Tax Laws

  • New 1023-EZ Form Makes Applying for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status Easier; Most Charities Qualify

    The Internal Revenue Service today introduced a new, shorter application form to help small charities apply for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status more easily. “This is a common-sense approach that will help reduce lengthy processing delays for small tax-exempt groups and ultimately larger organizations as well,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “The change cuts paperwork for these…

  • Unused ITINS to Expire After Five Years; New Uniform Policy Eases Burden on Taxpayers, Protects ITIN Integrity

     Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) will expire if not used on a federal income tax return for five consecutive years, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. To give all interested parties time to adjust and allow the IRS to reprogram its systems, the IRS will not begin deactivating ITINs until 2016.  The new, more uniform…

  • IRS Adopts “Taxpayer Bill of Rights;” 10 Provisions to be Highlighted on IRS.gov, in Publication 1

    Español IR-2014-72, June 10, 2014 WASHINGTON ― The Internal Revenue Service today announced the adoption of a “Taxpayer Bill of Rights” that will become a cornerstone document to provide the nation’s taxpayers with a better understanding of their rights.

  • The IRS Office of Appeals

    People sometimes disagree on tax matters, and the decision of a tax examiner may not always be the final word.  For this reason, the Internal Revenue Service created an independent appeal system that seeks to settle differences without going to court.  Every year, this Office of Appeals helps over 100,000 taxpayers resolve their tax disputes. …

  • 10 Rules for Filing an Amended Tax Return

    As of the 18th of April, the IRS had received more than 131 million returns, of which 88 percent were e-filed.  The agency projects that almost five million taxpayers, however, will need to file an amended return during 2014.  The reasons for an amended return can vary widely – an error in the original return,…

  • IRS: The Truth About Frivolous Tax Arguments

     The Internal Revenue Service has released the 2014 version of “The Truth about Frivolous Tax Arguments.” The document describes and responds to some of the common frivolous tax arguments made by those who oppose compliance with federal tax laws. The cases cited demonstrate how frivolous arguments are treated by the IRS and the courts. The…

  • The ABCs of Late IRS Payments

    The complexity of the tax laws and the fact that they change from year to year makes it inevitable that some clients will be unable to pay some or all of their bills to the Internal Revenue Service.  Others may be able to afford the bill, but need more time to complete the return or…

  • IRS: Michael Jackson Assets Undervalued

    The Internal Revenue Service has filed documents in US Tax Court claiming that Michael Jackson’s estate has severely undervalued his image and music catalog, claiming that the estate owes an extra $505 million in taxes, plus $197 million in penalties.  While the Jackson estate’s executors valued his net worth at a little over $7 million…

  • IRS Statistics on individual Tax Returns for 2011

    The Internal Revenue System has released its statistics on Tax Year 2011 individual returns filed in 2012.  The data indicates some improvement in the economy after the slower years of 2009 and 2010, though some sluggishness remains.  In general, the IRS notes: 

  • Koskinen Approved By Senate Committee to Head IRS

    John Koskinen, the 74-year-old multimillionaire with a long history of accomplishments, has been approved by the US Senate Committee on Finance to become the new Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service.  The action clears the way for Koskinen to be voted upon by the full Senate before it recesses for the year.  While he has…