Q3 2021 Tax Deadlines for Businesses

Here are some of the key tax-related deadlines affecting businesses and other employers during the third quarter of 2021. Keep in mind that this list isn’t all-inclusive, so there may be additional deadlines that apply to you. Contact us to ensure you’re meeting all applicable deadlines and to learn more about the filing requirements. Monday, August 2 Employers report income tax withholding and FICA taxes for second quarter 2021 (Form 941) and pay any tax due. Employers file a 2020 calendar-year retirement plan report (Form 5500 or Form 5500-EZ) or request an extension. Tuesday, August 10 Employers report income tax withholding and FICA taxes for second quarter 2021 (Form 941), if you deposited all associated taxes that were due in full and on time. Wednesday, September 15 Individuals...

Retiring Soon? 4 Tax Issues You May Face

If you’re getting ready to retire, you’ll soon experience changes in your lifestyle and income sources that may have numerous tax implications. Here’s a brief rundown of four tax and financial issues you may deal with when you retire: Taking required minimum distributions This is the minimum amount you must withdraw from your retirement accounts. You generally must start taking withdrawals from your IRA, SEP, SIMPLE and other retirement plan accounts when you reach age 72 (70½ before January 1, 2020). Roth IRAs don’t require withdrawals until after the death of the owner. You can withdraw more than the minimum required amount. Your withdrawals will be included in your taxable income except for any part that was taxed before or that can be received tax-free (such as qualified distributions...

Business Meal and Vehicle Expense Recordkeeping DOs and DONTs

If you’re claiming deductions for business meals or auto expenses, expect the IRS to closely review them. In some cases, taxpayers have incomplete documentation or try to create records months (or years) later. In doing so, they fail to meet the strict substantiation requirements set forth under tax law. Tax auditors are adept at rooting out inconsistencies, omissions and errors in taxpayers’ records, as illustrated by one recent U.S. Tax Court case. Facts of the case In the case, the taxpayer ran a notary and paralegal business. She deducted business meals and vehicle expenses that she allegedly incurred in connection with her business. The deductions were denied by the IRS and the court. Tax law “establishes higher substantiation requirements” for these and certain other expenses, the court noted....

IRS 2021 Dirty Dozen - Persuading Taxpayers into Unscrupulous Actions

Compiled annually, the “Dirty Dozen” lists a variety of common scams that taxpayers may encounter anytime but many of these schemes peak during filing season as people prepare their returns or hire someone to help with their taxes. This year's "Dirty Dozen" is separated into four separate categories: Pandemic-related scams like Economic Impact Payment theft (See Blog Post 1049) Personal information cons including phishing, ransomware and phone "vishing" (See Blog Post 1050) Ruses focusing on unsuspecting victims like fake charities and senior/immigrant fraud (See Blog Post 1051) Schemes that persuade taxpayers into unscrupulous actions such as Offer In Compromise mills and syndicated conservation easements (This Blog Post) The Internal Revenue Service, in IR 2021-144, concluded the "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams with a warning to taxpayers...

IRS 2021 Dirty Dozen - Preying on Unsuspecting Victims

Compiled annually, the “Dirty Dozen” lists a variety of common scams that taxpayers may encounter anytime but many of these schemes peak during filing season as people prepare their returns or hire someone to help with their taxes. This year's "Dirty Dozen" is separated into four separate categories: Pandemic-related scams like Economic Impact Payment theft (See Blog Post 1049) Personal information cons including phishing, ransomware and phone "vishing" (See Blog Post 1050) Ruses focusing on unsuspecting victims like fake charities and senior/immigrant fraud (This Blog Post) Schemes that persuade taxpayers into unscrupulous actions such as Offer In Compromise mills and syndicated conservation easements (See Blog Post 1052) The Internal Revenue Service, via IR 2021-141, continued its "Dirty Dozen" tax scams with a warning for people to watch...

IRS 2021 Dirty Dozen - Personal Information Cons

Compiled annually, the “Dirty Dozen” lists a variety of common scams that taxpayers may encounter anytime but many of these schemes peak during filing season as people prepare their returns or hire someone to help with their taxes. This year's "Dirty Dozen" is separated into four separate categories: Pandemic-related scams like Economic Impact Payment theft (See Blog Post 1049) Personal information cons including phishing, ransomware and phone "vishing" (This Blog Post) Ruses focusing on unsuspecting victims like fake charities and senior/immigrant fraud (See Blog Post 1051) Schemes that persuade taxpayers into unscrupulous actions such as Offer In Compromise mills and syndicated conservation easements (See Blog Post 1052) The Internal Revenue Service, via IR 2021-137, continues its "Dirty Dozen" scam series with a warning to taxpayers to watch...

IRS 2021 Dirty Dozen - Pandemic Related Scams

Compiled annually, the “Dirty Dozen” lists a variety of common scams that taxpayers may encounter anytime but many of these schemes peak during filing season as people prepare their returns or hire someone to help with their taxes. This year's "Dirty Dozen" will be separated into four separate categories: Pandemic-related scams like Economic Impact Payment theft (This Blog Post) Personal information cons including phishing, ransomware and phone "vishing" (See Blog Post 1050) Ruses focusing on unsuspecting victims like fake charities and senior/immigrant fraud (See Blog Post 1051) Schemes that persuade taxpayers into unscrupulous actions such as Offer In Compromise mills and syndicated conservation easements (See Blog Post 1052) Economic Impact Payment theft A continuing threat to individuals is from identity thieves who try to steal Economic Impact Payments...

IRS Announces Dirty Dozen Scams for 2021

Compiled annually, the “Dirty Dozen” lists a variety of common scams that taxpayers may encounter anytime but many of these schemes peak during filing season as people prepare their returns or hire someone to help with their taxes. On 6/28/21 the Internal Revenue Service, via IR 2021-135, began its "Dirty Dozen" list for 2021 with a warning for taxpayers, tax professionals and financial institutions to be on the lookout for these 12 nefarious schemes and scams. This year's "Dirty Dozen" will be separated into four separate categories: Pandemic-related scams like Economic Impact Payment theft (See Blog Post 1049) Personal information cons including phishing, ransomware and phone "vishing" (See Blog Post 1050) Ruses focusing on unsuspecting victims like fake charities and senior/immigrant fraud (See Blog Post 1051) Schemes...

Preventing Ransomware Attacks on Manufacturers

The world’s largest meat production company was recently sidelined by a ransomware attack. The hack forced the company to temporarily shutter plants in the United States, Canada and Australia, affecting the U.S. meat supply and even hurting commodity prices. If it seems like cybercriminals often target manufacturing (including food processing) and distribution companies, that’s because they do. According to software company Varonis, manufacturers account for nearly a quarter of all ransomware attacks — more than any other industry. To prevent your company from becoming another statistic, learn about security breaches and protect your network.  A high price It’s only natural that manufacturers fear data breaches — and unfortunately hackers often can use that fear to cripple organizations through ransomware. This type of malware is installed on a computer...

Fraudsters Prefer Cash Because it's Virtually Untraceable

Fraud perpetrators take whatever they can get their hands on. But fraudsters prefer cash because it’s virtually untraceable. Fortunately, fraud experts have the expertise and tools to trace even cash-based theft. Multiple opportunities According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, there are three main categories of cash fraud, which includes checks because they’re easily converted to cash: theft of cash on hand, theft of cash receipts, and fraudulent disbursements. Fraudulent disbursements comprise many of the most frequently executed schemes, such as over-billing and “ghost” employee schemes. Over-billing vendors usually submit inflated invoices by overstating the price per unit or the quantity delivered. A dishonest vendor also might submit a legitimate invoice several times. Over-billing may involve collusion with employees of the victim organization, who typically receive kickbacks for...