by MEA Tax Advisors | Oct 21, 2021 | Tax Tips and News
Criminals pushing phishing scams impersonate a wide range of people and organizations to trick victims out of their private information and money. The seemingly endless flood of charity scams perhaps best demonstrates that there truly is no honor among thieves. Luckily, we don’t have to face identity thieves alone.
The Internal Revenue Service announced that they are taking part in Charity Fraud Awareness Week to help spread the word about this persistent threat to individuals and charitable organizations. The agency says they are “joining international organizations and other regulators in highlighting Charity Fraud Awareness Week,” which runs from October 18 to October 22 this year.
What is Charity Fraud Awareness Week?
According to the IRS, Charity Fraud Awareness Week is a campaign “run by a partnership of charities, regulators, law enforcers, and other not-for-profit stakeholders from across the world … [that] raise awareness of fraud and cybercrime affecting organizations and to create a safe space for charities and their supporters to talk about fraud and share good practice.”
How is the IRS participating in Charity Fraud Awareness Week?
The IRS is highlighting helpful resources that have been created by organizations participating in Charity Fraud Awareness Week. Specifically, the press release includes a link to a UK-based website designed to aggregate helpful information related to the campaign: PreventCharityFraud.org.uk.
According to the IRS, this site is designed to help “[Charity Fraud Awareness Week] partners, charities, and other tax-exempt organizations and non-profits find” the following information:
- Details about the awareness week
- Free resources
- A fraud pledge for organizations
- A listing of webinars and other events held as part of the week
Data-security-awareness campaigns aren’t new to the IRS. As part of the Security Summit, the agency works year round to provide taxpayers the resources they need to avoid falling victim to myriad phishing scams. Part of that effort includes publishing their annual Dirty Dozen list of tax scams and providing online resources, like the Tax Exempt Organization Search tool.
The Tax Exempt Organization Search tool is useful in avoiding fake charity scams listing legitimate charities that are currently eligible “to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions.” The tool’s page on IRS.gov notes the types of information that can be searched for any given charity:
- Form 990 Series Returns
- Form 990-N (e-Postcard)
- Pub. 78 Data
- Automatic Revocation of Exemption List
- Determination Letters
As for avoiding scams impersonating legitimate charities, taxpayers should stay up to date on the latest phishing scams highlighted by the IRS, Security Summit, and Charity Fraud Awareness Week partners.
Sources: IR-2021-205; “Tax Exempt Organization Search,” IRS.gov
– Story provided by TaxingSubjects.com
by MEA Tax Advisors | Oct 19, 2021 | Tax Tips and News
Millions of American families have been taking advantage of the advance payments of the Child Tax Credit, but the Internal Revenue Service stresses there’s still time left to sign up for the remaining payments.
The latest batch of the monthly advance payments is now making its way into the bank accounts of some 36 million families. This wave of payments totals around $15 billion and the vast majority of families are getting their payments by direct deposit.
The advance payments of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) were made possible by the American Rescue Plan, passed earlier this year. It allowed qualifying families to get their CTC payments in advance installments, rather than just a refund when they file their income taxes.
Families can qualify for payments of up to $300 per month for every child under the age of 6, and up to $250 per month for each child between the ages of 6 and 17. Advance payments will total half of the overall tax credit due the taxpayer; the balance is paid out as a refund when the taxpayer files.
The IRS offers these details on the payments:
- Families will see the direct deposit payments in their accounts starting October 15. Like the prior payments, the vast majority of families will receive them by direct deposit.
- For those receiving payments by paper check, be sure to allow extra time, through the end of October, for delivery by mail. Those wishing to receive future payments by direct deposit can make this change using the Child Tax Credit Update Portal, available only on IRS.gov. To access the portal or to get a new step-by-step guide for using it, visit gov/childtaxcredit2021.
- Payments went to eligible families who filed a 2019 or 2020 income tax return. Returns processed by October 4 are reflected in these payments. This includes people who don’t typically file a return but during 2020 successfully registered for Economic Impact Payments using the IRS Non-Filers tool on IRS.gov or in 2021 successfully used the Non-filer Sign-up Tool for advance CTC, also available only on IRS.gov.
- Payments are automatic. Aside from filing a tax return, including a simplified return from the Non-filer Sign-up Tool, families don’t have to do anything if they are eligible to receive monthly payments.
- Families who did not get a July, August or September payment and are getting their first monthly payment in October will still receive their total advance payment for the year. This means that the total payment will be spread over three months, rather than six, making each monthly payment larger.
Some American families may get a letter from the IRS, letting them know it’s not too late to sign up for advance CTC payments. The letter spotlights those who haven’t filed a 2020 income tax return with emphasis on those who aren’t normally required to file because their annual incomes are below filing thresholds.
Even these non-filing families may be eligible for the Child Tax Credit advance payments. The IRS says they should visit IRS.gov online for information on how to file a return and get their CTC credit.
September Advance Child Tax Credit payments hit a snag
The Internal Revenue Service says a technical issue led to about 2% of the qualified CTC recipients not getting their monthly advance credit amounts on time in September. The IRS has since sent out the payment to everyone affected.
Those affected included taxpayers who recently updated their bank account or address information using the IRS Child Tax Credit Update Portal.
The glitch mainly affected payments to married taxpayers filing jointly where only one spouse made a bank account or address change; this usually means payments are split into two – between the existing account or address and the new one.
Some recipients saw their payments delayed. Some saw a larger payment amount than normal, which led the IRS to adjust their three remaining monthly payments down by $10-$13 per child to compensate.
The IRS says it will send letters to all the taxpayers affected by the glitch and appreciates the patience of everyone.
For more information, check out the IRS website. Links to online tools, a guide to the Non-filer Sign-up Tool, answers to frequently asked questions and other resources are all available at IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021, the IRS’ special advance CTC page.
Source: IR-2021-201
– Story provided by TaxingSubjects.com
by MEA Tax Advisors | Oct 12, 2021 | Tax Tips and News
The last part of the year is traditionally a good time for taxpayers to check their withholding levels for the upcoming new year. That’s why the Internal Revenue Service recently issued a friendly reminder.
With 2021 going by like a runaway train, it’s easy to just let withholdings slide, thinking what worked this year will work next year.
That, however, may not necessarily be the best strategy. Life is full of unexpected turns; marriage, divorce, a new child or the purchase of a home can all be really good reasons to refigure withholding.
Checking withholding is easy; the IRS has a Tax Withholding Estimator that helps taxpayers decide if they have too much or too little withheld, and how to make a tweak to put more money in their pocket instead of the pockets of the IRS.
The Estimator can also be used to help taxpayers see if they should withhold more or should make an estimated tax payment to avoid a big bill for tax due when they file next year.
The IRS reminds that the Withholding Estimator can also be very helpful to retirees, self-employed taxpayers and others, giving them a step-by-step tool that can tailor the amount of income tax being withheld from wages and pension payments to the actual tax owed.
Points to ponder for 2021
The Internal Revenue Service says there are things to consider when adjusting withholding for 2021:
Income taxes are “pay as you go”
Whether they’re withheld from a paycheck, paid as quarterly estimated tax payments, or a little of both, taxes are generally paid year-round. The IRS, however, figures that about 70% of all taxpayers withhold too much from their income for taxes. This results in a refund at tax time; in 2021, the average refund was more than $2,700.
Taxpayers who need to pay their taxes have some options on just how to send the payment to the Internal Revenue Service. One of the easiest options is to use the IRS2Go app, which allows users to schedule payments for future dates. The feature is handy for payment plan installments, estimated tax payments, or to pay taxes during filing season.
Other options for payment include connecting by phone or going online.
The taxpayer’s online account is a powerful tool that can help keep the taxpayer informed on a number of details surrounding their tax picture:
- The amount of taxes they owe;
- Payment plan details and options;
- The last 5 years of their tax payment history;
- Scheduled or pending tax payments; and
- Key information from their most recent tax return.
Taxpayers can sign into their online account at IRS.gov/account.
More information about taxes, estimated taxes and withholding can be found at Tax Withholding on the IRS website, IRS.gov.
Source: IR-2021-199
– Story provided by TaxingSubjects.com
by MEA Tax Advisors | Oct 8, 2021 | Tax Tips and News
Millions of families have been receiving monthly advance payments of the Child Tax Credit. Provided by the American Rescue Plan that was passed earlier this year, these payments have been going to eligible households since July.
As with any tax-related change, taxpayers have understandably had questions. While the “Advance Child Tax Credit Payments in 2021” page on IRS.gov aggregates answers to many frequently asked questions, the Internal Revenue Service this week clarified how child custody can affect the payments—from shared custody to alternating custody arrangements.
How does custody affect eligibility for the Advance Child Tax Credit?
The IRS based eligibility for the Advance Child Tax Credit on the most recently filed tax return. That’s because these advance payments are for tax year 2021, and—obviously—taxpayers won’t file this year’s return until 2022.
Whichever parent claimed the qualifying child (or children) on the most recently filed return has, in all likelihood, already been receiving payments for the past few months. While that seems cut and dry, the situation gets tricky when parents alternate custody for the purposes of claiming the Child Tax Credit. This can result in the parent who claimed a child for TY2020 receiving payments that should—according to their arrangement—go to the other parent.
Taxpayers who receive payments but are ineligible could be on the hook for a pretty big tax bill in 2022. The IRS says the first step these parents should take is unenrolling for payments on the Child Tax Credit Update Portal. However, the IRS notes that “if their custody situation changes and they are entitled to the child tax credit for 2021, they can claim the full amount when they file their tax return next year.”
To read the full press release, check out the source link below.
Source: COVID Tax Tip 2021-147
– Story provided by TaxingSubjects.com
by MEA Tax Advisors | Oct 6, 2021 | Tax Tips and News
Taxpayers with foreign bank or financial accounts are being reminded that time is running out to file the yearly report of their holdings.
The annual Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) is due on Oct. 15.
The deadline applies to any U.S. citizens, resident aliens or any domestic legal entity holding bank or other financial accounts outside the country.
Originally, the deadline for filing the FBAR was April 15 of this year, but late filers got an automatic extension to file until Oct. 15.
Taxpayers did not have to request the extension.
However, those taxpayers who live in a federally designated disaster area—such as a location hit by a hurricane or tornado—may have their FBAR filing date delayed even further, but should consult the latest FBAR Relief Notices for information specific to their area.
Who should file?
Taxpayers are required by the Bank Secrecy Act to file an FBAR if:
- The taxpayer has a financial interest in, signature authority or other authority over one or more accounts, such as a bank or brokerage account, mutual fund or other financial account located outside the United States, and
- The aggregate value of all their foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year.
The Internal Revenue Service wants all U.S. persons or entities who have foreign accounts—even relatively small ones—to see if the filing requirements apply to them.
The IRS defines a “U.S. person” as a citizen or resident of the U.S. This definition also encompasses domestic legal entities, including partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies, estates and trusts.
Filing the FBAR has to be done electronically with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, known as FinCEN. Taxpayers are required to use the BSA E-Filing System website to file their FBAR. The report should not be filed with a federal income tax return.
If taxpayers cannot e-file their FBAR, they should call FinCEN at 800-949-2732; taxpayers calling from outside the U.S. should call 703-905-3975.
Simply not filing an FBAR should not be considered an option when the report is required. Those who attempt to avoid filing could face considerable civil and criminal penalties – including fines and prison time.
However, the IRS says it will not penalize a taxpayer who reported an account properly on a late-filed FBAR, if the agency finds a reasonable cause for the missed deadline.
For more information on the FBAR and filing the report, see these resources:
Source: IR-2021-196
– Story provided by TaxingSubjects.com
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