Here at Tax Resolution Center...

Here at Tax Resolution Center...

Friday, January 30, 2015

IRS Starts 2015 Tax Season; Free File Opens Tomorrow, E-File Tuesday; Expanded Online Services Enable People to Learn About New Health Care Provisions

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced the on-time opening of the nation’s 2015 filing season and highlighted a growing array of online services, including features that help taxpayers understand how the Affordable Care Act will affect them at tax time, along with the availability of the Free File program.

Taxpayers have until Wednesday, April 15, 2015 to file their 2014 tax returns and pay any tax due. The IRS expects to receive about 150 million individual income tax returns this year. Like each of the past three years, more than four out of five returns are expected to be filed electronically.
The IRS Free File program, available at IRS.gov, will open Friday for taxpayers, and the IRS will begin accepting and processing all tax returns on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

This year’s return will include new questions to incorporate provisions of the Affordable Care Act (or ACA). The majority of taxpayers - more than three out of four – will simply need to check a box to verify they have health insurance coverage. For the minority of taxpayers who will have to do more, IRS.gov/aca features useful information and tips regarding the premium tax credit, the individual shared responsibility requirement and other tax features of the ACA.

“Our employees will be working hard again this season to help the nation’s taxpayers,” IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said. “We encourage people to use the tools and information available on IRS.gov, particularly given the long wait times we anticipate on our phone lines. As always, taxpayers can benefit by filing electronically.”

Koskinen announced that taxpayers can begin preparing their returns using the Free File system on Friday, Jan. 16. Available only at IRS.gov, Free File offers two filing options:
  • Brand-name software, offered by IRS’ commercial partners to about 100 million individuals and families with incomes of $60,000 or less; or
  • Online fillable forms, the electronic version of IRS paper forms available to taxpayers at all income levels and especially useful to people comfortable with filling out their own returns.

E-file, when combined with direct deposit, is the fastest way to get a refund. More than three out of four refund recipients now choose direct deposit. People who e-file make fewer mistakes, and it costs nothing for those who choose Free File.

In all, 14 software companies will be participating in this year’s Free File program. Additional details about the specific Free File offerings will be available tomorrow on the front page of IRS.gov when Free File becomes available.

Taxpayers who purchase their own software can also choose e-file, and most paid tax preparers are now required to file their clients’ returns electronically. In addition to Free File, commercial software companies also are currently available for taxpayer use.

The IRS will begin accepting and processing all returns — whether e-file, Free File or paper tax returns — on Jan. 20.

Like last year, the IRS expects to issue more than nine out of 10 refunds within 21 days. Again, the fastest way to get a refund is to e-file and choose direct deposit. It takes longer to process paper returns and in light of IRS budget cuts resulting in a smaller staff, it will likely take an additional week or more to process paper returns meaning that those refunds are expected to be issued in seven weeks or more.

Koskinen said, “If you haven’t already, you should consider filing electronically. It’s fast, accurate and the best way to get your refund quickly.”

Koskinen also strongly encouraged taxpayers to visit IRS.gov as a first stop for information ranging from the status of their refunds to basic tax information. He cautioned taxpayers that recent budget reductions will mean long wait times on the phone, routinely topping 30 minutes.

Information on IRS.gov and using tax software and e-file are among the options that can help people with questions about the individual shared responsibility requirement included in the Affordable Care Act, which is new to the Form 1040 this filing season.

Health Care Basics


The Affordable Care Act requires that a taxpayer and each member of their family either has qualifying health insurance coverage for each month of the year, qualifies for an exemption, or makes an individual shared responsibility payment when filing their federal income tax return. Some moderate-income taxpayers may also qualify for financial assistance to help cover the cost of health insurance purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Taxpayers will fall into one or more of the following categories:
  • Check the box. Most taxpayers will simply check a box on their tax return to indicate that each member of their family had qualifying health coverage for the whole year. No further action is required.
  • Qualifying health insurance coverage includes coverage under most, but not all, types of health care coverage plans. Taxpayers can use the chart on IRS.gov/aca to find out if their insurance counts as qualifying coverage.
  • Exemptions. Taxpayers may be eligible to claim an exemption from the requirement to have coverage. Eligible taxpayers need to complete the new IRS Form 8965, Health Coverage Exemptions, and attach it to their tax return. Taxpayers must apply for some exemptions through the Health Insurance Marketplace. However, most of the exemptions are easily obtained from the IRS when filing a return.
  • Individual Shared Responsibility Payment. Taxpayers who do not have qualifying coverage or an exemption for each month of the year will need to make an individual shared responsibility payment with their return for choosing not to purchase coverage. Examples and information about figuring the payment are available on the IRS Calculating the Payment page.
  • Premium Tax Credit. Taxpayers who bought coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace should receive Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, from the Marketplace by early February. This form should be saved because it has important information needed to complete a tax return.
If the Form 1095-A is not received by early February, contact the Marketplace where coverage was purchased. Do not contact the IRS because IRS telephone assistors will not have access to this information.

Taxpayers who benefited from advance payments of the premium tax credit must file a federal income tax return. These taxpayers need to reconcile those advance payments with the amount of premium tax credit they’re entitled to based on their actual income. As a result, some people may see a smaller or larger tax refund or tax liability than they were expecting. Use IRS Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit (PTC), to calculate the premium tax credit and reconcile the credit with any advance payments.

The IRS has set up a special section at IRS.gov/aca with more information about the Affordable Care Act and the 2014 income tax return.

Alternatively, low-and moderate-income taxpayers can get help meeting this health-care requirement and filing their return for free by visiting one of the more than 12,000 community-based tax help sites staffed by more than 90,000 volunteers that participate in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (VITA/TCE) programs. To find the nearest site, use the VITA/TCE Site Locator on IRS.gov.

The IRS also reminded taxpayers that a trusted tax professional can also provide helpful information about the health care law. A number of tips about selecting a preparer and national tax professional groups is available on IRS.gov.


The IRS urges all taxpayers, especially those claiming the premium tax credit, to make sure they have all their year-end statements in hand before they file their return. This includes Forms W-2 from employers, Forms 1099 from banks and other payers, and, for those claiming the premium tax credit, and Form 1095-A from the Marketplace. Doing so will help avoid refund delays and the need to file an amended return later.


Financial well-being: The goal of financial education

A growing consensus is emerging that the ultimate measure of success for financial literacy efforts should be improvement in individual financial well-being. But financial well-being has never been explicitly defined, nor is there a standard way to measure it. This report provides a conceptual framework for defining and measuring success in financial education by delivering a proposed definition of financial well-being, and insight into the factors that contribute to it. This framework is grounded in the existing literature, expert opinion, and the experiences and voice of the consumer garnered through in-depth, one-on-one interviews with working-age and older consumers.

Read the full report here:
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/reports/financial-well-being/

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Tax ID Theft Tops FTC Complaints in 2014; IRS Imposter Complaints Up More Than 2,300 Percent

Tax-related identity theft was the most common form of identity theft reported to the Federal Trade Commission in 2014, while the number of complaints from consumers about criminals impersonating IRS officials was nearly 24 times more than in 2013, according to FTC statistics released today.
The FTC, along with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the AARP, and other partners are holding a series of events this week designed to educate consumers about these issues as part of Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week, which begins today and runs through Jan. 30.
“We’ve seen an explosion of complaints about callers who claim to be IRS agents – but are not,” said Jessica Rich, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “IRS employees won’t call out of the blue and threaten to have you arrested or demand specific methods of payment.”
The statistics released today come from the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel database, which accounts for complaints received by the FTC and other federal, state and local law enforcement and consumer protection agencies. In 2013, the FTC received 2,545 complaints about IRS imposter scams; in 2014 that number increased to 54,690. In 2014, the FTC received 109,063 complaints about tax identity theft, accounting for 32.8 percent of the 332,646 overall complaints about identity theft.
Tax identity theft typically happens when a scammer files a fraudulent tax return using a consumer’s Social Security number in order to receive a refund. The year 2014 marks the fifth consecutive year in which tax-related identity theft topped the list of identity theft complaints, with tax identity theft accounting for nearly a third of all identity theft complaints to the FTC.
IRS impersonation scams typically consist of an individual contacting a consumer by phone, claiming that they are an IRS agent and that the consumer owes the IRS money. The callers suggest to consumers that they pay by wiring money or loading money on a pre-paid debit card. The callers often threaten arrest or legal action, and their calls may appear to originate from Washington, D.C. phone numbers; scammers may even know a consumer’s full or partial Social Security number, lending credibility to the scam. The nearly twenty-four-fold increase in complaints related to IRS impersonation indicate that scammers are using this technique against consumers across the country.
Consumers have tools to fight back against these pervasive scams, though. When it comes to tax identity theft, consumers’ best defense is to file their taxes as early as possible to get ahead of scammers who may attempt to use their Social Security number to get a fraudulent refund. If a consumer is a victim of tax identity theft, they should contact the FTC to file a complaint immediately either online or by phone at 1-877-FTC-HELP, as well as contacting the IRS at 1-800-908-4490.
IRS impersonation scams prey on consumers’ lack of knowledge about how the IRS contacts consumers. The IRS will never call a consumer about unpaid taxes or penalties – the agency typically contacts consumers via letter. If consumers get a call purporting to be from the IRS, they should never send money – once it’s sent to the criminal, it is impossible to retrieve. They should instead hang up and report the scam to the FTC and to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at tigta.gov.
For consumers, the FTC is hosting or co-hosting two webinars and a Twitter chat this week as part of Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week:
  • Jan. 27, 2 p.m.: an FTC webinar for consumers, co-hosted with the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and AARP addressing how tax identity theft happens and what consumers should do if they become a victim.
  • Jan. 28, 1 p.m.: the FTC and the Veterans Administration will host a webinar with information about tax identity theft for veterans.
  • Jan. 29, 3 p.m.: the FTC and the Identity Theft Resource Center will co-host a Twitter chat about tax ID theft – consumers can join the conversation on #IDTheftChat.



Thursday, January 22, 2015

Form 8962 (Premium Tax Credit) and Related Form 1095-A (Health Insurance Marketplace Statement)

As we approach the 2015 filing season, now is a good time to clarify how the new Form 8962 (Premium Tax Credit) is laid out and how the Form 1095-A (the information an individual will receive from the Marketplace) is related to the calculation of the premium tax credit for Tax Year 2014.

Form 1095-A (Health Insurance Marketplace Statement)

Any taxpayer who obtained their health insurance through a federal or state exchange (Marketplace) will receive Form 1095-A (Health Insurance Marketplace Statement) in the mail by January 31, 2015. The information on this form will be used to calculate the Premium Tax Credit, especially if the individual received assistance in paying for their health insurance premiums (advance premium tax credit).

Since this information return looks very different from a W-2 or 1099 that an individual is used to receiving, some education for your customers will be necessary to ensure that they understand what Form 1095-A is for and the importance for them to keep it and include it with the rest of their tax information when they have their 2014 federal tax return completed.

If the taxpayer loses the Form 1095-A, a copy may be obtained from the Marketplace where they received their health insurance.

The Form 1095-A (Health Insurance Marketplace Statement) will show the taxpayer the following information:

  • Advance premium tax credit (subsidy) they received (if any) to help pay for their monthly premiums. This is shown by month in Part III along with the total for the year.
The information reported in Part III will be used to complete Form 8962 (Premium Tax Credit), Part 2 (Premium Tax Credit Claim and Reconciliation of Advance Payment of Premium Tax Credit).

  • Health insurance coverage information including a listing of all members of the household who were covered.
Form 8962 (Premium Tax Credit)

This form will be used by any taxpayer who obtained their insurance through the Marketplace and are eligible for the premium tax credit. In most cases, the taxpayer will have received an advance premium tax credit (subsidy) during the year to help pay their monthly health insurance premiums.

It is important to remember that any taxpayer who received a subsidy must complete Form 8962 and reconcile the calculated premium tax credit based on their actual 2014 income and family size with the advance premium tax credit (subsidy) that they received during the year. Also remember that the subsidy went directly to the insurance company and not the taxpayer.

If the taxpayer is required to include the Form 8962 (Premium Tax Credit) with their return and they do not, the following will occur:

  • The IRS will not complete processing the return until they receive the Form 8962. This means their refund will be delayed and they will receive a notice from the IRS requesting the Form 8962 be completed and sent to them.
  • The taxpayer can be denied an advance of the premium tax credit (subsidy) in future years.
To recap, any individual who obtained their health insurance through the marketplace will receive a Form 1095-A (Health Insurance Marketplace Statement) in the mail by January 31, 2015. If they opted (as most individuals will have done) to receive an advance premium tax credit (subsidy) to help pay for their monthly health insurance premiums, that information will be reported on the Form 1095-A which must be included on Form 8962(Premium Tax Credit) as part of the calculation of their premium tax credit and included with their 2014 federal individual income tax return.
Finally, remember that the calculation of the Premium Tax Credit is a three-step process as follows:


  • Step 1 – Calculate the actual premium tax credit for 2014 based on the taxpayer’s 2014 income and family size.
  • Step 2 – Enter the advance premium tax credit that the taxpayer received each month of 2014.
  • Step 3 – Subtract the advance premium tax credit from the calculated premium tax credit which will result in a:
    • Refundable credit if the calculated credit is greater than the total advance premium tax credit (which will be reported on Form 1040, line 69);
    • Additional Tax if the total amount of advance premium tax credit is greater than the calculated premium tax credit (which will be reported on Form 1040, line 46).

Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers

Everything you need to know about finding free tax return filing help, from the IRS:


The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $53,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

In addition to VITA, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help for all taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.

Before going to a VITA or TCE site, see Publication 3676-B for services provided and check out the What to Bring page to ensure you have all the required documents and information our volunteers will need to help you. *Note: available services can vary at each site due to the availability of volunteers certified with the tax law expertise required for your return.

Find a VITA or TCE Site Near You

VITA and TCE sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other convenient locations across the country. To locate the nearest VITA or TCE site near you, use the VITA Locator Tool or call 800-906-9887.
At select tax sites, taxpayers also have an option to prepare their own basic federal and state tax return for free using Web-based tax preparation software with an IRS-certified volunteer to help guide you through the process. This option is only available at locations that list “Self-Prep” in the site listing.

Find an AARP TCE Tax-Aide Site Near You
A majority of the TCE sites are operated by the AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide program. To locate the nearest AARP TCE Tax-Aide site between January and April use the AARP Site Locator Tool or call 888-227-7669.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

U.S. judge convicts four in $1 million IRS fraud scheme

A group of fraudsters who conspired to file at least 208 phony tax returns, claiming more than $1 million in refunds, pleaded guilty Monday in Portland's U.S. District Court.

The key player in the conspiracy, 32-year-old Jheraun Dunlap, acknowledged that the tax returns he filed were fraudulent. Under the terms of a contract plea agreement, he is expected to serve a five-year, five-month sentence.

Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Jones accepted guilty pleas from Dunlap and three of his co-conspirators for their roles in the tax-fraud scheme.

Ernest Bagsby is expected to serve five years, one month; Jermaine Moore is set to serve a little less than four years; and Brandi McCall is expected to be sentenced to 12 months.

The four are scheduled for sentencing on April 21.

They were indicted in September for their roles in a conspiracy that began in January 2011 and continued until May 2012, government prosecutors told Jones. The co-conspirators filed false tax returns using the names and Social Security numbers of other people.

Refunds were mailed back to the schemers in the form of stored-value debit cards, prosecutors said.

Late last week, a man serving time in an Oklahoma prison pleaded not guilty for his role in a similar scheme allegedly perpetrated in Oregon.

Brandon Leath, 41, faces a 110-count indictment that accuse him and his wife, Shawntina Ware – along with alleged co-conspirators Lori Nicholson, Jasmine Mason and Tataneisha White – of playing roles in the filing of at least 227 false federal income tax returns.


The five also laid claim to more than $1 million in refunds, prosecutors allege.

Monday, January 12, 2015

Letter from Kip Sharp, Esq., Owner and Lead Attorney of Tax Resolution Center, Inc.

All of us at the Tax Resolution Center, Inc. would like to wish you a Happy New Year.  We would like to congratulate those or our clients who are starting 2015 debt free. We would like to encourage our other clients to keep working with us to assure you will resolve your tax debts this year.  For those of you who have a tax liability but haven't been able to resolve it to give us a call and discuss your tax issue; if we can't help you we can point you in the right direction.
              
We would also ask everyone to take a moment to take a few deep breaths and remember what's most important and then make a plan to spend more time this year with family and friends and/or doing those things that are important to you.

If you just don't ever seem to have the time, because you are always at work, then you need to make changes, delegate and get help.  

Best wishes,


Kip
    
Tax Resolution Center, Inc.
Christopher (Kip) Sharp, Esq
2300 Central Ave, Suite D
Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 415-9100
Fax 303 544-2146   

(877) 415-9100
        

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Debt Collection Double Feature

The 2011 science fiction movie “The Adjustment Bureau” dealt with a dystopian future (Is there any other kind in sci-fi movies?) where mysterious forces plot against individuals. But for many consumers, Regional Adjustment Bureau, a Memphis-based debt collector, made their day-to-day reality just as dystopic. An FTC lawsuit against the company – and a separate action against Credit Smart, LLC, headquartered in Suffolk County, New York – reminds businesses that when it comes to debt collection, the use of “fiction” (science or otherwise) can run afoul of the FTC Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Regional Adjustment Bureau makes between 10,000 and 15,000 calls every day in an attempt to collect on close to a million consumer accounts annually.  But according to the FTC, in many cases, even after consumers told the company they didn’t owe the debt – for example, that their name, Social Security number, or address was different from the person who actually owed the money – the defendant continued to hound them.

And the calls kept on coming over and over, day after day. Even when consumers asked the company to stop, the FTC says the harassment continued. In addition, collectors allegedly called people at work even though they knew or should have known it was inconvenient for people to get calls there or that their employer prohibited personal calls.

The complaint also charges that the company was loose-lipped about the existence of debts, illegally disclosing information to consumers’ relatives, neighbors, employers, and co-workers. Loose-lipped and relentless, repeatedly calling third parties, too. In addition, collectors allegedly left voicemail messages on general business lines or shared home lines, meaning that people other than the consumer who owed money could find out. Another favorite tactic: asking third parties to pass messages to the consumer on the debt collector’s behalf.

In some cases, even when the company got a consumer’s approval to withdraw a certain amount from their bank account, the FTC says Regional Adjustment Bureau helped themselves to more. (For industry members who track the statutes carefully – and we hope that includes you – the complaint alleges that was an unfair practice under the FTC Act and an “unfair or unconscionable means to collect a debt” under the FDCPA.)

To settle the case, Regional Adjustment Bureau will pay a $1.5 million civil penalty. The proposed order bans false, deceptive, unfair, and harassing debt collection practices, and includes provisions designed to squelch the conduct challenged in the complaint. For example, in the future, if a consumer disputes the validity or amount of a debt, Regional Adjustment Bureau has two choices: 1) close the account and stop collection efforts; or 2) suspend collection until it investigates and verifies that the information is accurate. In addition, the order restricts how the company can use voicemail to collect debts.

Also on the marquee of this debt collection double feature is a lawsuit against Credit Smart and affiliated companies and individuals. (After reading the allegations, we’ll leave it to you to decide how smart it is to violate the FTC Act and FDCPA.) The complaint challenges illegal conduct similar to the Regional Adjustment Bureau lawsuit – ignoring consumers’ pleas that they had the wrong person and contacting third parties illegally – and addresses a few novel collection methods, too.

According to the FTC, Credit Smart left taped messages for consumers, suggesting they call a number for information about a “Tax Season Relief Program,” a “stimulus relief package,” or a “balance transfer program.” In reality, it was just a trick to get people on the phone.

Credit Smart also threatened to sue consumers (which they had no intention of doing), to garnish their wages (which they can’t do without a court order), or to have them arrested (which they had no legal right to do). In addition, the FTC says the defendants threatened to collect on old debts that were beyond the statute of limitations, refused to give consumers information about the debts they supposedly owed, and falsely claimed they owed interest.

The Credit Smart order imposes a $1.2 million civil penalty, all but $490,000 of which will be suspended due to the defendants’ financial condition. The settlement bans false threats of lawsuit, arrest, or wage garnishment; requires that the defendants explain to people certain legal rights about time-barred debts; and mandates that debt collectors tell consumers how to complain to the FTC at www.ftc.gov or 877-FTC-HELP.  Also prohibited: any variation on Credit Smart’s fiction about offering financial relief or assistance.

Know the New Lingo

Gone are the days of simply cash, check or charge. Like everything, the way we pay for things has evolved, and there's a long list of vocabulary words you should be familiar with to prepare for the wave of the future. Learn the lingo of all non-cash payments, so you're not caught off guard when someone asks to pay in Bitcoin or a chip card.

Turn Those Frowns Upside Down

Don't turn a blind eye to disengaged, disgruntled and altogether cranky employees. These Grinch-like folk have the capacity to wreak havoc on a business, and their unhappiness and poor attitude can quickly spread to others. Keep lines of communication open and take the time to get to know your employees. Once you've established trust, you'll be able to learn from the honest feedback as they share thoughts, opinions and challenges.

http://www.manta.com/small-business-tips/turn-those-frowns-upside-down/?su=MT1000503709&utm_medium=Email_Marketing&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_campaign=TOTD&utm_content=TOTD_Send_ReBrand_A

Keep Your Assets Separate

Getting sued is for the birds, and it can leave a nasty stain on your company. So, just like separating your colors and your whites, it's important to separate your cash. If something were to go wrong, you don't want your personal accounts mixed in with those for your business. Keep things nice and tidy, and consider making your business a limited liability company (LLC). Perfect for one-owner businesses, LLCs help prevent anything from tarnishing your finances.

http://www.manta.com/small-business-tips/keep-your-assets-separate-2/?su=MT1000503709&utm_medium=Email_Marketing&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_campaign=TOTD&utm_content=TOTD_BestOf_Rebrand

Monday, January 5, 2015

IRS Head Says Budget Cuts Could Delay Tax Refunds

Budget cuts at the IRS could delay tax refunds, reduce taxpayer services and hurt enforcement efforts, IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said Thursday.
About half the people who call the IRS for assistance this filing season won't be able to get through to a person, Koskinen said. Once tax returns are filed, there will be fewer agents to audit them.
"Everybody's return will get processed," Koskinen told reporters. "But people have gotten very used to being able to file their return and quickly getting a refund. This year we may not have the resources, the people to provide refunds as quickly as we have in the past."
In recent years, the IRS says it was able to issue most tax refunds within 21 days, if the returns were filed electronically. Koskinen wouldn't estimate how long they might be delayed in the upcoming filing season, which is just a few weeks away.
Congress cut the IRS budget by $346 million for the budget year that ends in September 2015. The $10.9 billion budget is $1.2 billion less than the agency received in 2010.
The cuts come as the IRS is starting to play a bigger role in implementing President Barack Obama's health care law. For the first time, taxpayers will have to report on their tax returns whether they have health insurance.
Millions of taxpayers who are receiving tax credits to help pay insurance premiums will have to report them as well.
Some Republicans in Congress have vowed to cut IRS funding as a way to hurt implementation of the health care law. Koskinen has said it won't work.
He said the IRS is required to enforce the law, so other areas will have to be cut, including taxpayer services and enforcement.
Kosinen said the IRS is imposing a hiring freeze, except for emergencies, and is eliminating almost all overtime.
"In some ways, these budget cuts are really a tax cut for tax cheats," Koskinen said. "Because to the extent we have fewer people to audit and enforce the tax code, that means some people cutting corners on their taxes or not complying are going to get away with it, and that is a decision that Congress has made."
The National Treasury Employees Union represents IRS workers. Union President Colleen M. Kelley said waits at IRS walk-in centers will stretch for hours and "correspondence will continue to pile up and taxpayers will wait longer and longer for a response."
"Starving the IRS hurts more than just the agency's workforce, it hurts all taxpayers," Kelley said.
Koskinen called Thursday's news conference to highlight tips for choosing a qualified tax preparer. He said it is important to check preparers' qualifications and work history, confirm their fees and always review the tax return before signing it. He said taxpayers should be wary of preparers who promise big refunds.
The tax filing season generally starts in mid-January, though it has been delayed in recent years because of last-minute tax changes enacted by Congress.
Once again, Congress passed a tax bill this year just before going home for the holidays, extending more than 50 temporary tax breaks that had expired. Koskinen, however, said the filing season would start on time next month, though he said the agency was not yet ready to announce the exact date.
Each year, millions of taxpayers file their returns in the first few weeks of the filing season so they can get fast refunds. This year, refunds averaged about $2,800. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - Are all you tax resolution companies the same?

No, not all tax resolution companies are the same. Many companies assign your case to an enrolled agent or a paralegal instead of to a tax attorney, and then bill you at the rate of an attorney. Here at Tax Resolution Center, Inc., your case is handled in-house by a licensed attorney.

Many tax resolution companies have boiler rooms full of slick-talking salespeople who use aggressive scare tactics to try to coerce you into signing up for their services. We’re not trying to scare you; we will treat you with honesty and respect. We understand the severity of a tax debt liability and will explain it so that you can understand it too.  We listen to your story and offer the best possible solution for your individual case.

We have been in this business 10 years and are the proud holders of an A+ rating with the BBB with zero complaints. When working with the largest collection agency in the world, it’s essential to have informed attorneys on your side. We know how the IRS works. We take over all communication with the IRS and/or State and keep you up to date throughout the entire process of your tax resolution. Plus, we offer this No Risk Guarantee on every contract we prepare:

We are so confident of our ability to resolve your tax issue that if for any reason you are not satisfied with our services within the first two weeks of hiring us, we will refund all fees paid. Also, as an attorney owned and operated company we guarantee you will work directly with one of our attorneys from start to finish.

We are here to help you!