Quick Tax Tips for Single Parents


Being a single parent can bring its own unique challenges and concerns in life, but filing taxes shouldn’t be one of them!

Here are some basic things to consider before filing your taxes this year.

Dependents:

Determining who you claim as dependents affects your ability to receive some credits and deductions. In a separation or divorce, this is usually a stipulated agreement between the two parents. However, the both parents can benefit if the parent who normally claims the child agrees to sign a waiver allowing for the non-custodial parent to make the claim. While you cannot split the deduction for a single year, parents can alternate years making the claim or only claim certain children if there are more than one. Remember that a child can only be a dependent if the child has lived with a parent for at least six months out of the year and was financially supported from that parent.

Head of Households:

You can file as head of household if you were not married on December 31, 2014, your kids live with you for at least 50% of the year, and you earn at least 50% of your household income. Head of household status will allow you a lower tax rate and higher deductions.

Exemptions:

For every dependent child you are allowed to deduct $3,950 for 2014. Head of households earning $275,650 or more are phased out.

Tax Credits:

Single parents earning $75,000 adjusted gross income or less can take $1,000 off their tax bill for each dependent 16 and younger in 2014.

Child Care:

Head of households who have an income or are full-time students can claim up to $3,000 per child for qualifying health care. This includes day care, summer day camps, and after school programs. Phaseout starts at $75,000 for single head of household filers.

Earned Tax Income Credit:

The maximum credit is $6,143. If you have three or more children and earn less that $46,997 as a single parent you can take this credit. If you have two children you can still qualify if you have a smaller income.

We hope this will help you begin to file your taxes! For all your tax preparation and tax debt needs call 888-737-0200. The tax experts at Advocate Tax Solutions are here to be your one stop shop for every tax question and problem. Visit www.advocatetaxsolutions.info for more information today!

Bad News Saleen Fans: Automotive Company Out of Money and Owes Millions


Saleen-S7_2002_1600x1200_wallpaper_08       Saleen Automotive recently unveiled a modified Tesla Model S and announced plans to tune the 2015 For Mustang, but information contained in the company’s latest quarterly report has some wondering if Saleen will soon fall to the same fate as Hummer and Saab.

 

Jalopnik reported that as of September 30, “Saleen owed $583,900 in unpaid payroll taxes; $1,148,574 of accounts payable was greater than 90 days past due; $352,795 of outstanding notes payable were in default; and $398,176 is owed to a bank as of November 2014, which the Company has not paid and expects to be in default unless the bank agrees to another extension.”

Saleen’s cash assets were listed at $7,261 at the end of the quarter; definitely not enough to run a car company. The situation is so bad that Saleen is counting on another bank extension so the company can continue operating and hopefully turn things around.
This news casts doubt for Saleen enthusiasts and buyers. Saleen’s recently modified Tesla Model S, the Saleen FourSixteen, and the new Saleen 302 Black Label, that just started coming to the market, could be quickly put on hold.
It’s a sad day when ingenious companies come to a struggle due to financial issues and tax debts. We hope Saleen has the turnaround it hopes for and gets the representation it needs. Saleen if you need new accountants, we’re here for you!

 

Do you owe over $10, 000 in back taxes? Call us today@: (888)737-0200 
or visit www.AdvocateTaxSolutions.com to learn more about back tax resolutions and IRS debt help.

 

SIMPLE BACK TAX LESSONS FROM AL SHARPTON


Advocate Tax Solutions gives their views on the recent back tax problems of the rich and famous.

Advocate Tax Solutions gives their views on the recent back tax problems of the rich and famous

 

“If we owed $4.5 million in ’08 then how could we owe this now, unless you’re saying that everybody just went to sleep on this and just gave us a pass, which is ridiculous,” Sharpton said in the CNN article.

This week Civil Rights Leader Al Sharpton blasted the extensive New York Times Report saying he owed $4.5 million in back taxes. Sharpton argued that it wasn’t  possible for him to owe that much. “The MSNBC host said in a press conference Wednesday that the $4.5 million was the original figure he was ordered to pay back in 2008, but that he has been making regular payments since then and the amount is now less,” reports CNN.

“If we owed $4.5 million in ’08 then how could we owe this now, unless you’re saying that everybody just went to sleep on this and just gave us a pass, which is ridiculous,” Sharpton said in the CNN article.

The Times articles describes poor planning, with Mr. Sharpton’s entities paying for and owning everything. This could include his personal items. If Sharpton is trying to merge personal and business expenses he is not adhering to the fundamental tax law that separates them.  While you can write off many things with a dual motive, your tax life will be easier if you avoid them and keep records.

The IRS keeps good records and so should you. Keeping records will help you in a tax dispute and can help you keep out of tax trouble.  The IRS audits may reject your tax deductions unless you have records to validate them.

Despite the great amount Mr. Sharpton owes in tax liens, he is not alone in his problems and went through the same process as everyone with back tax problems.  The process starts with notices. The IRS can only file a Notice of Federal Tax Lien after the IRS assesses the liability and sends a Notice and Demand for Payment, which states how much you owe. The IRS automatically has a tax lien if you don’t send the full payment within 10 days.

An IRS tax lien covers all of your property before and after the lien filing. IRS tax liens last 10 years, but it is better to remove them immediately. This involves paying the tax, interests, and penalties; or posting a bond guaranteeing payment.

Mr. Sharpton says he has been compliant to this process and is doing his best to pay his back taxes.  The IRS still has not revealed how much Mr. Sharpton owes and Sharpton believes his name is being dragged through IRS-ruin because of politics. He told Business Insider the negative story by the New York Times comes just as a grand jury is about to release its findings in the shooting of Michael Brown by a white Ferguson, Mo., police officer.

“Every time there’s a Sean Bell or a Ferguson or a Trayvon Martin, we go through my taxes. It’s the same agreement y’all. It’s the same thing we announced in ’09. It is the same thing we’ve been paying every month,” he said.

That could be possible, but either way it is evident that the best way to get out of IRS debt is to keep records and be compliant and active with your payment agreement.  Millions of American’s owe back taxes, and we hope Rev. Sharpton found the representation he needed to resolve his back tax debt.  However, if we were his accountants he probably wouldn’t have had this problem in the first place!  Tax per return is usually the result of either not making estimated tax payments or improperly filing your return.  Al Sharpton, we are available if you are seeking new representation!

Do you owe over $10, 000 in back taxes? Call us today@: (888)737-0200 
or visit www.AdvocateTaxSolutions.com to learn more about back tax resolutions and IRS debt help.

Back Tax Help Blog| How a Back Tax Lien Can Affect Your Financial Profile and Credit!


Buying and owning your home can be a dream. It can be used to raise a family, or can be used to rent out the rooms and live of the rental payments. But a big enough tax debt can lead to your home being targeted by the IRS through an IRS tax lien. The IRS uses tax liens as one of many tools to get back tax debt paid. They’re used selectively, but are a powerful tool used to get taxpayers current with their tax bills. While a tax lien may seem complicated and scary, they’re quite simple. It’s essentially a security interest in your property. If your home has some equity to it, tax liens prevent you from enjoying it. But how does a tax lien affect you? Some homeowners who let the back tax debt linger think a tax lien won’t have an impact, but the truth is that a federal tax lien dings your financial future. An IRS tax lien can even affect more than just a home; it can attach to vehicles, securities, and business assets. If it attaches to your business then your rights to your business property will be compromised, including any accounts receivable. But the biggest effect of an IRS tax lien is on your credit. A tax lien is up there with not paying your bills when it comes to credit reports. If the lien is not released, it’ll damage your credit report for seven years. That’s because tax liens are formal documents filed in court. A Notice of Federal Tax Lien filed in a courthouse is a public document that everyone, including credit reporting agencies, will be able to see. You may have some time after the lien is filed where no one will notice, as tax liens aren’t reported to the credit reporting agencies (the IRS can’t do that). But after the credit reporting agencies (or inquisitive people) notice the public filing, it inflicts major damage to your credit score and can prevent you from getting credit. Another effect of a tax lien on your home is that any sale proceeds are reduced by the lien amount (which is generally the amount of unpaid back tax debt). The IRS can also show some mercy to tax debtors. It can remove a tax lien if the home is sold for less than the lien amount, and it can also make the tax lien secondary to a lender’s lien if the back tax debtor wants to refinance or restructure his or her mortgage. But if you want to keep your credit score top-notch, avoiding a federal tax lien is more important than you think. – See more at: www.advocatetaxsolutions.com

Advocate Tax Solutions Understands how to negotiate with the IRS and our team of experienced Tax Professionals have negotiated thousands of Offers in Compromise all over the country ridding and saving tax payers thousands in their Back Tax Debt.

Call 888-737-0200 today for a free back tax consultation and analysis!

5 Simple Ways to Avoid A Tax Lien and Settle Your IRS Tax Debt


 

A tax lien, not to be confused with a tax levy,  is a hold that the IRS places against some or all your assets. Some what like a warning.  Basically the IRS saying “take care of your back tax debt now or we are going to levy you”. By doing so, the IRS is attempting to ensure that it receives payment for the unpaid taxes that you owe.  Usually receive a Tax Lien Notice in the Mail via certified mail notifying you of the Lien.  A IRS Tax Levy is when they begin to seize your property or rights to property.  Tax Levies come in the form of Freezing your Bank accounts, attaching a IRS Wage Garnishment, or even worse the IRS taking your home or even Jail time!

But there are five circumstances by which taxpayers can potentially avoid an IRS tax lien. A Tax Professional like those at Advocate Tax Solutions can help you determine the best method to avoid a tax lien or a more serious tax levy.

1. Pay the Taxes You Owe in Full

If you can afford to pay the taxes that you owe in full, you can stop an IRS lien in its tracks. The IRS allows you to make payments directly from your bank account or by debit or credit card through a third-party processing service. You may also use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to make a secure electronic payment. Or you may go the low-tech route and mail a check or money order, or deliver your payment in person to your local IRS office.

Estimated Tax Payments are especially important if you are self-employed and have no other withholding and
would like to avoid tax penalties when filing your tax return. If you are figuring your end-of-year estimated
tax payment for the fourth quarter of 2013 and you are self-employed, use the worksheet at the top of page 6
of the 2013 Form 1040ES to figure your deduction for self-employment tax. The 2014 Form 1040ES has instructions on how to complete the computation of your estimated tax payment.

Visit This site to set up your electronic payments online:
http://www.irs.gov/uac/EFTPS-The-Electronic-Federal-Tax-Payment-System

Transfer the amount computed to the coupon for the quarter you are paying:
Payment Period Due Dates:

January 1 – March 31, 2014 April 15, 2014
April 1 – May 31, 2014 June 16, 2014
June 1 – August 31, 2014 September 15, 2014
September 1 – December 31, 2014 January 15, 2015*

*You do not have to make the payment due on January 15, 2015, if you file your 2014 tax return
by February 2, 2015 and pay the entire balance due with your return.
Please remember to mail your estimated tax payment by the date on the coupon. Failure to postmark a
payment by the required payment date will result in the incorrect crediting of your payment and may result
in a tax penalty when figuring your return. The payment dates are listed in each Form 1040ES applicable for
that year. If you have any questions regarding these estimated tax coupons, or would like to engage us to prepare or file your payroll or personal income tax returns please to do not hesitate to
contact Advocate Tax Solutions at 847.737.1110. 

2. Enter into a Guaranteed Installment Agreement

If you cannot pay your entire tax balance in full, but owe less than $10,000, you may still avoid a tax lien. By entering into a Guaranteed installment agreement, you set an agreement by which the IRS will receive your entire tax balance due in monthly installment payments over 60-72 months. Please note that the amount of each monthly payment and the length of the entire installment agreement vary according to how much tax you owe and when your tax debts expire.  You should always consult a tax professional prior to entering into an installment agreement to ensure it is one that will encompass all tax debt owed and is paying a tax liability that is accurate and valid!  Advocate Tax Solutions will audit your financials and our Tax Attorneys will defend and analyze risk to ensure the most accurate tax return on file with the IRS.  Additionally, we will make sure you get the best deal given your income, assets, and “reasonable collection potential” prior to negotiating a Back Tax Resolution to the IRS.

3. Enter into a Streamlined Installment Agreement

If you owe between $10,000 and $25,000 in unpaid taxes, you can still avoid a tax lien from the IRS. A Streamlined Installment Agreement works much the same way as a Guaranteed Installment Agreement. The end result is the same; you eventually pay your entire amount that you owe in federal income taxes.

4. Pay Down Your Balance

If you owe more than $25,000 in back taxes to the IRS, you must pay down your balance to less than $25,000 to avoid a federal tax lien. This payment must take place before a lien is imposed. Once your unpaid tax balance is below $25,000, you may enter into a Streamlined Installment Agreement.

5. File an Offer in Compromise

If you can only afford to pay a portion of your back federal taxes, you may still avoid a tax lien by filing an Offer In Compromise or Back Tax Settlement. If accepted, an Offer in Compromise allows you to settle your tax obligation with the IRS for less than the total federal taxes owed. But you should be forewarned: the IRS is stringent about accepting Offers in Compromise. The process for reviewing Offer in Compromise applications can be lengthy. There is also no guarantee that the IRS would not impose a tax lien while you are waiting for a decision on your Offer in Compromise application.  That is why our proprietary tax case review and financial analysis process coupled with state of the art Tax Settlement Software enables Advocate Tax Solutions and our clients a leg up against others who may be attempting that very same option.  

Call (888) 737-0200 or visit our contact us page to schedule an appointment and free analysis with an ATS tax professional today!

 

 

What the IRS Doesn’t want you to know: Quick Tips for Lifting IRS Levies and Wage Garnishments


Advocate Tax Solutions offers immediate Tax Representation, alleviating the unwanted stress in dealing with the IRS.

Have an IRS Levy or Wage garnishment that you need lifted now?!  Use our secret weapon!

Although no tax problem is created equal consisting of hundreds of different variables due to diverse financial situations, one constant remains.  The IRS Code, and if used correctly can enable taxpayers the ability to stop wage garnishments or lift levies.

So how can you stop them you ask?  We at ATS call this technique the “SIA Levy Lift” names after the IRS’ Streamline Installment Agreement.  If you owe less than 25,000 to the IRS you aren’t required to disclose your income and expense information to be placed in a payment plan of up to five years out.  Try and post date the first payment 60 days, that will allow your representation (or yourself) ample time to generate and or file the necessary information needed for other resolutions.  Once done the levy will be immediately removed and all garnishments halted enabling the tax payer the full benefit of their check.

During this time frame we suggest contacting an Attorney or CPA versed in Tax Defense & Resolution Services to prepare an Offer in Compromise (tax Settlement) or Partial Pay installment Agreement (Payment based on Disposable Income).  Once their financial analysis is completed in house they can determine within a reasonable amount what programs you can qualify for and the next steps in the process.

BEWARE OF SCAMS and RIP OFFS!

There are plenty of great organizations out there that can help you, but never trust one that sends you a settlement offer in the mail prior to any work or financial analysis being conducted!  USE. YOUR. HEADS. PEOPLE!  It should take MAX 30-60 Days to conduct the financial analysis and another 6-8 months for the IRS to process the Offer in Compromise (OIC) Application Packet.

For more information about these programs go to IRS.gov or contact Advocate Tax Solutions, LLC for a free no obligation consultation at (888)-737-0200.

ATS | Advocate Tax Solutions | Trusted Advisers

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OH NO! The IRS Sent Me a Notice of Tax Lien!! Are They Going to Seize My Property?!


RELAX! Tax Liens are different from Tax levies. A lien is an instrument used as security for the tax debt, while a levy actually takes the property to satisfy the tax debt(s). A tax lien is a negative record on your credit report, severely lowering your credit score. This often makes it difficult for a taxpayer to obtain financing on an automobile or a home, get a credit card, or sign a lease. Tax Liens are public records that indicate you owe the IRS money.

Tax Liens are filed with the Clerk in the county where you live or where your business operates. Once a Federal Tax Lien is filed against your property you cannot sell or transfer the property without a clear title. You need to act NOW!

Liens mark the priority of IRS against other creditors and attach to all your assets as payment for your tax debt. A Notice of Federal Tax Lien may be filed only after:

•IRS has assessed the liability;

•IRS has sent you a Notice and Demand for Payment – a bill that tells you how much you owe in taxes; and •You neglect or refuse to fully pay the tax debt within 10 days after IRS notifies you. By filing notice of this lien, your creditors are publicly notified that the IRS has a claim against all your property, including property you acquire after the lien is filed. Releasing a Lien The IRS will issue a Release of the Notice of Federal Tax Lien:

•Within 30 days after you satisfy the tax due (including interest and other additions) by paying the debt or by having it adjusted, or •Immediately upon payment with cash or the equivalent of cash, or •Within 30 days after IRS accepts a bond, guaranteeing payment of the debt or

•A mortgage is given to IRS against property that is worth twice the amount of your tax liability, or •Usually 10 years after a tax is assessed, a lien releases automatically if the IRS has not filed it again.

What should I do?

•Download IRS Form 1450 – Request a Federal Lien Release. A lien must be released if it is fully paid or legally unenforceable. The IRS must also release when they accept a bond for payment of the tax

•Have An Enrolled Agent (EA’s) or CPA or tax attorney to represent you. You should compare pricing and note that Enrolled Agents and CPA’s have the exact same practice rights before the IRS. attorney-client privilege was extended to EA’s and CPA’s in the IRS Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998. Except for criminal cases, EA’s and CPA’s now stand on equal footing with attorneys. It is worth noting as well; EA’s generally have more tax matters and training then tax attorneys in most cases. You may try to appeal the filing of a lien. The law requires us to notify you in writing not more than 5 business days after the filing of a lien. You may ask an IRS manager to review your case, and you may request a Collection Due Process hearing with the Office of Appeals by filing a request for a hearing with the office listed on your notice. You must file your request by the date shown on your notice.

Some of the issues you may discuss include:

•You paid all you owed before IRS filed the lien,

•IRS assessed the tax and filed the lien when you were in bankruptcy, and subject to the automatic stay during bankruptcy,

•IRS made a procedural error in an assessment, •The time to collect the tax (called the statute of limitations) expired before IRS filed the lien,

•You did not have an opportunity to dispute the assessed liability,

•You wish to discuss the collection options, or •You wish to make spousal defenses It is important to attack tax liens that are invalid. The trustee or the debtor has the power to avoid an invalid tax lien. A tax lien could be invalid if a lien is on property which is not owned by the debtor, a lien was filed during the automatic stay, a lien was recorded in the wrong county, or it was for discharged taxes now being asserted on future-acquired assets. Time is of the essence. Do not just try to ignore this lien process. The IRS will file a lien against a business or individual when they continue to be ignored. An individual has 10 days and a business has 30 days to protest the action. You must adhere to the guidelines or you will lose your rights to protest.

ATS guarantees its clients the expertise necessary in obtaining the most advantageous income tax resolution(s) possible. We first conduct a thorough analysis of the tax debt, file and/or amend any back taxes, then generate a proposal to be discussed with out client prior to submission with the IRS outlining all the options available based on our in house valuation of their ability to pay. The offer is then submitted to the IRS and approved. Contact us at (888) 737-0200 today for a free consultation!

This message is brought to you by Advocate Tax Solutions: Trusted Advisors