The IRS is one of the few governmental agencies that has the ability to make people freeze in terror – and for good reason. The IRS has the authority to garnish wages, levy fines, take money from your bank accounts, and confiscate your car, home and other personal property. When the IRS notifies you of an audit, there are specific steps to take.

Don’t Panic

Difficult as it may be, you need to remain calm if you’re to discover the extent and reason for the audit. It may be the result of an innocent mistake and easily rectified. The IRS notification will explain why you’re being audited.

It may not even be the result of an actual error. The IRS uses computer technology that screens and selects returns to be audited. They’re often chosen based on a statistical formula against what the IRS considers the “norm.”

People with incomes of 25,000 or less and those making $500,000 or more are the most likely to be audited. If the company you work for is audited, you might be, too.

The Process

Most IRS audits are conducted via mail and there’s no need to sit face-to-face with an auditor. However, if you receive a notice that you’re being audited, providing a timely response is critical. You should know that the IRS has up to three years in which it can start and conclude the audit process from one of your tax returns.

Hire a Professional

It’s an excellent idea to hire a tax professional that’s legally able to represent you in an audit. Collect all the documentation that you used to complete your return in the year for which you’re being audited. The more information you can provide to the tax professional, the better he/she can advocate for your interests.

Findings

You should know that if the auditor finds you at fault, you have the right to appeal within 30 days. The IRS will send a letter indicating the audit is closed, at which time you can appeal. Unfortunately, many people only see the decision rendered in the letter, not their ability to dispute the findings. You must appeal within 30 days of receiving the letter.

At Peavy and Associates PC our mission is to assist you with all your tax preparations, payroll and accounting needs.  We provide our clients with professional, personalized accounting services and guidance in a wide range of financial and business needs. Give us a call today and discover why our clients return to Peavy and Associates, PC year after year!

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Everyone makes mistakes and that’s even true of the IRS. According to the IRS, more than 650,000 audits were performed in 2021. The IRS relies on a specialized computer program that screens tax returns for accuracy. Those selected for an audit are based on statistical “norms.” Even the smallest of mistakes can result in an audit. Individuals can appeal an IRS decision and a tax professional can help.

The IRS will send a letter indicating there was a problem with the tax return. Read it carefully. Individuals typically experience shock and fear when they receive a letter from the IRS. Don’t panic. Certified public accountants (CPAs), attorneys and enrolled agents can represent an individual during an audit.

Those tax professionals are cognizant of the audit process and can assist in minimizing penalties. Even if individuals prepared their taxes through one of the online companies that offer the service, they can hire a tax professional to represent them in an appeal.

The tax professional will understand the scope of the original audit and under what circumstances taxpayers can request an appeal if they disagree with the decision of the IRS. They’ll also know the proper steps to take, how to request an appeal, and where the request should be sent.

The IRS has very specific rules governing appeals. A written protest is required and must be filed within a predetermined timeframe. It’s easy for individuals to miss a step or respond to the wrong department within the agency without the guidance of a tax professional.

It’s easy to inadvertently become the target of an IRS audit. Appealing the agency’s decision is a complex procedure that individuals should never try to handle on their own. Hire a tax professional with the knowledge and experience to save clients time, money, stress, and ensure the appeal is addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.

At Peavy and Associates PC our mission is to assist you with all your tax preparations, payroll and accounting needs.  We provide our clients with professional, personalized accounting services and guidance in a wide range of financial and business needs. Give us a call today and discover why our clients return to Peavy and Associates, PC year after year!

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There’s some confusion for some about what the capital gains tax is, especially if they’ve sold an asset or they’re new to trading. It’s a tax that’s levied on the profit an individual makes when they sell an asset or investment. The asset can range from real estate to stocks and bonds. The amount of tax is determined by how much the asset has appreciated in value during the time it was held by the owner.

The rate of tax is also dependent on the filer’s income bracket. The tax can range from 0% to 15% or 20%. A long-term capital gains tax is assessed if an individual has owned the asset for a year or more. Short-term capital gains taxes will apply if the investment has been owned for less than a year and will be taxed according to the individual’s normal tax rate.

Unrealized capital gains refer to unsold investments. It doesn’t matter how much in assets an individual has, how long they’re held, or how much they’ve increased in value. Purchasing or investing in an asset and keeping it over the long term is a way of building wealth that can be passed on to heirs.

Maximizing profitability and minimizing capital gain taxes requires careful, well-though out strategies. For tax purposes, a purchased asset is typically treated the same as if was a salary or wages. The same is true of dividends derived from an asset.

An increasing number of people are using software applications to trade online. The thrill of buying and selling can override any benefits if they’re not aware of the capital gains taxes they’ll have to pay or if they don’t understand IRS laws.

However, taxable gains can be offset by capital losses. A maximum tax of $3,000 per year is levied on net losses. Leftover losses can be carried forward into following tax years.

At Peavy and Associates PC our mission is to assist you with all your tax preparations, payroll and accounting needs.  We provide our clients with professional, personalized accounting services and guidance in a wide range of financial and business needs. Give us a call today and discover why our clients return to Peavy and Associates, PC year after year!

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Millions of people across the nation file their taxes each year using popular online software. It’s easy, convenient, and fairly inexpensive. The IRS recommends that individuals use e-file options for their taxes. However, the best solution can be a tax professional. The more complex the tax filing, the more a tax professional makes sense and they can also e-file for clients.

1. Year-Round Help

Online tax software is only available for a limited time each year and it can’t provide advice on potential tax issues that may arise during the coming year. A tax professional is available to answer questions and concerns at anytime during the year, not just at tax time.

2. Best Software

Tax professionals have access to better and more sophisticated software than that offered online. An individual’s information can be scanned, entered, and organized quickly and efficiently. The process eliminates manual data entry, significantly reducing the potential for human error.

3. On Time

Online software depends on individuals buckling down, collecting their information and beginning the task of filing taxes. Fear of a mistake is common among self-filers and it’s exacerbated when the individual happens to be a procrastinator. Provided that individuals get the information to their tax professional in a timely manner, taxes will always be filed on time, thereby eliminating late fees and running afoul of the IRS. Filing via a tax professional may also reduce the potential of an audit.

4. Business Needs

Complying with new tax laws for operating a business and investments becomes more complicated every year. A tax professional is one of the first to have access to upcoming changes that affect clients’ taxes and livelihood. They have a thorough understanding of tax laws in multiple areas and can guide individuals. Even those with straightforward tax returns will fare better.

5. Stress

Tax time generates a considerable amount of stress each year and it’s compounded when people try to do their own taxes – even with online software. The changes in tax laws and the COVID-19 pandemic are further confusing requirements. An ordinary tax return can take up to two hours to complete online. A tax professional saves clients time, effort and stress.

At Peavy and Associates PC our mission is to assist you with all your tax preparations, payroll and accounting needs.  We provide our clients with professional, personalized accounting services and guidance in a wide range of financial and business needs. Give us a call today and discover why our clients return to Peavy and Associates, PC year after year!

Contact Us Today