4 Tips for Not Panicking When You Get a Letter From the IRS

Published on: 31 January 2019 Last Updated on: 08 August 2019

A letter from the IRS may seem serious, but the situation that results in the letter may not always be serious. You may find that you’re receiving a notification of a minor error or small sum of money that you owe. Even an audit isn’t causing to panic — the IRS may simply need some additional information in your personal files. Follow these tips to handle communications from the IRS in a calm, sensible manner.

Read the IRS Document Carefully:

IRS

Image via Flickr by dvs

You should always open and review documents from the IRS as soon as you receive them. The IRS will attempt to connect with you by mail to make initial contact regarding any issues with unpaid tax debt, tax filing errors, tax audits, and other issues. The sooner you address the problem, the easier it will typically be to find a satisfactory resolution.

If you ignore letters from the IRS, it is possible for the agency to reach out to you by phone. The IRS recently started working with private debt collection companies to handle unpaid tax debt. Many telephone scams exist as well, and you should be vigilant about confirming any information that you receive by telephone.

Keep Your Tax Documents Organized:

Ideally, you’ll have your tax documents for the last three years safely stored and ready for your review at any time you may need them. These materials include documentation regarding any protections you may enjoy through a third-party tax filing service. Many websites and companies provide audit protection or a guarantee of accuracy, which can give you valuable peace of mind if an audit should arise.

If you do not have these documents on hand, you should take the time to gather them as soon as you’re informed of any type of dispute or IRS audit. Having these documents provides an important sense of security going forward.

Verify the Tax Issue:

Before you make arrangements with the IRS to settle a debt, make sure that the amount of the debt is correct. The IRS may occasionally make errors, so it’s crucial that you check the numbers for yourself and file a dispute if you believe that the figure is incorrect. Contact the IRS immediately if you believe that the agency is operating with incorrect information.

Explore Your Tax Debt Options:

If you owe a debt to the IRS, you don’t necessarily have to pay the full sum immediately. You can explore several tax debt options. Understanding these options can help you avoid panic, particularly if you’re facing a debt too large to pay at once. You may qualify for an offer in compromise, a condition in which you settle your debt with the IRS for a lower sum of money. You can also request that the IRS delay collection or set up a payment plan to handle the debt in a series of installments.

If you hear from the IRS, you should take the time to thoroughly review all communications so that you understand what the IRS requests from you. If you need assistance navigating an audit, tax debt, or other situation, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional for help.

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Lining up for a Loan – How to Secure a Good Loan

Obtaining credit in its various forms is not a difficult feat. In fact, the online platform has laid the groundwork for many consumers to get the funding they need for any project. While online funding sources and traditional institutions have streamlined the application process, applying for a loan is a process requiring prospective borrowers organise their materials way before obtaining credit. Whether you apply for a loan online or in a traditional bank, the institution requires applicants to submit information regarding your ability to pay the loan back. While you can find lenders who require no credit check and a quick process, these lenders increase the interest rate of the loan, in addition to other surprises that lurk in the details of the contract. To obtain the best loan, prospective borrowers should plan to submit an application, prove income, and have a good credit history. Continue reading to learn more about what is involved in applying for a loan so you can secure the best loan possible. The Application Process: When applying for a loan, the first step is the application. While the easiest part of applying for a loan, the document asks you for all of the relevant information needed to determine risk. The document usually asks you for information related to your employment, assets, and debts. Furthermore, few applications ask you for a list of references. Whether applying online or in the institution itself, you essentially should be prepared to give the lending institution much of the information related to your current finances. The Credit Report: Of the documents to be submitted, your credit report is an account of all of the debts you have incurred as an adult. Before applying for any loan, the easiest way to secure funding is to make sure your credit report is in the best shape by obtaining a copy months before applying for the loan. Obtaining a copy beforehand gives you a chance to address any inaccuracies that appear on the file, and more importantly, any derogatory remarks that show up on the file. Cleaning up your credit report is important for a few reasons. For one, your credit score directly affects your interest rate, but more significantly, it can affect the type of loan you are approved for and whether you are approved at all. Furthermore, those with derogatory remarks and delinquencies are required to have some type of collateral to qualify for a loan, in this case, a secured loan. Proof Of Income And Assets: Lenders want to know how you are going to pay the loan off if you, for some unforeseeable reason, cannot fulfill the obligation. Before applying for a loan, figure out what your assets are and how much income you have to pay down the loan. Prospective borrowers with savings and other assets stand a greater chance of being approved for loans that can offer them competitive rates. Furthermore, the lender can also determine your ability to pay by figuring out your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). This figure simply is the percentage of money that you spend on debt every month. Low DTIs are favourable because it means that you have more than enough to cover the loan and high DTIs mean the opposite. Each lender has a percentage that qualifies a person for a loan, and much of the time it depends on the type of loan. For example, the percentage might be higher for a home loan than a car loan. Gaining The Advantage When Borrowing: Much of what determines whether you get a great loan is in the preparation. If you have addressed many of the common ailments that plague the credit report, you increase the chance of getting a lower rate. Ultimately, it is the entire financial picture that determines whether or not you can actually afford to carry the loan. Read Also: Title Loan Requirements: What You Do And Don’t Need How To Get A Loan On A Day With Bad Credit?

Glenn Sandler (CPA) of G.I. Tax Service: What to Do If You Can’t Pay Your Taxes

Things happen, circumstances change, and often, people find themselves unable to pay their taxes. If you find yourself in a similar position, it is important that you understand the gravity of the situation. Continued refusal to pay your taxes could lead the IRS to take it forcibly: by garnishing your wages or putting a lien on your assets. However, according to Glenn Sandler, CPA, founder of G.I. Tax Service, there is no need to panic. If you can’t pay your taxes or you owe an amount in back taxes, you can enter into an agreement with the IRS and leverage one of their several payment options. Here is how to go about it: Ensure that you are in filing/payment compliance: To enter into an agreement with the IRS, you must ensure that all your tax returns are filed. The next step is to keep enough of your wages aside to pay off your taxes for the current year. To do this, you will need to estimate your tax returns for the year and ascertain that the wage percentage that was withheld will suffice. If you don’t know how to file tax returns or make accurate enough estimations, please contact tax professionals that will help you through the process. Review your tax returns: Check your tax returns to ensure that the balance that the IRS expects you to pay is correct. The smart play is to calculate your returns for the years you owe and the 3 years that precede it, i.e., if you owe taxes for a year, review your account for the past 4 years. By doing so, any discrepancy between your calculated returns and your tax balance (according to the IRS) can be remedied. Also, if you incurred any penalties in the past, you can try to get them reduced or removed completely. Enter an agreement with the IRS: Once you have filed your taxes and are back in compliance, and have confirmed that you owe exactly what the IRS says that you do, the next thing to do is enter an agreement with the IRS. The alternatives available include: A brief extension of the payment period. The different installment agreements (monthly payment plans with varying terms and conditions). Postponed payment (known as currently not collectible status) for people in financial hardship. An offer in compromise (OIC); a settlement option that allows taxpayers with special and extenuating circumstances to clear their debt by paying a portion of their total balance. Depending on their individual situations, taxpayers with back taxes are eligible for one of the above. Before deciding on which of them to apply for, evaluate your current assets, calculate how much you can pay per month, and consider the effect of incurring even more interest and penalties. Consult a tax professional: If you don’t know how to do any of the above, your best bet is to reach out to a tax expert at G.I. Tax Service. They can help you file your returns and ensure that you are in compliance, check your tax returns and correct any discrepancies, and apply for one of the IRS’ payments options after considering your financial circumstances. When managed smartly, tax debt does not have to be disruptive. All you have to do is secure a payment plan that works well with your income, and before you know it, the debt is all gone. Read Also: Are Payday Loans Really As Bad As People Say? 7 Simple Tips To Pay Off Your Loans Faster

Tax Implications For Independent Event Planners

As an independent event planner, you have the freedom to set your own schedule and take on exciting projects that you’re passionate about. However, being your own boss also comes with certain responsibilities, including managing your taxes. Freelancers often face challenges in maximizing their tax savings and properly filing their taxes due to their unique work situation. In this article, we’ll explore the tax implications of being an independent event planner and provide helpful information to ensure that you’re on top of your tax obligations. 1099 Income and Taxes As an independent event planner, you may receive 1099 income, which refers to income received from a client or business that is not your employer. When you receive 1099 income, you’ll need to pay both the employer and employee portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes. This is known as self-employment tax. The self-employment tax rate is currently 15.3%, but only applies to the first $132,900 of your net earnings. Once you reach this threshold, the rate drops to 2.9%. It’s worth noting that the self-employment tax rate applies in addition to your regular income tax rate. This means that you’ll need to factor in both taxes when calculating your overall tax liability and use a quarterly tax calculator. To make things a bit easier, you can use a 1040 ES calculator to estimate how much you’ll need to pay in taxes for the year and to determine how much money you should set aside throughout the year to cover your tax bill. The 1040 ES calculator takes into account your 1099 income, self-employment tax, and any other income you may have throughout the year. Claiming Deductions and Maximizing Tax Savings One of the benefits of being self-employed is the ability to claim deductions that can help reduce your taxable income and lower your overall tax bill. However, freelancers often struggle with identifying which deductions they’re eligible for and how to properly claim them on their tax returns. As independent event planners, you may be eligible to deduct expenses such as office supplies, equipment, software and subscriptions, travel expenses, and marketing expenses. However, it’s crucial to save records of what you spend in order to claim them properly, and in case you get an IRS audit. You can also consider setting up a retirement account, such as a Solo 401(k) or a SEP IRA, which can help reduce your taxable income while ensuring that you’re saving for your future. Tax Implications of Incorporating Your Business Many independent event planners operate as sole proprietors, which means that they’re an individual who owns and operates a business. However, there are benefits to incorporating your business, such as limited liability protection and potential tax savings. Additionally, corporations are eligible for more tax deductions than sole proprietors, including health and life insurance premiums, employee benefits, and certain business travel expenses. Making your business incorporated can also help reduce your total tax liability. For example, if you’re earning a high income as a sole proprietor, you may be subject to the top income tax rate of 37%. However, if you incorporate your business and structure it as an S-corporation, you can pay yourself a salary and receive the rest of your income through distributions, which are taxed at a lower rate. 2023 Self-Employment Tax Calculator Looking ahead to future tax years, it’s always a good idea to stay informed about changes to tax laws and regulations. The self-employment tax rate may change from year to year, and it’s important to stay on top of these changes in order to accurately estimate your overall tax liability. The self-employment tax calculator 2023 can help you estimate how much you’ll owe in self-employment taxes for the year, based on the latest tax rates and regulations. By using this calculator, you can ensure that you’re setting aside enough money throughout the year to cover your tax bill and avoid any unpleasant surprises come tax time. Conclusion As an independent event planner, managing your taxes can be a bit daunting. However, by staying informed about your tax obligations, identifying available deductions, and incorporating your business if necessary, you can minimize your tax liability and maximize your tax savings. Utilizing tools such as the 1040 ES calculator and the self-employment tax calculator 2023 can also help streamline the tax planning process and ensure that you’re in compliance with the latest tax regulations. Read Also: 6 Ways to Stay Sales Tax Compliant Know the Applicable Stamp Duty when Gifting an Asset Commonly Misunderstood Facts About The Employee Retention Tax Credit

4 Tips for Not Panicking When You Get a Letter From the IRS

Read the IRS Document Carefully:

Keep Your Tax Documents Organized:

Verify the Tax Issue:

Explore Your Tax Debt Options:

Tips for Breaking Into Finance and Banking

How to Select the Best Investment Plan for Your Child?

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Lining up for a Loan – How to Secure a Good Loan

Glenn Sandler (CPA) of G.I. Tax Service: What to Do If You Can’t Pay Your Taxes

Tax Implications For Independent Event Planners

4 Tips for Not Panicking When You Get a Letter From the IRS

Read the IRS Document Carefully:

Keep Your Tax Documents Organized:

Verify the Tax Issue:

Explore Your Tax Debt Options:

Share this Article

Tips for Breaking Into Finance and Banking

How to Select the Best Investment Plan for Your Child?

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related