In recent years, the U.S. government has taken steps to increase enforcement measures to allow the IRS to collect delinquent taxes. This includes adding Sec. 7345 to allow the IRS and U.S. State Department to revoke or deny passports of individuals with seriously delinquent tax debts. In order to revoke or deny a passport, the……
TX-LW Blogs
Avoiding Penalties: Choosing a Reliable Tax Return Preparer
With the tax season around the corner, a significant number of taxpayers are seeking the services of tax return preparers. This often involves choosing a preparer who has been recommended by friends and family members. Tax return preparers may be referred based not on their qualifications, but on their reputation for generating large refunds for……
Amount of 179D Tax Deduction for Building Designer
Congress often creates tax incentives, but it is up to the IRS and courts to determine their implementation and interpretation. The Sec. 179D tax deduction is an example of this. The statute provides broad concepts but lacks substance, leading to the courts playing a crucial role in determining its implementation and interpretation. The details matter……
Arrangements to Make After a Loved One Dies
Death is a difficult thing. It can feel sudden and overwhelming, no matter the circumstances. During this time of grief, it’s understandable that you may not be thinking about the practical considerations involved in dealing with the death of a loved one. But these are important arrangements to make in order to take care of…
Are Life Insurance Proceeds Taxable?
Section 101 of the Internal Revenue Code generally provides that the proceeds from a life insurance policy are generally tax-free to the recipient if the recipient is the beneficiary of the policy and is receiving the proceeds as a result of the death of the insured. There are some exceptions to this general rule. For…
When Can a Will Be Legally Revoked?
In the Texas case of In re Estate of Capps, the court was faced with the question of whether the decedent’s will had been revoked. According to Texas law, a will can be revoked either by physically destroying it, by making a new will that revokes the old one, or by making a statement indicating…
Can I Challenge the Court Appointment of an Independent Executor?
In the Texas case of In re Estate of Crenshaw, the court was faced with a hearing on the disqualification of an independent executor under section 78 of the Texas Probate Code [now the Texas Estates Code]. At issue in the case was whether an order appointing an independent executor was appealable to a higher…
New Texas Laws in Effect 2023
Several new laws went into effect in Texas on January 1, 2023, including changes to property tax collection, an expansion of the judicial branch, and an amendment to pollution standards. One of the laws, House Bill 3774, written by District 67 Representative Jeff Leach, allows for public access to the state’s court documents database with…
Innocent Spouse Can Benefit from Tax Savings
Innocent spouse relief is a complex and nuanced area of tax law that can be difficult to navigate. In order to successfully file a claim, one must have a thorough understanding of the rules and requirements. One example of this complexity is found in Section 6015(c), which does not require that the innocent spouse not……