Hunter Whittington C.P.A.

10/12/2022

The IRS recently announced tax relief for Florida residents due to the devastation brought about by Hurricane Ian. The disaster declaration issued by FEMA allows the IRS to postpone certain filing and payment deadlines. This extension pushes the October 17, 2022, individual 2021 tax return extended deadline to February 15, 2023. This relief applies to residents (individuals and households) or those who have a business anywhere in the state of Florida.

Please see the IRS release for more information.

FL-2022-19, September 29, 2022 — Victims of Hurricane Ian that began September 23 in Florida now have until February 15, 2023, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced today.

01/24/2022

IRS suggest you file early to avoid the backlog.

The IRS is "in the roughest shape it's been in in 50 years," says former commissioner Mark Everson. The agency, he says, is understaffed, has more work than it can handle and is underfunded.

01/15/2022

In January, families will get an IRS letter noting the total amount of their Child Tax Credit payments to help them for tax season. It’s Letter 6419 - please keep it or visit the CTC Update portal on IRS.gov to see your payment amounts online → it’ll come in handy when you file your tax return. See www.irs.gov/getready

Get ready to file your taxes. See tips that can make filing taxes easier next year. Learn about tax law changes, how to view your tax account information online, and ways to get help.

04/02/2020

The US Treasury just updated their rules. If you receive Social Security, you will automatically receive an economic stimulus payment even if you did not file a 2018 or 2019 tax return.

03/31/2020

May of us have older parents that do not need to file a tax return because their income level is below the minimum threshold. In order to get the stimulus check from the government, they must file a tax return. You can help them file a return for free at irs.gov. Be sure to include their banking information on the return for direct deposit.

03/26/2020

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2020/03/25/all-you-wanted-to-know-about-those-tax-stimulus-checks-but-were-afraid-to-ask/?fbclid=IwAR0D277td_u-bsR2qn0koAzbSAnTChkjA2Dq6fhy1KJbzMgM7kPGZpc96zo

The Senate passed the stimulus bill on Wednesday (the House has yet to vote but is expected to follow suit). A key feature of the stimulus is individual checks. To help you sort it out, here are a few questions and answers.

04/09/2019

This is that time of year again for IRS scams. Remember that the IRS will NEVER:

- Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail you a bill if you owe any taxes.
- Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
- Demand payment without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
- Send you e-mails. Everything from the IRS is through snail mail.

When in doubt, call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.

01/26/2017

If you use QuickBooks in your business, be aware of this new scam.

The Better Business Bureau Northwest is sounding the alarm about a new email phishing scam targeting users of Intuit’s QuickBooks accounting software.

08/26/2016

I have received five calls from the “IRS” this week. Each time it is a recorded message stating that they are prepared to take criminal action against me and will send the sheriff out with a warrant from my arrest if I do not call them back.

The IRS will never call and demand money from you or send law enforcement out to arrest you. If you receive one of these calls, hang up. Do not give them any personal information.

If you get one of these calls, please report it to the IRS at https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml

TIGTA: promoting integrity in the administration of internal revenue laws. The United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) was established in January 1999 in accordance with the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 (RRA 98) to provide independent…

01/26/2015

IRS Scam

An aggressive and sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers has been making the rounds throughout the country (I even got one a few weeks ago). Callers claim to be employees of the IRS, but are not. These con artists can sound convincing when they call. They use fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. They may know a lot about their targets, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling.

Victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, or suspension of a business or driver’s license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting.

Or, victims may be told they have a refund due to try to trick them into sharing private information.

If the phone isn't answered, the scammers often leave an “urgent” callback request.

Note that the IRS will never: 1) call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill; 2) demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe; 3) require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card; 4) ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone; or 5) threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

If you receive one of these types of calls, don't give them any information and just hang up.

02/06/2013

Some good advice on tax scams...

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