For most people, the holiday season is officially over. This means it’s time to take down the tree, take Christmas cards off the mantle and face the reality of overspending. It also means that tax season is poised to begin. For some people it means that a refund is in store. For others, it is the trepidation of owing Uncle Sam money.
Regardless of your sentiments towards tax season, one thing is certain: change.
This post will highlight a few of the changes to be expected this tax season.
Security measures – Thanks to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, W-2 statements are required to be filed with the Social Security Administration before January 31. This is a measure meant to cut down on identity theft, and give the IRS a better chance to review returns and prevent improper payments to those using stolen identities.
IRS Future State – Taxpayers who are leery of communicating online with the IRS would not be required to do so. Indeed, communicating through chat rooms where you cannot readily identify the person raises some concerns with the advent of “catfishing.” Also, with the needs of taxpayers becoming more complex and the IRS becoming more remote, the method of engagement must improve.
Indeed, dealing with the IRS can have its challenges, and the specter of owing money to the government can be scary; especially when you receive notices about liens, penalties and other financial maladies. However, a consultation with an experienced tax attorney can allay your fears.