Tax Trap #5 -- Ignoring The IRS (and the 5 best ways to contact them!)
We all love to criticize the IRS, don't we? And I'm just as guilty as anyone. It's easy to ridicule a huge organization of government bureaucrats who often seem to be Public Enemy #1.
Our negative attitude toward the IRS can lead to a strong desire to just ignore it altogether. But self-employed people who ignore the IRS do so at their own peril.
So when it comes to providing free information about taxes, let's not throw the baby out with the bath water. The IRS does provide some excellent resources to help us make the best of a potentially bad situation.
If you need tax assistance and prefer not to pay for it, do not overlook these five ways to obtain help from the IRS:
1. The Internet
http://www.irs.gov
There's a wealth of information just for small business owners and self-employed people at: http://www.irs.gov/smallbiz
Here you'll find everything from how to obtain a federal business tax ID to a free 6-session streaming video presentation of the "IRS Small Business Workshop." Also known as the Small Business Self-Employed Online Classroom, you can access this directly at: www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=97726,00_business_personal_taxes.php
If you prefer to attend an IRS small business workshop in person, check here to see what's available in your state: www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99202,00_business_personal_taxes.php
Need tax forms and/or their instructions? Look no further than the IRS website: http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index_business_personal_taxes.php
Here you'll find a boatload of links to every tax form imaginable, available as downloadable PDF files or in fill-in format. All form instructions can also be downloaded.
http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/lists/0,,id=97817,00_business_personal_taxes.php
The IRS has many free publications that explain virtually every major (and many minor) tax topics in great detail. Sure, IRS "pubs" are not always written in the most entertaining style, but, hey, remember the price. http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/lists/0,,id=97819,00_business_personal_taxes.php
2. Telephone Hotlines.
Special toll-free numbers exist for the following:
-- To order forms & pubs: 800-829-3676 (in case you'd like to receive a paper copy via snail-mail)
-- To ask business tax questions: 800-829-4933
-- To ask personal tax questions: 800-829-1040 Use common sense when phoning the IRS: to avoid long wait times, don't call on Monday morning. And no matter when you call, be prepared! Write out your questions beforehand and have all relevant documentation in front of you, as well as a favorite book or magazine to read during the inevitable wait time. Stay calm; don't yell; treat the IRS employee like a human being and he/she will likely return the favor.
-- Need help with long-standing problems: 877-777-4778
-- Prerecorded messages on 140 topics: 800-829-4477
3. TaxFax Service.
You can receive most IRS forms instructions via fax by calling 703-368-9694 from your fax machine.
4. CD-ROM for Small Business.
This is known as "The Small Business Resource Guide CD-ROM", aka Publication 3207. It includes all the tax forms and publications needed to run a small business. Call 800-829-3676 to request a free copy.
5. Walk-In Offices.
Need some face-to-face tax help? For a complete list of IRS offices in all 50 states, including hours of operation and contact info, check out: http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts
Wayne M. Davies is author of 3 tax-slashing eBooks for the self-employed, available separately or as a 3-volume set, "The Ultimate Small Business Tax Reduction Guide". http://www.YouSaveOnTaxes.com/ultimate-guide
To get your free copy of Wayne's 25-page report, "How To Instantly Double Your Deductions" visit: http://www.YouSaveOnTaxes.com
Warning: include(inc/ads-body.inc) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/accounta/public_html/10324_business_personal_taxes.php on line 108
Warning: include(inc/ads-body.inc) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/accounta/public_html/10324_business_personal_taxes.php on line 108
Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'inc/ads-body.inc' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/accounta/public_html/10324_business_personal_taxes.php on line 108
MORE RESOURCES:
 Financial Post | Tax shelters unearthed Vancouver Sun For the world's major economies it's open season on tax havens and the clients who flock to them. ... Roseman: Nine years later, taxman offers apology, refund This could be the year for a nice, big refund from Ottawa |
Washington lawmakers offer new tax-hike packages Seattle Times The Legislature's tax negotiations picked up speed Friday, with House and Senate officials offering competing plans to raise roughly $800 million toward ... Gregoire tax compromise avoids sales tax State House votes to boost cigarette taxes by $1 a pack Washington senators approve tax increases |
Ottawa to collect unpaid fines via tax bills CBC.ca Starting in May, the city will have the power to tag unpaid municipal and provincial fines onto property tax bills. The legislative change allows ... |
The tax man cometh National Post The Ontario government is introducing the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). The existing Provincial Sales Tax and federal Goods and Services Tax will be combined ... Sales Tax Harmonization reduces your bottom line? With her dying breath, this letter writer will be paying the taxman |
 Moneywise Magazine | Taxes frozen as Government warms up for the election WalesOnline ACCORDING to tax manager Kate Moore of ktsowensthom- as, while spring may be on the horizon, the Government is still frozen and not much movement is ... Budget 2010: Tax has doubled under Labour Against a value-added tax F&C: Increase VAT not income tax |
 National Post | Health Plan Means Bigger Deficits and Higher Taxes The Gouverneur Times And that, as the CBO has said, means deficits around 5 percent of GDP as far as the eye can see — or higher taxes. Pelosi and other Democrats have been ... Democrats Move Toward Vote on Health Bill With New Taxes, Fees How Does It Cost $940 Billion—and Cut Deficit? Obama rallies support for bill |
Mayors fear province will create new tax for TransLink Globe and Mail Mr. Trasolini said provincial representatives have been saying for years that they believed the region could put more into transit costs from property taxes ... Bond, mayors head talk TransLink |
 NY1 | Figuring out college tax breaks: American Opportunity Credit USA Today Lawmakers, eager to show their enthusiasm for higher education, have enacted numerous tax credits and deductions to help families defray college costs. ... Daw: Americans in Canada eligible for US tax refunds Tax Assistance for Low Income and Elderly Tax help available in Lincoln March 27 |
 CBC.ca | 4.5% property tax hike proposed for Regina CBC.ca (CBC) The City of Regina portion of property taxes could go up 4.5 per cent, a budget proposal released Friday says. That's the amount the city says it ... Regina residents facing biggest tax hike since Mayor Pat Fiacco took office |
 CBC.ca | MP3 tax bill opposed by Conservatives CBC.ca (CBC) Conservatives voiced their opposition Wednesday to a private member's bill that would add a tax to MP3 players and extend users' rights to make copies ... Don't tax iPods Canadian MP: Tax media devices to pay for copyright infringement NDP's Angus unveils copyright bill |
Know A Tax Cheat? Get Paid To Tell The IRS
According to the IRS, taxpayers underpay their taxes by some $300 billion. If you know someone that is contributing to that deficit, the IRS may be willing to pay you up to $10 million for the information you provide.
Amending Procedural Laws for Collection of E-taxation
The electronic transaction ordinance defines the certificated copies in which are to be presented for adjudication. Where any law requires or permits the production of certified copies of any records, such requirement or permission shall extend to print outs or other forms of display of electronic documents where, in addition to fulfillment of the requirements as may be specified in such law relating to certification, it is verified in the manner laid down by the appropriate authority.
Highlights of IRS List of 2005 Tax Scams
Each year, the IRS lists various scams taxpayers get caught up in. The top 2005 scams include several that manipulate laws governing charitable groups, abuse credit counseling services or rely on refuted arguments to claim tax exemptions.
Slash Tax when Buying a Business
When buying a business, how the "purchase price" is made up can affect what you pay in tax. The plan is to make as much of the price tax deductible for you and not the other party.
Render Unto Caesar
Once a year Canadian taxpayers are required, by law, to file an income tax return in the prescribed form: $150(1).For individuals: $150(1)(d) ITA, they must do so by April 30 of the following year, provided that they owe any taxes or if they are served with a requirement to file: $150(2) ITA.
Surprising Truths About Tax Preparers
Choosing the right tax preparer for your business is a decision best not left until April. A former tax preparer and small business mastermind offers insights into the secret world of tax preparers.
Navigating The Internet Sales Tax Laws
QUESTION: I have been contacted by my local city government to say that my business is scheduled to be audited to determine if I owe any sales tax from items purchased on the Internet. Can they really make me pay this tax? I thought you could buy things online tax free? -- Katie R.
Tax Records - What You Should Keep And For How Long
Many taxpayers are confused about how long they should keep tax records. The term "tax records" refers to your tax returns and the documents that support the information in the returns.
Car Donation: An Easy Way to Support Your Favorite Charity and Get a Tax Deduction
Most people look forward to getting their tax return, but one of the downsides to filing taxes is that you may find yourself owing the taxman come April 15. What do you do when you realize that you not only owe money, but you owe more than you can pay at the time?The answer is: charitable deductions.
Corporations Failing To Claim AMT Exemption Overpay Taxes By $11,000
Does your incorporated business pay alternative minimum tax ["AMT]? If so, there is a 93% chance you have been overpaying your taxes by an average of $11,000 a year according to the Treasury Inspector General.The Office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration was created in 1999 to oversee the IRS.
Getting A Second Extension to File 2004 Taxes
Millions of people file tax return extensions every year. The tax filing deadlines can rush up on your quickly.
Estate Taxes - It Pays to Plan Ahead
Estate taxes. It's not enough to simply know they exist, and to know strategies to minimize them.
What to Do If You Can't Pay Your Taxes
The end of tax filing extensions is quickly approaching. What do you do if you can't pay the amounts you owe? You should still file your return by the due date and pay as much as you can.
2005 Ford Escape Hybrid Certified For Clean-Fuel Deduction
If you are environmentally conscious and purchase a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid vehicle that combines a gasoline-powered engine with alternative power methods, you are in line for a nice tax deduction.Ostensibly, the government uses clean power tax deductions as a method to promote the use of vehicles that are less harmful to the environment.
Taxation of Isle of Man Companies from April 2006
At the present time a company incorporated in the Isle of Man, owned by non-residents and which complies with the other statutory requirements, is not liable to Isle of Man taxation. Whilst locally trading companies pay tax at 18%, a qualifying offshore company pays a flat annual tax of £475 or £1,000.
Tax Tips to Save Money on Taxes - Get the Corporate Kick and Save Loads of Money
Why a Corporation Helps Save You TaxesThe Tax Rates (Notice anything unusual?):The following tables provide a list of the tax rates for individuals and corporations:Personal: $0-$24,650 15% $24,651-$59,750 28% $59, 750-$124,650 31% $124,651-$271,050 36% $271,050+ 39.6%Tax SecretsCorporate: 0-$50,000 15% $50,001-$75,000 25% $75,001-100,000 34% $100,001-$335,000 39% $335-000-$10M 34%If you examine them closely, you will see at least one glaring contrast.
Correspondence From The IRS - Yikes!
It's a moment every person dreads. You pick up the mail and there is an envelope from the IRS.
Deducting Points On Home Refinances
Deduction of Refinance PointsAny points that you pay in the refinancing of your residence are tax deductible over the length of the loan in question. The deduction is allowable only if the residence is your primary home and the new mortgage replaces a previous one and/or is used to improve the residence.
Gambling Income and Expenses - Tax Requirements
Hit a big one? With more and more gambling establishments, keep in mind the IRS requires people to report all gambling winnings as income on their tax return.Gambling income includes, but is not limited to, winnings from lotteries, raffles, horse and dog races and casinos.
Some Folks Pay A Lot Less Tax Than Others On Very Same Income-Did You Pay Too Much Tax In 2004?
Someone once remarked, "Next to being shot at and missed, nothing is quite so satisfying as an income tax refund." There's no question that saving money in taxes is high on everybody's list of financial priorities, especially small-business owners.