There is one important question to ask when evaluating whether settlement proceeds compensating for sexual abuse are subject to individual income tax: did a physical injury or sickness occur? If the answer to that question is yes, then there is a good chance at least of portion of those proceeds are excludible. In 1996, Congress [...]
In certain instances, the IRS can issue a jeopardy levy to seize available assets without the taxpayer’s knowledge. The IRS does not use this form of enforced collection action often but, when the IRS uses it, the consequences can be devastating. In most instances, prior to proceeding with levy action, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [...]
A key factor for most taxpayers negotiating a payment plan or a compromise with either the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or Minnesota Department of Revenue (MDR) is calculating their ability to make monthly payments. The taxpayer may want to use his or her current income while the IRS or the MDR may insist on using [...]
Waiting until the last minute is nearly always a bad strategy. This is certainly true in tax preparation, whether it is preparing an original or amended tax return. For taxpayers seeking a refund from an amended return, in particular, there are potentially very serious problems for those who wait until the last minute to file. [...]
This is the fifth post in the Frequently Asked Tax Questions in Family Law Cases series. This series is intended to answer questions family attorneys frequently ask us regarding tax issues. Question: Husband is awarded the shares of the family corporation and the parties agree that Wife will take her Mercedes, which is owned by [...]
This is the fourth post in the Frequently Asked Tax Questions in Family Law Cases series. This series is intended to answer questions family attorneys frequently ask us regarding tax issues. Question: A dependent spouse needs significantly more spousal support for a year or two prior to being able to return to work full time, [...]
This is the second post in the Frequently Asked Tax Questions in Family Law Cases series. This series is intended to answer questions family attorneys frequently ask us regarding tax issues. Question: A party cannot pay an entire debt, but tries to do what is right and pays a portion, per the terms of an [...]
A tax lien is a mechanism that both the IRS and the MDR use to secure their interest in taxpayers’ personal and real property. To get more information regarding tax liens and the corresponding Notice of Filing of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) and Lien Notice that the IRS and MDR file, please refer to our [...]
Lately, we have seen local banks informing taxpayers that if a federal tax lien is filed, the bank cannot proceed with a refinancing of the taxpayer’s home because the bank’s underwriting department will not approve the loan. The existence of the tax lien is the only thing preventing the refinancing. This may be an anomaly. [...]
In 1970, Congress passed the Bank Secrecy Act. The purpose of that Act was to combat money laundering. It granted broad authority to the Internal Revenue Service to enforce the Act. This meant the implementation of the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). The FBAR was the IRS’s attempt to ensure the maintenance [...]