Let’s take a look at how these will … Continue reading →

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