Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Filing a Tax Appeal with the Independent Office of Appeals
The IRS guarantees taxpayers certain rights, including the right to appeal the agency’s decisions about tax-related disputes. In these cases, taxpayers can try to avoid the time and expense of taking the case to trial by submitting a request for review to the IRS Independent Office of Appeals. When reviewing these cases, Appeals officers… Read More »
Beware of These Tax Scams
Taxpayers should always be wary of tax scams, which have proliferated in recent years. Taking precautionary measures, however, is especially important during the summertime, when tax scams surge across the country. Many of these scams involve emails and text messages that promise tax refunds or offers to help with tax issues, but that actually… Read More »
Summertime Activities Could Affect Next Year’s Tax Return
While many people associate April with the dreaded tax season, it’s also important for taxpayers to keep in mind that decisions they make throughout the year will affect their tax returns. This often proves to be the case in summer, when many couples choose to make major life changes, like getting married or relocating…. Read More »
A Few Tax Tips for New Parents
When it comes down to it, kids can be expensive. This is as true for those who are just bringing home a new baby from the hospital as for parents who adopt or for those who are raising a relative’s child. Fortunately, there are a lot of tax breaks available to parents, guardians, and… Read More »
A Few Important Tax-Related Tips for Gig Economy Workers
Employment as a gig economy worker is becoming ever more popular as a flexible way to earn some extra money. Whether someone is working for a ride-sharing company, renting a room, delivering food, or working for a company that outsources its labor, he or she will need to keep track of the funds they… Read More »
Some Year-Round Tax Planning Pointers
While submitting a tax return can feel like a sigh of relief, the reality is that just because a taxpayer files a tax return doesn’t mean that he or she can forget about taxes until the next year. In fact, the kinds of tax planning taxpayers engage in during the year can affect how… Read More »
Preparing to File Your Tax Return
The IRS gives taxpayers who cannot meet the April tax filing deadline extra time to submit their returns if they request an extension by April 18th. In these cases, filers have until mid-October to complete and file their returns. This does not mean, however, that taxpayers should put off filing until the deadline. Those… Read More »
IRS Officers No Longer Permitted to Make Unannounced Visits
In July, the IRS announced a major policy change that will effectively end unannounced visits from agency revenue officers. The new policy went into effect immediately and except in a few specific circumstances, will bar IRS employees from showing up at taxpayer homes with no notice. Instead, these visits will be scheduled ahead of… Read More »
Protecting Your Personal Information During a Natural Disaster
In light of the recent storms in Florida, taxpayers across the state are being encouraged to reassess their emergency preparedness plans and as a part of this endeavor, to take steps to protect their personal and tax-related information. Read on to learn more about a few precautionary measures that you can take to protect… Read More »
Taxpayers May Qualify for Expanded Home Energy Tax Credits
Taxpayers who make energy efficient updates to their primary residences this year could be entitled to home energy tax credits, such as the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit and the Residential Clean Energy Credit. To learn more about who qualifies for these credits, or for help with another tax-related question or concern, reach out… Read More »
