In Memory: Stanley H. Block (1932-2025). His legacy and guidance will continue through our service to clients.
Did you know that most of the large Tax Resolution Firms will not handle your local tax issues? Many clients come into my office every month after they have already been through the tax resolution process with one of those big firms you hear on the radio. Only to find that despite what the salesperson said initially, big firms do not work on a taxpayer’s’ state liability. Read more
I have warned by phone and by social media, in person and on the news. This phone scam is a very real thing and finds hundreds of victims every week. The IRS impersonation scam, as it has been referred to; is a phone scam that has topped the IRS’s dirty dozen list in the last couple of years. I will continue to warn my fellow taxpayers about the robocalls and live agents threatening good people over the phone. I hope that these posts go viral and warn some of those unsuspecting targets. Read more
When a taxpayer fails to pay their taxes, the Maryland Comptroller’s office puts them in the collections phase and starts sending letters. If after sending a series of letters the taxpayer still fails to pay or set up a qualifying payment plan or provide a reason as to which they cannot pay, the Comptroller’s office can take action. Read more
Owing taxes is a very personal thing. Most of my clients would never dream of telling their neighbors, family members, and sometimes even their spouse that they owe taxes. The flip side to that coin is the State of Maryland is all too happy to announce to the world that you owe a tax debt. It may stem from a common bookkeeping mistake or maybe a family member was sick and you did everything just keep your head above water. Whatever the reason, your name is now on a list or possibly many lists. So what types of lists and announcements are there? Read more
I written many times about IRS Offer in Compromise or (OIC) but not everyone knows that the State of Maryland also has their own OIC. The rules are a bit different but in theory the plans are the same. The taxpayer is unable to pay their full balance and they make an offer.
What types of taxes can be included in a state OIC? Read more
The collection statute expiration date (CSED), or the COSED are the time limits the IRS has to collect on your debt. Yes, Federal taxes do expire but Maryland State taxes do not. Federal taxes expire after a ten-year period from last assessment. Meaning that back taxes from 2006 and the IRS’s ability to collect on those taxes does not necessarily expire in 2016. Also, there are certain actions or events that may cause the statute of limitations to stop, hold, or extend. Read more
Before you get too excited about winning a small jackpot, striking it rich on Jeopardy, or getting your “free” car from Oprah, we want you to think for a moment about the possible tax implications of gambling winnings and prizes. Read more
No, an audit is by no means the final word or decision on your tax year in question. There are many alternatives when it comes to getting what is fair in the eyes of the law and the Internal Revenue Manual (IRM). Some other possibilities are listed below.
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The IRS and State are notorious for losing things. You may have sent them your W-2s but they lost them. You may have sent your return but they never put it in the system and force-filed you. There have been many “mix-ups” at the IRS but one thing is for sure; if something is missing they are not taking the blame; at least not without a fight. Keeping this in mind, always keep copies of whatever you send them. Always send important items by certified mail and keep good records of dates, times and what you sent.
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If you are like millions of other Americans, you have had to deal with an IRS matter once in your life. If that is the case you may have asked the question: How do I get the feared IRS off my back? The answer is not a simple one and is different for every taxpayer. Below is some helpful information to get you started in understanding mitigating a tax controversy. Read more
