A recent survey by the National Association of Enrolled Agents asked its members to name the most common reasons for the IRS to reach out to a taxpayer proposing changes to their tax returns. Topping the list? Independent contractors in the “gig economy” who failed to report payment received for their work.
The NAEA also asked the 2,300 members polled about the biggest mistakes taxpayers made in responding to an IRS notice. The top answer? Pretty much everything …
Despite the government shutdown, the Internal Revenue Service today confirmed that it will process tax returns beginning January 28, 2019 and provide refunds to taxpayers as scheduled.
“We are committed to ensuring that taxpayers receive their refunds notwithstanding the government shutdown. I appreciate the hard work of the employees and their commitment to the taxpayers during this period,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig.
Congress directed the payment of all tax refunds through a permanent, indefinite appropriation (31 U.S.C. 1324), and the IRS has consistently been of the view that it has authority to pay refunds despite a lapse in annual appropriations. Although in 2011 the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directed the IRS not to pay refunds during a lapse, OMB has reviewed the relevant law at Treasury’s request and concluded that IRS may pay tax refunds during a lapse.
The IRS will be recalling a significant portion of its workforce, currently furloughed as part of the government shutdown, to work. Additional details for the IRS filing season will be included in an updated FY2019 Lapsed Appropriations Contingency Plan to be released publicly in the coming days.
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- Do you need to call the IRS?
- DO you want to be assured you will speak with a human when you call?
- Do you want to avoid waiting on HOLD for the next available IRS agent to take your call?
TIPS AND TRICKS...When Calling the IRS:
- Calling the IRS: 1-800-829-1040 hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Monday-Friday
- When calling the IRS do NOT choose the first option re "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.
- So after first choosing your language, then do NOT choose Option 1 (refund info). Choose option 2 for "personal income tax" instead.
- Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".
- Then press 3 "for all other questions."
- Then press 2 "for all other questions."
- When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, don’t enter anything.
- After it asks twice, you will get another menu.
- Then press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.
- It should then transfer you to an agent.
Or you can contact your local IRS office. See this IRS website for local IRS offices -
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-Your-Local-IRS-Office-1
Or you may want to contact a Taxpayer Advocate in your area. See this IRS website for Taxpayer Advocate in your area and a toll-free number
The June 30, 2017, deadline for estimated tax payments is approaching. Our office partners with Value Payment Systems (VPS) to offer electronic tax payment solutions through our tax preparation software (Drake) to provide our clients with an integrated file and pay option allowing them to pay their quarterly federal estimated tax payments electronically for the following tax year at the same time they file their current year tax return, or just an easy electronic "pay-as-you-go" option using their credit or debit card.
If you have chosen not to take advantage of the integrated file and pay option when we electronically filed your tax return, then all you need to do is go to our E-Payment Center any time throughout the tax year and make your quarterly federal estimated tax payments by 4 pm the day prior to the actual due date to be absolutely certain your payment will be processed in a timely manner. The quarterly federal estimated tax payment schedule is as follows:
- Exclusion from gross income of discharge of qualified principal residence indebtedness (often, foreclosure-related debt forgiveness), claimed on Form 982,
- Mortgage insurance premiums treated as qualified residence interest, generally claimed by low- and middle-income filers on Schedule A, and
- Deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses claimed on Form 8917.
