Tag: tax

IRS Announces Pandemic-Related Penalty Relief

  • January 2, 2024
  • ShindelRock

The IRS is offering new penalty relief for approximately 4.7 million individuals, businesses, and tax-exempt organizations that were not sent automated collection reminder notices during the COVID pandemic. Due to the unprecedented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRS temporarily...

Social Security wage base, COLA set for 2024

Seniors got some welcome news this week, when the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 3.2% for both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits beginning in January 2024. COLA, which is based on the consumer...

What to do when an IRS notice shows up in your mailbox

  • August 27, 2023
  • Steve Wisinski, CPA, MAFF

In the course of a typical person’s lifetime, they likely have very little interaction with the IRS.  However, it is possible to receive a legitimate written piece of correspondence from the IRS.  What next? The most important response is to...

Penalty relief coming for taxpayers and businesses

  • August 26, 2022
  • ShindelRock

The IRS has announced broad-based penalty relief for certain 2019 and 2020 returns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The penalty abatement will be automatic for people and businesses who qualify and if the penalty has already been paid, the taxpayer will...

A Kovel agreement can privilege communication from your CPA

Attorney-client privilege is a legal concept that protects confidential communications between attorneys and clients that are made for the purpose of obtaining or giving legal advice. The privilege, which is owned by the client, is intended to encourage full and candid...

Employer-provided tuition assistance programs must meet requirements

An employer-provider educational assistance program is a separate written plan that provides educational assistance only to employees*. For Employers: The program qualifies only if all of the following tests are met: The program doesn't favor highly-compensated employees**. To determine whether...

SR Client Question: Is a salary advance taxable?

Some employers offer employees the option of requesting a salary advance ahead of the standard payment date; for instance, the paycheck would be issued on the first of the month, as opposed to the standard payday of the 15th of...

IRS advises business owners to follow these steps when closing a business

There are many reasons a business owner may choose to close their doors, and there are many things that must be done to officially "go out of business". Two important steps all business owners must take are fulfilling their federal...

Taxpayers should obtain Identity Protection PIN each year for tax filing security

In an effort to provide enhanced security to federal income taxpayers, the IRS is offering a voluntary, opt-in Identity Protection (IP) program for taxpayers. The PIN is a six-digit number known only to the taxpayer and the IRS and prevents someone else...

SR Client Question: How do I handle taxes for my Health Savings Account (HSA)?

If you have a high deductible health insurance plan (HDHP), then you qualify to make contributions to an HSA up to the maximum limit for the year.  Many times, an employer will also fund some of an HSA as well,...