irs - Linkenheimer LLP CPAs & Advisors

IRS Gives Tax Relief to Victims of California Wildfires; Extension Filers Have Until Jan. 31 to File

The following information is from the IRS:

Victims of wildfires ravaging parts of California now have until Jan. 31, 2018, to file certain individual and business tax returns and make certain tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced today.

This includes an additional filing extension for taxpayers with valid extensions that run out this coming Monday, Oct. 16.

Currently, the IRS is providing relief to seven California counties: Butte, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Sonoma and Yuba. Individuals and businesses in these localities, as well as firefighters and relief workers who live elsewhere, qualify for the extension. The agency will continue to closely monitor this disaster and may provide other relief to these and other affected localities.

The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting on Oct. 8, 2017. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until Jan. 31, 2018, to file returns and pay any taxes originally due during this period.

This includes the Jan. 16, 2018 deadline for making quarterly estimated tax payments. For individual tax filers, it also includes 2016 income tax returns that received a tax-filing extension until Oct. 16, 2017. The IRS noted, however, that […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:04:52+00:00October 13th, 2017|Community, disaster, Fire Relief Info, irs, relief|0 Comments

Tax And Disaster Info For Those Affected By The Fires

Linkenheimer has been an active part of our Sonoma County community for over 85 years. And like most of you, we have all been profoundly affected by these horrific fires that have swept through our community and continue to affect those that live here. We have lost houses and entire neighborhoods, friends and families have been displaced and like many of you, we are still reeling from the ongoing damage the fires have created. We want to express our utmost condolences to all of our friends, families and clients who have lost something in this disaster. And we want you to know, we will be working side by side with you all during this difficult time to rebuild our community. With power, utilities and cell phone coverage being scarce, we want to try and provide as much information as we can in one post, so that it can be shared effectively with those desperately in need of information and reassurance.

As some of you know, the October 15th tax deadline is near. We have spoken with the IRS regarding extension relief for our clients. Due to our office being located […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:04:53+00:00October 11th, 2017|Community, disaster, Fire Relief Info, irs, relief|0 Comments

Equifax Data Breach- What You Should Know

The Equifax data breach, which is estimated to have impacted 143 million Americans – nearly half the US population – is considered one of largest data breaches in history. So there is a good chance you or someone you know will be impacted by it. While hackers and scammers have been targeting innocent consumers for decades, this data breach will only complicate matters. But there are steps you can take which should allow you to rest a little easier.

First, you need to determine if any of your information was exposed or has been manipulated. You can do this by entering your last name and the last six digits of your Social Security number at Equifax’s website. The site will tell you if you’ve been affected by the data breach. Side note- people have reported that one day it will tell them they aren’t affected, but when they try again later they are, so it would be worthwhile to try it a few times to make sure they provide consistent info.
Whether or not you were exposed, Equifax has set up a free one-year monitoring service called “TrustID Premier” which you can sign up […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:04:53+00:00October 6th, 2017|fraud, irs|0 Comments

Beware of Fake Charity Scams Relating to Hurricane Harvey

WASHINGTON ― The Internal Revenue Service today issued a warning about possible fake charity scams emerging due to Hurricane Harvey and encouraged taxpayers to seek out recognized charitable groups for their donations.

While there has been an enormous wave of support across the country for the victims of Hurricane Harvey, people should be aware of criminals who look to take advantage of this generosity by impersonating charities to get money or private information from well-meaning taxpayers. Such fraudulent schemes may involve contact by telephone, social media, e-mail or in-person solicitations.

Criminals often send emails that steer recipients to bogus websites that appear to be affiliated with legitimate charitable causes. These sites frequently mimic the sites of, or use names similar to, legitimate charities, or claim to be affiliated with legitimate charities in order to persuade people to send money or provide personal financial information that can be used to steal identities or financial resources.

IRS.gov has the tools people need to quickly and easily check the status of charitable organizations.

The IRS cautions people wishing to make disaster-related charitable donations to avoid scam artists by following these tips:

Be sure to donate to recognized charities.
Be wary […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:04:54+00:00August 31st, 2017|irs|0 Comments

Still Time to Contribute to an IRA for 2016

Available in one form or another since the mid-1970s, individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) are designed to enable employees and the self-employed to save for retirement. Contributions to traditional IRAs are often deductible, but distributions, usually after age 59½, are generally taxable. Though contributions to Roth IRAs are not deductible, qualified distributions, usually after age 59½, are tax-free. Those with traditional IRAs must begin receiving distributions by April 1 of the year following the year they turn 70½, but there is no similar requirement for Roth IRAs.

Most taxpayers with qualifying income are either eligible to set up a traditional or Roth IRA or add money to an existing account. To count for a 2016 tax return, contributions must be made by April 18, 2017. In addition, low- and moderate-income taxpayers making these contributions may also qualify for the saver’s credit when they complete their 2016 tax returns.

Generally, eligible taxpayers can contribute up to $5,500 to an IRA. For someone who was at least age 50 at the end of 2016, the limit is increased to $6,500. There’s no age limit for those contributing to a Roth IRA, but anyone who was at […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:04:57+00:00March 20th, 2017|ira, irs|0 Comments