Tax Help Associates, Inc.

10/09/2025

FYI- I got through to ACS this AM October 9th. No hold at 8am and negotiated on two cases. I used the PPL menu to get to ACS. It was the regular system.

When I called ACS directly 800.829.7650-it was a new voice-driven menu. I stopped when I got the "enter your SSN" as I was just poking the bear... but I got the regular PPL menu this AM.

08/20/2025

Reduction of IRS Staff-how does it matter to you??

The IRS has seen a mass reduction in staff, during a period of “knowledge needed” to handle the BBB. Will this staffing issue harm the Joe Taxpayer? What about next tax season-will it be delayed?

The IRS has seen a mass reduction in staff, during a period of “knowledge needed” to handle the BBB. Will this staffing issue harm the Joe Taxpayer? What abo...

08/20/2025

IRS Offer in Compromise. Does the IRS really offer a “Fresh Start”????
The IRS Offer in Compromise (OIC) Program is not for everyone. Regardless of what the SCAMS tell you in their ads. The OIC is a long process of negotiation of your current (and future) ability to pay the debt. There is help!

The IRS Offer in Compromise (OIC) Program is not for everyone. Regardless of what the SCAMS tell you in their ads. The OIC is a long process of negotiation o...

08/20/2025

IRS Online Installment Agreement? Could this REALLY be???

Does the IRS Really allow a common person to set up an online Installment Agreement???? You need to set up an IRS online account first-but then what?

08/20/2025

IRS Online Account Advantages-why would you ever set one up???

The IRS.gov site has a great tool for any US Taxpayer-the ability to see all the income declared on your SSN for the last 10 years, the last 3 years of tax return data for yourself and how much you owe currently, any events or payments on any of your tax years! Set up an IRS online account for you and your spouse.

08/20/2025

What is the IRS 10 Year Collection Statute??? The Mystery of how the CSED starts...

08/13/2025

One of my Tax Webinar attendees sent me this picture last evening. I was doing an Innocent Spouse class for John Sheeley EA’s Tax Practice Pro.
Tonight is a class on Signing New Representation clients with California CSEA (so 9-11pm my time). Thursday is Tax Practice Pro again for IRS Collections Financial Analysis…busy busy busy.

07/03/2025

One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3):

Tips-the Server declares all income and pays Social Security/Medicare taxes (as usual) on all income. When they have their taxes prepared, they are allowed a deduction from taxable income (after Adjusted gross income "below the line") of up to $25k of income that was from customary tipping occupations. Limitations start at $150k/$300k-joint AGI.
OT-the employee declares all income and pays Social Security/Medicare taxes (as usual) on all income. When they have their taxes prepared, they are allowed a deduction from taxable income (after Adjusted gross income "below the line") of up to $12,500 of income ($25k on joint return) that was from Qualified OT compensation. This income is only the Differential Rate income (just the "half" of "time and half"-not the entire hourly rate). Limitations start at $150k/$300k-joint AGI.

Social Security-Social Security Income is taxed as usual on a return! The Personal Exemption is increased by $6,000 for each person over the age of 65. Limitations start at $75,000 ($150k for Joint). The $6k does not appear to apply to Disability Income, just over 65 Seniors.

06/19/2025

I had a great time with my new friends at Latino Tax Fest!!!! I spoke in front an amazing crowd of 1,000 attendees (a new record for me).
I spoke on Rep topics Penalty Abatement and How to fill in a POA/IA's and Reading Account Transcripts.
They verbally already asked me to speak next year!

06/06/2025

When you owe the IRS, things "feel" bad:

My Winners Club post for today:
You could have been living for much monger with this burden. Think of how the turtle or the bird, or cat or a dog thinks of you-they don't judge, they just LOVE. The forest doesn't judge you-it loves you. Close your eyes and feel the world around you. You are perfect in that world. Smile-you deserve theTrue Love. Push away from the center of your brain and expand out the smile. You own the smile and the light that is your new power. You can always tap into this power, when you close your eyes.
No one should have YOUR power. They took it away when you were thinking they respected you. Now you know better and have taken your power back!

05/27/2025

I am speaking at the Latino Tax Fest in Vegas 6/16-6/18. Anyone else in Vegas that week?

JOIN US JUNE 16 – 19, 2025! MGM GRAND HOTEL & CASINO – LAS VEGAS, NV TAX EDUCATION • NETWORKING • GROWTH REGISTER […]

04/21/2025

2025 IRS Financial Collection Standards released:
Substantial increases to Food & Clothing!

Food/Clothing one person is up $31 (that doesn’t seem like much but considering we have seen $2 and $5 decreases over the years-the fact they went up is a “win.”
Food/clothing Family of Four- up $102 to $2,129.

Housing: My county went up $8/month for each “family of” 1/2/3/4 persons and $9/month for “5 or more family members”

Public Transportation up by $29 to $244. One Car up $43 to $662!

Out of Pocket Medical only up $1 to $84/month. 65 and older REDUCED by $9/month to $149/month!