Artcpa

Form 1099-K – Did You Know?

If you receive a Form 1099-K, review it for payments that may not be taxable, such as reimbursements from friends or family. If these payments were mistakenly included, ask the payment processor to issue a corrected form. Keep in mind that some transactions involving personal items may still have tax consequences, particularly if you sold an item for more than you paid for it.

Digital Asset Tax Reporting – Did You Know?

If you use a broker for digital asset transactions, such as selling, exchanging, or otherwise disposing of cryptocurrency or other digital assets, you may receive Form 1099-DA. Keep this form with your tax records, as you will need it to accurately report those transactions on your tax return.

New IRS Portal for Reporting Fraud and Scams

The IRS has launched a new portal that makes it easier to report instances of tax fraud, identity theft, IRS impersonation and other tax-related scams. On the new webpage (link below), people and businesses can report:

- Fake IRS phone calls, emails, and text and social media messages. Scammers posing as government agents often threaten people with arrest unless they submit immediate payments, often in a specific format like gift cards. The IRS does not operate in this way.
- Suspected tax fraud, such as tax evasion schemes or illegal use of offshore accounts.
- Identity theft, which should always be reported to the IRS immediately, even if other government and law enforcement agencies know about the crime.
- Suspicious tax preparation practices, such as a paid tax preparer refusing to sign your return or altering your income figures.

Citizen reporting often plays a critical role in catching scammers and bringing them to justice. This new system makes the process of filing a report less confusing and much more convenient.

IRS Fraud Reporting Site: https://www.irs.gov/help/report-fraud

IRS Offer in Compromise Program – Did You Know?

People who cannot pay their tax bills in full may have options to resolve the situation. One of these options is the Offer in Compromise (OIC) program, which allows eligible taxpayers to settle their debts with the IRS for less than the full amount owed.

Anyone considering an OIC should first check whether they qualify using the IRS Pre-Qualifier tool online (link below). Eligible taxpayers may then submit an application. In most cases, the application must be accompanied by a $205 fee and an initial payment toward the tax debt, although these requirements may be waived for lower-income applicants.

An OIC application requires detailed financial information and must be carefully prepared. Beware of aggressive ads promising to settle tax debts quickly for a small fraction of the amount owed. Companies behind these ads, often referred to as OIC mills, may charge substantial fees while submitting applications for people who have little chance of qualifying. A trusted tax professional can help ensure that an OIC application is complete, accurate, and has a reasonable chance of acceptance.

OIC Pre-Qualifier Online Tool: https://irs.treasury.gov/oic_pre_qualifier/

Qualifying Dependents – Did You Know?

In addition to your children and parents, a number of other individuals may qualify as your dependents for tax purposes. Important factors can include the person's income, how much support you provide, and how much of the year the person lives with you. In some limited cases, even a non-relative who lives with you year round as a member of your household may qualify as a dependent.