Tax Guru – Ker$tetter Letter

As a staunch hold-out from the IRS’s pressures to force us to use electronic filing for income tax returns, I have been closely following the new stricter rules that are being phased in over this and next Tax Seasons.  The issue of who their new rules apply to is still being debated, as in this email I recently received from Ohio CPA Dana Stahl:

Mr Guru – Looks like the ballgame’s changing for you,
ds

New Rules Close Loophole for Tax Preparers Looking to Avoid E-Filing

My Reply:

Dana:

I had my suspicions that the preparing versus mailing issue was too good to be true.

I’m still sticking with paper returns and will see what IRS tries to do to enforce this idiotic rule.

Unfortunately, this rule doesn’t have as wide an impact on everyday people as the expanded 1099 rules did; so it’s not as likely to be repealed as the 1099 rules were.

Thanks for passing that article along to me.

Kerry

From Dana:

Kerry – So you did know that the Senate just voted to repeal that 1099 law. Our Glorious President is expected by most observers to sign the bill.  As to efiling, I’m doing that for most of my clients now anyway.  It actually helped my practice, so I don’t have any problems accordingly.

From the article:

However the final rules (T.D. 9815) clarified that the e-filing mandate will apply to any tax preparer who “prepares and/or files” a tax return.

“Don’t cheat on your taxes or someone close to you will turn you in.”

IRS Awards $4.5M to Whistleblower

“If we can nail rich celebrities, what chance do you mere mortals have against the awesome power of Big Brother IRS?”

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne’s Massive IRS Tax Lien

 

 

Does anyone else find it ironic that this year’s official Tax Day, when we celebrate our slavery to Big Brother IRS, has been delayed due to the celebration of Emancipation Day in Washington, DC?

From Blog Comix

NSA (National Society of Accountants) released this announcement of what will happen with our “favorite” big brother governmental agency if the federal government’s budget isn’t agreed on by the buffoons in DC.

The IRS today reminded taxpayers that tax returns will still be due on April 18 even in the event of a government shutdown. This includes any return otherwise due on that date including all tax returns or estimated tax payments. IRS emphasized that e-filed returns will continue to be processed and refunds will be issued if due on an e-filed returns. The processing of paper returns will be delayed as will any taxpayer refunds due on paper returns. However, any checks or payments submitted with a paper return will continue to be processed.

IRS also announced the agency’s contingency plans in the event of a government shutdown. Generally speaking, automatic IRS functions will continue to be available. This includes the website for obtaining a PTIN or EFIN. One major exception to this general rule is that the taxpayer hotline will continue to be available, but only for taxpayer questions involving an individual income tax return.

By contrast, functions involving contact with IRS will generally be unavailable. The IRS said that any previously scheduled appointment with IRS personnel will be cancelled, including appointments with collections, appeals or the taxpayer advocate’s office. The practioner priority hotline will be unavailable and will any walk-in taxpayer assistance center. No new liens will be filed or issued, however any lien notices already on the way to the post office will continue to be delivered.

The IRS said it would post any updated information on its website at http://www.irs.gov Meanwhile, anyone having a specific question may gain further insight by reviewing the overall IRS contingency plan at http://www.treasury.gov/connect/blog/Documents/IRS-Funding_Lapse_Contingency_Plan2011.PDF

I’ll leave it to each person to decide for themselves if this is good news or bad.

From Blog Comix

Excellent short video on the deficit from ReasonTV.

It’s a welcome shock to finally see a campaign promise by the good guys that is actually kept.

ABC APPLAUDS REPEAL OF FORM 1099 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

1099 reporting repeal close to reality

CCH Tax Briefing on this repeal (2 page pdf)