Avoiding identity theft scammers posing as the IRS

Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but when scammers pose as the IRS it means trouble for taxpayers. Identity thieves may contact taxpayers through fraudulent calls, emails, texts or social media messages pretending to be the IRS. Here are tips to help...

Everyone has the right to finality when working with the IRS

By law, all taxpayers have the right to finality of tax matters. For example, taxpayers have the right to know when the IRS has finished an audit. This is one of ten basic rights — known collectively as the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Here's what taxpayers should know...

CAUTION: NEW TAX SCAM

WASHINGTON ― The Internal Revenue Service warned taxpayers today to be on the lookout for a new scam mailing that tries to mislead people into believing they are owed a refund. The new scheme involves a mailing coming in a cardboard envelope from a delivery service....

Tax considerations when selling a home

Many people move during the summer. Taxpayers who are selling their home may qualify to exclude all or part of any gain from the sale from their income when filing their tax return. When selling a home, homeowners should think about: Ownership and use To claim the...

Hobby or business: here’s what to know about that side hustle

Sometimes the line between having a hobby and running a business can be confusing, but knowing the difference is important because hobbies and businesses are treated differently when it’s time to file a tax return. The biggest difference between the two is that...

Illegal Tax Preparation: Client and Preparer Risks

In recent years, a growing number of illegal tax preparers have cropped up, promising clients massive tax refunds that seem too good to be true. While the lure of a large refund can be tempting, engaging in illegal tax preparation can have serious consequences for...

All income is taxable, including gig economy and tip income

It’s important for taxpayers to file a federal tax return that has a complete and correct reporting of their income – which may mean including income from sources other than regular wages from an employer. Income from gig economy activities and tip income are two...