The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sounded the alarm about a new phishing scam in which cybercriminals are sending out fraudulent emails impersonating the IRS, claiming the attachments are tax transcripts, to fool recipients into clicking on and opening files containing malware that could infect their computers. The scam email bears an attachment labeled “Tax Account Transcript” or something similar and the subject line uses some variation of the phrase “tax transcript”. If you receive an email like this, do not open the email or the attachment. If you are using a work computer and you do open it, notify your company’s technology professionals as soon as possible. This malware is problematic for businesses, as the malware could Read More...
Archives for January 2019
Estimated Tax Penalty Waived
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced last Wednesday that it is waiving the estimated tax penalty for many taxpayers whose 2018 federal income tax withholding and estimated tax payments fell short of their total tax liability for the year. The IRS is generally waiving the penalty for any taxpayer who paid at least 85 percent of their total tax liability during the year through federal income tax withholding, quarterly estimated tax payments or a combination of the two. The usual percentage threshold is 90 percent to avoid a penalty. This relief is designed to help taxpayers who were unable to properly adjust their withholding and estimated tax payments to reflect an array of changes under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), the Read More...
Who has to Send in Form 1099-MISC
We are Business Consultants At Christianson, we want to ensure that you are protected from liabilities with the IRS by giving you all the information you need to run your business in a legal and efficient manner. We want to help your business succeed! Today's tip is in relation to Form 1099-MISC and who is required to submit the form to the IRS. If, as part of your trade or business, you made any of the following types of payments of $600 or more to an unincorporated independent contractor, you will need to file Form 1099-MISC. Services performed Professional fees paid to attorneys, accountants, engineers, directors, speakers, etc Attorneys receive a Form 1099-MISC even if they are incorporated Installation Read More...
Can I Still File Taxes Despite the Government Shutdown?
In an effort to keep all of our clients aware of variables that may impact them, we want to update you with information as it becomes available. As of January 7th, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has stated that tax returns will be processed beginning January 28, 2019 and taxpayers will be provided refunds as scheduled (despite the government shutdown). “We are committed to ensuring that taxpayers receive their refunds notwithstanding the government shutdown. I appreciate the hard work of the employees and their commitment to the taxpayers during this period,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. The IRS will be recalling a significant portion of its workforce, currently furloughed as part of the government shutdown, Read More...
Increase for the Child Tax Credit
Beginning with 2018 tax returns, families will be able to get more money under the newly revised Child Tax Credit. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) (the tax reform legislation passed in December 2017) doubled the maximum Child Tax Credit, boosted income limits to be able to claim the credit, and revised the identification number requirement for 2018 and subsequent years. The new law also created a second smaller credit of up to $500 per dependent aimed at taxpayers supporting older children and other relatives who do not qualify for the Child Tax Credit. Higher income limits mean more families are now eligible for the Child Tax Credit. The credit begins to phase out at $200,000 of modified adjusted gross income, or $400,000 for married Read More...