Accounting News and Notes

Gwinnett GA, Duluth/Alpharetta/Atlanta CPA: Understanding Your Options in Addressing open IRS Monies/Back Taxes 

Understanding your options is your best option when evaluating how best to address open and unpaid IRS tax issues with the IRS. These articles and recaps will do much to help ensure that you make a wise a prudent choice. Having served as a CPA in Duluth, GA for over a decade I have learned that the best option will always be to retain a CPA who is well versed in such matters and to ensure that you check all of their references. 

Paying the taxes and interest in full along with the interest while requesting abatement of the penalties. This has the advantage of stopping penalties and interest on any paid monies and the potential upside of perhaps a quicker resolution of the open monies. However this requires you to be able to source and full pay the taxes and interest, which may be require more capital than appears immediately available. However borrowing this money from a bank, friends or family might gain you a much lower carrying cost on the open monies and therefore be substantially financially advantageous. 

Submitting an Offer in Compromise is a great option for those who qualify. In general terms to qualify you have to be up to date on all of your current tax filings and obligations and the amount you owe Will need to be more than the total of your net worth and excess cash flow over the next five years. If the IRS accepts your offer in compromise, you will be required to stay current on all personal and corporate tax obligations for the next five years. A typical Offer in Compromise will take between eight to fourteen months to process and you must meet the above criteria or the IRS will not consider your offer. For those who qualify the IRS will reduce the amount owed to what you can afford to pay, using the above, and then typically the IRS will look to have all of the monies paid ASAP after acceptance of the offer. Though the IRS can grant payment terms for up to two years on the monies, I recommend that all taxpayers pay in full, so as to limit any potential of non-payment and voiding of the Offer. 

The third option that is most used to effectively address open IRS tax monies/back taxes is to set up an Installment Plan using IRS Form 9465. The Installment Plan, though often seen as a “quick fix” as taxpayers are able to get on a plan and begin making monthly payments, is frequently the most expensive option as penalties and interest continue to be assessed due and payable on any open monies. 

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta Christian CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    http://www.john-dillard.com/ To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304.

http://www.hiscpa.com/irs-selection.html Atlanta/Marietta CPA Teaches How Audits Are Selected
http://www.hiscpa.com/irs-audit.html Gwinnett/Forsyth CPA Advises on How to Handle IRS Audits
http://www.hiscpa.com/working-with-the-irs.html Atlanta/Cobb Christian CPA on IRS Representation
http://www.hiscpa.com/paying-taxes.html Gwinnett/Suwanee CPA on Paying Your Taxes and Extensions
http://www.hiscpa.com/avoiding-audits.html Duluth/Cumming/Forsyth CPA on How to Avoid IRS Audits
http://www.hiscpa.com/offer-in-compromise.html Atlanta/Cobb CPA Advises on Offer of Compromise, Back Taxes and IRS Problem Resolution

Serving Atlanta, Duluth, Gwinnett, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta,  Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Walton, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Henry, Newton, Bartow, Walton, Rockdale, Barrow, Spalding, Coweta, Dawson, Douglas, Fayette, Newton, Paulding, Spalding, Walton, Henry, Paulding, Douglas, Coweta, Canton, Covington, Douglasville, Druid Hills, East Point, Forest Park, Griffin, Lithonia, Mableton, McDonough, Milton, Mountain Park, Newnan, Powder Springs, Stockbridge, Union City, Villa Rica, Winder, Woodstock,  Smyrna, Sandy Springs, Marietta, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, North Fulton County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Cumming, Grayson, Lake Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, Dunwoody, Gainesville, Decatur, Atlanta GA, Gwinnett County, North Fulton County, Cherokee County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Smyrna, Marietta, Cumming, Grayson, Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, Decatur. Sandy Springs, Peachtree City, Douglasville, Newnan, Griffin, Woodstock, Carrollton, Forest Park, Canton, College Park, Cartersville, McDonough, Riverdale, Fayetteville, Covington, Stockbridge, Conyers, Clarkston, Barrow, Bartow, Butts, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta, Dawson, and Douglas.

Duluth GA/Alpharetta/Atlanta CPA on Finding the Right Atlanta CPA for Your Back Taxes & IRS Representation Issues

Just as different businesses serve different products, markets, and niches, so are the individual personalities of key management.  Key management personnel meshing with their CPA is of critical importance. As with all walks of life we need to associate with people and personalities who both make us a better person and those who make us feel better about ourselves. Finding a CPA who is intuitive, insightful, giving, and is a good communicator are all essential personality traits in finding a CPA who can not only provide good advice but is also adapt at its dissemination.

What to Expect in an Initial Meeting with a CPA

Initial meetings with a CPA you are hiring should not only be a time for you to interview the proposed professional but also for you to check on his past accomplishments, overall demeanor, core competency, and overall game plan for addressing your CPA needs. A CPA who has a core program is most apt to be more about serving their needs than that of your own. A good professional should be able to easily adapt to your needs and the changes in those needs while also being sensitive to your own core competencies. The below is a sample letter one might use to send to the IRS to help develop a case or penalty abatement. Care should always be taken to be sure that you find a CPA who has a history and years/decades of experience in addressing IRS tax issues:

Internal Revenue Service, Atlanta GA 

Dear Sir/Madam, 

I am writing to appeal the findings as detailed in your last correspondence. 

My name is John C. Dillard CPA of His CPA, PC and I have a power of attorney to represent the above clients. My address is 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth GA 30097.  I want to appeal the original findings as I believe the penalties for all tax years are identical and should be abated for all years, as they have previously been abated for 2006. The facts supporting our position are as follows: 

I am writing you in a good faith attempt to come to terms over the above taxpayers’ present predicament and to address their assessed penalties. As you can see the by the enclosed letter dated 5-1-10 to the IRS the taxpayer has full paid all of their taxes and interest in full. 

Please suspend all collection efforts as I have previously forwarded on 3-28-10 all of the unfiled tax returns for the 2007 to 2008 tax years and have enclosed a check to pay the total tax and interest will requesting that the IRS abate the penalties. I had previously forwarded a check for $2000 to pay the taxes and interest in full. Please apply on the IRS records the above garnishments to the taxpayers original tax liabilities for the outstanding years. Then apply the check enclosed first to the original tax liability and then to the accrued interest assessed as determined above. After you have applied the monies as per the above, this would make the account reflect no original taxes nor interest due. 

I am asking you to abate all of the assessed penalties as the taxpayer has faithfully responded by meeting the due date we agreed to of filing the returns. Accordingly by nature of their response and the enclosed check for the difference I believe it is a just and fair request to abate all of the previously assessed penalties.  Also the taxpayer has since filed and full paid their 2009 income taxes as a measure and respect of their good faith as a compliant taxpayer. Also we previously returned checks and voiding them that were inadvertently paid by the IRS out to the taxpayers in error.  

The taxpayers had no financial adviser in the past and they have retained me to assist them in this endeavor. At your earliest opportunity please call and confirm that the collection efforts have been stopped. They taxpayers are now complying with all of their current tax liabilities and has now a proven track record of doing so. Copies of our original requests and letters sent to us by the IRS regarding this issue are all enclosed.

Under penalties of perjury, I declare that the facts presented in my written protest, which are set out in the accompanying statement of facts, schedules and other statements are, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, correct and complete. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. 

Sincerely, John C. Dillard, CPA, PC, Partner in Charge

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta Christian CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    http://www.john-dillard.com/ To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304. “Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God, that it is Doomed to Failure Lest God be in it!”

We advise clients on: IRS representation, Offer in Compromise, Tax Problems, Incorporation in Georgia, Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns, Part-time CFO, Virtual Controller, Business Planning, Offer in Compromise, Back Taxes, Business Acquisitions/Sales, Forensic Accounting, Business Valuations and Bookkeeping.

Serving Atlanta, Duluth, Gwinnett, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta,  Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Walton, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Henry, Newton, Bartow, Walton, Rockdale, Barrow, Spalding, Coweta, Dawson, Douglas, Fayette, Newton, Paulding, Spalding, Walton, Henry, Paulding, Douglas, Coweta, Canton, Covington, Douglasville, Druid Hills, East Point, Forest Park, Griffin, Lithonia, Mableton, McDonough, Milton, Mountain Park, Newnan, Powder Springs, Stockbridge, Union City, Villa Rica, Winder, Woodstock,  Smyrna, Sandy Springs, Marietta, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, North Fulton County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Cumming, Grayson, Lake Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, Dunwoody, Gainesville, Decatur, Atlanta GA, Gwinnett County, North Fulton County, Cherokee County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Smyrna, Marietta, Cumming, Grayson, Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, Decatur. Sandy Springs, Peachtree City, Douglasville, Newnan, Griffin, Woodstock, Carrollton, Forest Park, Canton, College Park, Cartersville, McDonough, Riverdale, Fayetteville, Covington, Stockbridge, Conyers, Clarkston, Barrow, Bartow, Butts, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta, Dawson, and Douglas.

Suwanee/Duluth/Gwinnett/Atlanta CPA on Advises on Back Taxes and Tax Problem Resolution for Atlanta Taxpayers 

For those in the midst of addressing IRS tax issues and trying to evaluate between an Offer of Compromise or an Installment plan, frequently the options look bleak, as often they are. However there is good news for those who are desirous to look “outside the box” in looking to solve your IRS tax problems. Knowing the ins and outs of varying programs will do much to help you know what is in your best interest. My best advice is to encourage personal or business taxpayers who owe more than $10,000 to the IRS or GA/State is to seek out a CPA who is well experienced in such matters. Below is a sample letter that might be sent on behalf of a business client seeking to address unpaid payroll taxes, unfiled reports and Civil Penalty Assessments: 

IRS, Atlanta GA 39901 

I am writing you in a good faith attempt to come to terms over the above taxpayers’ present predicament and to address all the monies they presently have open with the IRS, including both payroll taxes and income taxes.  I am willing/eager to supply you with any information that you might need in order to process their case and to pay any and all outstanding monies.  

I have previously forwarded a copy of their previously filed 2009 corporate income tax return. I also in my prior letter forwarded, a copy of their detailed fixed asset schedule as of 12/31/09,their 2009 financial statements and Form 433B for your review. 

Enclosed please find a check for $3,000 to be applied as follows:

Form 941 for 1-31-09        $ 1000.

Form 941 for 3-31-10           2000.

Total Check Enclosed        $3000. 

I have enclosed copies of the 2009 W-2’s in question for which taxpayer advised me that they had timely filed. Accordingly please abate the previously assessed penalties. I look forward to working with you to satisfactorily address all open client monies and to get all of their returns filed. 

Sincerely, John C. Dillard, CPA, PC, Partner in Charge

Psalm 33:5  The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

 John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta Christian CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    http://www.john-dillard.com/ To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304 

His CPA PC…A Christian Atlanta CPA Firm: Never Underestimate the Long-Term Benefits. Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it! 

Serving Atlanta, Duluth, Gwinnett, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta,  Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Walton, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Henry, Newton, Bartow, Walton, Rockdale, Barrow, Spalding, Coweta, Dawson, Douglas, Fayette, Newton, Paulding, Spalding, Walton, Henry, Paulding, Douglas, Coweta, Canton, Covington, Douglasville, Druid Hills, East Point, Forest Park, Griffin, Lithonia, Mableton, McDonough, Milton, Mountain Park, Newnan, Powder Springs, Stockbridge, Union City, Villa Rica, Winder, Woodstock,  Smyrna, Sandy Springs, Marietta, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, North Fulton County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Cumming, Grayson, Lake Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, Dunwoody, Gainesville, Decatur, Atlanta GA, Gwinnett County, North Fulton County, Cherokee County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Smyrna, Marietta, Cumming, Grayson, Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, Decatur. Sandy Springs, Peachtree City, Douglasville, Newnan, Griffin, Woodstock, Carrollton, Forest Park, Canton, College Park, Cartersville, McDonough, Riverdale, Fayetteville, Covington, Stockbridge, Conyers, Clarkston, Barrow, Bartow, Butts, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta, Dawson, and Douglas.

Atlanta/Gwinnett/Duluth CPA Provides Top 10 Tax Tips to Successful IRS Representation/Audit Resolution/Tax Advocacy 

Having been a CPA for the better part of three decades and having worked with thousands  and thousands of tax returns over that time I have learned that there are several key areas of representation issues where taxpayers struggle and most often fail at addressing key tax representation issues. 

Top Ten Tax Tips to Successful IRS Representation

1. Business Tax Returns Not Prepared by a Qualified CPA. Don’t underestimate the importance of the CPA designation. Remember, those three letters are awarded only to those individuals who have passed a rigorous two-day uniform national examination. In addition, CPAs are distinguished from other accountants by stringent state licensing requirements. Most states require CPAs to have at least a college degree or its equivalent, but several also require post-graduate work. The most frequently improperly prepared returns I see are business returns signed by a prepare who is not a duly licensed and certified CPA.

2. Improper Entity Selection. Your initial choice of entity is perhaps the most important tax, financial and legal decision you might ever reach. Being well versed in these areas is essential to a wise and prudent decision. Carefully considering the tax effects of your entity choice is essential to getting your business off on the right foot. Being careful to avoid, if at all possible, the double taxation of C Corporations and then selecting the right entity for your business from both a tax and legal perspective is critical. Frequently it is tax advantageous for business setting up initially as an LLC or a C Corporation to make a tax election to convert to an S Corporation for tax purposes, by filing IRS Tax Form 2553. 

3. Automobile Mileage Logs. Generally I recommend that all clientele buy their vehicles personally and then turn in expense reports to get reimbursed for their business miles using the IRS’s statutory mileage rate.  Primarily this is an advantage because it almost always results in a larger tax deduction than if the car were purchased and depreciated in the corporate name. IRS tax law requires all taxpayers to keep a day-by-day log to support the business miles claimed and personal miles utilized. I have found that the easiest place to track and record this information is on my business calendar. 

4. Integrity & Value. I had always felt it was my mission to witness to those I came in contact with in both my business and social contacts, but God continued to lay it on my heart that He wanted much more. God is calling wants us to be much more overt, but loving, to share the love of God and to live our live with Integrity and Value for not only the work we do but most importantly with the lives we intersect. As Believers we should all constantly search for opportunities as we are Taking Christianity Into the World. 

5. Handling Your Own Audit. A satisfactory and successful audit process will include many factors and variables consisting of, first and foremost, calling your CPA. A CPA, who is familiar with you, your business and tax law is far more apt to successfully close an audit with no changes. Your Certified Public Accountant is the absolute best choice to address your audit and to better represent you and your business’s issues to the IRS using both the law and knowledge of your business to your best advantage. 

6. Determining Valid Business Deductions. It should be clear from an independent observer that a deduction was incurred for the furtherance of the business, and was a “necessary” expenditure of the business.  This would include all expenditure of the company. For all expenditures $75 the IRS requires that a receipt is required.   

7. Poor Financials & Record Keeping. Each and every hour of a business owner’s day, there are a series of insignificant and important thoughts and directions that directly impact the profitability of a business. Continually you are faced with making a positive impact towards bringing your business closer or further away from your goal. A company’s financial statement is the measuring stick by which you are able to gauge a company’s progress along the business continuum and are able to accurately measure the distance between where you are and where you want to be. 

8. Utilization of a Payroll Service. Payroll is the largest and most burdensome administrative responsibility for a business owner. Whether you have one employee or a thousand, both the IRS and your state has a myriad of payroll reports and deadlines for which you are required to complete. Unfortunately there is not a one-stop shop to pay and report all of the varying deadlines and taxes. However, there is a solution that makes the reporting of payroll dramatically more seamless than if you strive to go it on your own. 

9. Using Tax Software.  If you have ever performed your own major surgery without being a duly licensed and trained doctor or if you have ever attempted to fly to the moon without being either a highly skilled pilot or astronaut then you might want to fly full steam ahead. As a CPA I have learned and continue to learn that I do not know what I do not know and that buying technology to help me get there faster is akin to using speed dial to dial wrong numbers faster. Just as the tools of a skilled surgeon will not enable me the skills, knowledge, verve and wisdom of a Board Certified Physician, neither will a software program make you a skilled CPA:  Never Underestimate the Value.

10. Talking to the IRS. Most often it is advantageous for the CPA alone to meet with the IRS so as to remove any emotional issues, which might otherwise surface and dampen the ability to successfully and quickly resolve the process. Frequently when taxpayers strive to handle their own audit by themselves they fail to sense and adequately address the issues the IRS request; thereby causing themselves unnecessary hardships and economic loss. 

Tour our on line articles to help you get informed about IRS Representation Issues

http://www.hiscpa.com/irs-selection.html Atlanta/Marietta CPA Teaches How Audits Are Selected
http://www.hiscpa.com/irs-audit.html Gwinnett/Forsyth CPA Advises on How to Handle IRS Audits
http://www.hiscpa.com/working-with-the-irs.html Atlanta/Cobb Christian CPA on IRS Representation
http://www.hiscpa.com/paying-taxes.html Gwinnett/Suwanee CPA on Paying Your Taxes and Extensions
http://www.hiscpa.com/avoiding-audits.html Duluth/Cumming/Forsyth CPA on How to Avoid IRS Audits
http://www.hiscpa.com/offer-in-compromise.html Atlanta/Cobb CPA Advises on Offer of Compromise, Back Taxes and IRS Problem Resolution 

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta Christian CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    http://www.john-dillard.com/ To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304 

His CPA PC…A Christian Atlanta CPA Firm: Never Underestimate the Long-Term Benefits 

Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it! 

We advise clients on: IRS representation, Offer in Compromise, Tax Problems, Incorporation in Georgia, Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns, Part-time CFO, Virtual Controller, Business Planning, Offer in Compromise, Back Taxes, Business Acquisitions/Sales, Forensic Accounting, Business Valuations and Bookkeeping

Atlanta/Alpharetta/Norcross CPA Teaches Atlanta Taxpayers How to Address Unpaid Income Taxes/Back Taxes 

I recently got a letter from the IRS saying that I owe tens of thousands of dollars in back taxes . I remembered that I worked a job that that was a From 1099/Independent Contractor but forgot to pay for the taxes back for 2006 to 2009. I would like to know if its possible to pay for this in a monthly payment and maybe try to get the payment lowered. reason will I picked you guys is because your faith in our Lord Jesus. I am a Christen  and have made Christ  the Lord of my life. I would like to talk to you guys on the phone. Call me at any time.

Below is my response: 

Setting up an Installment Agreement

Georgia/States & the  IRS will work with taxpayers to pay the monies owed over time. This option requires the taxpayer to file a form requesting that a specified amount be paid monthly over time. The IRS then has to accept the plan prior to it becoming effective. Though this is a practical way to address a larger balance over time it does not stop the assessment of penalties and interest which will continue to accrue until all monies are paid in full. Thus, it is most advantageous to consider procuring the funds from other sources as these finance/carrying charges are usually much less than that of the Internal Revenue Service.

Options for Penalty Abatement

The IRS can use a myriad of penalties and interest to encourage compliance, including information return penalties, non-filing, non-payment, estimated payment, and failure to deposit penalties. If you are assessed penalties for any reason you still have options. Both the IRS and states will work with you to address your outstanding taxes, interest, and penalties. One of the first defenses to explore is whether you have reasonable cause for your original failure to address you past returns and outstanding monies. If you are to be granted relief under these provisions you will need to be able to show that you have exercised ordinary business due diligence and care in calculating your tax obligations. You will need to be able to illustrate that obligations were generated when circumstances existed which were beyond your control contributed to the monies being owned and assessed.

Unfortunately the lack of knowledge of a law is not a valid defense that can be successfully used when attempting to request penalty abatement, as you are required to be prudent in addressing your obligations and responsibilities. Our tax system is one of voluntary compliance and tax penalties are the vehicle by which the IRS uses to ensure that you are financially motivated to file and pay your taxes as they become due. The IR S’s goal is to provide a consistent and fair methodology to assessing penalties to provide civil tax penalties to ensure ones tax obligations are satisfactorily addressed.

When evaluating penalty abatement issues the IRS will consider whether or not a penalty will cause a significant hardship such as a levy might impair a taxpayer’s ability to acquire needed medical care. As well a death, serious illness, or unavoidable absence may establish reasonable cause for considering penalty abatement. However items such as forgetfulness, ignorance of the law, and making a mistake are not generally allowed as reasonable cause in evaluating penalty abatement issues. The IRS will work with you to set up an installment agreement to pay outstanding monies as well as perhaps an Offer in Compromise if you qualify.

Serving Lawrenceville/Snellville/Norcross/Roswell as an Award Winning CPA for Decades

http://www.hiscpa.com/article3.html Gwinnett/Duluth CPA Teaches Personnel Keys to Managing Business Growth
http://www.hiscpa.com/article6.html Alpharetta/Roswell CPA Teaches the Tax Effects of Entity Choice
http://www.hiscpa.com/marketing-efforts.html Norcross/Sandy Springs CPA on Tracking Marketing Statistics for Your Georgia Business 

And this is only some of the information available on our web site. You also have at our blog a host of other varied and timely tax and business management issues you can use. 

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta Christian CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    http://www.john-dillard.com/ To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304 

Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it! 

We advise clients on: IRS representation, Offer in Compromise, Tax Problems, Incorporation in Georgia, Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns, Part-time CFO, Virtual Controller, Business Planning, Offer in Compromise, Back Taxes, Business Acquisitions/Sales, Forensic Accounting, Business Valuations and Bookkeeping.

Duluth/Alpharetta/Roswell CPA Firm on Addressing Back Taxes/IRS Representation Problems With the Internal Revenue Service

For the individual or business taxpayer who has run afoul of the IRS and is dealing with seemingly overwhelming tax issues, there are words of wisdom to successfully resolve your tax problems, how to pay your taxes on a timely basis by properly utilizing withholding, estimated payments, and extensions. Though there are many things we can do to help you avoid tax problems and unnecessary penalties, we can also help you discover the general guidelines and rules of how to qualify for and process an Offer in Compromise. This is a process where both the Internal Revenue Service and the State of Georgia will reduce your bill to what you can afford to pay based upon detailed tax regulations, procedures, and careful compliance. Below is a sample letter one might use to begin to address unfiled and unpaid Corporate Income Tax Returns for Back Tax Years:

Internal Revenue Service

Atlanta GA 39901 

I am writing you in a good faith attempt to come to terms over the above taxpayers’ present predicament and to address all the monies they presently have open with the IRS, including both payroll taxes and income taxes.  I am willing/eager to supply you with any information that you might need in order to process their case and to pay any and all outstanding monies. Please forward to me a detailed record of account and summary of their open payroll and income taxes at your earliest convenience. 

I have just finished their corporate return for 2008 and will be working to get their 2009 return completed ASAP. 

I look forward to working with you to satisfactorily address all open client monies and to get all of their returns filed. 

Sincerely, John C. Dillard, CPA, PC, Partner in Charge 

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta Christian CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    http://www.john-dillard.com/ To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304

His CPA PC…A Christian Atlanta CPA Firm: Never Underestimate the Long-Term Benefits 

Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it!

We advise clients on: IRS representation, Offer in Compromise, Tax Problems, Incorporation in Georgia, Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns, Part-time CFO, Virtual Controller, Business Planning, Offer in Compromise, Back Taxes, Business Acquisitions/Sales, Forensic Accounting, Business Valuations and Bookkeeping.

Gwinnett/Duluth GA/Tucker CPA Advises Atlanta Taxpayers While Evaluating Whether or Not to Submit and Offer in Compromise

Staying on your “P’s & Q’s” with your taxes is essential but it is even more important when processing an Offer in Compromise to Address Back Taxes, IRS Representation & Submitting an Offer in Compromise. Below is a sample letter that I might sent a client to address such time sensitive tax planning issues:

I wanted to be sure you are aware of the issues at hand and correspondence to date: 

- I  originally forwarded to you the general rules of processing an Offer in Compromise detailing the urgency and details of submitting same.

-Then I filed my Power of Attorney asking for sixty days to file all of your returns and to file an Offer. If we are to meet this deadline I need your corporate and personal income tax data by this week. Then by the end of next week I will need a new Form 433A, Form 433B and Form 656, for you to give me an estimate of what your 2010 profits will be from each business so that we can tax plan for accordingly.

-Just this past week I sent you a e-mail detailing your commitment to file the 2009 corporate and personal income tax returns within ten days.

- I recently forwarded more correspondence to the IRS office asking that there be no collection efforts.

-Just yesterday I sent you data needed to properly prepare your returns.

-This will confirm our discussions that you are aware of the need to pay your taxes as you go or the IRS will not even consider an Offer in Compromise.

-This will confirm our conversations that I suggest that ASAP after we complete the 2010 tax planning above that you retain a payroll service to pay/keep your taxes current. 

I will send you under separate cover information about keeping your filings and tax payments current. 

If you fail to meet the deadlines above I believe the IRS ASAP will soon

-File Liens

-File Levies

-Seize Accounts/Assets

-Garnishment Income/W-2 wages 

http://www.hiscpa.com/article1.html Atlanta CPA Illustrates Difference Between Planning & Historical Accounting by North Fulton CPA
http://www.hiscpa.com/article3.html Gwinnett/Duluth CPA Teaches Personnel Keys to Managing Business Growth
http://www.hiscpa.com/article6.html Alpharetta/Roswell CPA Teaches the Tax Effects of Entity Choice
http://www.hiscpa.com/marketing-efforts.html Norcross/Sandy Springs CPA on Tracking Marketing Statistics for Your Georgia Business 

And this is only some of the information available on our web site. You also have at our blog a host of other varied and timely tax and business management issues you can use. 

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta Christian CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    http://www.john-dillard.com/ To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304 

His CPA PC…A Christian Atlanta CPA Firm: Never Underestimate the Long-Term Benefits 

Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it! 

We advise clients on: IRS representation, Offer in Compromise, Tax Problems, Incorporation in Georgia, Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns, Part-time CFO, Virtual Controller, Business Planning, Offer in Compromise, Back Taxes, Business Acquisitions/Sales, Forensic Accounting, Business Valuations and Bookkeeping.

Atlanta CPA Firm Offers Tax Guidance to Running Your Atlanta Business

Understanding the nuances and issues affecting business owners is essential to the efficient running of a business. Below is a sample excerpt that I might receive addressing unpaid Atlanta Back Taxes, Setting up an Installment Plan with the IRS, filing of payroll tax reports and their impact on the filing and payment deadlines of corporate income tax returns. 

I am killing myself trying to get 2009 finished.  I’m not sure what the deal is with the bookkeeper but I’ve had to make a change.   I finally was able to get my payroll file yesterday only to discover they did not file 941’s for the last 3 quarters of 2009 or GA withholding for the last 2 quarters.  What a mess!  I was up late last night doing those.  Thankfully the bookkeeper had made some payments online and we are overpaid for the year on 941 tax. I am so in over my head right now trying to handle the day-to-day office stuff while catching up the accounting side.   

We may need to extend 1120S but I plan to have all to you in time to file before the April 15 deadline for our S Corporation.

Below is my response: 

Please be reminded we have two deadlines to contend with. One is the corporate return which is March 15th and is easily extended.

 The second is getting on an Installment Plan which I do not suggest we push past the thirty days from the date of the IRS notice being mailed out to you. The concern there is that we do not want to immediately void an Installment Plan if we cannot pay in full the taxes owned on the 2009, as paying your taxes current is a condition of an Installment Plan staying in place.

One of the first things that I believe would be in your best interest is to hire a payroll service to prepare all of your payroll checks, debit your account to pay and to file all of your payroll tax reports. Payroll is perhaps the most administratively burdensome issue addressing America Small Business Owners and assigning this duty to a outside payroll processor who does only this, is a wise and prudent decision. In fact, I have found that even though I am a CPA that a payroll service can process my payroll

http://www.hiscpa.com/article6.html Alpharetta/Roswell CPA Teaches the Tax Effects of Entity Choice
http://www.hiscpa.com/marketing-efforts.html Norcross/Sandy Springs CPA on Tracking Marketing Statistics for Your Georgia Business 

And this is only some of the information available on our web site. You also have at our blog a host of other varied and timely tax and business management issues you can use. 

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (A Duluth CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    http://www.john-dillard.com/ To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304 

Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it! 

We advise clients on: IRS representation, Offer in Compromise, Tax Problems, Incorporation in Georgia, Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns, Part-time CFO, Virtual Controller, Business Planning, Offer in Compromise, Back Taxes, Business Acquisitions/Sales, Forensic Accounting, Business Valuations and Bookkeeping.

Serving Atlanta, Duluth, Gwinnett, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta,  Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Walton, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Henry, Newton, Bartow, Walton, Rockdale, Barrow, Spalding, Coweta, Dawson, Douglas, Fayette, Newton, Paulding, Spalding, Walton, Henry, Paulding, Douglas, Coweta, Canton, Covington, Douglasville, Druid Hills, East Point, Forest Park, Griffin, Lithonia, Mableton, McDonough, Milton, Mountain Park, Newnan, Powder Springs, Stockbridge, Union City, Villa Rica, Winder, Woodstock,  Smyrna, Sandy Springs, Marietta, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, North Fulton County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Cumming, Grayson, Lake Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, Dunwoody, Gainesville, Decatur, Atlanta GA, Gwinnett County, North Fulton County, Cherokee County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Smyrna, Marietta, Cumming, Grayson, Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, Decatur. Sandy Springs, Peachtree City, Douglasville, Newnan, Griffin, Woodstock, Carrollton, Forest Park, Canton, College Park, Cartersville, McDonough, Riverdale, Fayetteville, Covington, Stockbridge, Conyers, Clarkston, Barrow, Bartow, Butts, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta, Dawson, and Douglas.

Duluth GA CPA Offers Guidance in Preparing Corporate & Personal Income Taxes for Atlanta Taxpayers: Addressing Back Taxes for Atlanta Taxpayers for Decades

Below is a sample letter that might be used to send to a client who is behind on the filing of their income taxes. With all clients it is essential to keep taxpayers informed of their rights, responsibilities, tax payment and filing deadlines. It is even more so important when working with a taxpayer when addressing back taxes so as to avoid and hopefully stave off IRS collection issues, tax problems and unnecessary penalties and interest:

Your 2008 corporate return is complete and will go out in the mail ASAP. 

Please use the checklist on the contact page of my web site to pull all of your 2008 personal information together. 

Please forward any estimated payments against paid against your 2008 IRS or GA Taxes as the IRS is a pay as you go system and will add penalties and interest for late payment and late filing. 

I suggest ASAP after you get 2008 data to me that you get 2009 to me as well. 

Please do not hesitate to call might you have any questions. 

http://www.hiscpa.com/article1.html Atlanta/Duluth CPA Illustrates Difference Between Planning & Historical Accounting by North Fulton CPA
http://www.hiscpa.com/article3.html Gwinnett/Duluth CPA Teaches Personnel Keys to Managing Business Growth
http://www.hiscpa.com/article6.html Alpharetta/Roswell/Duluth CPA Teaches the Tax Effects of Entity Choice
http://www.hiscpa.com/marketing-efforts.html Norcross/Sandy Springs/Duluth CPA on Tracking Marketing Statistics for Your Georgia Business 

And this is only some of the information available on our web site. You also have at our blog a host of other varied and timely tax and business management issues you can use. 

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta Christian CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    http://www.john-dillard.com/ To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304 

Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it! 

We advise clients on: IRS representation, Offer in Compromise, Tax Problems, Incorporation in Georgia, Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns, Part-time CFO, Virtual Controller, Business Planning, Offer in Compromise, Back Taxes, Business Acquisitions/Sales, Forensic Accounting, Business Valuations and Bookkeeping.

Serving Atlanta, Duluth, Gwinnett, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta,  Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Walton, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Henry, Newton, Bartow, Walton, Rockdale, Barrow, Spalding, Coweta, Dawson, Douglas, Fayette, Newton, Paulding, Spalding, Walton, Henry, Paulding, Douglas, Coweta, Canton, Covington, Douglasville, Druid Hills, East Point, Forest Park, Griffin, Lithonia, Mableton, McDonough, Milton, Mountain Park, Newnan, Powder Springs, Stockbridge, Union City, Villa Rica, Winder, Woodstock,  Smyrna, Sandy Springs, Marietta, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, North Fulton County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Cumming, Grayson, Lake Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, Dunwoody, Gainesville, Decatur, Atlanta GA, Gwinnett County, North Fulton County, Cherokee County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Smyrna, Marietta, Cumming, Grayson, Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, Decatur. Sandy Springs, Peachtree City, Douglasville, Newnan, Griffin, Woodstock, Carrollton, Forest Park, Canton, College Park, Cartersville, McDonough, Riverdale, Fayetteville, Covington, Stockbridge, Conyers, Clarkston, Barrow, Bartow, Butts, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta, Dawson, and Douglas.

Norcorss/Roswell/Atlanta CPA Provides Guidance to Atlanta Taxpayers on Addressing Back Taxes/IRS Representation Issues with the IRS

Below is a sample letter one might use when addressing open and unpaid back taxes with the IRS. The goal of both the initial and all verbal and written communication with the IRS is to establish honest and open dialogue and to develop reasonable expectations for the taxpayer. Below is a sample letter that might be used when back tax returns are unpaid and to give the taxpayer time to pull their information together to submit an Offer in Compromise:

Internal Revenue Service, Atlanta, GA 39901 

I am following up on our conversation about the above referenced taxpayers and to confirm that you have placed a sixty collection hold on the account. 

I have went over the rules of an OIC (Offer in Compromise) and they appear to be an ideal candidate. Accordingly please cease all of your collection efforts while I work with the client to file their 2010 Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns and submit and Offer in Compromise. Taxpayers have committed that they will be getting this information to me ASAP. Accordingly please suspend and cease all collection efforts for sixty days while this information is being pulled together, the corporate and personal income tax returns filed, and the paperwork for a Offer in Compromise submitted. 

Please do not pursue any further collection efforts while the taxpayers’ OIC  is being processed as it could both dramatically impair their ability to both fund the offer and to meet normal monthly living expenses. I look forward to working with you to address their open tax monies ASAP.

Please cease and suspend all collection efforts for sixty days while this Offer is being resubmitted.  

Sincerely, John C. Dillard, CPA, PC Partner in Charge 

Duluth Georgia Christian CPA Offers Listings Tax Advice for Atlanta Small Business 

When was the last time you got any good FREE Business and Tax Management Information you can use 24 Hours a day & 7 Days a week.

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http://www.hiscpa.com/article1.html Atlanta CPA Illustrates Difference Between Planning & Historical Accounting
http://www.hiscpa.com/article3.html Gwinnett/Duluth CPA Teaches Personnel Keys to Managing Business Growth
http://www.hiscpa.com/article6.html Alpharetta/Roswell CPA Teaches the Tax Effects of Entity Choice
http://www.hiscpa.com/marketing-efforts.html Norcross/Sandy Springs CPA on Tracking Marketing Statistics for Your Georgia Business 

And this is only some of the information available on our web site. You also have at our blog a host of other varied and timely tax and business management issues you can use. 

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta Christian CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    http://www.john-dillard.com/ 

Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it! 

To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304 

We advise clients on: IRS representation, Offer in Compromise, Tax Problems, Incorporation in Georgia, Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns, Part-time CFO, Virtual Controller, Business Planning, Offer in Compromise, Back Taxes, Business Acquisitions/Sales, Forensic Accounting, Business Valuations and Bookkeeping.

Serving Atlanta, Duluth, Gwinnett, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta,  Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Walton, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Henry, Newton, Bartow, Walton, Rockdale, Barrow, Spalding, Coweta, Dawson, Douglas, Fayette, Newton, Paulding, Spalding, Walton, Henry, Paulding, Douglas, Coweta, Canton, Covington, Douglasville, Druid Hills, East Point, Forest Park, Griffin, Lithonia, Mableton, McDonough, Milton, Mountain Park, Newnan, Powder Springs, Stockbridge, Union City, Villa Rica, Winder, Woodstock,  Smyrna, Sandy Springs, Marietta, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, North Fulton County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Cumming, Grayson, Lake Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, Dunwoody, Gainesville, Decatur, Atlanta GA, Gwinnett County, North Fulton County, Cherokee County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Smyrna, Marietta, Cumming, Grayson, Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, Decatur. Sandy Springs, Peachtree City, Douglasville, Newnan, Griffin, Woodstock, Carrollton, Forest Park, Canton, College Park, Cartersville, McDonough, Riverdale, Fayetteville, Covington, Stockbridge, Conyers, Clarkston, Barrow, Bartow, Butts, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta, Dawson, and Douglas.