Tax Return

Just a reminder for those taxpayers who file a late return: Under the IRS's First Time Abatement Program you may qualify for an OK to waive late filing and late payment penalties. You must pay or make arrangements to pay the tax due.  Your last three years tax return must have been filed and paid timely.  Let us know if we can assist you in requesting this relief.

Audited by the IRS? What should you do?

Should I represent myself or my company if audited by the IRS?

The simple answer from a Tax attorney NO!!!!

If you do you will tell the Auditor something you should not.  With that being said if you receive an IRS notice stating you owe a small amount of money due to an error you should talk to a qualified CPA or Attorney and ask if it's worth fighting.  They should let you know.  I tell all prospective clients to do a cost-benefit analysis.  Also if you do owe money and you do know you owe pay the amount owed.

What if I can't afford the amount owed?

The IRS usually will let you make payments, but they will charge you interest.

Estate Plans with no Heir

The other day a client came in to have her Estate Plan prepared.  She did not have an heir.  Her husband, siblings and only child predeceased her.  Her father was living ( in his 90's). She wanted to know if she really needed  Estate Documents as she did not care what happened to her assets once she passed.  We discussed her legacy and what if any Charities or Colleges she would like to benefit.  She had come up with a few Charities.

So even if you have heirs and you desire to leave nothing to, or have no heir think about charities or others, you may desire to benefit by leaving your assets to a good charitable type organization.

What happens to your Pets?

Many families have pets, dogs, cats, birds etc....  Pets are not only cute and lovable but a huge part of the family.  We plan out future preparing trusts and wills to make sure our valuables are disbursed accordingly.  We sometimes forget about planning for our pets.  Who will love and care for them the way they deserve?

We all love our pets, so when you put your final wishes in writing, remember to have the future of your pet discussed.  Remember animals have unconditional love so don't forget their future.

Free Seminar

Contact Ken R. Ashworth & Associates for a Free Seminar - Will Vs. Trust

The Worst Tax Scams

Each Year, The Internal Revenue Service releases a list of the worst tax scams.  These scams peak at tax season but happen year round.  Here's a roundup of some of the favorites by fraudsters.

Identity theft, phone scams and "phishing" are listed 1,2, & 3.  ID theft, of course, is when someone uses your stolen Social Security number to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund.  Phone scams are those scary, send us money right now or go to jail calls.  Phishing is usually done by email.  The sender is seeking personal and financial information.

Fake charities abound also.  They often use names similar to trusted organizations, even setting up fake websites.  They are out to take your hard earned cash and prey upon your generosity.  You can go to IRS.Gov to see if they're legit.

Taxpayers are guilty of tax scamming also.  They have been known to falsely claim deductions, under report income, use multilayer companies to try and conceal who owns income.  The earned income tax credit has been abused, as taxpayers actually claim higher income and /or dependents they are not entitled to claim, to get a larger refund.

The IRS is on the lookout for fraud constantly.  Beware, be smart and if you have any questions, give us a call.

Suspicious Email from the IRS

Have you ever received a suspicious email from the Internal Revenue Service?  Most of us have.  You know it is phony by reviewing the spelling and appearance.  We received just such an email at our Law Firm.  I wondered how these scammers could be so bold as to use the actual IRS logo on their phishing expedition.

After careful review, I see they did not use the actual IRS logo.  The Logo on their email had one difference.  THE BEAK OF THE EAGLE WAS FILLED IN !!!!!!!!   Needless to say, I forwarded this to phishing@irs.gov.  I am sorry to say, my email was promptly rejected as junk mail.