Accounting News and Notes

Duluth/Gwinnett CPA: Personal Returns Are Due October 15th.

Be Sure You Do Them Right

Though Personal Returns Are Due October 15th; Be Sure You Do Them Right so you will avoid unnecessary IRS audits, liens, collections, amendments, penalties and interest. The below is a sample letter we might send to a taxpayer critiquing the data they originally forwarded to ensure that a proper return is filed reflecting only their lowest legal possible tax:

For your returns I need:

For Your Personal Income Tax Return

Your daughter’s birth-date

Any Interest Income, Dividends, Capital Gains/Stock/Investment Sales

Property or cash contributions to Charity

Mortgage Interest

Property Taxes on personal cars

For your Corporate Return

What/How much is medical insurance premiums.

Although You did forward the amortization schedules they are not posted current nor were all payments listed for the three notes in the auto expense categories. Please get to me confirmation from the bank what the debt the company owes at 12/31/09.

Find a CPA who is not transaction oriented. Anyone can do what you ask or perhaps even file your returns for a few years while striving to keep your tax bill as low as legally possible. You will want to find a CPA whose ambition matches that of your own including your zeal and temperament and one who is a forward thinker. His practice and focus should be forward thinking and insightful, while consistently giving advice focusing on the future of your business and not solely an interpreter of its past. No CPA can change what has already transpired but a wise and sage CPA can help you and your business avoid pitfalls which will befall you otherwise. A CPA can help strengthen your management team, if used wisely and often, and can help guide you through many of business most thought provoking issues while offering counsel to both maximize your time and efforts.

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/ 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, Back Taxes, Business Acquisitions/Sales, Forensic Accounting, Business Valuations and Bookkeeping.

Duluth/Gwinnett CPA: Personal Returns Are Due 10-15-13

Be Sure You Do Them Right

Though Personal Returns Are Due 10-15-13; Be Sure You Do Them Right so you will avoid unnecessary IRS audits, liens, collections, amendments, penalties and interest. The below is a sample letter we might send to a taxpayer to ensure that a proper return is filed reflecting only their lowest legal possible tax:

Before you mail the data please make the below changes to the spreadsheet you forwarded and then resend to me.

For the spreadsheet:

Please list your total revenue for your LLC on the Profit and Loss Statement.

Please set up a separate category for fixed assets and put all individual purchases of items over $1000 each (such as office chairs, computers etc.) in that category.

If the amount you list as a deposit has not yet been earned by the payee, please take it off your profit and loss schedule as it would still be an asset for your business and not deductible until/if the monies are earned by the payee.

Take prescriptions off the recap of your LLC data, as they are personal, but be sure to list the total in the items that you forward for your personal return.

Please separate out Meals & Entertainment and set up a separate account for them.

For your medical insurance please list the total paid for both you and your family out of your LLC.

Please forward me everyone in your families birth-date.

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

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

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, Back Taxes, Business Acquisitions/Sales, Forensic Accounting, Business Valuations and Bookkeeping.

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

Duluth/Gwinnett CPA on Home Mortgages…How to Best Avoid Defaulting

Selecting the Right Home Mortgage

With all the different types of mortgages and fund investment strategies it is difficult, if not impossible, for the average investor/home buyer to make a decision about what is the best type of mortgage to pursue: interest only, fixed, variable, or for what term. Care should be given in all financial matters to review a particular households short and long term needs and then ideally balancing as much of these as possible so as to gain as large a financial advantage as possible while not unnecessarily exposing your personal household’s finances.

With the spirals in the real estate continuing with no apparent end in sight, leveraging or mortgaging real estate still makes financial sense. However, just because someone is willing to give you a loan does not mean that it makes for wise financial sense for your family. Great care and due diligence should be exercised when taking out a loan. Though surely for most if not all of us the first home purchase is one in which we are apt to be the most highly leveraged. Having been fresh out of school and perhaps just starting our careers we do not possess the financial resources to place any substantive amount of down payment. However, for each and every subsequent purchase we should take great care to ensure that our wants do not exceed our ability to pay. Accordingly it is wise to be sure to add a substantive buffer between our monthly expenses and our monthly income as we can always be sure there will be bumps along the way causing minor as well as substantive financial pitfalls along the way. Therefore we should be sure to living well below the standard of living that our income allows us to do so that these downward financial turns which are certain to occur do not unduly affect our ability to keep the financial obligations we incur. Although the loss of a job or a medical illness which occurs over more than just a few months or even years is apt to derail even the best planners, we should be ready to stand up to smaller adversities by ensuring that we keep our debt load low.

Remember “Creative Financing” means that you probably cannot afford it. Although I seldom disagree with a clients decision to buy anything I do often debate the timing as to a certain financial decision so as to not unnecessarily expose your household or business financially. Prudence when agreeing to acquire a property and taking on a debt load will be critical to ensuring long term financial success. Just because a particular lender is willing to give you a loan does not mean that it is a wise decision. I suggest that for all major debt acquisitions such as homes, buildings, and cars that you consult your financial adviser/CPA well before a decision becomes emotional and your desires begin to outweigh your primary concern of protecting the family’s long term financial viability.

John Dillard CPA of His CPA PC (a Christian CPA firm) is an author and Certified Public Accountant (All Rights Reserved). To See how he takes Christ along with him to work visit http://www.hiscpa.com/ and for his latest book Overcoming Life’s 9/11′s: Job’s Journey.

“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, Payroll Administration, Bookkeeping.

(Proudly Serving Alpharetta & Roswell for Over Thirty Years)

Atlanta CPA Saves Metro Atlanta Client $120,000 in Payroll Tax Penalties

One of the tax cases we personally handled involved an Atlanta Based client who had not paid almost three years of payroll tax returns, specifically IRS Forms 940 and Form 941.During this time the company collected but did not remit to the IRS the Federal Withholding Taxes, FICA, and Medicaid taxes. Also the company did not pay the matching taxes due as well as the Federal Unemployment taxes due and payable. For payroll taxes due and payable at the corporate level the IRS and Georgia both take a very dim view of business owners who will take and withhold taxes from their employees and then not remit these monies over to the taxing authorities.

Failure to pay to the Internal Revenue Service or to Georgia withheld payroll taxes is essentially the violation of the trust and responsibility to fulfill their fiduciary responsibility. To these end both the IRS and Georgia can assess a 100% Liability to all responsible business officers, owners and check signors who were responsible for and failed to remit to taxing authorities monies withheld from an employee’s paycheck. This is commonly referred to as the 100% Penalty. Having been an Atlanta CPA for decades, this is one area where I have personally witnessed several companies fall into “a financial abyss.”

However there is hope. There are three primary options when you get behind in your taxes to work with the IRS to resolve them including getting on an Installment Plan, Submitting an Offer in Compromise or paying the tax and interest in full while asking for abatement of the penalties. In the above referred to case the IRS had assessed approximately $210,000 of taxes, $12,000 of interest and $120,000 of penalties. By working closely with our client they were able to source funds from other sources to pay the taxes and interest in full, while asking that the IRS abate the $120,000 of assessed penalties. Though the case took several more months of work and negotiation than anticipated and we had to involve the Atlanta Taxpayer Advocate Office/Service, we were ultimately successful in saving the client $120,000 of penalties. To read more about the IRS and how best to deal with “taxing issues” take a look at these articles:

Surviving an IRS Audit

How Audits are Selected
Learning about how audits are selected is the first step to discovering how to overcome the emotional and financial distress that normally occurs as part of the audit process. Lifting this veil will help keep you on an even keel in learning how to deal with the IRS audit. http://www.hiscpa.com/irs-selection.html

When the IRS Notice Arrives
Rather than beginning the process in fear, discover how you can better prepare yourself so that you are not surprised at the audit process and its ultimate results. By seeing through to the other side you can best ready yourself to close your audit with no adjustments and no additional monies due. http://www.hiscpa.com/irs-audit.html

Working with the IRS

Solving IRS Tax Issues
Don’t fight the IRS but work with them to resolve your tax problems. Discover a myriad of legal ways the IRS is eager and willing to work with you to resolve any unpaid debts, penalties, and interest. http://www.hiscpa.com/working-with-the-irs.html

Paying Your Taxes – Withholding and Extensions
Paying your taxes made easy. This section will enable you to quickly grasp the general guidelines of tax law requiring that you pay taxes as you earn money. As well, extensions and their uses and limitations are disclosed and discovered. http://www.hiscpa.com/paying-taxes.html

How to Avoid an IRS Audit
Discover simple steps that you can do to help prevent an IRS audit. Though the tax code is at times very difficult to understand and comply, these basic simple steps will help you avoid an IRS audit. http://www.hiscpa.com/avoiding-audits.html

Solving IRS Tax Problems: Submitting an Offer in Compromise
When all else fails and if you qualify, the IRS and Georgia both have a program which will enable you to work to solve the severest tax problems. http://www.hiscpa.com/offer-in-compromise.html

www.HisCPA.com A Christian CPA Firm in Duluth GA Proudly Offering Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns, Offer in Compromise, Tax Advocacy, Tax Mitigation and Tax Compliance, Back Taxes, IRS Representation, IRS Appeals, IRS Collections, IRS Installment Plans & IRS Wage Levies

Sample IRS Audit Letter in Anticipation of IRS Audit

Proudly Serving Metro Atlanta as a Christian CPA for Over 30 Years

When getting ready for an audit the first best call is to a well experienced CPA to ensure that both your rights but more importantly that you return is correct and prepared to best ensure your lowest legal possible tax. As a Body of Believers, though we are to submit to Authority, we are not required either by tax law or by our faith to pay more than our fair share and therefore just and legally liable tax obligation/bill.

All correspondence with the IRS should be an ends to an mean and help to encourage the client, the IRS and their agent to close their file as quickly as possible, while ensuring that you pay only your legally liable tax. To that end I have provided the below sample audit letter detailing what we did, the terms and even enclosing the check to pay the taxes and interest in full while asking for penalty abatement. For the easier a CPA can make it on the agent to adequately and efficiently close their file is a win for both the IRS and the client.

Internal Revenue Service

401 W. Peachtree Street

Atlanta GA

Enclosures: Power of Attorney

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing you in a good faith attempt to come to terms over the above taxpayers’ present predicament and to address their tax issues. I am willing/eager to supply you with any information that you might need in order to process the audit. I have worked with the client to get their tax filings correct for the _____ tax year and payments current ASAP. To that end I have prepared for you a Form 1040X for the _____ tax year.

Enclosed please find a check for $____ to be applied as follows:

Tax $ _____

Interest $_____

With the payment of the tax and interest in full I am asking that any potential penalty assessed be abated. It is my goal to help in their efforts to return to compliance. Since I have assumed the role as their financial advisor (they had none previously), I have consulted with them, and in good faith and within 30 days pulled all of the information together that you had requested.

I believe the penalty abatement is a just request as I believe the IRS is a fair institution designed to help taxpayers pay their just taxes.

I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to working with you to close their file.

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

www.HisCPA.com A Christian CPA Firm in Duluth GA Proudly Offering Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns, Offer in Compromise, Tax Advocacy, Tax Mitigation and Tax Compliance, Back Taxes, IRS Representation, IRS Appeals, IRS Collections, IRS Installment Plans & IRS Wage Levies

Lawrenceville/Snellville/Norcross CPA on Keeping Your Tax Returns Simple

Pay Only Your Lowest Legal Possible Tax

The first page of Form 1040 is used to calculate the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income. While many people think of their income as what is reported on form W-2, there are some other additions (and possibly some deductions) that have to be made as well. Itemizing deductions on your personal return can result in paying a smaller tax. However the rules on what can be deducted and what can’t are fairly strict. Using a guide/CPA and a tax checklist are your first step to ensuring that an accurate fair and just return and to ensure that you pay only your lowest legal possible tax. Below is letter we might utilize to help a client ensure their returns are both complete and correct:

To complete your return I need for you to use the tax form I have on the contact page of my website to reflect your corporate data and make the below changes.

You did not show the $40K of Gross Wages on your recap that is on your personal W-2.

You did not show the beginning checkbook balance off of last year’s tax return of $7,000.

Please be sure to show your year-end checkbook balance while being sure that deposits plus beginning cash less expenditures equals the year end checkbook balance.

Please list the Tax you paid if payroll taxes as payroll taxes, otherwise please identify as to what it is.

Please put bank charges into office supplies. Keeping your chart of accounts current, up to date and usable are essential to good business & tax management.

There is no need to give me totals by individual month, just the totals for the year.

ASAP after I get the above I will complete the returns.

Please note I still need your husband’s W-2′s and copies of your cash contributions/tithing statements.

Personal Income Tax Returns 101: Understanding the Basics

Top Mistakes Taxpayers Make
Avoidance of these common mistakes will greatly assist you in the proper preparation of your tax return, will help you avoid unnecessary IRS tax penalties and interest, and help you keep your tax bill as low as legally possible. See http://www.hiscpa.com/tax-top-ten.html

Determining Filing Status and Dependents
The first step in filing your personal Federal tax return is to determine your correct filing status and the number of deductions you can claim. It sounds simple, but it can make a difference in the amount of tax you pay. Visit http://www.hiscpa.com/personal-returns.html

Determining Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
The first page of Form 1040 is used to calculate the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income. While many people think of their income as what is reported on form W-2, there are some other additions (and possibly some deductions) that have to be made as well. See http://www.hiscpa.com/agi.html

Claiming Itemized Deductions on Your Tax Return
Itemizing deductions on your personal return can result in paying a smaller tax. However the rules on what can be deducted and what can’t are fairly strict. Use this guide to determine what’s deductible. See http://www.hiscpa.com/itemized-deductions.html

How Long Should I Save Tax Records?
Lift up the veil and discover how long and what types of records you should retain and for how long are often the point of consternation for many taxpayers. Learn what you need to keep so that you are never unduly surprised if ever asked to reproduce documents. Visit http://www.hiscpa.com/tax-records.html

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/ 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.

Duluth/Suwanee CPA: Setting up an Installment Plan with the IRS and Recording Internal Data/ Bookkeeping Issues

Attached is a recent note we received from a potential client However, extreme caution should be exercised by taxpayers to ensure that they retain the services of a CPA who is experienced with tax representation issues and matters.

Thanks John. I enjoyed hearing what you had to say. I am definitely looking forward to getting some order in my business and life. I know I am in for a tough road in the beginning because of my disobedience but I believe I can get through it by God’s grace and your help.

I will work on getting together those things you asked me such as my latest return, my first few months bank statements and checkbooks, and my QuickBooks downloaded to my laptop. I will plan on giving you a call the week.

Also, I wanted to ask you another question. I told you I had filed my prior tax return but I hadn’t paid anything yet. I filed it before the October 15th deadline this year after an extension but didn’t pay anything unfortunately. I was going to set up a payment plan like I did the last time I owed. They sent me a letter saying it was due Dec. 1st. I didn’t set up a payment plan when I filed because I knew I wanted to talk to you first. Can you guide me in this when I see you or do I need to call them and set something up before I meet with you? Thanks,

Below is our response:

I will be happy to help.

I suggest you call the IRS and tell them you are going to retain me and the date and request they extend your time to respond for thirty and that we work to ASAP address this return as well as your 2009 tax issues. Time is the enemy in dealing with IRS Representation issues so if you can get with me ASAP we can plan the best course of action tailored to your particular circumstance.

To learn more about IRS Representation issues see:

How Audits are Selected
Learning about how audits are selected is the first step to discovering how to overcome the emotional and financial distress that normally occurs as part of the audit process. Lifting this veil will help keep you on an even keel in learning how to deal with the IRS audit. Visit http://www.hiscpa.com/irs-selection.html

When the IRS Notice Arrives
Rather than beginning the process in fear, discover how you can better prepare yourself so that you are not surprised at the audit process and its ultimate results. By seeing through to the other side you can best ready yourself to close your audit with no adjustments and no additional monies due. See http://www.hiscpa.com/irs-audit.html

Solving Atlanta IRS Tax Issues
Don’t fight the IRS but work with them to resolve your tax problems. Discover a myriad of legal ways the IRS is eager and willing to work with you to resolve any unpaid debts, penalties, and interest. To learn more http://www.hiscpa.com/working-with-the-irs.html

Paying Your Taxes – Withholding & Extensions for Metro Atlanta Taxpayers
Paying your taxes made easy. This section will enable you to quickly grasp the general guidelines of tax law requiring that you pay taxes as you earn money. As well, extensions and their uses and limitations are disclosed and discovered. Visit http://www.hiscpa.com/paying-taxes.html

How to Avoid an IRS Audit for Atlanta Taxpayers
Discover simple steps that you can do to help prevent an IRS audit. Though the tax code is at times very difficult to understand and comply, these basic simple steps will help you avoid an IRS audit. See http://www.hiscpa.com/avoiding-audits.html

Solving IRS Tax Problems: Submitting an Georgia Offer in Compromise
When all else fails and if you qualify, the IRS and Georgia both have a program which will enable you to work to solve the severest tax problems. Visit http://www.hiscpa.com/offer-in-compromise.html

Utilizing IRS Installment Plans for Metro Atlanta Taxpayers to Pay Your Past Due Taxes
The IRS has long been in the business of helping taxpayers get back into the system to ensure that taxpayers are able to pay their taxes over time. For those who do not qualify for an Offer in Compromise or to pay the taxes and interest in full, while seeking penalty abatement, an Installment Plan is a prudent and wise choice and alternative to get your past taxes due paid and current. See http://www.hiscpa.com/installment-plans.html

John Dillard is an Christian Speaker/Author and Certified Public Accountant in Duluth, GA. To See how he takes Christ along with him to work visit http://www.hiscpa.com/ and for his latest book Overcoming Life’s 9/11′s: Job’s Journey and a Voice of One: Nehemiah’s Prayer or call John Dillard CPA today at 770.814.9304 (All Rights Reserved) Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it!

Contact HIS CPA PC (A Christian CPA Firm) today.

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, Bookkeeping.

Atlanta CPA Shows How to Resolve IRS Back Tax Issues

IRS rules are set out to assist those who are attempting to comply and to encourage all of us, either willingly or not, to file and pay our just and fair taxes. Tax laws, though complicated to the lay person, are often confusing. A CPA can help people navigate through the tax maze by making the complicated easier to understand. By seeking and following the advice of a trusted professional we are able to comply with tax law with the least amount of pain and aggravation. By not filing returns, not paying amounts owed when due, and attempting to tackle complex tax issues, we do not have the skill or wisdom to adequately address, many fall prey to our general inability to understand all of the nuances involved. A Good CPA can help address and solve tax issues.

Tax Problems

The best first issue is to review the reasons for the assessment. Many times during this process it is discovered that it is not a payment issue but the original returns filed need to be amended. After the determination of a just and fair tax, one can begin to adequately assess and make arrangements for the monies due. Great care should also be taken during this time to ensure that all payments and credits have been properly applied to the balance owed

Trust Fund Monies

In the event your business has employees or collects sales tax, the monies withheld from payroll and sales taxes collected are technically withheld “in trust.” As such they have legal exposure to both the company for payment, as well as those personally responsible parties who knew about and controlled such payments. A responsible party is generally defined as those who were most/responsible for payments that would well extend to check signers, accounts payable, officers, and financial staff. This assessment is for one personally who collected trust monies which they unduly did not remit to the appropriate taxing/legal authority. As these monies are withheld in trust, they do not belong to the company/business. Both the IRS and individual states take a very dim and stern view of all those who unduly use their money. A 100% penalty may be assessed to the responsible parties making them personally responsible for any collected and unpaid trust fund monies.

If a business is not able to pay its staff payroll taxes/remit collected sales taxes as due, it is a clear warning side that the business model is upside down. Though most times it would indicate that the margins of a business are not adequate to support the business’ present staffing levels and overhead, it could also be an indicator that the business is not properly leveraged/financed.

Installment Agreements

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.

Failure to File Penalties

Failure to File Penalties are assessed in addition to normal penalties and interest for those who do not make their payment and filings on a timely basis. Please be reminded that an extension does not allow a taxpayer to pay at a later date, as income taxes are generally due and payable as they are earned. However, a situation is greatly exasperated when a taxpayer does not file their taxes on a timely basis. Thus it is financially most advantageous to file a return even if a taxpayer does not have the monies to pay a return as the monies become due.

www.HisCPA.com A Christian CPA Firm in Duluth GA Proudly Serving Suwanee, Lawrenceville, Snellville, Lilburn, Duluth, Norcross, Peachtree Corners, Atlanta, Gwinnett, Johns Creek, Roswell, Forsyth, Flowery Branch, Buford, Dunwoody, Grayson, Alpharetta, Roswell, Sandy Springs & Tucker as a Faith Based CPA

www.HisCPA.com A Christian CPA Firm in Duluth GA Proudly Offering Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns, Offer in Compromise, Tax Advocacy, Tax Mitigation and Tax Compliance, Back Taxes, IRS Representation, IRS Appeals, IRS Collections, IRS Installment Plans & IRS Wage Levies

Atlanta CPA: Addressing Back Taxes for Atlanta Taxpayers

The first thing we look to do when we meet with a client is to work to get their old back taxes filed. As soon as the back taxes are filed and we have worked with the taxpayer to ensure their present tax obligations are current. Then we can begin to address working with the taxpayer and the IRS to see what can be done to either pay the taxes and interest in full, while requesting penalty abatement by showing/proving reasonable cause as to why returns/taxes were late paid. Frequently this winds up being the best obligation as many/most taxpayers do not qualify to have an Offer in Compromise accepted as the process is much more involved and restricted. However we have great success at both.

How to Submit an Offer in Compromise: Which Tax Forms to Use

If you have a large tax bill owed to either the IRS or Georgia, there is a tax process called the Offer in Compromise which may be well suited to help you get beyond the mountain of tax debt and to negotiate a fair and just settlement with the IRS. The process requires you to be current on all of your tax filings and payments, thus the Internal Revenue Service or Georgia will first need to be able to verify that all of your respective corporate and personal income taxes, payroll taxes, and sales tax reports have been appropriately filed. If you are a corporate taxpayer or have been a proprietorship and have a payroll, the IRS will need to be able to ascertain and confirm that you are current on these payments and filings as well. If you are doing an Offer in Compromise to the state of Georgia then having your payroll reports, income taxes and payments current as well as any applicable sales tax reports will also be a pre-requisite to submitting an Offer.

Submission of an Offer in Compromise. Filing of the Offer Form (Form 656), the Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals (Form 433-A), and the Collection Information Statement for Businesses (Form 433B) are the core paperwork to be initially submitted with the Offer in Compromise. Attendant with this filing is wide host of required documentation which needs to be submitted with the Offer to validate the deductions claimed.

Form 656: Offer in Compromise. This form is the actual Offer itself. The Offer when submitted to the Internal Revenue Service needs to include a check for $150 along with a check for at least twenty percent of the amount you are proposing to settle your total outstanding taxes. On the Form you will also indicate how the balance of the monies will be paid after an Offer in Compromise is accepted. Generally the best option is to pay the balance within thirty days of acceptance of the Offer, although by law the IRS can extend a payment schedule for up to two years.

Form 433A: The Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals. This form is used by all taxpayers who are filing an Offer in Compromise for tax monies, which they personally owe. Accordingly for all those who receive a paycheck with payroll withholding or have a business proprietorship will utilize this form to file along with Form 656. This form will list all of a taxpayers (and if a joint offer, their spouse as well) assets, liabilities, credit lines, insurance values, retirement plan balances, monthly cash inflow and outgo in accordance with prescribed IRS criteria. Attendant to the forms instructions there is a wide host of documentation which also should be attached including monthly pay stubs, bank statements, billings/statements, and proof of expenditures.

Form 433B: Collection Information Statement for Businesses. If you are submitting an Offer in Compromise for your business for either payroll taxes withheld and not paid or for unpaid income taxes if a C Corporation, then you will use Form 433B for the submission. This schedule will also list all of the assets and liabilities of the business along with a profit and loss showing the year to date profit for the current year. Most of this information can be obtained from the company’s internal books and records (i.e., their balance sheet and profit and loss). Details of where the company banks, account numbers, loans, loan numbers, offsetting balances, monthly payments are examples of the additional information which will also need to be supplied. Copies of items such as the last three monthly bank statements, open accounts receivable and accounts payable detail will also need to be provided.

Generally an Offer in Compromise will take at least a year to process and it is not a task you will want to take on without the skill of a good Atlanta CPA to guide you along the way.

www.HisCPA.com A Christian CPA Firm in Duluth GA Proudly Serving Suwanee, Lawrenceville, Snellville, Lilburn, Duluth, Norcross, Peachtree Corners, Atlanta, Gwinnett, Johns Creek, Roswell, Forsyth, Flowery Branch, Buford, Dunwoody, Grayson, Alpharetta, Roswell, Sandy Springs & Tucker as a Faith Based CPA

www.HisCPA.com A Christian CPA Firm in Duluth GA Proudly Offering Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns, Offer in Compromise, Tax Advocacy, Tax Mitigation and Tax Compliance, Back Taxes, IRS Representation, IRS Appeals, IRS Collections, IRS Installment Plans & IRS Wage Levies

Atlanta CPA: Incorporating in Georgia…What to Be Sure to Do

The Incorporating in Georgia Series

There are many reasons a taxpayer may look to incorporate their business ranging from legitimacy, liability limitation and tax mitigation. Understanding these many nuances is your best first step in ensuring that you chose an entity type is best achieving success given your business model and operations. Entity selection is determinant on many issues ranging from citizenship, number of shareholders, ease of operation, tax obligations and year-end filings and even who your shareholders will be. Though many of these issues will conflict, working with a professional who is well versed in these issues will help you make the best election available for your new Georgia Business.

At His CPA We Cover a Wide Host of Full Service CPA Firm Services Including:

Atlanta Tax Problems, IRS representation, Offer in Compromise

Incorporation in Georgia, Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns

Atlanta Part-time CFO, Virtual Controller, Business Planning

Atlanta Bookkeeping & Financial Statements

-Made any Necessary Tax Elections. All newly incorporated business’s will need a new Federal Identification Number/EIN, which can be applied for on-line at www.irs.gov/ Also companies that desire to become an S Corporation/flow through entity for tax purposes must file IRS Form 2553: Election by a Small Business Corporation within 75 days of the beginning of the tax year to which you would like to become effective. When incorporating with the Secretary of State a company is initially a C Corporation and has to file the S Corporation paperwork to become an S Corporation. LLC’s who wish to become an S Corporation for tax purposes should also file this form within the time allotment referred to above.

On an ongoing basis also many business owners fail to:

-Have an Annual/ Periodic Board of Directors Meeting. All C Corporations and S Corporations are required by law to have an Annual/Periodic Board of Directors Meeting. Failure to do this may indicate a lack of the owners respect of the “corporate veil” thereby potentially impugning their rights of personal legal protection.

-Have an Annual/Periodic Shareholders Meeting. All C Corporations and S Corporations are required by law to have an Annual/Periodic Shareholders Meeting. Failure to do this may indicate a lack of the owners respect of the “corporate veil” thereby potentially impugning their rights of personal legal protection.

-Paid the Company’s Annual Registration Fee to the Secretary of State. Failure to pay this fee can result in your business being listed as a Non-Compliant Entity or worse yet Administratively Dissolved by the Secretary of State’s office. The registration form should be filed online at www.georgiacorporations.org/

-Maintain a Valid Business License. Business licenses are to be obtained from the county the business transacts business in/has a physical presence. If the business is located with a town’s city limits, then the license is procured from the city.

For all business’s before you incorporate, it is prudent to first talk with a Certified Public Accountant to ensure that you select the right entity type for your business. To gain a basic understanding of these nuances visit http://www.hiscpa.com/article2.html To read more about the incorporation process visit the Georgia Secretary of State at http://sos.georgia.gov/corporations/filing_procedures_corp_2001.pdf