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Category: IRS

What If I Get Audited?

 

“Audit” is a word that can strike fear into the hearts of taxpayers.  However, the chances of an Internal Revenue Service audit aren’t that high. In 2017, the most recent statistics available, the IRS audited 0.5% of all individual tax returns.[i]

 

Being audited does not necessarily imply that the IRS suspects wrongdoing. The IRS says that an audit is just a formal review of a tax return to ensure information is being reported according to current tax law and to verify that the information itself is accurate.

 

The IRS selects returns for audit using three main methods.

 

Random Selection. Some returns are chosen at random based on the results of a statistical formula.

 

Information Matching. The IRS compares reports from payers – W-2 forms from employers, 1099 forms from banks and brokerages, and others – to the returns filed by taxpayers. Those that don’t match may be examined further.

 

Related Examinations. Some returns are selected for an audit because they involve issues or transactions with other taxpayers whose returns have been selected for examination.

 

There are a number of sound tax practices that may reduce the chances of an audit.

 

Provide Complete Information. Among the most commonly overlooked information is missing Social Security numbers – including those for any dependent children and ex-spouses.

 

Avoid Math Errors. When the IRS receives a return that contains math errors, it assesses the error and sends a notice without following its normal deficiency procedures.

 

Match Your Statements. The numbers on any W-2 and 1099 forms must match the returns to which they are tied. Those that don’t match may be flagged for an audit.

 

Don’t Repeat Mistakes. The IRS remembers those returns it has audited. It may check to make sure past errors aren’t repeated.

 

Keep Complete Records. This won’t reduce the chance of an audit, but it potentially may make it much easier to comply with IRS requests for documentation.

 

To learn more about CapSouth Wealth Management and the services we provide, visit our website at www.capsouthwm.com or call 800.929.1001.  Financial advisors in Dothan, AL, McDonough, GA and Charlotte, NC

 

For more info about the Internal Revenue Service, visit their website at https://www.irs.gov/

 

Investment advisory services are offered through CapSouth Partners, Inc., dba CapSouth Wealth Management, an independent registered Investment Advisory firm. Information provided by sources deemed to be reliable.  CapSouth does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information.  This material has been prepared for planning purposes only and is not intended as specific tax or legal advice.  Tax and legal laws are often complex and frequently change.  Please consult your tax or legal advisor to discuss your specific situation before making any decisions that may have tax or legal consequences.

 

This article contains external links to third party content (content hosted on sites unaffiliated with CapSouth Partners). The policies and procedures governing these third-party sites may differ from those effective on the CapSouth company website, as outlined in these Disclaimers. As such, CapSouth makes no representations whatsoever regarding any third-party content/sites that may be accessible directly or indirectly from the CapSouth website. Linking to these third-party sites in no way implies an endorsement or affiliation of any kind between CapSouth and any third party, including legal authorization to use any trademark, trade name, logo, or copyrighted materials belonging to either entity.

[i] https://www.irs.gov/statistics/enforcement-examinations

Tax Tips for Students with Summer Jobs

 

Do you have a child or grandchild working this summer? Well, you might want to share the following tax tips with them!

 

  • If they have a self-employed job this summer, such as being a nanny, babysitter, or landscaper, they may have to pay their estimated tax directly to the IRS because they won’t have an employer withholding taxes for them.
  • In addition, these self-employed students may be able to deduct some of their costs as business expenses. Tell your children or grandchildren to keep detailed records of their expenses this summer.
  • Remember, tip income is taxable too (even if it’s cash).
  • Although your summer worker might not earn enough to owe income tax, they will likely still owe Social Security and Medicare taxes. Most employers will withhold these taxes or if they’re self-employed, they might have to pay these taxes themselves.

 

Do you know a young person trying to earn a little extra income this summer? Share these tips with them to make sure they are up on their tax requirements.

 

To learn more about CapSouth Wealth Management and the services we provide, visit our website at www.capsouthwm.com or call our office at 800.929.1001.

 

* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

 

Tip adapted from IRS.gov[i]

 

Investment advisory services are offered through CapSouth Partners, Inc., dba CapSouth Wealth Management, an independent registered Investment Advisory firm. Information provided by sources deemed to be reliable.  CapSouth does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information.  This material has been prepared for planning purposes only and is not intended as specific tax or legal advice.  Tax and legal laws are often complex and frequently change.  Please consult your tax or legal advisor to discuss your specific situation before making any decisions that may have tax or legal consequences.

 

This article contains external links to third party content (content hosted on sites unaffiliated with CapSouth Partners). The policies and procedures governing these third party sites may differ from those effective on the CapSouth company website, as outlined in these Disclaimers. As such, CapSouth makes no representations whatsoever regarding any third party content/sites that may be accessible directly or indirectly from the CapSouth website. Linking to these third party sites in no way implies an endorsement or affiliation of any kind between CapSouth and any third party, including legal authorization to use any trademark, trade name, logo, or copyrighted materials belonging to either entity.

[i] https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-tips-for-students-with-summer-jobs

 

Red Flags for Tax Auditors

 

No one wants to see an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax auditor show up at their door. In 2018, the IRS budget is roughly $1 billion less than it was 8 years ago, down from $12.1 billion in 2010 to $11.2 billion. And even though the number of audits has dropped 40 percent from 2010 to 2017, an IRS tax audit remains a fear for many individuals.[i]

 

The IRS can’t audit every American’s federal tax return, so it relies on guidelines to select the ones most deserving of its attention. Here are six flags that could make your tax return ripe for an IRS audit.

 

The chance of an audit rises with income. According to the IRS, less than 1% of all individual taxpayer returns are audited. However, the percent of audits rises to over 1.5% for those with incomes between $200,000 and $1 million who attach Schedule C and is over 4% for those making more than $1 million annually.[ii]

 

If this year’s 1040 deviates greatly from last year’s, that could raise a red flag. The IRS has a scoring system called the Discriminant Information Function (DIF) that is based on the deduction, credit, and exemption norms for taxpayers in each of the income brackets. The agency does not disclose its formula for identifying aberrations that trigger an audit, but it helps if your return data is within the range of other taxpayers with similar incomes.[iii]

 

If your business passes for a hobby, you could be scrutinized. Taxpayers who repeatedly report yearly business losses on Schedule C increase their audit risk. In order for the IRS not to consider your business as a hobby, it typically needs to have earned a profit in three of the last five years.2

 

Not fully reporting your income boosts the chances of an audit. The IRS receives copies of all of your 1099 and W-2 forms. Individuals who overlook reported income are easily identified and may provoke greater scrutiny.2

 

Alimony discrepancies between exes can raise eyebrows. When divorced spouses prepare individual tax returns, the IRS compares the separate submissions to identify instances where alimony payments are reported on one return, but alimony income goes unreported on the other party’s return.2 Keep in mind that The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act repealed the alimony deduction after December 31, 2018.

 

If you claim rental losses, you had better be a real estate professional. Passive loss rules prevent deductions of losses on rental real estate, except in the event you are actively participating in a property’s management as a developer, broker, or landlord (the deduction is limited to $25,000 and begins to phase out when adjusted gross income exceeds $100,000) or you are devoting more than 50% of your working hours to this activity. This is a deduction to which the IRS pays keen attention.2  

 

To learn more about CapSouth and the services we provide, call our office at 800.929.1001 or visit our website at www.capsouthwm.com

 

CapSouth Wealth Management – Dothan, AL, Atlanta, GA, McDonough, GA, Charlotte, NC

 

The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.

 

Investment advisory services are offered through CapSouth Partners, Inc., dba CapSouth Wealth Management, an independent registered Investment Advisory firm. Information provided by sources deemed to be reliable.  CapSouth does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information.  This material has been prepared for planning purposes only and is not intended as specific tax or legal advice.  Tax and legal laws are often complex and frequently change.  Please consult your tax or legal advisor to discuss your specific situation before making any decisions that may have tax or legal consequences.

 

This article contains external links to third party content (content hosted on sites unaffiliated with CapSouth Partners). The policies and procedures governing these third-party sites may differ from those effective on the CapSouth company website, as outlined in these Disclaimers. As such, CapSouth makes no representations whatsoever regarding any third-party content/sites that may be accessible directly or indirectly from the CapSouth website. Linking to these third-party sites in no way implies an endorsement or affiliation of any kind between CapSouth and any third party, including legal authorization to use any trademark, trade name, logo, or copyrighted materials belonging to either entity.

 

[i] https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/your-chances-of-an-irs-audit-are-way-down-but-keep-it-on-the-up-and-up/2018/04/06/cb6c5794-3779-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html?utm_term=.77485a954004

 

[ii] https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/taxes/T056-S001-red-flags-for-irs-auditors/index.html

 

[iii] https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/news/12418908/how-to-prepare-your-clients-for-an-irs-tax-audit

 

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