Every business owner should establish strong policies, procedures and internal controls to prevent fraud. But don’t stop there. Also be prepared to act if indications arise that, despite your best efforts, wrongdoing has taken place at your company. How you handle the evidence obtained could determine whether you’ll be able to prove the charges brought … Read More
If the IRS finds a taxpayer has committed fraud, the penalty is up to 75% of the unreported tax. In one case, a taxpayer was a managing member and employee of an engineering business. He didn’t report wage income he received from the company. The IRS used the “bank deposits method” to compare his bank … Read More
Every business owner should establish strong policies, procedures and internal controls to prevent fraud. But don’t stop there. Also be prepared to act if indications arise that, despite your best efforts, wrongdoing has taken place at your company. How you handle the evidence obtained could determine whether you’ll be able to prove the charges brought … Read More
The IRS recently issued guidance regarding what research activities conducted by a contractor are “unfunded activities” eligible for the research and development (R&D) tax credit. Section 41 research expenses above a certain base amount qualify for the credit. They can be incurred for in-house or contracted research. Research performed for a client under a contract … Read More
If you’re a business owner working from home or an entrepreneur with a home-based side gig, you may qualify for valuable home office deductions. But not everyone who works from home gets the tax break. Employees who work remotely can’t deduct home office expenses under current federal tax law. To qualify for a deduction, you … Read More
When a married couple files a joint tax return, each spouse is “jointly and severally” liable for the full amount of tax on the couple’s combined income. Therefore, the IRS can come after either spouse to collect the entire tax — not just the part that’s attributed to one spouse or the other. This includes … Read More
Members of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee have unanimously advanced the Social Security Fairness Act of 2021 to a vote by the full House. Already, 300 House members have signaled support of the bill, which would repeal two Social Security Act provisions that have long penalized many public servants. The first is the … Read More
You may have to make estimated payments if you receive interest, dividends, self-employment income, capital gains or other income. If you don’t pay enough tax during the year through withholding and estimated payments, you may be liable for a tax penalty on top of the tax that’s due. Individuals must generally pay 25% of their … Read More
If you don’t have enough federal tax withheld from your paychecks and other payments, you may have to make estimated tax payments. This is the case if you receive interest, dividends, self-employment income, capital gains or other income. Here are the applicable rules for paying estimated tax without triggering the penalty for underpayment. When are … Read More
Democratic lawmakers argue that a recent U.S. Census Bureau report illustrating a decline in child poverty shows the Child Tax Credit (CTC) enhancements that expired at the end of 2021 should be made permanent. From 2020 to 2021, the supplemental poverty measure among children fell to 5.2% from 9.7%. The drop is largely attributable to … Read More