The Revenue Restructuring Act of 1998 made significant changes to the IRS. One change is that IRS employees cannot be rewarded based on enforcement efforts. This has changed the nature of the relationship between IRS management and IRS employees. For example, IRS auditors report to group managers. Group managers focus mostly on assigning audit cases……
Category: Tax Law
Can a Self-Directed IRA Hold Gold Coins?
Precious metals IRAs are popular. This includes silver IRAs, gold Roth IRAs, and even gold-backed IRAs. These accounts allow investors to invest in these alternative assets. This in turn allows the investors to diversify their exposure to stocks and bonds. For those with special interests and knowledge to make these investments, they can also allow……
Business Condo Association Denied Non-Profit Status
Non-profits do not pay Federal income taxes. Many states also exempt these entities from state income taxes. The local tax assessor may also exempt the entity from property taxes. The IRS regulates non-profits by denying non-profit status to entities. It also has a whole regime of penalties and excise taxes to deter for-profit entities from……
Court Recasts Gift of LLC Interests
Real estate has been a great investment. In addition to the potential for appreciation of the property, it may also have the added benefit of producing rental or other income. Real estate can also have income tax advantages. This can help reduce one’s income tax liability during their peak earning years. Many taxpayers buy real……
Relying on Advice From the IRS
IRS employees often give bad and incorrect tax advice. There are numerous examples of this in reported tax cases. Unlike advice provided by licensed professionals, such as tax attorneys, one generally cannot prevail in a malpractice suit against the IRS. That leaves the question as to whether bad or incorrect advice from the IRS can……
IRS Says Congress’ Penalty Relief Not Available
To be viable, businesses have to pay for their operations and, after-tax, produce a profit or return. The tax burden can make it very difficult to produce a profit. This is particularly true when sales taxes and payroll taxes are considered. The sales tax is imposed on the transfer of property (and in some states……
Hospital Administrator Owes Trust Fund Penalty
Employment taxes can be deadly for businesses. Once a business gets behind, it can be impossible to catch up. Those operating a failing or struggling business may feel that using employment taxes as a short-term loan from the IRS is justified. The thinking may be that they are needed to keep employees employed, to save……
Avoid IRS Interest With Credit Elects
A tax attorney might say that you should never go into an iffy transaction naked. This refers to a tax position that covers a real or perceived tax liability from a transaction. This is a corporate tax concept. Larger corporations often have a longer view when it comes to business tax planning. Given their time……
Contribution to Corporation, then Sale of the Corporation
Most income tax planning involves questions about income, deductions or credits, character, or timing, or some combination of these questions. When viewed from these categories, even simple transactions can present tax planning opportunities. The contribution of property to a corporation by its shareholder is an example. A contribution triggers taxable income to the shareholder. Our……