The EITC due diligence penalty is jumping from $100 to $500 on returns filed after Dec. 31, 2011. Learn how to meet the requirements and avoid penalties with the online EITC Due Diligence training module.
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EITC Due Diligence Penalty Increased
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/ Tags: 1099 Printing, Services for CPA, Services for Tax Preparers, W-2 Printing
Certain Enrolled Retirement Plan Agents Not Required to Obtain a PTIN
Notice 2011-91
The regulations governing practice before the IRS, which are published in 31 CFR part 10 and are reprinted as Treasury Department Circular No. 230 (Circular 230), establish enrolled retirement plan agents as individuals who may practice before the IRS. Enrolled retirement plan agents’ practice is limited under section 10.3(e) of Circular 230 to representing taxpayers before the IRS with respect to issues involving the following programs or forms: employee plans determination letter program, employee plans compliance resolution system, employee plans master and prototype and volume submitter program, and the Form 5300 and the Form 5500 series that are filed by retirement plans and plan sponsors but not with respect to actuarial forms or schedules. Section 10.4(b) of Circular 230 requires individuals who want to become » Read more..
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/ Tags: 1099 Printing, Services for CPA, Services for Tax Preparers, W-2 Printing
How to Play Hardball with IRS Examiners by Peter J Reilly
Document requests from examiners when audits are initiated will often seem rather intimidating. When representing substantial clients, we often attempt to actually give them everything they ask for in a neatly cross-referenced book. Knock on wood, that has resulted in quite a few no-changes in the last several years. Exams is the paper tiger of the IRS. They can drive a taxpayer who wants to be compliant insane, but they can’t really do anything to you other than ultimately send you a bill in the form of a statutory notice of deficiency. You have ninety days to appeal that determination in Tax Court. » Read more..
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/ Tags: Services for CPA, Services for Tax Preparers, Tax Services for cpa
Preparer Registration Wastes Time and Money
It’s nothing but lawless anarchy in the unregulated tax preparation industry. Just look at what’s happening out there:
- A practitioner spends years helping taxpayers improperly deduct “lifestyle expenses” — their clothes, their make up — even their pets!
- A practitioner costs the Treasury hundreds of millions of dollars setting up corporations and arranging sham transactions to hide income in a tax-exempt shell.
- Another practitioner helps taxpayers unlawfully avoid taxes using sham trusts and transparently phony legal arguments.
It’s no wonder the IRS has started its huge new program to register all unregulated tax practitioners, make them pass a competency test, and subject them to continuing education each year.
Oh, wait… these cases didn’t involve unregulated preparers. They involved an Enrolled Agent, an Attorney, and a CPA — all tax professionals that already have to pass much stiffer entrance tests and take more continuing education that anything proposed under the new unregulated preparer rules. » Read more..
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Tips for Payroll Outsourcing
Does your business use an outside payroll service? Are you thinking of using one?
Payroll service companies perform an important function assisting employers comply with payroll tax laws. But these services pose risks for employers.
There are three categories of payroll service companies. In all three categories, the payroll service company computes employees’ withholdings and net pay, compiles payroll accounting records for the employer, and prepares payroll tax returns for the employer.
The first category of payroll service companies are payroll service providers (“PSPs”). A PSP prepares payroll tax returns using the employer’s employer identification number (“EIN”). The employer signs and files the tax returns. » Read more..
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Individual Retirement Account – Decide on Success
While nearly everyone these days is familiar with the individual retirement account, many people remain unaware of the additional control possible by converting to or selecting the self-directed individual retirement account. Need more control over your retirement future? Want more, different, and better investment choices ? Do you want to choose the custodian for your account? If you want to control the decisions that could decide your financial future, then a self-directed individual retirement account should be right for you. It’s simple to get started. Research custodial companies to find out which allows the investment types that fit your goals. Beyond conventional stocks, bonds and mutual funds there are a variety of tangible investments to consider , including gold, silver, real estate and tax liens. Confirm that the custodian has a good level of experience with these kinds of investments. With some minimal paperwork, you can roll over an existing IRA or open a new self-directed individual retirement account. Always ask about the fee structure for transactions, wire transfers, maintenance and other work done on behalf of the account. The custodian will then, at the investor’s instruction , make the specific investments requested for the account. Profits from the investments will flow directly back into the self-directed individual retirement account. The investor no longer has to rely on the meager earnings of under-performing stocks or be pitched by a brokerage house on their newest funds and other investment opportunities. Taking control means paying attention and having a plan. It’s having clarity on your personal and retirement goals, and working to reach them with wise investment options and consistent contributions to the individual retirement account. Everyone can take advantage of the tax-advantaged IRA to start building retirement wealth. Determine which self-directed individual retirement plan will best serve in achieving your goals. A Traditional IRA or a Roth IRA can both be self-directed, so the ultimate control remains with you.
Categories: Industry News, Uncategorized
/ Tags: individual retirement account
Things you need to do to get ready for tax season
As you are aware starting 2010 tax season all income tax preparers must have IRS assigned PTIN number. If you do not have one, you can REGISTER with the IRS and your PTIN number will arrive within 28 days or you can register by printing and filling out Form W-12 and then mail it to the IRS.
If you already have PTIN number, you will need to RENEW your application.
If you fail to sign-up for or refresh your PTIN, penalties may apply. Tax return preparers who use their SSN, EIN, EFIN, or ETIN, instead of a valid PTIN, on tax returns or claims for refund filed after December 31, 2010 may be subject to penalty » Read more..
Services Offered to Tax Preparers
When tax season rolls around and you need office help, by you using my service you can eliminate all the hassles of looking and teaching someone who has no clue what your business is all about. If you are a tax preparer and spend your time visiting clients, my service is your best solution.
I will send you input sheets that are really easy to fill out. The first year will take a little longer because we don’t have any data. The following year will be a lot simpler. You will receive a proforma which will have all data from prior year printed in the prior year column. All you have to do is give me input for the current year. It is THAT SIMPLE. » Read more..
