With another academic year in full swing, readers may have questions about the tax implications of college expenses. The Internal Revenue Service offers some guidance in IRS Publication 970. However, taxpayers who itemize their deductions rather than claiming the standard deduction may appreciate the clarity that a tax attorney can bring to the table. For […]

The Internal Revenue Service has an official program for accepting settlement offers, called an Offer in Compromise (OIC). However, a recent article reminds us that there is no guarantee that an IRS agent will accept an OIC. In fact, less than one-third of all OIC’s are accepted. As an attorney and certified public accountant that […]

Readers may have questions about when a tax mistake rises to the level of tax evasion or fraud. As a preliminary matter, it should be noted that even the Internal Revenue Service acknowledges the complexity of the tax code. By the agency’s own estimate, about 17 percent of taxpayers fail to comply with applicable tax […]

Is there a benefit to combining a public account certification with expertise in tax law? When it comes to defending against IRS audits, you bet your bottom dollar. Specifically, a recent article’s prediction of the top tax issues for 2016 describes the new reporting requirements of the Affordable Care Act on Forms 1095-B and 1095-C. […]

If a taxpayer receives a letter from the Internal Revenue Service regarding an alleged tax debt, is there any hope for settlement? As an attorney that focuses on tax law, I know that tax litigation is sometimes the best forum for challenging a tax controversy, especially when a settlement is unlikely. The official criteria by […]

Whether you own a small business, are reporting individual income taxes, or have recently received an inheritance, chances are that you will have to file a return with the Internal Revenue Service. Each of those contexts, unfortunately, presents the opportunity for a potential IRS dispute. In a recent example, the estate of the late owner […]

The Internal Revenue Service recently issued a warning against tax scams. The problem is more widespread than readers may realize: almost 4,000 Americans may already have lost over $20 million due to such deceitful tactics. How could such fraud happen? One method of contact may be via written correspondence on authentic looking letterhead. Notably, those […]

In a recent post, we’ve discussed some concerns with the IRS’ treatment of taxpayer questions, including the difficulty in reaching an IRS employee through their hotline. For individuals attempting a proactive approach to their tax questions, there may be another route. Specifically, the IRS offers an email service where it provides tax tips at regular […]

One of the most discouraging aspects about a tax dispute is the late fees and penalties that may attach. Although a taxpayer may have a good-faith belief in his or her defense, the consequences, if proven wrong, can be costly. In other scenarios, a taxpayer may not have realized that he or she was delinquent, […]

Individuals hoping to avoid a tax controversy or dispute may affirmatively reach out to the Internal Revenue Service with questions. Yet a recent article questions the efficacy of this proactive approach. Specifically, the article alleges that the IRS hung up on taxpayers calling for help a shocking number of times: around 8.8 million times. In […]