Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Payroll Tax Cut Temporarily Extended into 2012


Nearly 160 million workers will benefit from the extension of the reduced payroll tax rate that has been in effect for 2011. The Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 temporarily extends the two percentage point payroll tax cut for employees, continuing the reduction of their Social Security tax withholding rate from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent of wages paid through Feb. 29, 2012. This reduced Social Security withholding will have no effect on employees’ future Social Security benefits.

Employers should implement the new payroll tax rate as soon as possible in 2012 but not later than Jan. 31, 2012. For any Social Security tax over-withheld during January, employers should make an offsetting adjustment in workers’ pay as soon as possible but not later than March 31, 2012.

Employers and payroll companies will handle the withholding changes, so workers should not need to take any additional action.

Under the terms negotiated by Congress, the law also includes a new “recapture” provision, which applies only to those employees who receive more than $18,350 in wages during the two-month period (the Social Security wage base for 2012 is $110,100, and $18,350 represents two months of the full-year  amount). This provision imposes an additional income tax on these higher-income employees in an amount equal to 2 percent of the amount of wages they receive during the two-month period in excess of $18,350 (and not greater than $110,100).   

This additional recapture tax is an add-on to income tax liability that the employee would otherwise pay for 2012 and is not subject to reduction by credits or deductions.  The recapture tax would be payable in 2013 when the employee files his or her income tax return for the 2012 tax year. With the possibility of a full-year extension of the payroll tax cut being discussed for 2012, the IRS will closely monitor the situation in case future legislation changes the recapture provision.

The IRS will issue additional guidance as needed to implement the provisions of this new two-month extension, including revised employment tax forms and instructions and information for employees who may be subject to the new “recapture” provision.  For most employers, the quarterly employment tax return for the quarter ending March 31, 2012 is due April 30, 2012.


As always, we are here to help! Contact our office today and let us take the confusion out of taxes for you and your business.  Focus on making money and leave the rest to us.





Security Tax Services LLC

North Sound                                       South Sound
2802 Wetmore Ave, Suite 212           33530 1st Way S, Suite 102
Everett, WA 98201                             Federal Way, WA 98003
425.339.2400                                     253.237.0751
fax 425.259.1099                               fax 253.237.0701

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Filing Status - What You Need to Know

Your federal tax filing status is based on your marital and family situation. It is an important factor in determining your standard deduction and your correct amount of tax, and whether you must file a return.

Your marital status on the last day of the year determines your status for the entire year. If more than one filing status applies to you, you may choose the one that gives you the lowest tax obligation.

There are five filing status options:
  • Single. Generally, if you are unmarried, divorced, or legally separated according to your state law, and you do not qualify for another filing status, your filing status is Single.
  • Married Filing Jointly. If you are married, you and your spouse may file a joint return. If your spouse died during the year and you did not remarry, you may still file a joint return with that spouse for the year of death. This is the last year for which you may file a joint return with that spouse.
  • Married Filing Separately. Married taxpayers may elect to file separate returns.
  • Head of Household. Generally, you must be unmarried and paid more than half the cost of maintaining a home for you and a qualifying person for more than half a year.
  • Qualifying Widow(er) with Dependent Child. You may be able to file as a qualifying widow or widower for the two years following the year your spouse died. To do this, you must meet all four of the following tests:

    1. You were entitled to file a joint return with your spouse for the year he or she died. It does not matter whether you actually filed a joint return.
    2. You did not remarry in the two years following the year your spouse died.
    3. You have a child, stepchild, or adopted child (a foster child does not meet this requirement) for whom you can claim a dependency exemption.
    4. You paid more than half the cost of maintaining a household that was the main home for you and that child, for the whole year.
    After the two years following the year in which your spouse died, you may qualify for head of household status.


We can definitely help you determine which filing status is best for your situation. Just call us up or send an email.



Security Tax Services LLC

North Sound                                       South Sound
2802 Wetmore Ave, Suite 212           33530 1st Way S, Suite 102
Everett, WA 98201                             Federal Way, WA 98003
425.339.2400                                     253.237.0751
fax 425.259.1099                               fax 253.237.0701

Thursday, December 15, 2011

How to Prepare for a Successful Retirement

As you approach retirement, it's vital that you pay attention to key financial matters. Here are some of the items that you should check:

Health Insurance.
Are you among the lucky few who will continue to be covered after retirement? If not, then you'll need to replace your health coverage.

If you will be eligible for Medicare at the time of your retirement, then you may want to start checking into "Medigap" coverage. Medigap insurance is a supplemental health insurance sold to individuals age 65 and older that covers medical expenses not covered or only partially covered by Medicare.
Tip: Before you retire, take care of any non-emergency medical, dental, or optical needs (if your employee plan coverage is broader than Medicare).

Other Types of Insurance.
Once you retire, you may need to replace employer-provided life insurance with extra coverage. You should also consider purchasing long-term health care insurance in case of a lengthy nursing home stay in the future.

Social Security.
Decide whether you want to take early Social Security benefits if you're retiring before your full retirement age, which is currently 66 years of age for people born between 1943 and 1954. You can get 75% of your benefits at age 62.
Tip: For most people, taking Social Security benefits at their full retirement age makes the most financial sense. If you think you might need to take early benefits, give us a call. We'd be happy to discuss this with you.

Company Plan Payout.
You should plan well in advance how you'll take the payout from your pension plan or 401(k) plan. For example, will you transfer the funds to an conventional or Roth IRA? How will the funds be invested?

Relocation.
If you're planning a move to another state, make sure that you fully explore the financial ramifications of living there--before you move. Cost of living rates can vary significantly from one region of the country to another.


We Can Help. Retirement is an exciting time and planning in advance can make it a much smoother transition. Please contact us if you have any questions, need assistance or just want some additional guidance.



Security Tax Services LLC

North Sound                                       South Sound
2802 Wetmore Ave, Suite 212           33530 1st Way S, Suite 102
Everett, WA 98201                             Federal Way, WA 98003
425.339.2400                                     253.237.0751
fax 425.259.1099                               fax 253.237.0701

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

STS QuickBooks Tips And Tricks: Make it Yours

No matter which version of QuickBooks you're using, there are always ways to make your workday easier. As with any software, we tend to learn the features we need and not much more. But small changes in the way you operate can add up to significant time savings and more accurate files. If you jumped into QuickBooks without a thorough introduction, consider these tips.


Use the Open Window list

Spend some time in Preferences, and you'll be surprised to learn that you have more flexibility than you knew. QuickBooks is designed to work for a tremendously wide variety of businesses, so it comes with some features activated but many dormant.

The Open Window list is a good example. Do you tire of closing windows to find a screen that you used several tasks ago? Make sure that you're in one-window view (View | One Window), and then click View | Open Window List. Click on any entry to move to that page.

Figure 1: The Open Windows list lets you easily move among active screens




Make account assignment mandatory

QuickBooks lets you enter transactions without assigning them to accounts. So your Chart of Accounts has two accounts labeled Uncategorized Income and Uncategorized Expenses that serve as repositories for these transactions. This means that when you run reports or prepare for taxes, you may have a hard time remembering the circumstances of those transactions and will find it difficult to assign them to accounts.

Do yourself a favor. Set up QuickBooks so that you must assign an account to every transaction. This will take extra time upfront, but not as much as if you try to recall the transaction three months from now. Go to Edit | Preferences | Accounting | Company Preferences and make sure that Require Accounts is checked. If you have questions on this, please call or email us.


Use the Account Prefill fields

Speaking of accounts, here's a little time-saving tip. If you have vendors that are always assigned to the same account(s), you can establish this constant in the vendor record. Simply open the Edit Vendor window for a client and click the Account Prefill tab. Select the appropriate selection(s) from the drop-down lists. If a payment is sometimes split between multiple accounts, you'll handle this division when you add transactions.
Figure 2: Designate vendor accounts to save time when creating transactions




Use "Pending Sales"

Invoices, sales receipts and credit memos can be earmarked as "pending." These sales do not show up in registers or reports (except for the Pending Sales report) and can't be used for transactions where payment has already been applied. Create the transaction and click Edit | Mark [form name] As Pending. To finalize it, open the form and click Edit | Mark [form name] As Final.
This action can be useful in multiple situations, including:
  • Backordered items
  • Draft approvals
  • Estimates
  • Time-tracking for jobs
  • Profit and loss reports that show the impact of pending sales (choose Either as the posting status [Non-posting or Posting] under Filters)

Figure 3: You can mark a payment as "pending" in several situations




Be kind to your accountant: Set a closing date

Once we've worked with your QuickBooks file up to a certain date, entering, editing or deleting transactions prior to that date wreaks havoc with the balance of your books. To be safe, your administrator should password-protect the ability to do this, so that no one does this intentionally or unintentionally. Go to Edit | Preferences | Accounting | Company Preferences and enter a closing date and password. We will change the date each time we complete our work.


Figure 4: Password-protect closed periods to preserve the accuracy of your books

 
These are just a few examples of ways you can customize QuickBooks to make your workdays more productive and your record-keeping safer and more reflective of your business.

We can help you further tailor the software to make it a better fit.

If you have questions on this or any other QuickBooks feature, call or email us. We're your partner and we're here to make your business better.

Security Tax Services LLC

North Sound                                       South Sound
2802 Wetmore Ave, Suite 212           33530 1st Way S, Suite 102
Everett, WA 98201                             Federal Way, WA 98003
425.339.2400                                     253.237.0751
fax 425.259.1099                               fax 253.237.0701

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Richard Hatch Released From Prison (Again)

Article originally published on Forbes.com by Kelly Phillips Erb - 12/12//2011


As much as I’ve blogged about reality TV star (and I use the term “star” lightly) Richard Hatch over the years, I feel I owe it to you to report that our favorite tax evader was released (again) from prison today.

Hatch’s most recent stint was the result of failing to file and pay the taxes for his $1 million winnings from CBS‘ Survivor. He served three years in federal prison for not paying the tax on those winnings initially, a sentence which was upheld despite a number of appeals, including one to the Supreme Court. Hatch was released from jail in 2009 but found himself in trouble again this year when he refused to follow the judge’s orders.

Hatch has claimed that he no longer has any money remaining. You and I both know what that means: more reality TV.

Article originally published on Forbes.com by Kelly Phillips Erb - 12/12//2011

Monday, December 12, 2011

IRS Announces 2012 Standard Mileage Rates, Most Rates Are the Same as in July


The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2012 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2012, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
  • 55.5 cents per mile for business miles driven
  • 23 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
  • 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations
The rate for business miles driven is unchanged from the mid-year adjustment that became effective on July 1, 2011. The medical and moving rate has been reduced by 0.5 cents per mile.

The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs as determined by the same study. Independent contractor Runzheimer International conducted the study.
Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.

A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after using any depreciation method under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) or after claiming a Section 179 deduction for that vehicle. In addition, the business standard mileage rate cannot be used for more than four vehicles used simultaneously.

These and other requirements for a taxpayer to use a standard mileage rate to calculate the amount of a deductible business, moving, medical or charitable expense are in Rev. Proc. 2010-51.

Notice 2012-01 contains the standard mileage rates, the amount a taxpayer must use in calculating reductions to basis for depreciation taken under the business standard mileage rate, and the maximum standard automobile cost that a taxpayer may use in computing the allowance under a fixed and variable rate plan.

As always, we are here to help! Contact our office today and let us take the confusion out of tax code for you and your business.  Focus on making money and leave the rest to us.




Security Tax Services LLC

North Sound                                       South Sound
2802 Wetmore Ave, Suite 212           33530 1st Way S, Suite 102
Everett, WA 98201                             Federal Way, WA 98003
425.339.2400                                     253.237.0751
fax 425.259.1099                               fax 253.237.0701

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Your Pension Plan - Inflation Adjustments for 2012

For 2012, there are a few cost of living adjustments for pension plans and other retirement-related items. Check out what to expect in the new year....
  • The contribution limit for employees who participate in section 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b) plans, and the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan, increases to $17,000 in 2012, from $16,500 in prior years.
  • The catch-up contribution limit in those plans for those aged 50 and over remains unchanged, at $5,500.
  • IRA contributions and catch up limits remain unchanged for 2012 at $5,000 and $1,000 respectively. 
  • The deduction for taxpayers making contributions to a traditional IRA is phased out for singles and heads of household who are active participants in an employer-sponsored retirement plan and have modified adjusted gross incomes (AGI) between $58,000 and $68,000, up from $56,000-$66,000 in 2011.

  • For married couples filing jointly, in which the spouse who makes the IRA contribution is an active participant in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, the income phase-out range is $92,000 to $112,000, up from $90,000 to $110,000.

    For an IRA contributor who is not an active participant in an employer-sponsored retirement plan and is married to someone who is an active participant, the deduction is phased out if the couple's income is between $173,000 and $183,000 in 2012, up from $169,000 and $179,000 in 2011.
  • The AGI phase-out range for taxpayers making contributions to a Roth IRA is $173,000 to 183,000 for married couples filing jointly, up from $169,000 to $179,000 in 2011. For singles and heads of household, the income phase-out range is $110,000 to $125,000, up from $107,000 to $122,000. For a married individual filing a separate return who is an active participant in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, the phase-out range remains $0 to $10,000.
  • The AGI limit for the saver's credit (also known as the retirement savings contributions credit) for low- and moderate-income workers is $57,500 for married couples filing jointly, up from $56,500 in 2011; $43,125 for heads of household, up from $42,375; and $28,750 for married individuals filing separately and for singles, up from $28,250.
Call our office if you want to discuss your pension plan. We're happy to help.




Security Tax Services LLC

North Sound                                       South Sound
2802 Wetmore Ave, Suite 212         33530 1st Way S, Suite 102
Everett, WA 98201                          Federal Way, WA 98003
425.339.2400                                  253.237.0751
fax 425.259.1099                            fax 253.237.0701



    Tuesday, December 6, 2011

    Tax Changes for 2011

    Whether you file as an individual, a corporation, a small business owner, or are self-employed, as the end of the year draws near, you're probably thinking ahead to tax season and filing your taxes.
    Most tax provisions of course, remain the same (IRA contribution limits for example), but a few such as personal exemptions have been adjusted for inflation and others have been extended due to legislation and are set to expire at the end of 2012.

    From tax credits, exemptions and deductions for individuals and Section 179 expensing for small businesses, here's what you need to know about tax changes for 2011.

    Individuals

    From personal deductions to tax credits and educational expenses, many of the tax changes relating to individuals remain in effect through 2012 and are the result of tax provisions that were either modified or extended by the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 that became law on December 17, 2010.

    Personal Exemptions
    The personal and dependent exemption for tax year 2011 is $3,700, up $50 from 2010.

    Standard Deductions
    In 2011 the standard deduction for married couples filing a joint return is $11,600, up $200 from 2010 and for singles and married individuals filing separately it's $5,800, up $100. For heads of household the deduction is $8,500, also up $100 from 2010.

    The additional standard deduction for blind people and senior citizens is $1,150 for married individuals, up $50, and $1,450 for singles and heads of household, also up $50.

    Income Tax Rates
    Due to inflation, tax-bracket thresholds will increase for every filing status. For example, the taxable-income threshold separating the 15-percent bracket from the 25-percent bracket is $69,000 for a married couple filing a joint return, up from $68,000 in 2010.

    Estate and Gift Taxes
    The recent overhaul of estate and gift taxes means that there is an exemption of $5 million per individual for estate, gift and generation-skipping taxes, with a top rate of 35%. For married couples the exemption is $10 million.

    Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
    AMT exemption amounts for 2011 are slightly higher than those in 2010 at $48,450 for single and head of household fliers, $74,450 for married people filing jointly and for qualifying widows or widowers, and $37,225 for married people filing separately.

    Marriage Penalty Relief
    For 2011, the basic standard deduction for a married couple filing jointly is $11,600, up $200 from 2010.

    Pease and PEP (Personal Exemption Phaseout)
    Pease (limitations on itemized deductions) and PEP (personal exemption phase-out) limitations do not apply for 2011, but these are set to expire at the end of 2012.

    Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
    The Affordable Care Act, enacted in March, established a new uniform standard, effective January 1, 2011, that applies to FSAs and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs).

    Under the new standard, the cost of an over-the-counter medicine or drug cannot be reimbursed from the account unless a prescription is obtained. The change does not affect insulin, even if purchased without a prescription, or other health care expenses such as medical devices, eye glasses, contact lenses, co-pays and deductibles.

    The new standard applies only to purchases made on or after Jan. 1, 2011, so claims for medicines or drugs purchased without a prescription in 2010 can still be reimbursed in 2011, if allowed by the employer's plan.

    A similar rule went into effect on Jan. 1, 2011 for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and Archer Medical Savings Accounts (Archer MSAs).

    Long Term Capital Gains
    In 2011, long-term gains for assets held at least one year are taxed at a flat rate of 15% for taxpayers above the 25% tax bracket. For taxpayers in lower tax brackets, the long-term capital gains rate is 0%.


    Individuals - Tax Credits


    Adoption Credit
    A refundable credit of up to $13,360 for 2011 is available for qualified adoption expenses for each eligible child.


    Child and Dependent Care Credit
    If you pay someone to take care of your dependent (defined as being under the age of 13 at the end of the tax year or incapable of self-care) in order to work or look for work, you may qualify for a credit of up to $1,050 or 35 percent of $3,000 of eligible expenses.

    For two or more qualifying dependents, you can claim up to 35 percent of $6,000 (or $2,100) of eligible expenses. For higher income earners the credit percentage is reduced, but not below 20 percent, regardless of the amount of adjusted gross income.

    Child Tax Credit
    The $1,000 child tax credit has been extended through 2012. A portion of the credit may be refundable, which means that you can claim the amount you are owed, even if you have no tax liability for the year. The credit is phased out for those with higher incomes.

    Energy Tax Credits for Homeowners
    Energy tax credits for homeowners expire at the end of 2011 and are not as generous as in previous years. In addition, a taxpayer who has claimed an amount of $500 in any previous year is not eligible for this tax credit.

    Homeowners can claim an Energy Star window tax credit of up to $200 maximum as well as a water heater tax credit, which includes electric, natural gas, propane, or oil, up to a maximum of $300. The same maximum ($300) applies to air conditioners, but insulation, doors, and roof credits are capped at $500. The furnace tax credit (includes natural gas, propane, oil, or hot water) and is capped at $150 maximum and efficiency must be at 95%.

    Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
    The maximum EITC for low and moderate income workers and working families is $5,751, up from $5,666 in 2010. The maximum income limit for the EITC has increased to $49,078, up from $48,362 in 2010. The credit varies by family size, filing status and other factors, with the maximum credit going to joint filers with three or more qualifying children.

    Individuals - Education Expenses

    Coverdell Education Savings Account
    For two more years, you can contribute up to $2,000 a year to Coverdell savings accounts. These accounts can be used to offset the cost of elementary and secondary education, as well as post-secondary education.


    American Opportunity Tax Credit (Higher Education)
    The expansion of the Hope Scholarship Credit by the American Opportunity Tax Credit has been extended through 2012. For 2011, the maximum Hope Scholarship Credit that can be used to offset certain higher education expenses is $2,500, although it is phased out beginning at $160,000 adjusted gross income for joint filers and $80,000 for other filers.

    Employer Provided Educational Assistance
    Through 2012, you, as an employee, can exclude up to $5,250 of qualifying post-secondary and graduate education expenses that are reimbursed by your employer.

    Lifetime Learning Credit
    A credit of up to $2,000 is available for an unlimited number of years for certain costs of post-secondary or graduate courses or courses to acquire or improve your job skills. For 2011, the credit is fully phased out at $122,000 adjusted gross income for joint filers and $61,000 for others.

    Student Loan Interest
    For 2011 and 2012, the $2,500 maximum student loan interest deduction for interest paid on student loans is not limited to interest paid during the first 60 months of repayment. The deduction begins to phase out for higher-income taxpayers.

    Tuition and Related Expenses Deduction
    For 2010 and 2011, there is an above-the-line deduction of up to $4,000 for qualified tuition expenses. This means that qualified tuition payments can directly reduce the amount of taxable income, and you don't have to itemize to claim this deduction. However, this option can't be used with other education tax breaks, such as the American Opportunity Tax Credit, and the amount available is phased out for higher-income taxpayers.

    Individuals - Retirement

    Roth IRA Conversions
    There is no longer an income limit for taxpayers who want to convert regular IRAs into Roth IRAs. The difference is that taxpayers who convert to Roth IRAs in tax year 2011 must pay taxes on the conversion income now instead of deferring it in later years as was the case in 2010.

    Businesses

    Standard Mileage Rates
    The standard mileage rate increases to 51 cents per business mile driven (19 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes and 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations) for the first half of 2011. From July 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 however, the rate increases to 55.5 cents per business mile. This increase is a special adjustment by the IRS and reflects higher gasoline prices.


    Health Care Tax Credit for Small Businesses
    Small business employers who pay at least half the premiums for single health insurance coverage for their employees may be eligible for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit as long as they employ fewer than the equivalent of 25 full-time workers and average annual wages do not exceed $50,000. The credit can be claimed in tax years 2010 through 2013 and for any two years after that. The maximum credit that can be claimed is an amount equal to 35% of premiums paid by eligible small businesses.

    Section 179 Expensing
    In 2011 (as well as 2010), the maximum Section 179 expense deduction for equipment purchases is $500,000 ($535,000 for qualified enterprise zone property) of the first $2 million of certain business property placed in service during the year. The bonus depreciation increases to 100% for qualified property. If the cost of all section 179 property placed in service by the taxpayer during the tax year exceeds $2 million, the $500,000 amount is reduced, but not below zero.

    Please contact us if you need help understanding which deductions and tax credits you are entitled to. We are always available to assist you.

    Security Tax Services LLC

    North Sound                                       South Sound
    2802 Wetmore Ave, Suite 212         33530 1st Way S, Suite 102
    Everett, WA 98201                          Federal Way, WA 98003
    425.339.2400                                  253.237.0751
    fax 425.259.1099                            fax 253.237.0701


    Monday, December 5, 2011

    Financial Tips for December 2011

    Make Charitable Contributions
    Consider making charitable contributions before year-end both to obtain the maximum tax deduction and to fulfill any charitable programs or commitments you may have established for the year.

    Buy a New Car
    If you need a new car, now is a great time to purchase or lease one. Frequently, dealers are anxious to clear out last year's inventory prior to year-end. In making your choice, consider the federal tax (and occasional state tax) advantages for buying fuel-efficient vehicles such as plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.

    Examine Investments
    Examine your current investments to determine those with unrealized losses. Consider selling those investments to take the loss this year. You can deduct up to $3,000 in capital losses in excess of capital gains. However, do not let the tax savings outweigh the investment potential. You might consider "swapping" for a similar company in the same industry if you like the potential of the industry.

    Pay Tax-Deductible Expenses
    Consider paying tax-deductible expenses prior to year-end. Some common examples are real estate taxes, quarterly state or local income taxes, investment-related expenses, and dues. These must be paid by December 31 to obtain a deduction this year. Please call us if you'd like to discuss these deductions further.

    Evaluate Your Progress
    Evaluate your progress for the year. How close were you to your budget? Recalculate your net worth. Compare it to the value at the beginning of the year. How did you do?

    As always, we are here to help with any questions, stress, or confusion taxes, financial issues, and the IRS might be causing!

    Security Tax Services LLC

    North Sound                                       South Sound
    2802 Wetmore Ave, Suite 212           33530 1st Way S, Suite 102
    Everett, WA 98201                             Federal Way, WA 98003
    425.339.2400                                     253.237.0751
    fax 425.259.1099                               fax 253.237.0701


    Does the IRS Owe You Money?

    The IRS has announced that it has $153.3 million in undelivered tax refund checks because of mailing address errors. There are 99,123 taxpayers who are due refund checks, making the average check a whopping $1,547.

    If you think you might be owed some cash, you can check with the IRS by using our online “Where’s My Refund?” tool. You’ll need to provide your Social Security number, filing status as reported on your last return and the amount of your refund. If you don’t have access to the internet (which is curious since you’re reading this), you can also call 1-800-829-1954.

    Tax forms and other correspondences from the IRS are mailed to the last address clearly and concisely provided by the taxpayer, so be sure to update your address on your tax return. You can also update your address at any time using federal form 8822 (downloads as a pdf).



    Article originally published on Forbes.com by Kelly Phillips Erb - 12/01/2011

    Friday, December 2, 2011

    Cost of 12 Days of Christmas Mirrors National Economy (Forbes)

    Article originally published on Forbes.com by Kelly Phillips Erb - 11/29/2011
     Finally some good news: the cost of living is apparently holding steady.

    Earlier this week, the IRS announced that interest rates will remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2012.

    And that’s not the only indicator… The PNC Christmas Price Index® has been released this year and prices seem to be holding constant. The cost for a set of the gifts in the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” bumped up a mere 3.5% to $24,263.18 for 2011. This follows a huge leap in 2010 of 9.2% to $23,439.38.

    Those trends aren’t coincidental. James Dunigan, managing executive of investments for PNC Wealth Management, explains (downloads as a pdf):

    "Typically we see parallels between our Index and the Federal government’s."
    To figure the costs of the items, PNC went straight to the experts. This year, the company relied on Philadelphia dance companies, the Pennsylvania Ballet and Philadanco, to price out the services of the ten lords-a-leaping and the nine ladies dancing. The prices for most of the birds – including the partridge and the turtledoves – were provided by the National Aviary in Pittsburgh.

    If you want to buy the whole shebang from a single partridge to twelve drummers drumming for each verse (that’s 364 separate pieces of Christmas joy), it will cost you $101,119.84. The most expensive items on the list? Those seven swans a-swimming: you’ll have to shell out $6,300 for them, an increase of 12.5%.

    While the cost of goods seemed to rise, labor, not surprisingly, remained fairly constant. Of the four gifts that didn’t increase in price, three of them – eight maids-a-milking, nine ladies dancing and ten lords-a-leaping – were related to employment. Musicians, however, pulled in a slightly higher price with boosts for both the eleven pipers piping and twelve drummers drumming.

    The cost of the pear tree that houses the infamous partridge increased by a whopping 13.3% at suburban Philadelphia’s Waterloo Gardens, consistent with a rise in prices for many agricultural products. The popularity, however, of pear trees at the holidays remains fairly low – perhaps if we tacked a tax on them to raise consciousness a la the Christmas tree, they’d fare better.

    The Christmas Price Index began 28 years ago, in 1984, when the chief economist at PNC Bank decided to figure out how much it would cost to buy each of the gifts.


    Article originally published on Forbes.com by Kelly Phillips Erb - 11/29/2011

    Thursday, December 1, 2011

    IRS to Host Public Meeting Dec. 8 on Real-Time Tax System


    The Internal Revenue Service will kick off a series of public meetings  Thursday, Dec. 8 to gather feedback on how to implement a series of long-term changes to the tax system described by IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman in an April 2011 speech at the National Press Club.  In that speech, the Commissioner described a vision where the IRS would move away from the traditional “look back” model of compliance, and instead perform substantially more “real time,” or upfront matching of tax returns when they are first filed with the IRS.  The goal of this initiative is to improve the tax filing process by reducing burden for taxpayers and improving overall compliance upfront.


    Under the vision of a real-time tax system, the IRS could match information submitted on a tax return with third-party information right up front during processing and could provide the opportunity for taxpayers to fix the tax return before acceptance if it contains data that does not match IRS records.

    By contrast, today the IRS conducts a significant number of compliance activities months after the tax return has been filed and processed.  It is not uncommon for a taxpayer to receive a notice 12 to 18 months after a tax return is filed.  This after-the-fact compliance approach can create problems and frustrations for both taxpayers and the IRS.


    At the public meetings, IRS officials will solicit feedback and input from outside stakeholders to provide comments and insight. The first meeting will feature representatives of consumer groups, the tax professional community and government representatives.  A future public meeting will include, among others, representatives of the employer and payroll community, the software industry, financial institutions and additional government representatives.


    The first meeting, scheduled at 9:00 a.m. on Dec. 8, will take place at the IRS Headquarters Building Auditorium, 1111 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. Those who would like to attend the meeting should e-mail the IRS at CL.NPL.Communications@irs.gov with the contact information for the attendees or call the IRS at 202-622-3359.

    The next public meeting will be held early next year.