With many taxpayers working from home due to COVID-19, you may be wondering about the possibility of claiming home office deductions on your tax return. Unfortunately, employees aren’t currently eligible. However, self-employed homeowners and renters who are otherwise eligible can claim deductions. Deductible expenses include mortgage interest, insurance, utilities, repairs, maintenance, depreciation and rent. Taxpayers … Read More
Many businesses have retained employees during the COVID-19 pandemic and enjoyed tax relief with the help of the employee retention credit (ERC). The recent signing of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) brings good news: the ERC has been extended yet again. The original credit As originally introduced under last year’s CARES Act, the ERC … Read More
Is the IRS effectively handling taxpayer correspondence? That’s the focus of a Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) audit. Written responses from taxpayers to IRS delinquent account inquiries are handled by the Compliance Services Collection Operations (CSCO). The TIGTA audit noted that over-aged inventory of taxpayer correspondence had increased greatly in recent years. At … Read More
Data security is a critical part of the audit risk assessment. If your financial statements are audited, your audit team will tailor their procedures to answer critical questions about cyber risks and the effectiveness of your internal controls. While conducting fieldwork, they’ll assess how your practices measure up and whether your company has weaknesses that … Read More
The IRS has announced that the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, purchased for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of the COVID-19, is a deductible medical expense. Amounts paid by an individual taxpayer for PPE for use by the taxpayer, the taxpayer’s spouse or dependents … Read More
The IRS has begun sending the third round of Economic Impact Payments (also sometimes referred to as recovery rebates) to eligible taxpayers via direct deposit or paper checks. The IRS calls these payments “EIP 3” and they differ from EIP 1 and EIP 2 in a few respects. For example, the amount of EIP 3 … Read More
The IRS is asking individuals who received unemployment benefits in 2020 and have already filed their 2020 tax returns, not to file amended returns until it issues additional guidance. The American Rescue Plan Act provides that, for taxpayers whose 2020 modified adjusted gross income is less than $150,000, the first $10,200 of unemployment compensation received … Read More
There’s still time to reduce your 2020 tax bill if you’re eligible for a deductible traditional IRA. Taxpayers of all ages may be able to claim deductions on their 2020 tax returns for contributions to their IRAs made through April 15, 2021. This is true even if you file your tax return before making the … Read More
April 15 is not only the deadline for filing your 2020 tax return, it’s also the deadline for the first quarterly estimated tax payment for 2021, if you’re required to make one. You may have to make estimated tax payments if you receive interest, dividends, alimony, self-employment income, capital gains, prize money or other income. … Read More
Stay vigilant: The IRS is urging taxpayers to keep practicing smart financial information habits by securing their computers, phones and other devices. Be aware that criminals often use the IRS as a lure to hijack your personal information. To help minimize exposure to fraud and identity theft, the IRS has released a Tax Time Guide, … Read More