Those who face serious tax disputes can benefit from the use of administrative options. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers various administrative options, including the ability to file an appeal with the Office of Appeals. This option is available for almost...
Finding Real Life Solutions To Your Tax Problem
Attorney Robert T. Leonard
Los Angeles Tax Law Blog
Part 2: How can I resolve a potential IRS payroll tax problem?
Payroll tax problems are not uncommon. Businesses can find themselves short on cash and unable to pay their tax obligations for any number of reasons. Business owners and partners may hope to have funds available by the time the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reaches...
Part 1: What do I need to know about the IRS Trust Fund Recovery Penalty?
The Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP) is a penalty the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can use against business owners to recoup unpaid payroll taxes like federal income taxes, Social Security and Medicare taxes. Who can the IRS hold liable for these funds? This tool...
How can I protect my rights during an IRS tax audit?
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) just got some major funding, and a large portion is earmarked for enforcement. This will likely translate to an increase in audit rates. When this increase will occur is not yet known, but the prospect of a jump in the audit rate...
Going up against the IRS, Part 2: What can I do other than appeal the results of an audit?
Although an appeal is one of the more commonly known options when going against the findings of an audit, there are alternatives. These can often include a petition before the Tax Court, offer in compromise, installment agreement, or bankruptcy. Option #1: Tax Court...
Going up against the IRS, Part 1: What if I disagree with the results of an audit?
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may have flagged your account for an audit through a computer screening, another related examination, or a random selection. Whatever the reason for the attention to your account, the fact that the IRS is giving it a closer look is...
Is a written agreement enough to classify a worker as a contractor?
A written contract signed by both parties clearly stating the worker is an independent contractor should suffice to classify that worker as a contractor and not an employee, right? It seems like a reasonable conclusion. Afterall, both parties agreed to this...
Is there a time limit for the IRS collecting overdue taxes?
For many people with back taxes due, an important consideration is the time limit. With a simple online search, people can discover that generally the IRS has 10 years to collect back taxes from the time the initial tax liabilities were assessed. However, most people...
If you act in good faith then you are not committing tax fraud or tax evasion even if you are wrong and a liability results
“But I’m not a criminal?” “I didn’t mean to deceive the IRS.” “I just didn’t understand the relevant tax laws.” These statements and many others like them are uttered to the IRS every year. And in many cases, these statements are true. It is extremely common for...
Can the IRS pursue me individually for my company’s payroll tax debt?
One of the most important benefits of a corporate structure is that it tends to shield the individuals involved with running the company from exposure to lawsuits and other legal problems. A Limited Liability Company (LLC), for example, limits liability – that is the...