DCS-Datatax, 9800 S. La Cienega Boulevard , Suite 200/15, Inglewood, CA (2026)

12/31/2024

Tax-related Gift Card Scams During the Holidays – Did You Know?

The holiday season can bring a lot of joy, but unfortunately, it also brings a new wave of scammers trying to cheat Americans out of their hard-earned money. Many scammers impersonate the IRS or other government agencies and demand payment in gift cards.

In one common version of the scam, a caller posing as an IRS agent threatens a person with tax and/or criminal penalties if the person does not immediately pay off a fictitious tax debt. The scammer may also send threatening text, email or voice messages with a callback number. Ultimately, the scammer demands that the person make payment by purchasing gift cards and sharing the card numbers and PINs.

If you get a call or message from anyone demanding payment in gift cards, hang up or do not reply. The IRS will never call a taxpayer to demand payment in gift cards, prepaid debit cards or wire transfers. If you have legitimate concerns about your tax situation, including back taxes you may owe, a tax professional can help you handle the problem in a safe, secure way.

12/23/2024

'Tis the Season to Prepare for Tax Time – Start Assembling Important Documents Now

With a New Year fast approaching, tax filing season cannot be far behind. Taking a few simple steps to prepare over the next several weeks can significantly reduce stress when you complete your return. First, make sure you have important records readily at hand, like last year's return and receipts for deductible expenses or donations. Second, keep your eyes out for year-end income statements in January and early February. These documents may include:

- W-2 forms from employers
- Forms 1099-NEC and/or 1099-MISC showing your income from sources like rents, self-employment activities (such as gig work) and royalties
- Forms 1099-INT and 1099-DIV showing interest, dividends and other investment income

If you accept payments for goods or services through a payment app or online payment platform, you might also receive Form 1099-K showing that income. The filing threshold for these forms was lowered for 2024, so you may receive one even if you never have in the past.

Other important forms you might receive include Forms 1095-A (Health Insurance Marketplace Statement) and 1098-T (Tuition Statement). Also remember that you must answer questions about your involvement with digital assets like crypto on your tax return, and report any resulting income. Make sure you have complete records of all your 2024 digital asset transactions, so you can meet these reporting requirements. A tax professional can help you organize your records, and help you file your return electronically to get your refund as quickly as possible.

12/16/2024

Retirement Plan Distributions Deadline - Did You Know?

The IRS recently issued a reminder that many seniors must take mandatory withdrawals, known as required minimum distributions (RMDs), from their retirement accounts by December 31. In general, people of age 73 or older must take annual RMDs from their traditional IRAs or IRA-based workplace plans, such as SIMPLE IRAs, even if they are still working. Similar RMD rules apply for many other workplace retirement plans like 401(k) and 403(b) accounts. However, people who have not yet retired can defer RMDs for some of these accounts, as long as they do not own more than 5% of the company. Designated Roth accounts within workplace retirement plans are generally not subject to RMD rules.

Your retirement account administrator should inform you of your RMD amount, which is based on your account balance and current age. In general, RMDs count as taxable income. Failure to take an RMD by the deadline may trigger a tax penalty of up to 25% of the required withdrawal amount.

The standard deadline to take RMDs is December 31, but if you turned 73 in 2024, you will typically have until April 1, 2025 to take your first RMD. Just keep in mind that you will then need to take your second RMD by December 31, 2025. A tax professional can help you determine how the various RMD rules apply to your accounts, and plan for any tax impacts of the withdrawals.

12/10/2024

Healthcare Open Enrollment Deadline on December 15

This week is the last week to register for the HealthCare.gov open enrollment period with the deadline being Sunday, December 15th, 2024. Once the Open Enrollment period is over, you will only be able to enroll if there's a qualifying life event for the Special Enrollment Period.

Enrollment can be done at https://healthcare.gov, and a simple checklist of documents you'll need can be found here: https://marketplace.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/marketplace-application-checklist.pdf.

12/03/2024

Giving Tuesday and Charitable Donations - Did You Know?

Giving Tuesday is an annual event that highlights charitable giving after Thanksgiving.

If you are considering charitable donations, you may be able to donate to a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) every two or three years instead of every year. This may qualify you to receive tax benefits now, allow the amount to grow tax-free, and the decision on which qualified charity to fund can be made later.

If you are 70.5 years or older, you may also be able to make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA this year. QCDs may allow the donation to be deducted from your income. A tax advisor can help you structure your charitable giving.

The IRS has released a tool to make it easier to get information about qualified charitable organizations. The Exempt Organizations Select Check tool can be found at: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/tax-exempt-organization-search.

11/27/2024

Tax Credit for Businesses That Provide Childcare for Employees – Did You Know?

Businesses that offer childcare services to employees may qualify for the Employer-Provided Childcare Tax Credit for some of the expenses involved. Eligible costs may include acquisition or construction of a childcare facility, ongoing expenses to run an in-house daycare center, and/or referral costs like contracting with an outside childcare facility or service.

This nonrefundable credit may cover up to 25% of qualifying workplace childcare facility costs, or 10% of costs for an outside service, up to a maximum of $150,000. Eligible businesses may claim the credit as part of the General Business Credit, meaning that any excess credit amount may be carried back one year or forward up to 20 years. A business tax professional can help you determine whether your enterprise qualifies for the Employer-Provided Childcare Tax Credit, and if so, help you get the maximum benefit from the credit.

11/18/2024

Use Savings Bonds to Pay for College and Get a Tax Advantage – Did You Know?

Ordinarily, interest earned on U.S. savings bonds is taxable income. However, if you pay higher education costs, then you may qualify to cash in federal series EE or I bonds tax-free. The IRS Education Savings Bond program allows eligible people to exclude some or all of their U.S. bond interest from their gross income, provided that they use the bonds to pay tuition and certain required fees at a qualifying higher education institution.

To be eligible for this program, you must pay the education expenses for yourself, your spouse or a dependent. The program is subject to income limits, which the IRS adjusts annually for inflation. Other eligibility restrictions may apply, such as limitations on the expenses you may pay using the bonds if the student also receives tax-free scholarship funds. A tax professional can help you determine whether you qualify for the Education Savings Bond program, and if so, how much of the interest on your bonds could be exempt from tax.

11/13/2024

Helpful Resources to Replace Records Lost in a Disaster

Disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and wildfires may destroy people's tax and financial records, making it difficult for them to apply for the assistance they deserve. Fortunately, a number of resources exist to help reconstruct lost records and begin the rebuilding process.

Those affected by federally declared disasters can request free transcripts of their past tax returns by using the IRS Get Transcript webpage (link below), or calling 800-908-9946. Banks and credit card issuers can provide copies of account statements and other financial documents, either online or on paper forms. Meanwhile, records documenting the value of a home and surrounding property can typically be obtained from a title company, mortgage lender or county assessor's office.

People who completed home improvements that affected their home's value or qualified for tax credits can usually get needed records from the contractors who performed the work. In some cases, the IRS will also accept written statements from friends or relatives who saw the home before and after improvements were made. For lost or damaged vehicles, a variety of sources can provide information on their fair market value. You can find these sources online, or seek assistance at a public library.

Get a Tax Return Transcript: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

11/06/2024

New Requirements for Energy Efficiency Credits Take Effect in 2025 – Did You Know?

The IRS offers a variety of tax credits to people who invest in home improvements that significantly reduce energy usage. These nonrefundable credits may total up to $3,200 for a particular year. A maximum credit of $2,000 is available for water heaters, heat pumps, boilers or biomass stoves that meet specific design and efficiency requirements. Meanwhile, qualifying homeowners may claim up to $1,200 in credits for other energy improvements like installing highly efficient exterior doors, windows or skylights.

Beginning January 1, 2025, only officially certified products will be eligible for these tax credits. The products must come from an IRS-approved manufacturer, and the manufacturer must label each product with a unique product identification number (PIN). Save these labels, because in order to claim a home efficiency credit, you will need to include the PIN of each eligible product on your 2025 tax return. If a contractor or retailer cannot show you a clearly displayed PIN on a particular product, then the product likely will not qualify for tax credits for energy efficiency.

10/31/2024

Taxes can be scarier than any Halloween monster, but with us here to help you face them fearlessly. 🎃 Reach out to us today for a consultation—no tricks, just solid tax advice!

10/30/2024

Feeling trapped in a tax mess? Let DCS-DATATAX handle it! We simplify everything so you can stay focused and stress-free. 💼✍️

10/28/2024

2025 Healthcare Open Enrollment - Did You Know?

The 2025 open enrollment period for Marketplace health insurance starts on November 1, 2024, and ends December 15, 2024. Plans will start January 1, 2025. During this period, you will be able to enroll in, renew, or change health plans for the coming year.

Once the Open Enrollment period is over, you will only be able to enroll if there's a qualifying life event for the Special Enrollment Period.

Enrollment can be done at https://healthcare.gov, and a simple checklist of documents you'll need can be found here: https://marketplace.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/marketplace-application-checklist.pdf.

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