Factors That Will Draw IRS Attention To Your Taxes

Don’t have the worries of an IRS audit hanging over your head – get your taxes professionally prepared by Sterling Accounting! “Audits were down almost 16 percent in 2016 compared with the previous year. Just over 1 million individual income tax returns received the extra scrutiny last year, the lowest number since 2004, according to the IRS…” [ Read more here ]

What Tax Benefits Can You Draw From Your Insurance Policy?

Have you taken to the road of a single premium life insurance policy, as many have in recent years? If you have, it (as with most policies) are eligible for tax credits… so how do you know you’re getting what you should?

“There are single premium life insurance (SPLI) policies as well, which provide similar benefits of protection and savings as the regular premium ones. The term of SPLI policies is usually 10 years, but one can exit after five years…” [ Read more here ]

IRS Still Holding More Than $1B In 2013 Unclaimed Tax Refunds

Was there ever a year you forgot to submit your tax refund? The IRS is still holding onto over $1 billion in tax refunds that were unclaimed from 2013. “The IRS estimates half the refunds are over $763, while the other half are less than that amount. Taxpayers can claim their refunds by filing a 2013 federal return by Tuesday, April 18, 2017, the filing deadline for this year…” [ Read more here ]

What Non-Cash Income Do You Need To Report To The IRS?

Sometimes, there are ways that you have made “income” over the year that is not necessarily income you saw as the form of cash in your bank. But which of these situations require you to report that income to the IRS?

“A variety of events can give you taxable income even though you’ve seen no cash. For example, consider constructive receipt. This tax rule requires you to pay tax when you have a right to payment even though you do not actually receive it….” [ Read more here ]

IRS Taking New Steps To Collect Old Debts

The IRS is stepping up their battle to collect back taxes from those who owe more then $50,000 – by taking away their passports.

“Under a new law, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, or FAST Act, the IRS is required to provide a list of people who owe back taxes to the U.S. State Department, which can deny, revoke or limit the ability of these individuals to use their passports…” [ Read more here ]