For most people, the deadline for paying taxes on income earned in 2019 will be April 15, 2020. If you have a more complicated return or just need extra time collecting the documentation needed to complete and send it, you have to file an extension with the IRS by April 15 or face interest and penalties. There is no cost to file an extension, although if you own a business, the deadline will vary depending…

When you owe money to the IRS, you’ll quickly learn that it has collection resources that outstrip any other creditor. The government has the authority to garnish your wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, and other forms of income without getting a court order first. It can also take more of your money than a regular creditor is allowed. In general, the IRS will send you several notices before the garnishment process begins. Below is an overview…

Thanks to the gig economy, a growing number of people are inspired to take control of their financial future by starting their own business. One of the first things they ask themselves is, “Do I need a tax ID number for my business?” In most cases, the answer to that question is yes. But there are exceptions. Tax ID Numbers Explained The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) uses taxpayer identification numbers to track payments to individuals…

On April 3, 2016, the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung published the ‘Panama Papers,’ which were confidential documents belonging to Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca. Among other things, the papers exposed over 214,000 tax havens for politicians, celebrities, and current or former world leaders. While most of the documents involved offshore business entities that were 100% legal, others identified shell corporations designed to evade taxes and dodge international sanctions. Suddenly offshore banking became synonymous…

Many people invest in digital currencies like Bitcoin, LiteCoin, and Etherium but they don’t always reveal their gains at tax time. According to Fortune, only a tiny percentage of cryptocurrency owners have been reporting profits and losses on their yearly returns. After examining the 2013 to 2015 tax returns of Bitcoin buyers, the IRS found that only 802 people did so although the digital currency exchange Coinbase had 2.9 million users. In December 2016,…

People fail to file their personal or business tax returns on time for a variety of reasons. You may not have the money when your return comes due, or you could be struggling with a prolonged and debilitating health condition that leaves you unable to cope with daily life, let alone your tax obligations. Whatever the reason, you’re probably wondering what to do about your delinquent returns. Should you still file them, even if the…

Do you have a foreign bank account? If so, you’ve probably received correspondence from your bank advising you that they will be providing your financial information to the IRS. When foreign governments sign the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) agreements with the United States, these notices always follow to U.S. bank account holders. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) is a U.S. law that requires U.S. taxpayers to file yearly reports on certain…