August 16, 2013
Under the Affordable Care Act, a company with fifty or more employees must provide them with affordable health insurance, meaning the employee’s share of the premium cannot exceed 9.5% of the employee’s household income. Although that may seem relatively cut-and-dry, putting it into action will be challenging to say the least. One of the biggest […]
July 15, 2013
If you received a CP2000 notice for July, you may be getting an adjustment letter from the IRS before the end of the month. While much of what the IRS does is computerized, that doesn’t mean the IRS doesn’t have the occasional calculation error. In this case, the IRS incorrectly calculated interest due with tax […]
July 3, 2013
For years now one of the biggest fears with the Affordable Care Act has been that people might see delays in service due to higher volumes of patients. Instead we are seeing a much more welcome delay: a delay in the implementation of penalties for businesses who don’t comply. The Obama administration has given a […]
June 26, 2013
Earlier Wednesday, in United States v. Windsor, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in a 5-4 vote led by Justice Kennedy who was joined by the four liberal members: Justices Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan, affecting the potential tax situation in which same-sex couples will find themselves. The ruling can […]
June 14, 2013
The funny thing about the IRS is that they are more predictable than a small business. So when someone buys a new house and puts their kids in private school based on a great first quarter, and then ends the year with no cash in the business due to a dismal fourth quarter, the IRS […]
April 24, 2013
April 15th has come and gone, but there are still some very important deadlines to be aware of. The next one is the deadline for your Florida Corporate Annual Report. While the deadline may vary depending on your state, Florida’s must be done by May 1st. The penalty for not timely filing your Corporate Annual […]
March 20, 2013
The new draft health insurance application for the Affordable Care Act has been released, and in many way the new health insurance application is similar to a tax return. Of course, a tax return doesn’t ask if you are pregnant or if you were ever in foster care. A tax return does ask you for […]
March 5, 2013
When it comes to collections, it is no secret that the IRS is often the one debt collector that you want to pay first if at all possible. They charge penalties, high interest rates, are quick to levy assets, and can garnish wages and bank accounts. In fact, it turns out the IRS trumps God […]
February 22, 2013
Financial Solution Advisors, PL, the tax and accounting firm that emerged from the merger of Chamberlain & Associates, PA and Gunn & Company, PA, is now one a top Jacksonville firm according to the Jacksonville Business Journal! Financial Solution Advisors, which merged in November, 2012, went from Not Ranked to #15 on the Jacksonville Business […]
January 23, 2013
The IRS has hit a road block in its attempt to ensure that anyone who prepares paid tax returns for others meets certain minimum qualifications. The US Court in the District of Columbia has blocked competency testing for registered tax preparers. The IRS can no longer register or require continuing professional education for registered tax preparers. […]
January 16, 2013
While most things having to do with taxes and the IRS tend to go from simpler to more complex, occasionally the IRS does something to make our lives easier. In this case, the IRS has simplified how we can calculate the Home Office Deduction. Rev. Proc. 2013-13 outlines a safe harbor calculation to replace the […]
January 5, 2013
The new tax deal to avert the Fiscal Cliff may affect taxpayers who are struggling the most. Social Security taxes increase as part of the agreement to avert the Fiscal Cliff to pre-2011 withholding rates of 6.2% of gross wages up to $113.700. The rate had previously been lowered starting in 2011 from 6.2% down to 4.2% […]
January 2, 2013
Late at night on New Years day, Congress voted to approve the Fiscal Cliff deal worked out by the Senate late the night before. In a last minute vote, Republicans were able to add enough votes to pass the bill and send it on to the President. The result of the deal is an extension […]
December 31, 2012
As of 6:10pm on New Years Eve, no votes are expected to avert the automatic tax hikes and spending cuts built into the Fiscal Cliff. The current deal in the works would result in $400,000 ($450,000 for married filing joint) being the new cutoff definition of “rich” and current tax rates extended for everyone else. […]
November 26, 2012
One of the aspects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that is set to go into effect in 2014 is the additional penalty tax on businesses who do not offer affordable health insurance and have 50 or more full-time employees. As a result of this pending implementation, many larger businesses are working now […]
November 7, 2012
With a slim margin, President Obama has won re-election to a second term. Although the slim vote margin and divided Congress prevent the President from perhaps pushing too strong of a tax agenda, many of his tax policies for the next four years are already in place to be implemented starting next year and beyond. […]
September 28, 2012
We are all used to sending checks to the health insurance company. So what do you do when you start getting health insurance rebate checks back from them? This is happening in some cases because of a provision in the Affordable Care Act that says insurance companies can’t have too much profit. Employers who receive […]
September 11, 2012
It seems that every year we field about a dozen phonecalls regarding phony notices, business solicitations and phishing emails sent to business owners. These range from emails with fake Quickbooks update links to official looking letters in the mail with requests for banking and personal information. We have plenty of experience helping clients sort through […]
August 29, 2012
As the election approaches, both candidates will begin to reveal more details about their separate tax plans. Some aspects of the two tax plans are pretty simple to understand, such as rate reductions or increases. Other things are not so easy to understand. For example, what is a territorial tax system? This is a question […]
July 13, 2012
Have you received a notice from the IRS telling you that your tax return has been selected for examination? Selection for examination means that you are being audited by the IRS. Here’s what to do if you are audited. If your tax return is selected for examination by the IRS, you may receive the audit […]
July 6, 2012
The Affordable Care Act has been ruled constitutional, but Congress’ ability to take Medicaid away from states who refuse to implement the voluntary portions of the act is not. Many of you are wondering now how this will affect you. Click here for a list of the tax increases and benefits written in to the […]
June 14, 2012
When Krystle Reyes of Salem, OR filed her state tax return via Turbo-Tax, she decided to add a couple zeros to some key figures. Reyes overstated her income by $3 million and requested a $2.1 million refund. She got it. In the age of computers, you may be surprised to see that this scam was […]
May 31, 2012
Call it an incentive, or call it a loophole, but when IC-DISC and foreign sales are paired, tax advantages aboutnd. IC-DISC corporations are a way that foreign export companies both big and small can help their shareholders significantly reduce their tax rates. Companies that sell US sourced products overseas can trade ordinary income tax for […]
May 7, 2012
The IRS is increasing scrutiny on small businesses. The shift in focus is not a new approach but a reallocation of resources that have already been stretched extremely thin. With limited resources and a shrinking budget the IRS has to determine the most cost effective and beneficial allocation of their resources. Several factors have led […]
March 17, 2012
In the age of computers, there’s not much that gets by the IRS. In fact, the IRS is seeking to automate as much as possible to bring relief to its agents. While this is great for them, it can be a nightmare for filers. The result has been a staggering number of computer generated IRS […]
March 2, 2012
If you thought that filing early would guarantee a speedy return of your tax refund, think again. The IRS is reporting tax refund delays of up to two weeks beyond their normal 10 day return maximum due to computer troubles with their new anti-fraud detection system. The IRS is working extra hard this year to […]
February 13, 2012
Every year the Taxpayer Advocate’s office releases the most pressing concerns involving the IRS from a taxpayer perspective. This year, with IRS efficiency at an all time low, the TAS (Taxpayer Advocate Service) has picked up on the pain many of us are feeling when dealing with the IRS. It all boils down to this: the […]
January 18, 2012
Accounting Firm Review from 32225: Elite Realty Group: Peace of Mind. Working with Joel and his staff has given me the peace of mind to continue with running my real estate company. I use to dread the new year because of all the paper work but truly now it’s simplified. This will be my 3rd […]
January 12, 2012
Accounting Firm Review from 32225: Reimagine: Highly recommend Joel and his staff to provide knowledgeable and courteous service and expertise. Always open to speaking with you and never makes you feel like he doesn’t have the time (even though you get the feeling he may have already put in a 12 hour day!). I started […]
January 11, 2012
Accounting firm review from a client in zip 33405 I have known Joel now for well over 5-years – his sincere and professional approach makes me come back year after year. In fact I moved away to Atlanta for almost 2-years and upon my return I started using Joel again. Look forward to working with […]
January 11, 2012
Accounting Firm Review from 32082: Joel & Don and the rest of the team are outstanding. Was audited by the IRS (taxes not done by Chamberlin & Assoc) Joel and Don took care of everything, made a Stressful situation much less. They have since started doing all my Tax returns. Money well spent for their […]
November 29, 2011
The IRS is facing budget cuts and is looking for new ways to shift the reporting burden to the taxpayer. Currently, the IRS matches gross proceeds information received from brokerage firms with what is reported on Schedule D of individual tax returns, while basis is tracked by individuals and their brokerages. Due to law changes, […]
November 21, 2011
Out of $447 billion in stimulus proposals, Congress has come together and passed two small impact items with cost offsets that will result in approximately $2 billion in savings. The veteran bill will also provide a tax credit for employing Veterans and repeals a withholding requirement for government contracts. In exchange, fees on government mortgages […]
November 8, 2011
Do you have individuals working for you as independent contractors? Do you know the requirements that determine how an independent contractor is classified? For many businesses, it is time to come clean. If you have issued 1099’s to individuals who provide work for you and have met the IRS’s definition of independent contractors you have […]
November 3, 2011
The IRS, after being bombarded with public comments, has decided to reverse their decision to eliminate the High Low Method of calculating per diem deductions. We had written about this previously this year, and at the time the IRS had not received public comments regarding their plan to eliminate the method. Since then they have […]
September 26, 2011
The IRS is continuing to step up the number of audits and enforcement of tax laws. If you receive a scary letter from the IRS, or worse yet, if an agent shows up at your home or place of business, don’t panic. It may be the case that you have done nothing wrong. However, it […]
September 9, 2011
Computers are wonderful things especially when combined with a point of sale system. Gone are the days of counting back to make change, matching the drawer to your printer tape, and in some cases even 10-key. Instead, when you place an order, the cashier simply pushes the button that corresponds to the product or service and […]
August 17, 2011
In December of 2002, Norma Coronel gave birth to one child; but that’s not what her tax return says.. Coronel was indicted on 35 counts and arrested after claiming 19 children, 18 fake dependents on her tax return. Unbelievable we know, but this type of activity happens everyday due to the earned income credit. She was caught […]
August 11, 2011
About 20,000 individuals and 24,000 businesses have been randomly chosen and will soon get letters from the IRS. Don’t panic, these are not collection letters. These IRS surveys will help them update their estimates of what sort of burden they place on you. They are looking to see how much time you spend on filling out IRS […]
August 4, 2011
The IRS is increasing audit examinations of tax exempt organizations, specifically with regard to related party lending. They are looking for disqualified transactions to disqualified people who are personally involved with the not for profit or tax-exempt organization. This includes lending between the non-profit and any of its directors or staff, related party lending, especially […]
August 2, 2011
Remember when “revenues” meant what your company makes? It’s one of those words that makes entrepreneurs feel warm and fuzzy inside and more revenues usually are a good thing. Politicians in Washington have latched on to the good feelings this word produces and are now using it as a buzzword to replace another word that […]
July 22, 2011
What’s the difference between a delinquent taxpayer and the IRS? Delinquent taxes are due right away, but the IRS now has a 16 week waiting period to even process most amended returns or other claims for refund. In addition to amended returns, paper filed returns are also subject to these extended wait times. Certain credits, […]
June 21, 2011
If you have a financial interest in a foreign bank account, you should be familiar with filing Form TD F 90-22.1. Regulations regarding this form have changed as recently as June 6, 2011 . These changes affect a financial interest in or signature authority over a foreign financial account, including a bank account, brokerage account, […]
May 24, 2011
The IRS has released new statistics on audits for 2010 and your chance for an audit is the highest it has been since 1997. For individual returns, 1.11% of all returns were audited. For upper income earners, the statistics were even worse. Filers with income between $200,000 and $1 million were audited at twice that […]
May 16, 2011
Florida has built in a system where the minimum wage is to be adjusted with changes in cost of living. This has been true since an amendment was added to the Florida State Constitution in 2004 and resulted in the florida minimum wage rising to it’s current rate of $7.25. However, the rate was not […]
April 13, 2011
E-filing can speed up the tax filing process, and that is really nice…sometimes. When they process your return before they process your extension, that can cause some headaches in the form of IRS Notices. Already we are starting to see late filing notices go out for corporate returns that we filed in the last half […]
April 8, 2011
We are now about 15 hours away from the deadline. No, I’m not talking about the tax deadline, I am talking about the deadline for the government to pass a funding bill to prevent a government shutdown. Many of us, frustrated with how poorly Washington has done at coming together to pass this budget, might […]
March 24, 2011
The Internal Revenue Service has agreed with recommendations in a newly released government report urging the agency to increase its examinations of individual tax returns that report rental real estate losses. For many Americans this could mean a decrease in the amount of tax losses they report on their tax returns and increases in income […]