Investors with offshore accounts must be familiar with the filing requirements of the FBAR and IRS Form 8938.

FBAR

Any U.S person with offshore accounts that had more than $10,000 in them any time during the year must file Form TD F 90-22.1, the so-called FBAR (Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Account).  A U.S. person includes individuals, partnerships, corporations and estates and trusts.  This form must be received (not postmarked) by the U.S. Treasury Department by June 30, 2012.  There is no extension of time to file this report.  Unlike individual income tax returns, this form can’t be filed electronically.  It must be mailed in.  Failure to file this report on time may result in penalties being assessed. Civil penalties start at $10,000 and go up from there. more…

The misclassification of employees as independent contractors, presents a serious issue for affected employees, employers, and to the economy. Misclassified employees are often denied access to critical benefits and protections such as family and medical leave, overtime, minimum wage and unemployment insurance. Employee misclassification as independent contractors, also generates substantial losses to the Treasury and the Social Security and Medicare funds, as well as to state unemployment insurance and workers compensation funds. more…

Closely Held Businesses looking to negotiate a sale of their business will either do an Asset Sale or a Stock Sale.

Asset Sale

With an asset sale, the buyer is buying the assets of the business. These assets will be identified in the purchase and sale agreement. They may include accounts receivable, inventory and fixed assets including office furniture, machinery and vehicles. Additionally they may include intangible assets like customer lists, work force in place, goodwill and a non-compete agreement. Most buyers would prefer an asset sale as: more…

Due Date

The federal income tax returns are normally due on April 15th. This year, the 15th falls on a Sunday, so the due date should be Monday the 15th. However, Monday the 16th is Emancipation Day so the due date is Tuesday 17th. Some people aren't prepared to file. Others may be waiting for Form K-1's from their investments. Either way, if the return is not filed on time, an extension will need to be filed.

Federal Extension

An extension is filed by completing Form 4868. The extension will allow six months, or until October 15th to file the return. The extension will extend the time to file the return, it does not extend the time to pay the tax. Any tax that is due needs to be paid by April 17. Failure to pay by the due date will result in penalties and interest being assessed. more…

On TLC's What Not to Wear Stacy and Clinton give a 'make over' to some lady that is, well…not dressed so well… Taxpayers that are being audited need to make sure they are putting their best foot forward right at the start of an IRS audit.

Field, Office and Correspondence Audits

The first thing a taxpayer needs to understand is The Difference Between an IRS Field Office and Correspondence Audit. If it is a correspondence audit, it doesn't matter how you are dressed. All of the communication with the IRS will be done through the mail. It appears that more audits will be correspondence audits due to the IRS wanting to allocate its resources. Depending on the situation, this may not be in the taxpayer's best interest. They may actually prefer to meet with the IRS to, "tell their story." You should carefully review your situation with your CPA to see if meeting the auditor would make more sense. more…