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Protect Yourself from Identity Theft with IRS Online Accounts and IP PINs

In today’s digital world, identity theft and fraud are on the rise, especially during tax season and in light of the recent hack of the largest number of social security numbers to date. To help protect taxpayers from these threats, the IRS offers an important tool known as the Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN). Combined with setting up an IRS Online Account, these resources create an extra layer of security that can help safeguard your personal and financial information.

Why You Need an IRS Identity Protection PIN

The IP PIN is a six-digit number that provides protection against tax-related identity theft. It prevents someone else from filing a tax return in your name. The IRS encourages all taxpayers to obtain an IP PIN and establish an online account to ensure their identity and financial data remain secure. While the program is voluntary, it’s a strong line of defense against scammers attempting to steal your identity.

Important things to know about an IP PIN

It’s a six-digit number known only to the taxpayer and the IRS.
The program is voluntary, though it’s strongly encouraged.
In cases of proven identity theft, taxpayers will be assigned an IP […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2024-09-09T13:51:40+00:00September 9th, 2024|fraud, irs, Tech|0 Comments

For California Storm Victims, IRS and California FTB Postpones Tax-Filing and Tax-Payment Deadline to November 16th.

This morning, the IRS extended tax deadlines for most California residents to Nov. 16, 2023, due to recent natural disasters. This relief covers multiple 2022 tax returns, payments, and other time-sensitive actions, and it automatically applies to taxpayers in the affected counties without the need for contacting the IRS. The California Franchise Tax Board today confirmed that most Californians have until November 16, 2023, to file and pay their tax year 2022 taxes to avoid penalties. More information here on CA FTB updates.

Most individuals and businesses in California will now have until Nov. 16 to file their 2022 returns and pay any tax due. Fifty-five of California’s 58 counties—all except Lassen, Modoc and Shasta counties—qualify. IRS relief is based on three different FEMA disaster declarations covering severe winter storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides over a period of several months.

The IRS normally provides relief, including postponing various tax filing and payment deadlines, for any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As long as their address of record is in a disaster-area locality, individual and business taxpayers automatically get the extra […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2023-10-18T20:25:07+00:00October 16th, 2023|irs, tax deadlines|0 Comments

How IRS Auditors Learn About Your Business Industry

Ever wonder how IRS examiners know about different industries so they can audit various businesses? They generally do research about specific industries and issues on tax returns by using IRS Audit Techniques Guides (ATGs). A little-known fact is that these guides are available to the public on the IRS website. In other words, your business can use the same guides to gain insight into what the IRS is looking for in terms of compliance with tax laws and regulations.

Many ATGs target specific industries, such as construction, aerospace, art galleries, architecture and veterinary medicine. Other guides address issues that frequently arise in audits, such as executive compensation, passive activity losses and capitalization of tangible property.

Issues unique to certain taxpayers

IRS auditors need to examine all different types of businesses, as well as individual taxpayers and tax-exempt organizations. Each type of return might have unique industry issues, business practices and terminology. Before meeting with taxpayers and their advisors, auditors do their homework to understand various industries or issues, the accounting methods commonly used, how income is received, and areas where taxpayers might not be in compliance.

By using a specific ATG, an IRS auditor may be […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2023-10-11T18:36:38+00:00October 11th, 2023|audit, irs|0 Comments

That Email or Text from the IRS: It’s a Scam!

“Thousands of people have lost millions of dollars and their personal information to tax scams,” according to the IRS. The scams may come in through email, text messages, telephone calls or regular mail. Criminals regularly target both individuals and businesses and often prey on the elderly.

Important: The IRS will never contact you by email, text or social media channels about a tax bill or refund. Most IRS contacts are first made through regular mail. So if you get a text message saying it’s the IRS and asking for your Social Security number, it’s someone trying to steal your identity and rob you. Remember that the IRS already has your Social Security number.

“Scammers are coming up with new ways all the time to try to steal information from taxpayers,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “People should be wary and avoid sharing sensitive personal data over the phone, email or social media to avoid getting caught up […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2023-07-05T19:17:36+00:00July 5th, 2023|fraud, irs, News|0 Comments

California Conforms To IRS Filing Extensions For California Storm Victims

The Governor’s office has announced that California will conform to the filing extensions granted by the IRS for California storm victims. This means the FTB has extended filing and payment deadlines for many individuals and businesses in California until May 15, 2023.

This relief applies to the following deadlines falling on or after January 8, 2023, and before May 15, 2023:

Individual income tax returns;
Business return filings normally due between March 15 and April 18, 2023;
Fourth and first quarter estimated tax payments due on January 17, 2023, and April 18, 2023. Individual taxpayers can skip making the fourth quarter estimated tax payment and instead include it with the 2022 return as long as the return is filed on or before May 15, 2023;
IRA and health savings account (HSA) contributions; and
Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns, normally due on January 31, 2023, and April 30, 2023.

Below is the complete press release from the Governor’s office:

SACRAMENTO – Californians impacted by winter storms are now eligible to claim a deduction for a disaster loss and will have more time to file their taxes.

“Whether it’s more time to file your taxes or getting a deduction, this […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2023-01-16T18:32:49+00:00January 16th, 2023|ca, CA tax, california, disaster, ftb, irs, tax deadlines|0 Comments