Monday, March 14, 2016

Consumer Alert: Scammers change tactics, once again impersonating IRS agents

Aggressive and threatening phone calls by criminals impersonating IRS agents remain a major threat to taxpayers, but now the IRS is receiving new reports of scammers calling under the guise of verifying tax return information over the phone. The scam tries to get you to give up personal information such as a Social Security number or personal financial information, such as bank numbers or credit cards. The IRS wants to remind taxpayers to guard against all sorts of con games that continually change. 

Friday, March 11, 2016

Tax Refunds are about to expire

More than a million Americans stand to lose $950 million in unclaimed tax refunds for 2012 if they don’t file a federal income tax return by this year’s April tax deadline. Any funds that are not claimed will go to the U.S. Treasury.
The median potential refund is $718, according to the IRS.
"A surprising number of people across the country overlook claiming tax refunds each year. But the clock is ticking for taxpayers who didn’t file a 2012 federal income tax return, leaving nearly $1 billion in refunds unclaimed," said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen in a statement. "We especially encourage students and others who didn't earn much money to look into this situation because they may still be entitled to a refund. Don't forget, there’s no penalty for filing a late return if you’re due a refund.”

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

March 15 Due Dates/Deadlines

March 15Employers - Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments in February.
Employers - Nonpayroll withholding. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments in February.
Corporations - File a 2015 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120) and pay any tax due. If you want an automatic 6-month extension of time to file the return, file Form 7004 and deposit what you estimate you owe.
S Corporations - File a 2015 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120S) and pay any tax due. Provide each shareholder with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1120S), Shareholder's Share of Income, Credits, Deductions, etc., or a substitute Schedule K-1. If you want an automatic 6-month extension of time to file the return, file Form 7004 and deposit what you estimate you owe.
Partnerships - File a 2015 calendar year return (Form 1065). Provide each partner with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065), Partner's Share of Income, Credits, Deductions, etc., or a substitute Schedule K-1. If you want an automatic 5-month extension of time to file the return and provide Schedule K-1 or a substitute Schedule K-1, file Form 7004. Then file Form 1065 by August 15.
Electing large partnerships - Provide each partner with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065-B), Partner's Share of Income (Loss) From an Electing Large Partnership. The due date applies even if the partnership requests an extension of time to file the Form 1065-B by filing Form 7004.
S corporation election - File Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation, to choose to be treated as an S corporation beginning with calendar year 2016. If Form 2553 is filed late, S treatment will begin with calendar year 2016.