How to Turn Your Side Hustle Into a Massive Tax Deduction
If you took on a side hustle last year to make ends meet and earn some extra cash, you may have found an unexpected surprise when you filed your taxes. If you did not prepare carefully, you probably ended up with a big tax bill for your troubles, possibly with penalties and interest added on.
Given the unpleasant surprises of the past, you may be resigned to a life of higher taxes, all courtesy of the very side hustle you thought would help you gain financial freedom. But before you put away your driving gloves and give up on ride-sharing and grocery delivery, you might want to take a second look at your situation.
With the right planning and preparation, your side hustle could actually lower your tax bill, giving you an even bigger reason to keep driving, door dashing, and doing whatever it takes to make ends meet. Here are some key ways to make your side hustle pay off come tax time.
Note: If you fall behind on filing your taxes or owe back taxes to the IRS, you’re not alone and we can help. Reach out to our tax resolution firm and we’ll help you file late tax returns and negotiate with the IRS if you owe back taxes.
Start By Estimating What You Expect to Earn
It can be difficult to estimate how much you might earn from your side hustle, especially if the time you devote to it and the amount you make varies week to week. Even so, it is important to estimate your income, not only to plan for your deductions but to make advance tax payments as well.
If you expect to earn more than $1,000 from your side hustle, you should strongly consider making quarterly tax payments to the IRS. If you fail to pay ahead, you could end up with a tax penalty when you file, and possibly interest and other charges as well. If you end up overpaying what you owe, you will receive a refund when you file your taxes.
You can start estimating your earnings by looking at how much you made last year. To fine-tune the figure, even more, you can look at your monthly earnings to date and annualize that figure to determine how much you could earn for the entire year.
Consider a Health Savings Account
If you have a health savings account, either through your employer or purchased on your own, you may be eligible for a health savings account, and opening one could significantly reduce your taxable income, so you can keep more of your side hustle money.
In addition to the tax savings, a health savings account can help you pay for medical expenses, both expected ones, and costs that would otherwise have drained your emergency fund. Since the money, you put into an HSA is fully tax-deductible, this simple step can lower your tax bill quite a bit.
Open a Self-Employed Retirement Plan
If you have a side hustle, even on a part-time basis, you are considered self-employed, and that means you can open a retirement plan designed for self-employed individuals. The type of account you can open, and the amount you can contribute, will be dictated by the type of business structure and your earnings, but many of these retirement plans are quite generous in their contribution limits.
If your side hustle is truly a sideline and you have a full-time job with a traditional 401(k) plan, you may be eligible for a SEP-IRA, a unique form of account designed specifically for small business owners and the self-employed. If your side hustle has gone full time, you may want to look at a solo 401(k), a retirement plan that offers high contribution limits and an enormous potential for tax savings. You will need to apply for an employer identification number (EIN) to open this type of 401(k), but you can get that number free from the IRS.
Take Advantage of Your Deductions
Having a side hustle gives you a chance to tax advantage of certain deductions, and using those deductions could significantly reduce your taxable income and boost the size of your refund.
If you run a business out of your home, for instance, you may be eligible for the home office deduction, and that will entitle you to write off part of your mortgage, utilities, and other costs. You can also take a standard home-office deduction based on the square footage of your dedicated workspace and the size of your home.
In addition to those deductions, you may be able to write off things like office supplies, the cost of internet access and phone service, and automotive expenses if you use your car as part of your side hustle or full-time business. You should always check with a tax expert before claiming these deductions, as every individual situation is unique.
Side hustles are becoming more common, and that is good news for many wallets. But when tax time rolls around, those partially self-employed individuals will need to do some serious planning to keep their bills in check, including following the steps outlined above.
Life as a freelancer or gig worker can be wonderful, but it’s not uncommon to see self-employed taxpayers land in trouble with the IRS and owing back taxes.
If you do run into tax trouble, reach out to our tax resolution firm and we’ll schedule a free, no-obligation confidential consultation to explain your options in full to permanently resolve your tax problem.
5 Things That Can Unexpectedly Raise Your Taxes
Proper tax planning is a year-round proposition. You cannot afford to wait until April to start planning your taxes and assessing your tax liability.
Knowing which factors can raise your taxes is one of the best ways to keep more money in your pocket. These five factors can unexpectedly raise your taxes owed at the end of the year.
Note: If you owe back taxes, our firm can help negotiate with the IRS and potentially settle your tax debt. Call us today. Our tax resolution specialists can navigate the IRS maze so that you have nothing to worry about.
#1 - Cashing in Your Retirement Plan
There are many reasons not to cash in your retirement plan early, but the tax penalty is one of the biggest ones. If you take the proceeds from your 401(k) plan in cash instead of rolling it over into an IRA, you will have to pay taxes on the money you withdraw. Even worse, you will be subject to a 10 percent penalty. By the time you are done, you could lose up to half your hard-earned retirement plan to taxes and penalties.
#2 - Working as a Freelancer
Working for yourself is great, but it can trigger a tax nightmare. Freelancers and other self-employed workers are subject to the self-employment tax, which represents the combined employer and employee share of the Medicare and Social Security tax. That tax hit can be substantial, especially if you plan to fail for it and set money aside.
#3 - Failing to Take Your RMD
You cannot keep retirement funds in your account indefinitely. You are required to start pulling money from your IRA and workplace retirement plans when you turn 70. If you fail to make that required minimum distribution (RMD), you could face a hefty tax penalty. The penalty for failing to take the RMD can be substantial.
#4 - Skipping Your IRA Contribution
If you are used to making an annual IRA contribution, skipping that contribution could cost you money. Before you skip your IRA contribution, take the time to run the numbers and see how the decision will affect your tax bill.
#5 - Paying Off the Mortgage
Paying off the house can be very freeing, but it can also raise your taxes. Mortgage interest is deductible if you itemize your deductions, and losing that deduction could leave you owing more to the IRS. That may not be a reason to keep a mortgage, but it can be an important consideration.
Owe Back Taxes?
If you know you’ll have outstanding tax debt and owe more than $10k to the IRS or state but can’t pay in full, contact our firm today. We help people find tax relief and sometimes settle their tax debt for a fraction of what’s owed.
Recordkeeping Tips for Freelancers and Gig Workers So You Can Avoid Getting in Tax Trouble
If you are working as a freelancer or gig worker, you are certainly not alone. Millions of men and women are earning extra income driving for ride-sharing services, designing websites for online entrepreneurs, and writing for local businesses.
Some freelancers and gig workers have even said goodbye to their traditional careers, trading the security of a steady paycheck for the freedom and flexibility of gig work and freelance clients. But whether you are freelancing full time or just for extra cash, you need to keep careful records so come tax time, you can stay out of tax trouble.
Note: If you fall behind on filing your taxes, you’re not alone and we can help. Reach out to our tax resolution firm and we’ll help you file late tax returns and negotiate with the IRS if you owe back taxes.
Set Up a Separate Bank Account
Freelancers and gig workers play many roles but they all have one thing in common, they are also business owners.
Whether or not you have incorporated your business or formed a formal business, you do operate your own business. That means you need a separate bank account to collect your earnings and pay your expenses.
If you have not already done so, you should set up a separate bank account for your freelancing income. If you do have a formal business structure and an employer identification number (EIN), you can use that information to open the account. If not, you can simply open a second account to collect your payments and take care of any business-related expenses.
Print Reports from Payment Providers
Gig workers and freelancers are paid in many different ways, from direct payments from clients to automated clearinghouse (ACH) transfers to their bank accounts. These independent workers may also receive payment through third party apps like Paypal, Stripe and Payoneer, and keeping it all straight can be a real challenge.
Luckily many of the major payment providers make it easy to find out exactly how much their members received during a given time period. If you want to see where you stand, and how much tax you might owe, sign on and print out a payment report from every provider you receive income from.
You can fill out those reports with your own carefully kept records, including documentation of direct client payments and bank transfers. If you are unsure how much you have received via ACH, you can check with your bank or request a written report.
Signing up for a bookkeeping service or bookkeeping software can also help keep track of all your income and expenses.
Maintain Contact Information for Everyone You Have Worked For
During the course of a single year, freelancers and gig workers may work for dozens of individuals and companies, and they may receive payments from just as many sources. In a perfect world, everyone who hires those freelancers and gig workers would maintain their own records and send out 1099s for tax purposes, but that is far from guaranteed.
If you want to avoid unpleasant entanglements with the IRS, you need to keep your own records and check off each 1099 as it comes in. If you earned income from a client and do not receive a 1099, it is your responsibility to follow up and get the proper paperwork, so make your life easier and keep contact information from everyone you worked for, even if they were only a one-time client.
Keep a Running Tally with a Spreadsheet
It can be hard to track your income from freelance jobs and gig work, but a spreadsheet will make it easier. If you want to avoid underreporting your income and the tax penalties that could bring, set up a spreadsheet and record every dollar you earn from your freelancing and gig work efforts.
Keeping a running tally of your freelance and gig work income serves a number of different purposes. For one thing, it will help you determine the amount of your required quarterly income tax payments, so you do not overpay or underpay what you owe. Tallying your income as you go can also help you see how you are doing, making it easier to ramp up your freelancing and gig work efforts as you go.
Measure, Photograph and Document Your Home Office
As a freelancer or gig worker, you may be eligible for some generous income tax deductions, including a write-off for your home office. If you operate your freelancing business out of your home or find gig clients there, you may be able to deduct part of your utility bills, rent or mortgage and other applicable expenses.
Not just any space will do if you want to take the home office deduction, and proper documentation could be the difference between a valid deduction and a disallowed one. You must use your home office solely for your business, and it is important to keep careful records to avoid problems with the IRS.
That means measuring the space your home office occupies, so you can compare it to the total square footage of your home. It also means photographing the space, so you can show those images to the IRS if they question the deduction.
Scan Receipts to Make Tax Deductions Easier
You may also be eligible for additional tax deductions, including write-offs for office supplies, internet access and the like. But you will need to back up those deductions if the IRS comes calling, so make sure you have all those receipts on hand.
A shoebox full of paper receipts will not do, so make sure you scan or photograph those documents and keep them in a safe place. That could mean setting up a folder on your hard drive (with a backup plan in place), uploading the images to the cloud or a combination approach designed to safeguard records of your business-related purchases.
Life as a freelancer or gig worker can be wonderful, but keeping proper records is essential. From making tax planning easier and less stressful to saving you money, there are many advantages to keeping careful records.
If you do run into tax trouble, reach out to our tax resolution firm and we’ll schedule a free, no-obligation confidential consultation to explain your options in full to permanently resolve your tax problem.
9 Common Mistakes First Time Tax Filers Make That Can Land You In Tax Trouble
Being an adult has its perks, from being able to rent a car and book a hotel room to the chance to earn a living and rent an apartment. But life as an adult also comes with some challenges, including the burden of filing and paying taxes.
If this year is the first time you will be filing a tax return, it is important to plan ahead. Mistakes are common among first-time filers, and those blunders could delay a much-anticipated refund or even trigger an audit from the IRS.
Here are 9 of the mistakes first-time filers are likely to make - and how you can avoid them.
Note: If you or someone you know owes back taxes, our firm can help negotiate with the IRS and potentially settle your tax debt. Call us today. Our tax resolution specialists can navigate the IRS maze so that you have nothing to worry about.
1. Forgetting to file
When filing taxes is new, it is easy to forget to do it. Forgetting to file is a big risk for first-time filers, one that could have long-lasting implications for your adult life.
2. Not reporting all your income
As a first-time filer, it is easy to forget to report all your income, especially if you work a side hustle or participate in the gig economy, Failing to report all your income is a big no-no, and this mistake could trigger a visit from the IRS.
3. Not tracking the cost basis of your investments
If you invest in stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, you may owe capital gains tax when you sell, so it is important to track the cost basis as you go along. If you fail to track the cost basis, you could end up overpaying taxes on any future sales.
4. Paying for a refund anticipation loan
As a first-time filer, you are probably anxious for your refund, but paying to get it could be a big mistake. Unless you are in dire need, it is better to wait 7-10 days for your e-filed return to be processed and your direct deposit to land in your bank account.
5. Choosing the wrong filing status
If you choose the wrong filing status, your return could be delayed, or even rejected outright.
6. Not asking your parents if they are claiming you on their tax return.
If your parents are still providing support for you, they may be able to claim you as a dependent when they file their taxes. If you incorrectly claim yourself as a dependent in this situation, you could be in trouble with the IRS. Even more importantly, you could land your parents in hot water as well.
7. Failing to claim all your deductions
From student loan payments to mortgage interest, the IRS provides a wealth of deductions that can reduce taxes for first-time filers. Failing to claim those available deductions is like leaving money on the table.
8. Waiting until the last minute
Many first-time filers assume that their returns will be simple and that they can wait until the last minute to file. If you wait until April 15, you will be at the mercy of everything from closed post offices to a failed internet connection, so start early and get this chore out of the way as soon as possible.
9. Not planning for next year
When you are neck-deep in tax paperwork, it is hard to see ahead, but failing to plan for future taxes is a big first-time filer mistake. Now that your return has been filed, do some homework on additional tax deductions, including those for 401(k) and IRA contributions.
The April 15 tax filing deadline will be here before you know it, and when it is over you will have officially become a taxpayer. If you want your first foray into taxpayer status to be a successful one, avoiding the 9 mistakes listed above is a good place to start.
If you know you’ll have outstanding tax debt and owe more than $10k to the IRS or state but can’t pay in full, contact our firm today. We help people find tax relief and sometimes settle their tax debt for a fraction of what’s owed.
Lucky Day at the Casino? Don't Forget About the IRS
Whether you gamble all the time or only once in a blue moon, you are filled with hope and excitement every time you walk through those casino doors. If you have been gambling for even a little while, you already know that Lady Luck can be a fickle partner. Sometimes the gods of the casino smile upon you, and other times they turn their back. So, when you finally hit the jackpot, you are overjoyed and brimming with excitement…
At least until you consider the tax consequences of your good fortune.
Every time you walk through the doors of the casino, Uncle Sam is peering over your shoulder, and the IRS will be waiting with its hand out when good fortune finally smiles on you.
So, as you celebrate your big win, do not forget about your taxes; if you do, the IRS is sure to come calling. If you have any tax issues or find yourself owing a large amount in back taxes, reach out to our tax resolution firm and we’ll help you navigate any obstacles.
Ask About a W2-G
One of the first things you need to know about winning big at the casino is that the IRS will receive notice of how much you won. If you try to fudge the numbers or not report the win at all, chances are you will soon be on the wrong end of a tax bill.
It is important to report all of your gambling winnings, even smaller jackpots that may not warrant a W2-G, the form on which those monies are recorded. And if you do win a substantial jackpot, ask the casino workers about how and when the tax forms will be issued.
Understand Withholding
When you have a lucky day at the casino, it is easy to blow your winnings, especially if you have never been so lucky before. But before you spend your last dollar, you might want to keep some in reserve for when tax time rolls around. If you fail to keep that money available, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise, and a big tax bill, when you file.
Casinos know that their customers may have trouble paying taxes on their winnings, and that is why many of them will automatically withhold a portion of the jackpot. If you do win a substantial jackpot, make sure you understand whether, and how, this withholding will take place.
If you are concerned about having the money to pay the taxes due, you may be able to ask the casino to do the withholding for you. Not all casinos will be willing to do this, but it never hurts to ask.
Track Your Losses
The fact that you have to pay taxes on your gambling winnings may seem unfair and arbitrary, but the IRS is not entirely heartless. You may be able to write off some of the money you lost in the pursuit of your latest jackpot, but only if you can back up those numbers with hard data.
Tracking your losses is never a fun thing to do, especially if you are a regular casino visitor. Even so, it is important to keep track, and many casinos will do the work for you.
If you carry a casino loyalty card, you may be able to log on or request a report showing how much you spent, and how much you won, while your card was in use. This is not a perfect solution, but it can be a good first step if you plan to write off your losses in hopes of reducing your final tax bill.
Having a lucky day at the casino feels good no matter who you are, as does leaving the casino with a stack of cash and a big jackpot to your name.
But the next time Lady Luck smiles on you, make sure you leave a little for Uncle Sam.
If you find yourself behind on your taxes and owe more than $10,000, contact our firm. We’ll schedule a no-obligation confidential consultation to explain your options to potentially settle your tax debt for less than what you owe.
Made a Mistake On Your Tax Return? Here’s What To Do.
Tax returns can be complicated and tricky to understand. Even for a professional, it can be surprisingly difficult to get every number and detail right.
Often, you only notice the mistakes when you take a casual look at your return days after you submit it online or drop it in the mailbox. Or worse, the IRS sends you a letter telling you something is off.
So, is there anything that you can do after your return is in?
Actually, there's a lot that you can do. But if you don’t know where to start, it’s best to leave it to a professional. Our tax resolution specialists can navigate the IRS maze so that you have nothing to worry about. We help people who owe back taxes or have back tax debt. Call us today for a free consultation.
3 Major Types Of Mistakes
There are many red flags the IRS looks for on each tax return, but here are 3 common ones taxpayers make.
1: Not reporting all your income. No matter how much or little you make, report everything. In some way or another, unless you run a strict cash business (another red flag), all of your income is reported to the IRS. W2, 1099 and other forms you receive are duplicated and sent to the IRS. If your reported income doesn't match theirs, that's a red flag.
2: Overstating business expenses. Depending on the type of job you have, there can be many legitimate expenses that your employer doesn't reimburse you for. If you’re a business, you might be tempted to write off just a little extra. These might be genuine deductions. But don't try to deduct something that's not on the approved list and don't claim deductions way outside the norm. Check with your tax professional and stay up to date with tax laws so you’re not padding your tax return with write-offs.
3: Math errors. Whether you file electronically or still file paper forms, your information gets entered into a computer. And one thing computers are very good at is doing math. If things don’t add up, or there was an honest mistake in inputting the information, it can raise a red flag. A math error won't necessarily get you an audit, but it will get the attention you may not want. Make sure to double-check your returns and have a qualified tax professional assist you and keep you out of tax trouble.
Filing an Amended Return - The 1040X
Individual income tax returns filed with the IRS can be amended up to three years after the due date of the original return by filing IRS Form 1040X.
On a 1040X form, the IRS only asks to be shown what was originally filed, what the corrected details are, and the reason why you need to make changes. The form also includes a section where you get to change the personal exemptions that you've claimed on your tax return -- just in case you make a mistake listing your dependents.
A few tips on filing your 1040X form
● For each year that you need to make corrections for, you need to use a separate 1040X form and mail it in, in its own envelope.
● Each form should have the return year mentioned at the top.
● On the back of the form, you need to explain the changes you've made and your reasons for them.
● Any schedules, forms, or anything else that is affected by your change needs to be sent in with the form.
● If the corrections made to your federal form affect your state taxes, you need to send in a corrected return for that as well.
However, we strongly suggest consulting a tax resolution professional to help with your amended return. They can often file multiple years of unfiled tax returns, help you settle for a fraction of what you owe, and at the very least save you a headache.
You Have 3 Years
Many tax filers only notice a mistake on a tax return only when they look at it preparing their taxes the following year. Mistakes may come to their attention in one of several ways. They may share something with their tax preparer that they may have neglected to mention in the previous year. The tax preparer, then, may notice the need for amendments to a previous year's return, as well.
There is no set time period within which you must correct your return. You can do it any time you notice it. A general rule that the IRS follows, though, is to entertain corrections for 3 years after an original return is filed.
The 1040X is a paper-only form
Even if you always e-file your tax returns, you'll need to file the 1040X form as a physical, paper form. The IRS still isn't equipped to handle the 1040X form electronically. You also need to pay attention to where you mail it in - 1040X forms do not go to the same IRS service center address as regular returns.
If Correcting Your Mistake Results In More Taxes Owed, You Should Still Amend Your Return
If your tax return contains a mistake that shortchanges the IRS in a more serious way, chances are good that the IRS will discover it. For instance, if you made money off a freelancing job that you didn't file a 1099 form for, the IRS could find out and you could end up paying interest for a few years for the tax owed. If you catch it yourself, you'll save on interest, at least.
If you know you’ll have outstanding tax debt and owe more than $10k to the IRS or state but can’t pay in full, contact our firm today. We help people find tax relief and sometimes settle their tax debt for a fraction of what’s owed.
Don't Deal With The IRS On Your Own!
In this video, CEO and founder of BPB Tax Resolutions discusses your rights as a taxpayer. He dives into your right to retain representation, what it is, why it's important, and how to take full advantage of this power. The IRS communicates your rights as a taxpayer through the publication 1. Item #9 on the taxpayer bill of rights states that you can hire an authorized representative to represent you if you have any sort of tax issue.
An authorized representative can be a lawyer, CPA, or enrolled an agent. Your typical tax payer cannot represent you unless they are in good standing with one of these credentials. The best thing you can do when you have a tax issue is to hire a professional to speak on your behalf. Sometimes, tax issues can become worse if you try to deal with the IRS directly. Because of this, it’s very important that you have a certified tax resolution specialist involved as early as possible.
When you want to to obtain representation, be sure to find a reputable firm to discuss your tax situation with. That firm will have you fill out a form that grants them power of attorney. This power of attorney is limited to dealing with tax matters to the IRS. The representative listed on the form presents the power of attorney form to the IRS and steps into your shoes as a taxpayer to negotiate the desired outcome.
After the tax matter is resolved, the authorized representative will revoke power of attorney. It’s very important to ensure that the representative has done this before ending your engagement with the authorized representative.
If you have a challenging tax situation that you’re trying to deal with on your own, make sure to contact BPB Tax Resolutions.
Filing Your Taxes When You Know You'll Owe Money to The IRS
As we wrap up the year the last thing most people are thinking about is their taxes. But planning ahead can have a serious impact on your tax bill next year, especially if you know you’ll owe taxes.
In this article, we’ll talk about some steps you must take if you know you’ll be owing taxes to the IRS or state.
Note: If you already have tax troubles or owe more than $10k to the IRS or state but can’t pay in full, contact our firm today. We help people find tax relief, file years of unfiled tax returns, and sometimes settle their tax debt for a fraction of what’s owed.
Report All Your Income
One of the biggest reasons people get in trouble with the IRS is their failure to report income. Oftentimes it’s an honest mistake and they simply forget about income they’ve made throughout the year.
Did you take on a consulting gig? Your client might have filed a 1099 reporting your income.
Did your savings and investments earn interest? You’ll likely need to report that income as well.
The stock market has been on a wild ride, and breaking records despite COVID-19. If you sold stock and cashed on on the gains, these gains are reported to the IRS and it means that a lot of Americans might get an unexpected tax bill.
As the year wraps up, it’s wise to take inventory of where your income came from this year so you can stay on top of any tax forms you might get outside of your normal W2.
Run The Numbers Ahead of Time
Some people like surprises but when it comes to taxes, it’s best to avoid them.
You do not have to wait for tax filing season to estimate how much you might owe. Be proactive about consulting with your tax advisor and estimate your tax liability based on how you did for the year.
They’ll be able to suggest tax strategies before the year ends that can save you thousands of dollars on your tax bill.
Set Money Aside to Pay Your Taxes
Taxes are inevitable. If you know for certain you’ll owe money to the IRS but don’t have the money to pay all of it up front, it’s best to set at least some money aside early so you can pay as much of your tax bill upfront as possible.
The IRS can be more lenient if they see you’re trying to honor your responsibilities and settle your tax debt.
Learn About Tax Relief Options
The IRS has the authority to levy your bank account, garnish your paycheck and seize your assets if it has to, but they also have many tax relief options to help taxpayers in need.
Things like settling your tax debt for a fraction of what you owe, installment plans, penalty abatements, and more, can all be viable tax relief options depending on your situation.
If you owe money to the IRS and can’t afford to pay, you have options. It’s best to reach out to a tax relief firm like ours to learn more about them.
Don’t talk to the IRS, talk to us first
If you do get hit with a surprise tax bill and lack the money to pay it, you need to settle your tax problem as soon as possible. The IRS wants their money, and they have unbridled authority to get it, so simply avoiding the tax bill will not make it go away, but make it worse. A lot worse.
However, dealing with the IRS is often intimidating for most taxpayers. Talking to the IRS and trying to resolve your own tax problem is like going to court without a lawyer, you’ll most likely get crushed.
A tax resolution firm like ours has years of experience helping taxpayers just like you resolve IRS and State tax problems and negotiating the best deal on your behalf. If you owe the IRS money either for 2019 or prior years, contact us now for a consultation to learn about your options.
The good news is the IRS has several debt settlement options including their Fresh Start Initiative and is generally willing to settle with taxpayers who have been blindsided by a surprise tax bill and can’t pay it off in full.
Hopefully, tax filing season will bring the big fat refund you are expecting, but it is important to be prepared for the unexpected. The new tax bill has unleashed a host of unintended consequences, including smaller refunds and surprise tax bills. By being prepared, you can reduce the pain of a surprise tax bill, so you can get on with the rest of your life.
Do You Need A Tax Attorney if You Owe Back Taxes?
If you owe back taxes you might think you need a tax attorney, but that’s not necessarily always the case. Just like hiring a traditional accountant to try to resolve your tax debt might not be the best choice, hiring a tax attorney, who doesn’t specialize in tax resolution might be the same thing.
When you owe the IRS back taxes, it’s best to have the right tax relief firm representing you so you can get the best result possible. Don’t try to face the most brutal collection agency on the planet alone. You’ll be sorry you did.
In this article we talk about some of the differences between a tax attorney and someone who specializes in tax relief and IRS negotiation.
Note: If you already have a tax problem and owe more than $10k to the IRS or state but can’t pay in full, contact our firm today. We help people find tax relief, file years of unfiled tax returns, and sometimes settle their tax debt for a fraction of what’s owed.
What Do Tax Attorneys Do?
Tax lawyers help businesses and taxpayers with a number of tax related issues such as;
● Legal issues pertaining to taxes
● Corporate tax matters
● Starting up a business and entity formation
● Taxable estate matters
● Tax controversy and tax negotiation (only if a tax resolution specialist too)
Tax attorneys work on both the state level and the federal level. Though some tax attorneys might be able to negotiate with the IRS to settle your tax debt, not all tax attorneys specialize in tax controversy and resolution, nor do they have the experience to do so.
The biggest and most important difference between a regular tax attorney and someone who is a tax resolution specialist, (who’s a CPA, Enrolled Agent or attorney), is regular tax attorneys specialize in transactional tax planning. Their work generally includes minimizing taxes on a go-forward basis. A tax resolution specialist is someone who can help resolve your back tax issues on amounts already owed, or will be owing, to the IRS/State.
It’s important to ask what type of tax matters they handle before engaging a tax attorney to solve your tax debt. Most CPAs and Enrolled Agents, who are tax resolution specialists too, can be just as effective as an attorney that has experience in tax resolution matters.
Are tax attorneys accountants?
The short answer is no.
They both work with taxes, yes, and they both have a background education in accounting, but tax attorneys focus on the legalities of taxes, and their goal is to help you understand and navigate legal matters as they relate to taxes.
They do not generally help you to prepare your tax returns unless they specialize in tax relief and specifically help you catch up on years of unfiled tax returns.
Additionally, while tax lawyers are always legally bound by confidentiality policies, accountants and CPAs are not bound by the same rules because they are not all subject under the same laws.
Common Reasons for Hiring a Tax Attorney
Common reasons why people seek out the assistance of these professionals include when:
● They need legal tax advice for business purposes
● They are faced with complex or criminal IRS matters.
● They are dealing with estate-related issues.
● They need to file a suit against the IRS.
You can consult a tax attorney either before you run into any problems in order to avoid any potential problems in the future, after a problem has already arisen, in which case they will help you to sort things out and get you back on the right track and where you need to be.
OWE BACK TAXES?
It’s important to note that only experienced firms like ours are able to handle tax debt cases since negotiating with the IRS requires specialized skills that often fall outside of the scope of most conventional firms.
Our firm specializes in tax problem resolution. We have CPAs, EAs and attorneys who can represent you before the IRS. We serve clients virtually so don’t hesitate to reach out. If you want an expert tax resolution specialist who knows how to navigate the IRS maze, reach out to our firm and we’ll schedule a no-obligation confidential consultation to explain your options to permanently resolve your tax problem.
Did You Make Money with Cryptocurrency? How to Get Right with the IRS
For early adopters of Bitcoin, Ethereum and other popular cryptocurrencies, the profit potential has been simply stunning. While there have been some heart stopping moments and frightening ups and downs, the clear long-term trajectory has been upward.
If you are one of those early adopters who profited from the rise in cryptocurrency values, you are probably feeling pretty good about your decision. But your good fortune could soon take a dark turn, one that could leave you in hot water with the IRS.
After many years of taking a hands off approach to cryptocurrency investments, the IRS is now making up for lost time. At first, the tax agency seemed unsure how to calculate virtual profits or tax cryptocurrency gains, but now the rules are largely in place, and it is time for those who profited to pay up.
There has already been some movement on the cryptocurrency taxation front, and it is only a matter of time before the IRS takes notice of your holdings - and your profits. The tax agency has recently obtained data from major cryptocurrency exchanges, and letters are going out to large holders of these virtual currencies. But you should not simply wait for the IRS to contact you. The best approach is to do your homework now and make your plans for paying what you owe. Here are some simple tips to help you get right with the IRS.
Note: If you already have tax troubles or owe more than $10k to the IRS or state but can’t pay in full, contact our firm today. We help people find tax relief, file years of unfiled tax returns, and sometimes settle their tax debt for a fraction of what’s owed.
Learn The Rules
There has been a lot of confusion over how cryptocurrencies were to be taxed, and the IRS itself has issued a number of different rulings in that regard. With so much conflicting information, it is no wonder so many cryptocurrency investors chose to avoid the whole thing.
Studies suggest that only a small percentage of cryptocurrency investors have reported their holdings to the IRS. Some holders of cryptocurrency did not believe they were required to report their investments, while others assumed their transactions were anonymous. Now that the IRS has proven that neither contention is correct, it is time to learn the rules and follow the reporting requirements.
The IRS may have been slow to categorize cryptocurrencies, but the tax agency now has firm rules in place. If you hold cryptocurrency or have profited in the past, now is the time to learn the rules. Whether you do your own homework or seek out expert advice, the more you know the better off you will be.
Estimate Your Gains
Once you know the rules, the next step is to estimate your potential gains. The rules governing cryptocurrency profits are complex, but you should still be able to estimate the possible tax hit.
It may take some time to reconstruct the purchases and sales you made along the way, so take your time and gather as much information as you can. If you are missing some information, you may be able to find what you need through your favorite cryptocurrency exchange. Many major exchanges keep detailed records of purchases, sales and other cryptocurrency transactions. Once you know how much you made on those cryptocurrency transactions, you can work to calculate the taxes you might owe.
Work with a Cryptocurrency Tax Relief Expert
Tax calculations are not for the faint of heart, and it is easy to make a mistake. If you want to avoid problems with the IRS and head off any penalties and interest, you will need expert help and guidance.
The cryptocurrency market is still relatively new, and the current IRS tax treatment of these virtual assets is even newer. Even so, some tax experts have already started to specialize in these alternative investments, and seeking their expertise could help you pay what you owe while avoiding penalties and interest.
If you already have a tax preparer, start by asking about their experience with cryptocurrency investments. If your current tax advisor is not a cryptocurrency expert, it is time to shop around for someone who understands these unique assets and how they are taxed. It may take some time, but it is important to find an expert you can trust.
The IRS may have ignored the early days of the cryptocurrency revolution, but the tax agency is making up for lost time. Some early adopters have already received notices from the IRS, while others are scrambling to calculate their profits and pay what they owe. The tips listed above can help you develop a payment plan, so you can get right with the IRS before it is too late.
OWE BACK TAXES?
Our firm specializes in tax problem resolution. We serve clients virtually so don’t hesitate to reach out. If you want an expert tax resolution specialist who knows how to navigate the IRS maze, reach out to our firm and we’ll schedule a no-obligation confidential consultation to explain your options to permanently resolve your tax problem.
