Taxpayers have a few more days before the state and federal filing deadlines. The Indiana Department of Revenue says taxpayers who are unable to pay must file an extension using form IT-9 in order to avoid penalties. Estimated payments are also due today. Visit www.in.gov/dor for more information about Indiana income tax filing. Continue reading
This Friday is the deadline for certain retirees to start withdrawing money out of their retirement accounts. Specifically, those who reached the age of 70½ during 2015 who have a traditional IRA or participate in many workplace retirement plans must start receiving required minimum distributions by Friday, April 1. Continue reading
There may be a few changes this year in the way you prepare your taxes, thanks to the Affordable Care Act. For the first time, certain taxpayers may be getting health care information forms to help them complete their tax returns and keep with their tax records. Continue reading
The IRS may need more information from some income tax filers this year due to provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Taxpayers who signed up for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace chose to either have advance payments of the premium tax credit paid directly to their insurance provider in order to reduce their premiums throughout the year or to get their assistance at tax time as a premium tax credit. Continue reading
Telephone scam artists pretending to be with the IRS call claiming you owe money or have a refund trying to trick you into releasing important information. They may know a lot about you, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling. Fake names and incorrect identification badge numbers are given to make you think they are who they say they are. Continue reading
Criminals don’t stop victimizing unsuspecting taxpayers with their scams after April 15th. Scams happen year-round. Here’s some important information you should know about common tax scams:
A bill sponsored by an Indiana lawmaker would require the Internal Revenue Service to notify nonprofit organizations before revoking their tax-exempt status. U.S. Sen. Dan Coats says the lack of notification creates uncertainties for charities, their donors and the people they serve. Under current federal law, charities and other nonprofits automatically lose their tax-exempt status if they do not file annual information returns for three consecutive years. The returns must be filed, even if the charity receives minimal money. According to Coats, 11,600 charities and nonprofits in Indiana have lost their tax-exempt status since 2010 because of this provision. It was originally enacted to clear defunct nonprofit organizations from the government’s tax rolls. Coats adds many community and faith-based organizations have stepped in to fill voids left by government spending reductions. If they lose their nonprofit status they have to file for tax-exempt status again and run the risk of losing donors while waiting for approval.
A sophisticated telephone scam from individuals claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service has cost taxpayers more than $1 million collectively, according to federal government officials. The Treasury Inspector General for Taxpayer Administration (TIGTA) has received reports of more than 20,000 contacts from nearly every state in the country. Callers claiming to be from the IRS tell intended victims they owe taxes and must use a prepaid debit card or wire transfer to make a payment. They threaten those who refuse to pay with arrest, deportation or loss of a business or driver’s license. George says the threats are a sign that the caller is not an IRS representative. He adds IRS contacts people by mail about unpaid taxes and will not ask for payment via prepaid debit card or wire transfer. IRS officials also will not ask for a credit card number over the telephone. Continue reading
Anyone who prepares or helps prepare all or substantially all of a federal tax return, claim for refund or other federal forms for compensation must have a valid PTIN. All enrolled agents also must have a PTIN. Tax professionals can obtain or renew their PTINs at www.irs.gov/ptin.
