In response to the financial crisis caused by COVID-19, the newly enacted CARES Act has created a new payroll-related form of relief for employers. Coined The Employee Retention Credit, this relief measure allows eligible employers to obtain a refundable credit against the employer-only portion of social security taxes (or Railroad Retirement Tax Act taxes). Question […]

Almost every year April 15 is known as the date when federal and state income tax filings are due. This rule is generally true, except for during 2020. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced that it is extending the deadline to both file and pay federal income taxes to July 15, 2020. The move […]

On February 27, 2020, news quickly spread throughout the tax world concerning the announcement that Erin M. Collins has been appointed to serve as the new National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA). Both the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s press release[1] and the Taxpayer Advocate Service’s announcement[2] introduce taxpayers to the new NTA-the “voice” of the taxpayer. According to […]

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A party must be served in the legal capacity in which the party is sought to be obligated. Trustee is personally liable for a tort only if the trustee is personally at fault. Even as record title owner, a trustee of property that only acts passively with respect to the property (i.e., not […]

President Donald Trump recently declared a national emergency as a result of the new coronavirus. State officials throughout the country have declared states of emergency and local counties and cities are doing the same. These actions have triggered an array of federal, state and local assistance programs, but have they impacted taxes? The impact of […]

On March 17, 2020, as part of a relief effort in response to the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced the government’s unprecedented move to delay the April 15thtax-payment deadline for certain individuals and businesses-penalty and interest free. Although full details of the maneuver have not been released yet, it […]

On March 11, 2020, in an effort to assist businesses affected by COVID-19’s economic impact, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot announced the June 1stextension of business-related tax filing deadlines. Specifically, the announcement provided that: [t]he June 1stextension applies to certain business returns with due dates during the months of March, April and May 2020 for businesses […]

Tax season is upon us. The tax filing deadline is just over four weeks away and many taxpayers are gathering their tax forms and starting to fill out their returns. Whether looking at a big refund or a tax bill, taxpayers can help to better ensure a smooth process by avoiding these common errors: Mistakes […]

Every year during tax season, many tax professionals and taxpayers eagerly await the release of IRS Wage and Income Transcripts in order to assist in return preparation. Wage and Income Transcripts provide valuable data, which the IRS compiles from information returns it receives, such as Forms W-2, 1099, 1098 and Form 5498, IRA Contribution Information. […]

Tax audits are not uncommon. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) conducted one million audits in 2017 alone. The agency generally conducts these tax audits either through mailings or with an agent showing up at your home or place of business. The agency conducted the vast majority of the one million audits from 2017, approximately 75%, […]