by | Oct 28, 2020 | Tax Tips and News
The Internal Revenue Service is continuing its push to get non-filers to register so they can receive an Economic Impact Payment or EIP.
In keeping with that mission, the IRS has designated Nov. 10 as “National EIP Registration Day.” It comes just a few days ahead of the extended Nov. 21 registration deadline.
The event will feature support from IRS partner groups both inside and outside of the tax community, including those who work with low-income and underserved communities.
These partner groups will help spread the word about the new Nov. 21 deadline and, in some cases, provide special support for people who still need to register for a payment.
IRS is getting the word out.
Nearly 9 million letters have been sent by the IRS to people who may be eligible for the $1,200 Economic Impact Payment, but don’t normally file an income tax return. The letters, and the Nov.10 event both urge people to use the Non-Filers: Enter Info Here tool, available only on IRS.gov.
“Our partner groups have been a critical part of the unprecedented IRS outreach and education campaign this year to contact as many people as possible about these payments,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “As a result, millions of Americans have successfully used the Non-filers portal and received their Economic Impact Payment. Registration is quick and easy, and we urge everyone to share this information to reach as many people before time runs out on November 21.”
Many partner groups have already been working with the IRS on the registration effort, spreading information about the EIP and translating the notices and other information into as many as 35 languages.
The IRS also plans a social media campaign in several languages to support the final push for registrations.
No EIP if you don’t register.
Most eligible U.S. taxpayers have already automatically received their Economic Impact Payment; but others who don’t have an obligation to file a tax return should use the Non-Filers tool to register with the IRS to get their money. Typically, this includes people who receive little or no income.
Since the Non-Filers tool launched in the spring, over 8 million people who normally aren’t required to file a tax return have registered for the payments. The IRS continues to work to reach others who haven’t used the tool yet, which led to the special mailing and the special Nov. 10 registration event.
The tool is designed for people with incomes typically below $24,400 for married couples, and $12,200 for singles, who could not be claimed as a dependent by someone else. This includes couples and individuals who are experiencing homelessness.
Those using the Non-Filers tool can speed up their payment’s arrival by choosing to get it by direct deposit. Recipients not choosing this option will get their payment by check.
Starting two weeks after they register, people can track the status of their payment by using the Get My Payment tool, available only on IRS.gov.
Source: IR-2020-242
– Story provided by TaxingSubjects.com
by | Oct 28, 2020 | Tax Tips and News
Taxpayers trying to plan their 2021 deductible retirement plan contributions will be happy to learn that the Internal Revenue Service this week published Notice 2020-79.
The IRS says the notice includes “income ranges for determining eligibility to make deductible contributions to traditional Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), to contribute to Roth IRAs and to claim the Saver’s Credit all increased for 2021.”
The deductibility of traditional IRA contributions is further limited when a taxpayer or their spouse is covered by a workplace retirement plan. The agency explains that this can trigger the following phase-out ranges, which can ultimately reduce the deduction to zero:
- For single taxpayers covered by a workplace retirement plan, the phase-out range is $66,000 to $76,000, up from $65,000 to $75,000.
- For married couples filing jointly, where the spouse making the IRA contribution is covered by a workplace retirement plan, the phase-out range is $105,000 to $125,000, up from $104,000 to $124,000.
- For an IRA contributor who is not covered by a workplace retirement plan and is married to someone who is covered, the deduction is phased out if the couple’s income is between $198,000 and $208,000, up from $196,000 and $206,000.
- For a married individual filing a separate return who is covered by a workplace retirement plan, the phase-out range is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains $0 to $10,000.
Roth IRAs similarly have a phase-out range, which was also increased in Notice 2020-79:
- Single taxpayers and heads of household: $125,000 to $140,000, up from $124,000 to $139,000
- Married couples filing jointly: $198,000 to $208,000, up from $196,000 to $206,000
The IRS notes that “the phase-out range for a married individual filing a separate return who makes contributions to a Roth IRA is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains $0 to $10,000.”
The Saver’s Credit income limits were also increased for 2021:
- Single taxpayers and married couples filing separately: $33,000, up from $32,500
- Heads of household: $49,500, up from $48,750
- Married couples filing jointly: $66,000, up from $65,000
Finally, the IRS says that certain employee contribution limits were not changed by Notice 2020-79:
- 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the Thrift Savings Plan: $19,500
- Catch-up contributions for employees aged 50 with a 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the Thrift Savings Plan: $6,500
- SIMPLE retirement accounts: $13,500
- Annual contributions to an IRA: $6,000
- Additional catch-up contribution limit for individuals aged 50 and over: $1,000 (not affected by annual cost-of-living adjustment)
For more information about the updated income ranges, check out the notice on IRS.gov.
Source: IR-2020-244
– Story provided by TaxingSubjects.com
by | Oct 27, 2020 | Tax Tips and News
The Internal Revenue Service has revealed a second settlement effort for taxpayers under audit who took part in abusive micro-captive insurance transactions.
This is the second such settlement offer to go out from the IRS. This second offer, however, puts forth stricter terms than the first, which went out last year. The IRS has now deployed its 12 newly formed micro-captive examination teams to increase examinations of abusive micro-captive insurance transactions.
What are the new terms for the settlement?
The IRS says it can resolve certain cases if the taxpayer agrees to “substantial concessions” of the income tax benefits claimed, along with penalties that can be partly mitigated if the taxpayer can demonstrate good faith, reasonable reliance on an independent, competent tax advisor, and if the taxpayer can demonstrate they did not participate in any other reportable transactions.
“The IRS maintains a relentless agency-wide commitment to combat abusive transactions,” said IRS Large Business & International Commissioner Douglas O’Donnell. “Our offer terms are only getting stricter; and taxpayers would be well advised to consult with an objective, competent advisor with the aim of getting out now and putting this behind them.”
At present, this newest settlement offer is limited to taxpayers with at least one open year under exam.
Taxpayers who also have unresolved years under the jurisdiction of the IRS Independent Office of Appeals may also be eligible, but those with tax years involving micro-captive transactions docketed in Tax Court under Counsel’s jurisdiction, in general, are not eligible.
Taxpayers who do not receive an offer letter are not eligible for this settlement.
The terms only get tougher from here.
Because the terms of this new settlement offer reflect the IRS’ current settlement position, certain taxpayers who received an offer under the first limited-time initiative—but rejected it—are eligible to get a new offer but under the new, stricter terms.
In other words, they get a second chance, but the rules have changed.
“Taxpayers who receive offer letters under this settlement initiative, but who opt not to participate, will continue to be audited by the IRS under its normal procedures,” an IRS news release states. “Potential outcomes include, but are not limited to, full disallowance of captive insurance deductions, inclusion of income by the captive, withholding tax related to any foreign captives and imposition of all applicable penalties.”
Taxpayers who decline to take part in this new settlement offer will have full Appeals rights. However, the IRS Independent Office of Appeals is aware of the settlement initiative. Given the current state of the law, the IRS says taxpayers shouldn’t bank on getting better terms in the Appeals process than those in this new settlement offer.
More information on micro-captive insurance transactions, including which transactions may qualify as having potential for tax avoidance and evasion, can be found in Notice 2016-66.
– Story provided by TaxingSubjects.com
by | Oct 24, 2020 | Tax Tips and News
The Internal Revenue Service has released an early draft of the instructions to Form 1065, U.S. Return for Partnership Income for tax year 2020 (filing season 2021). The changes include revised instructions for partnerships that are required to report capital accounts to partners on Schedule K-1 (Form 1065).
The revision, the IRS says, is part of its larger effort to improve the quality of the information reported by partnerships to the agency and furnished to partners to encourage increased compliance.
New verbiage directs partnerships filing Form 1065 for tax year 2020 to calculate partner capital accounts using the transactional approach for the tax basis method. Under the tax basis method in the instructions, partnerships report partner contributions, the partner’s share of partnership net income or loss, withdrawals and distributions, and other increases or decreases using tax basis principles as opposed to reporting using other methods such as GAAP.
The IRS contends the change should not come as a surprise. The agency says its data shows most partnerships already use the tax basis method, although previously partnerships could report capital accounts determined under multiple methods.
This change represents a new level of compliance.
The IRS release announcing the draft instructions says its new directions are geared toward bringing capital reporting into a new standard:
“Partnerships that did not prepare Schedules K-1 under the tax capital method for 2019 or otherwise maintain tax basis capital accounts in their books and records (for example, for purposes of reporting negative capital accounts) may determine each partner’s beginning tax basis capital account balance for 2020 using one of the following methods: the Modified Outside Basis Method, the Modified Previously Taxed Capital Method, or the Section 704(b) Method, as described in the instructions, including special rules for publicly traded partnerships.”
The Department of the Treasury and the IRS have released Notice 2020-43 in an effort to get public comment on other possible methods to report capital accounts to partners. The IRS says it’s already gotten “numerous comments from taxpayers requesting the tax basis approach be retained.”
At the same time, however, the IRS says it did not get any suggestions for a practical alternative approach to partner capital account reporting. The IRS sees this as good news, as reporting using only one method helps it assess compliance risk and helps to assure that compliant taxpayers’ returns are less likely to be examined.
IRS is helping partnerships ease into compliance.
The Treasury and IRS say they want to help partnerships comply with the new instructions, so they’ll issue a notice that provides additional penalty relief for the transition in tax year 2020.
The notice will provide that solely for tax year 2020 (for partnership returns due in 2021), the IRS will not assess a partnership a penalty for any errors in reporting its partners’ beginning capital account balances on Schedules K-1 if the partnership takes ordinary and prudent business care in following the form instructions to calculate and report the beginning capital account balances.
This relief will be in addition to the reasonable cause exception to penalties for any incorrect reporting of a beginning capital account balance.
The IRS says it released the draft instructions to give tax professionals a preview of the changes and to provide software providers the information needed to update systems before the final version is released in December.
IRS is now accepting comments for 30 days at lbi.1065.comments@irs.gov.
The agency plans similar revisions, as they apply, to Form 8865, Return of U.S. Persons with Respect to Certain Foreign Partnerships.
– Story provided by TaxingSubjects.com
by | Oct 22, 2020 | Tax Tips and News
This week has been set aside by the Internal Revenue Service and charitable organizations across the globe to highlight their annual International Charity Fraud Awareness Week (ICFAW).
The week brings together those in the charity and not-for-profit circles to raise awareness of good practices for tackling fraud and cybercrime—and to encourage sharing of those practices. The activities run through Oct. 23.
The award-winning campaign is led by a coalition of more than 40 charities, regulators, law enforcement agencies, representatives and other not-for-profit stakeholders. The IRS is partnering with ICFAW as part of its commitment to fight fraud against charities, businesses and individuals.
All charities are vulnerable to fraud and can be targeted by cybercriminals. Those that provide services and support local communities may be especially vulnerable to fraudsters attempting to exploit the current pandemic or weather-related disasters. More than ever, charities need to be fraud-aware and take steps to protect their money, people and assets from harm.
“Especially during these uncertain times, it’s vital for everyone to remain vigilant against fraud, identity theft, scams and schemes,” said IRS Director of Exempt Organizations and Government Entities, Margaret Von Lienen. “Cybercriminals are always on the lookout for new opportunities, and COVID-19 is just one more chance to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals and charities. This campaign provides resources that can help protect charities and other organizations.”
This year’s campaign has three core messages:
- Be fraud-aware
- Take time to check
- Keep your charity safe
Visit the ICFAW Charity Fraud Hub for helpful documents, free tutorials, videos, case studies and on-demand webinars. One featured offering is COVID-19 and charity fraud: what to watch for and how to stay safe.
Anyone interested in fighting fraud can take part in the ICFAW social media campaign using #charityfraudout.
Those encouraged to participate in the week’s activities include:
- Trustees, staff and volunteers from charities, non-government organizations, and non-profits
- Organizations that represent the interests of non-profits
- Accountants, auditors and those acting as professional advisors to non-profits
- Regulators, law enforcement officials and policymakers working to safeguard non-profits
In addition to crooks who target existing charities, those who create fake charities are a problem for the non-profit community. In fact, fake charities are once again part of the IRS’ “Dirty Dozen” tax scams for 2020. Taxpayers can find legitimate and qualified charities with the Tax Exempt Organization Search tool on IRS.gov.
Visit the Fraud Advisory Panel website to learn more about ICFAW and how to get involved.
– Story provided by TaxingSubjects.com
by | Oct 21, 2020 | Tax Tips and News
Taxpayers dealing with the fallout from wildfires in California and Hurricane Delta in Louisiana yesterday received some good news from the Internal Revenue Service. Following the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster declarations for affected areas, the IRS is giving victims additional time to meet certain filing and payment deadlines.
What parts of California have been granted tax relief due to September wildfires?
Individuals and businesses in the following wildfire-affected California counties automatically have until January 15, 2021, to meet filing and payment deadlines that would have occurred on or after September 4, 2020:
- Fresno
- Los Angeles
- Madera
- Mendocino
- San Bernardino
- San Diego
- Siskiyou
What filing and payment deadlines in California are affected by the tax relief?
Deadlines beginning September 4, 2020, for individuals and businesses in affected California counties will be pushed back to January 15, 2021, including:*
- September 15, 2020 quarterly estimated income tax payment deadline
- October 15, 2020, individual tax return extension deadline
- October 15, 2020, calendar-year corporation extension deadline
- November 2, 2020 quarterly payroll and excise tax return deadline
- November 16, 2020, calendar-year tax-exempt organization extension deadline
As with other disaster-related tax relief, this list could grow, and affected taxpayers will not need to contact the IRS to receive updated filing and payment deadlines. Further, this tax relief also helps taxpayers who owe “penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after September 4 and before September 21.” If taxpayers in affected California counties make a deposit by September 21, 2020, the penalty will be abated.
That said, the IRS explains there are edge cases: “If an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original or extended filing, payment, or deposit due date falling within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the number on the notice to have the penalty abated.”
The IRS also notes that “this relief is separate from that provided for the California wildfires that began on August 14,” directing taxpayers interested in more information about that tax relief to the announcement made on August 26.
What parts of Louisiana have been granted tax relief due to Hurricane Delta?
Individuals and businesses in the following hurricane-affected Louisiana parishes automatically have until February 16, 2021, to meet filing and payment deadlines that would have occurred on or after October 6, 2020:*
- Acadia
- Calcasieu
- Cameron
- Jefferson Davis
- Vermilion
If any of the included parishes were previously granted tax relief due to Hurricane Laura, they will now benefit from the updated filing and payment deadline.
What filing and payment deadlines in Louisiana are affected by the tax relief?
Deadlines beginning on October 6, 2020, for individuals and businesses in affected Louisiana parishes will be pushed back to February 16, 2021, including:
- October 15, 2020, individual tax return extension deadline
- October 15, 2020, calendar-year corporation extension deadline
- November 2, 2020, quarterly payroll and excise tax return deadline
- November 16, 2020, calendar-year tax-exempt organization extension deadline
- January 15, 2021, quarterly estimated income tax payments
- February 1, 2021, quarterly payroll and excise tax return deadline
Like the California tax relief, taxpayers will have certain penalties abated if they make a payment by the designated date. Louisianans living in affected areas with “penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after October 6 and before October 21, will [have those penalties] abated as long as the deposits are made by October 21, 2020.”
What deadlines are not affected by the tax relief for disaster victims in California and Louisiana?
Deadlines that occurred before the dates indicated in the IRS press releases are not affected by this tax relief, including—importantly—the July 15 tax payment deadline.
* These lists of affected deadlines are not exhaustive. Check the “Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief for Individuals and Businesses” page on IRS.gov for links to more details.
Sources: IR-2020-236; IR-2020-237
– Story provided by TaxingSubjects.com
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