The Tax Lawyer Blog: Topical thinking from the lawyers at Moskowitz, LLP

Derek Jeter’s 3,000th Hit Ball Could Cost Fan Christian Lopez More Dollars in Taxes Than Jeter Had Hits.

Posted on July 14, 2011February 20, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP Tax Planning & Compliance, Tax: Audits, Litigation & Collection,

Christian Lopez, 23-year old cell phone salesman from Highland Mills, NY. decided to return Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit ball last Saturday instead of trying to cash in. As a thank you by the Yankees, he received memorabilia and tickets. This all looks great for the young man who gave the...

IRS PUSHES FOR SIX-YEAR AND LONGER AUDITS

Posted on July 1, 2011February 20, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP Tax: Audits, Litigation & Collection,

Some recent court decisions and legislation give the IRS more flexibility to apply a six-year audit statute of limitations in more of its cases. The IRS even argues for no statute of limitation for audits in cases involving fraud or deceit. This article discusses the various audit periods enforced by...

THE AUDIT LOTTERY MYTH

Posted on June 29, 2011February 20, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP Tax: Audits, Litigation & Collection,

Many people believe in the myth of the "audit lottery." The audit lottery myth encourages the perception that the IRS chooses returns to audit at total random. Under a completely random system, taxpayers who have accurate and correct information on their tax returns would have the same chance of being...

INNOCENT SPOUSE RELIEF

Posted on June 28, 2011February 20, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP Tax: Audits, Litigation & Collection,

Filling taxes with a spouse as "married filing jointly" may cause problems if one spouse contributes incorrect, false, or fraudulent information, or doesn't pay their share. One spouse may be on-the-hook for tax or penalty payments even though the other spouse was the wrongdoer. Moreover, one spouse may become liable...

The Government  Enforcement of Foreign Banking

Posted on June 6, 2011February 20, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP International Taxation, Tax: Audits, Litigation & Collection,

The U.S. Department of Justice has a mission statement: To enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for those guilty...

Tax Shelters (Section 6707A)

Posted on May 4, 2011February 20, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP Tax: Audits, Litigation & Collection, Business Law, Tax Planning & Compliance,

Relief from Penalties Imposed by Section 6707A The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 ("SBJA"), signed into law in September of last year provides enormous relief for those who would have suffered penalties from not disclosing certain tax shelters to the IRS. Internal Revenue Code section 6707A imposes strict penalties...

Bay Area Whistleblower Incentives

Posted on May 3, 2011February 20, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP Tax: Audits, Litigation & Collection,

San Francisco's Real Estate Watchdog Program In an effort to recover some of the millions of dollars lost to San Francisco from tax evasion, City Supervisors passed an ordinance in 2006 to award those who report others who are cheating on their property taxes. While the historic Proposition 13 protects...

Tax Attorney’s Assistance in Personal Injury Case

Posted on April 28, 2011February 20, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP Tax Planning & Compliance, Tax: Audits, Litigation & Collection,

If you have a personal injury case, it is important to obtain the services of a tax attorney in addition to your personal injury attorney. A tax attorney will assist your personal injury attorney in crafting a complaint and/or settlement to your tax advantage. For instance, allowing you to deduct...

Failure to File Tax Returns

Posted on April 15, 2011February 20, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP Tax: Audits, Litigation & Collection, Tax Planning & Compliance,

Unfiled Tax Returns Most individuals are required by law to file an individual income tax return with the Internal Revenue Service, State (if applicable), and local government (if applicable) by April 15th of each year, absent an extension or other legally prescribed tax return date. Failure to timely file a...

IRS Dishes out $4.5 Million Whistleblower Award to CPA

Posted on April 15, 2011February 20, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP Tax: Audits, Litigation & Collection, Tax Planning & Compliance,

Last week, the IRS awarded a check for $3.24 million to a small-town CPA as payment under the tax whistleblower program. The check represents an award of $4.5 million with about 28 percent withheld for taxes. While the whistleblower remains unidentified, his attorney Eric L. Young, from the law firm...

U.S. Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service Expand Collection Efforts Internationally

Posted on March 31, 2011February 20, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP Tax: Audits, Litigation & Collection, International Taxation, Tax Planning & Compliance,

As individuals and companies take advantage of international tax benefits or previously undetected avenues of sheltering money from taxes and creditors, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is now concentrating more of its efforts on overseas tax compliance and collection. IRS Commissioner Douglas H. Shulman called global tax administration efforts a...

Collection News: The Internal Revenue Announces Changes to its Collection Program

Posted on March 29, 2011February 20, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP Tax: Audits, Litigation & Collection, Tax Planning & Compliance,

On February 24, 2011, the IRS issued a press release announcing the steps it is taking to make its collection program to help individuals and businesses meet their tax obligations without adding an unnecessary tax burden to taxpayers. IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman stated, "these steps are in the best interest...

Opening Statements Given at Barry Bonds Trial

Posted on March 22, 2011February 20, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP Tax: Audits, Litigation & Collection, Criminal Tax Law,

Other Posts in this Series Legal Analyst Steve Moskowitz Keeps News on Barry Bonds In Perspective Courts Determine Public Access in Bonds Case Legal Analyst Steve Moskowitz Will Report on the Bonds Trial The Barry Bonds Trial, A Recap of Week Two The Barry Bonds Trial, Before the Closing Arguments...

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