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

2014 Tax Preparation Notice

Posted on January 9, 2015February 18, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP Tax Planning & Compliance, State & Local Taxation,

INDIVIDUAL/ PARTNERSHIP/ S CORPORATION OR CORPORATION Tax Return(s) We hope that 2014 was a happy, healthy, and prosperous year for you and your family. Enclosed is your annual organizer for your 2014 taxes. It's that time of year again when you are receiving your annual income and other statements for...

Criminal Tax Roundup 2014 – Northern District of California

Posted on December 23, 2014February 18, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP Criminal Tax Law, State & Local Taxation,

Wow. This may have been a record year for Criminal Tax Prosecutions in Northern California. Taking a look at the cases prosecuted this year, it appears that Northern California's criminal tax prosecutions were greater in number than any other district. Of course, we only have access to the filed cases...

Your Frequent Flyer Miles May Be Taxable Income

Posted on November 17, 2014February 18, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP Tax Planning & Compliance, State & Local Taxation, Tax: Audits, Litigation & Collection,

For many years, banks have provided incentives to open a new bank account-30 years ago they handed out silverware and toasters, now they offer cash and frequent flyer miles. The IRS has for the most part ignored these incentives, but Citibank's overzealous interpretation of the tax code may have just...

California Criminal Enforcement Task Force

Posted on October 28, 2014February 18, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP Criminal Tax Law, State & Local Taxation,

The Sacramento Bee reports that the California Board of Equalization has unveiled a website to help the public report people or companies suspected of tax evasion and other crimes in the underground economy. See Article here. (10/27/14) Agencies including the California Department of Justice, California Franchise Tax Board, and Federal...

Pre-Immigration Tax Planning

Posted on January 22, 2014February 19, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP International Taxation, State & Local Taxation, Tax Planning & Compliance,

The decision of a nonresident alien to move to the United States and become a U.S. citizen or resident alien will invoke significant tax considerations involving the interaction of the tax systems of the United States and the alien's current country of residence. This includes both consequences under U.S. law...

IRS delays start of tax season

Posted on October 25, 2013February 19, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP Tax Planning & Compliance, State & Local Taxation,

The government shutdown is over, but its effects may reach far into next year, at least in the area of tax collection. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced that due to a backlog of work that the agency must deal with, it will not accept any personal income tax...

FTB Collections Gone Wrong

Posted on September 23, 2013February 19, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP Tax: Audits, Litigation & Collection, State & Local Taxation,

On this blog we often report about individuals who were caught avoiding paying their taxes and punished. Sometimes, however, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) get it completely wrong. For instance, recently a Nevada-resident woman, age 65, received notices from the Franchise Tax Board stating...

Alameda County, California

Posted on July 25, 2013February 19, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP State & Local Taxation, Business Law, Tax Planning & Compliance,

The experienced tax attorneys at Moskowitz LLP are available to help the taxpayers and businesses of Alameda County. A few of the ways in which we can assist the unique needs of the county are listed below: Agriculture Farming in California generates over $30 billion a year and Alameda County...

California business owners, prepare for an audit

Posted on April 15, 2013February 19, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP State & Local Taxation,

Earlier this year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) made its 2012 Data Book available online. The publication, which details the tax-collecting body's activities throughout the year, revealed that high-income Americans are statistically more likely to be audited than taxpayers in lower brackets. Now, a new study conducted by National Taxpayer...

The State of California Seeks Back Taxes from Small-Business Shareholder – Not So Fast

Posted on February 13, 2013February 19, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP State & Local Taxation,

A closer look at federal constitutional case law would seem to indicate that the State of California may not find it so easy to seek back taxes from small-business shareholders after all. In Cutler v. Franchise Tax Board, the Second District Court of Appeal held that because the purpose and...

More than 1 Million Californians did not file state income tax returns for 2011

Posted on February 7, 2013February 19, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP State & Local Taxation,

While most Californians are starting to file their state income tax returns for 2012, a few may still have to get their 2011 affairs in order. According to a January press release from the Franchise Tax Board (FTB), the agency has begun the process of reaching out to any state...

Filing 2012 tax returns is bound to be a more frustrating process for California’s wealthiest residents

Posted on January 27, 2013April 1, 2022 by Moskowitz LLP State & Local Taxation, Tax Planning & Compliance,

For California's wealthiest residents, filing their 2012 tax returns is bound to be a more frustrating process. In November 2012, a public vote led to the passage of Proposition 30, which retroactively increases tax rates for state residents earning $250,000 or more per year. The federal fiscal cliff deal that...

Californians: Expect higher taxes if mortgage deductions aren’t renewed

Posted on December 19, 2012February 19, 2019 by Moskowitz LLP State & Local Taxation,

Of all the deductions the federal government may be eliminating to avoid the looming fiscal cliff, mortgage-based relief measures may have the biggest impact on Californians. According to an article from The Wall Street Journal last month, the Golden State has the highest average mortgage break in the country, which...

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