Federal Tax Posts

The deadline for the third 2021 estimated tax payment is rolling up on Sept. 15. Changes in the economy brought by COVID-19 include a new crop of self-employed persons, such as gig-economy workers. Like most people with income that isn’t subject to withholding, these workers may need to make estimated tax payments for the first time. Generally, estimated tax payments are required for those who [...]

The National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) is providing information about what to do if the IRS erroneously assesses tax after a taxpayer petitions the U.S. Tax Court. As a result of recent IRS and Tax Court administrative delays, the IRS has erroneously closed cases and assessed taxes because it wasn’t aware that a taxpayer had petitioned the court with regard to the taxes at issue. The [...]

The IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department have announced that the August advance Child Tax Credit (CTC) payments have begun to reach eligible families. This second batch of advance monthly payments, worth about $15 billion, are reaching about 36 million families. The IRS is stressing that it’s not too late for low-income families to sign up for advance CTC payments. Anyone who normally isn’t required [...]

What happens when a tax-exempt agency seems to be skirting tax laws? On its website, the IRS explains the process of filing a complaint when violations of laws or IRS rules are suspected. Agencies that apply for and are granted a tax-exemption can generally operate free of most tax as long as they meet the criteria and operate according to restrictions. The agencies must avoid [...]

The tax code provides a credit (of up to $7,500) to purchasers of qualified plug-in electric-drive passenger vehicles and light trucks. The IRS has added Ford, Hyundai and Porsche models to the list of vehicles eligible for the credit. They are the 2021: Ford Mustang Mach-E GT ($7,500); Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid EV ($4,543); Hyundai Ioniq Electric Battery Vehicle ($7,500); Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid ($7,500); Porsche [...]

The IRS is providing more information about the advance payments of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) that will begin being made on July 15 to eligible families. On its website, the IRS explained that it will send “Letter 6417” to recipients before it disburses advance payments to them. The letter will inform taxpayers of the amount of their estimated CTC monthly payments and indicate where [...]

Taxpayers who skirt tax rules could be banned by the IRS from claiming certain tax credits, according to the National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA). These taxpayers could lose the ability to claim: the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the credit for other dependents. Most taxpayers act responsibly and some make simple errors. But if the IRS finds [...]

Cybersecurity challenges continue at the IRS, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. The GAO noted that, in May 2019, they’d given the IRS eight recommendations for tightening cybersecurity, and the IRS agreed with them. But a more recent look showed “inaction” on six of those issues, including having a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy and protection of sensitive data. Third-party vendors, the GAO stated, should [...]

In April 13 testimony before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig said that he believes the annual “tax gap” may total $1 trillion annually. The tax gap is the difference between taxes owed the U.S. government and taxes paid. He noted that this amount was more than double the $441 billion amount that the IRS believed to be the gap from 2011 [...]

Spouses filing a joint federal income tax return generally are both liable for the tax owed. But those who qualify may seek “innocent spouse relief” from joint liability. In one case, the ex-wife of an attorney-turned-physician was denied this relief relating to tax returns filed for 2008-2010. She signed the returns and said she assumed the taxes were paid. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals [...]

More than $1.3 billion in unclaimed tax refunds from 2017 are waiting at the IRS, but they won’t be available much longer. Taxpayers generally have a three-year window to claim tax refunds, and for 2017 that window slams shut on May 17th. The IRS estimates that 1.3 million taxpayers are owed refunds, but they haven’t yet filed their Form 1040s for 2017. The midpoint for [...]

The IRS is reminding taxpayers that even though many federal tax deadlines were extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021, there are some April 15 tax deadlines still in effect. Among the April 15 deadlines that remain include paying first-quarter 2021 individual estimated taxes, filing calendar year 2020 trust and estate income tax returns and paying any previously unpaid tax, filing 2020 calendar [...]

The IRS has updated its FAQs on higher education emergency grants to address questions related to the CARES Act. Enacted in 2020, it allows institutions of higher education to use certain funds to support students with expenses and financial needs related to the COVID-19 crisis. For example, the IRS explains that emergency financial aid grants for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to [...]

The IRS’s Get My Payment tool provides taxpayers with information about the status of their 2021 Economic Impact Payments. So, what information can you expect to receive when using the tool? Among other things, a payment status will inform you of whether your payment has been processed and whether it will be sent by direct deposit or mail. It will also provide a payment date [...]