As a tax attorney, I get asked a lot of questions everyday regarding – you guessed it – the rather specialized world of California taxation. To be sure, some questions are asked more frequently than others. In light of this, I’ve given some thought to four frequently asked questions and hope that my answers provide you with the information that you’re interested in.
Collections
IRS Prioritizes More Delinquent, High-Income Taxpayers
Imagine yourself working as an IRS agent. Your department is in charge of identifying delinquent, high-income taxpayers who gross $200,000 or more per year in your state.
Know about Tax Debt before Filing for Bankruptcy
Filing for bankruptcy may feel like accidentally stepping off a cliff – it’s not something most people can mentally prepare themselves for in advance.
Establishing Residency or Domicile in California Can Be Taxing
Robert Wood, tax expert and frequent contributor to Forbes.com, wrote that “many would-be former Californians have unrealistic expectations about establishing residency in a new state. They may have a hard time distancing themselves from California, and they may not plan on California tax authorities pursuing them.”
How Does the FTB Handle Business Tax Collections?
The people who administer state tax laws generally show up in the news only when a newsworthy case is reported, typically one involving tax evasion, a “big fish” going to jail for not paying taxes.
How to Process Employee Withholding Orders for Taxes
In an earlier chapter, we touched on wage garnishment as a means for the FTB to collect unpaid taxes. However, the other side of the fence can be if you are an employer and are called upon by the FTB to garnish wages of any of your employees.
What Is EDD Offer In Compromise?
There are certain types of people that will go to great lengths to save money. I’m not talking about eating a strict diet of ramen noodles and taking the bus when you could afford to drive – I’m talking about tax avoidance.
Frequently Asked Questions About IRS Collections and Taxes
In my years of representing clients before the IRS, I have been asked some common questions about the IRS, filing taxes and collections. The following is a compilation of my responses to some of the questions I hear the most from my clients. I hope that this Q&A section answers some of the questions that you may have. As always, if you have additional questions, please feel free to call me and I will do my best to answer them for you.
What Is the FAST Act?
The IRS means business when it comes to recouping what is owed to them. Their latest strategy is implementation of the FAST Act. Simply put, if you owe more than $50,000 to the IRS, the IRS can seize your passport, thus prohibiting your ability to travel outside the U.S. This can be particularly problematic if you frequently travel overseas or have a residence in another country.
Innocent Spouse Relief
The Theory of Innocent Spouse Relief
Because of certain benefits that filing jointly allows, many married taxpayers elect to file joint returns. However, filing a joint return carries the added burden of both parties being liable for the tax due. In addition, under the IRS code, married taxpayers who file jointly are each liable for any additions to the tax, penalties, or interest associated with the account.[1]