A taxpayer’s basic rights with respect to collection of a tax debt are outlined in two IRS publications. The IRS will routinely ask taxpayers owing a tax debt if they understand their rights outlined in Publications 1 and 594. Publication 1 is appropriately titled Your Rights as a Taxpayer. Those rights include: 1. The Right to Be Informed – Taxpayers…
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UNDERSTAFFING THE IRS HURTS A LOT MORE THAN TAXPAYER SERVICE
“In theory there is no difference between theory and practice, but in practice there is.” Yogi Berra Most of the publicity on Congress’ multi-year punishment program for the IRS focuses on the budget cuts for taxpayer assistance. In theory, with the complexity of the...
FATCA, FBARs, AND THE IRS: THE EROSION OF THE PRINCIPLE OF VOLUNTARY SELF-REPORTING
STEVE MOPSICK'S SPEECH TO SAN FRANCISCO TAX CLUB--JANUARY 14, 2016 This talk could easily have been titled “a look at the IRS in difficult times.” Unfortunately it is not a pretty picture. I want to share some perspectives with you which should make you concerned if...
Tips for Choosing a Tax Professional
It is important to choose your tax professional carefully. The news has been full of headlines over the last couple of years about tax professionals doing wrong, whether it’s the late-night advertisers pitching pennies on the dollar settlements and not delivering, or tax preparers caught preparing large numbers of fraudulent tax returns for their clients, or the payroll services stealing…
Impact of Budget Cuts on IRS
The IRS budget has been cut severely over the past few years. The budget has been reduced every year since 2010. At the same time the IRS is experiencing budget cuts, the IRS is being tasked with an increased workload. Here some observations on a few ways the IRS budget is impacting the way the IRS is currently carrying out…
IRS Tax Liens – The Basics
A federal tax lien arises by operation of law per Internal Revenue Code section 6321 when: 1. a tax assessment is complete; 2. a notice and demand for payment of the assessment is made; and 3. the taxpayer has neglected or refused to pay. The lien attaches to all property, rights to property, and after acquired property. Initially this lien…
Republication of “Concerns About the Taxation of Americans Resident Abroad” by Jacqueline Bugnion
One of the most respected and articulate professional groups in the world fighting for tax justice for Americans Abroad has been American Citizens Abroad. At its head as director for many years, has been Jacqueline Bugnion who recently retired after many years of...
THE FREE LUNCH EMPLOYEE BENEFIT DEBATE: CHANGES AHEAD AT THE GOOGLEPLEX?
By Steven J. Mopsick A hot topic buzzing around Silicon Valley’s tech companies lately is the uncertainty over whether the IRS will tighten the rules regarding free meals some hi-tech companies offer their employees without requiring the value of the meals to be...
IRS Tries to Simplify Filing Dates
The CPA and tax community are celebrating the recent passing of H.R. 3236, the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015, because it has changed the due dates for certain tax and information returns. Affected by the change are...
Steven Mopsick and Ryan Carrere Recognized in Northern California Magazines
Mopsick Tax Law, LLP is pleased to announce the recognition of Steve Mopsick and Ryan Carrere in local magazines. Steven Mopsick was named as one of the top tax attorneys in Sacramento Magazine’s Top Lawyers List 2015. A number of attorneys in Sacramento were given...