Accounting News and Notes

At His CPA PC we have an award winning CPA, John Dillard CPA on full time staff and as our President and a Board of Director

We serve a wide variety of for profit business in Gwinnett and Metro Atlanta as a Faith Based/Christian CPA Firm. The below is a sampling of the type of business clients we serve. Is it time to upgrade your Tax Services today?

• Automotive Repair Shops from Tires to Routine Maintenance
• Gas Stations and Car Detailing
• Manufacturing Companies & Distributors.
• Catering Companies, Insurance (Business & Retail).
• Custom Media Companies, Graphic Artists and Commercial Printers.
• Cabling Companies for both business and Internet
• Residential Home Builders, Home Improvement Companies, Electricians, Plumbers, Painters, Deck Builders, Pressure Washing Companies, Granite Counter tops, Wood Refinishers, etc.
• Law firms from General Counsel for Business Owners, Criminal and Tort Liability.
• Dentists, Doctors/Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Chiropractors.
• Permanent Recruiting Firms and Staffing Agencies from general staffing to licensed medical personnel including doctors and nursing agencies
• Independent Computer consultants, programmers, distributors and computer sales.
• Retail sales for storefront locations and on-line from sales on E-Bay to privatized sites.
• Child/Day Care Centers and Long Term Care Providers/Staffing Agencies
• Retail, Art and Frame Shops/Arts and Crafts Distributor.
• Retail Book Stores, Awards/Trophy Manufacturers, Pop Corn Supplies Companies, Distributors, Landlords

We advise clients on: IRS representation, Offer in Compromise, Tax Problems, and Incorporating 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

www.HisCPA.com Serving Duluth, Atlanta, Suwanee, Lawrenceville, Snellville, Johns Creek, Buford, Snellville, Grayson, Lilburn, Tucker, Norcross, Alpharetta & Beyond as a Faith Based CPA Firm

His CPA PC: A Virtual CFO/CPA For your Duluth/Gwinnett/Metro Atlanta Business 

“We have helped many small businesses in Atlanta and North Georgia minimize their tax liabilities and increase their profitability. We would be happy to sit down with you and discuss your situation. Please feel free to call or contact us.” — Duluth Georgia CPA, John Dillard CPA

“Given that we are called to be the best we can be excelling in every good and perfect work, we are called to use our God given talents to the very best of our ability. Many of us have been given unique talents from above for which we are called to utilize both to His glory and to perform each and every service to a higher standard of excellence. As such, we are mandated to do our absolute very best at each and every opportunity. Given his ordained calling, we are called to plan for without a well-coordinated effort, we are doomed to mediocrity at best and often worse.” — Christian CPA, John Dillard  

“We help business owners in determining their tax liability to ensure that prompt payment of your true and just tax is paid avoiding unnecessary penalties and interest. Call us today to help keep guide you through avoiding this costly pitfall. Tax liability determination and payment are essential building blocks for selling your Gwinnett/Metro Atlanta business.”  — Atlanta CPA, John Dillard CPA

“For those who desire to pursue a like-kind exchange, I suggest that you seek out and obtain a professional who handles these types of transactions on a full-time basis. Failure in any aspect of the nuances of the law as detailed will make the exchange null and void, leaving all or part of the gain taxable.” — John Dillard CPA Proudly Serving Duluth/Gwinnett/Metro Atlanta & Beyond

John Dillard CPA gets client failure to file and failure to pay penalties removed

At His CPA PC we work hard handling IRS tax representation issues so that you don’t have to. Just today we received an IRS letter abating the failure to file and failure to pay penalties for one of our clients. For all clients dealing with back tax issues we:

-First review all returns that have been filed.

-Ensure that all of the returns are properly compiled showing only the lowest legal tax is paid.

-Prepare all unfiled tax returns doing the oldest one first thus ensuring that all roll forward issues are adequately addressed and considered.

Is it time to upgrade your Tax/CPA services today.

As an Atlanta CPA for decades we believe in putting IRS Tax Representation Issues at your fingerprints 24/7 at http://www.hiscpa.com/irs-representation.html

Snellville/Lilburn/Duluth CPA…New to the Area & Looking for a CPA?

New to the Area & Looking for a CPA? At His CPA PC we work hard on your taxes so that you do not have to. John Dillard CPA, an award winning CPA, serving metro Atlanta is here to ensure you pay only your lowest legal possible tax. Our CPA is not only the one you will initially meet and hire, but John Dillard CPA is the President of the company who will be doing your tax return.

Top 5 Reasons to Hire John Dillard CPA

1. You want your taxes done right the first time.

2. You want to pay only what you owe the IRS and not one penny more.

3. You want your calls, inquiries and e-mails responded to efficiently and quickly.

4. You want a CPA who cares about you as more than just a number.

5. You want value!!!

www.HisCPA.com   A Faith Based CPA Firm Serving Duluth, Gwinnett. Johns Creek, Norcross, Alpharetta, Suwanee, Buford, Lawrenceville, Snellville, Lilburn, Decatur, Tucker, Roswell, Atlanta & Beyond

How Does Your CPA Talk to You?

How does Your CPA talk to, address you, question you, communicate with, interact with, and understand you? Are you more than just a client or a number in their eyes? Are you respected and given full attention and care? Does your CPA care for more than just your taxes? Does your CPA care about your heart, your soul, your life, your interests, your well-being, and your family? Can you call your CPA more than just a Certified Public Accountant, can you call them a friend?

Take time to discover the impressive difference that trusting a Christian CPA can make. His CPA offers a completely free initial consultation to help you address your CPA needs. We have included an example letter we send to clients. Each one of these letters is composed with the utter most respect and thanks to the client.

“It was truly an honor to talk with you concerning your CPA needs. I would be honored to serve and help you as your CPA for many years to come. I hope we can build a strong and lasting relationship through this time. And if you know anyone else seeking wisdom, discernment, guidance, or aid about their taxes, do not hesitate to call us. I pray that you and your family have a blessed Christmas and that Jesus watches over you in the New Year.

In Christ,
John Dillard CPA

Ask yourself how your CPA talks to you and consider consulting with a Christian CPA today!

www.HisCPA.com Habits of Highly Effective Believers by John Dillard CPA is a guidebook for you to use to grow in your faith by growing in your wisdom and your understanding of His will and call on your life. The full copy will be published at  http://www.hiscpa.com/blog/ for your use to grow closer to your creator and to discover His destiny for you and your life. 

STANDING ALONE 

There will be times just as there was in Christ time when all those about us will forsake us.  It is at these times we need to remind ourselves of indeed who we are.  “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are –yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).  Jesus went ahead of us to prepare a path for our life and a light for our feet.  Serving the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, we are able to tap into the power of the Almighty.  Though our Lord is a mighty warrior and is prominent beyond compare, he understands our plight as we walked where we walked and lived as we live feeling firsthand our pain and anguish.  Though we do worship a mighty king, he feels deep compassion for us his people.  He lived amongst us so that we might learn to stand alone in our faith if need be serving as a beacon to others in their time of need.  Just as a lighthouse guides a ship on the darkest night or through the perils of storms so we are able to lean on Christ giving us the courage to stand firm in the face of adversity. 

Though we will often be called to stand alone firm in our faith relying solely on Christ for our strength, we need to be sure not to lose sight of God’s command.  “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you” (2 Corinthians 10:12-13).  Exhorted to be bold in our faith and our ministry both pastors and lay people alike, we are to remain humble in spirit serving those about us.  Regardless of the victories achieved we are to continue to give God the glory as it is only by his will and strength we thrive and succeed.  Though it may be tempting to claim the victory ourselves as Moses did, we need to limit our boasting to what God alone has done.  Though we may through his grace accomplish great things it is only our sincere humbleness and servant hood that will release the omnipotent power of God.  

Thought for the Day….Are You Standing Strong in Your Faith or by Your Own Sheer Will. Seek Him Daily so that Christ Might Speak to Your Heart and Guide You Day. 

HisCPA.com   A Christian CPA Firm…Never Underestimate the Long Term Benefits 

Serving 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, Gwinnett County, North Fulton County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Cumming, Grayson, Lake Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, Dunwoody, Gainesville, Decatur, and Beyond.

John Dillard CPA: Past Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Member & Board of Director…His CPA…A History of Excellence

Awards/Excellence of Service

Maintained quality earnings during dramatic company growth period ranging from $3 to 30 million in five years

BBA in Accounting · 1979 from Georgia State University · Atlanta, Georgia
GPA: 3.8/4.0

Honors/Awards

Dean’s List: eight out of twelve quarters

Graduated Magna Cum Laude

Upcoming Junior Award

Received Laventhol and Horwath Award, a recognition for outstanding scholastic achievement

Member of the Golden Key and Mortar Board National Honor Societies

2003 Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

SBA’s 1999 Accounting Advocate of the Year for the State of Georgia

1991 Who’s Who of Accountants

Nominated for 2011 Best of Gwinnett

Member of Georgia Society of CPA’s

In the spring of 2004, Atlanta accountant John Dillard established a different kind of CPA firm — one that would bring the principles of Jesus Christ to the practice of Accounting

Participated in a team to have the Georgia State Supreme Court declare the Georgia Trade Secrets Act of 1990 unconstitutional, helping Georgia workers not be unduly burdened by unfair non-compete agreements

Community Involvement

Initiated passing of the Georgia Crime Victims Restitutions Act of 2005 requiring sexual predators/felony criminals to pay for their victim’s medical and counseling care

Serves on the Pastoral Relations Committee at Sugarloaf United Methodist Church

Help Support a homeless shelter in Atlanta 7Bridges to Recovery

Lead/Serve on Mission Team to Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico
Published Author of Four Christian Inspiration/Fiction Books

Speaker at Gwinnett Small Business Luncheon, Kiwanis, Church, Mission, Kiwanis, Rotary. SBA (Small Business Development Center), SCORE, Networking Events, WNIV (Atlanta Christian Talk Radio) at Pastor’s Educational Workshop Series, Christian Norcross Fellowship Luncheon, Network Gwinnett, Atlanta Christians in Business Network

Church Speaking at Sugarloaf United Methodist Church, Villa Rica Methodist Church and Berkmar United Methodist Church

Guest Speaker on Atlanta Live on WATC TV (Christian Television, Channel 57), Family Business Radio, Christian Talk Radio/Faith Broadcasting, Radio Luz, Atlanta WAFS , 1190 AM

Nominated for Georgia Author of the Year for 2009 & 2010

Speaker at the Christian Authors Guild and book signings at Barnes and Noble

Past member of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, Johns Creek Business Association, Suwanee Business Alliance, Norcross Business Association, Duluth Merchants Association, Lilburn Business Association, Buford Merchants Association

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  Proudly Serving as a Gwinnett CPA for Decades

Gwinnett CPA: IRS Documentation Requirements of Donated Vehicles 

Vehilces Donated to Charity

IRS tax law over the last several years has been tightened to ensure that all vehicles given to a legally registered charity are validly deductible. The new law requires: 

For the charitable organization to provide the donor a contemporaneous written acknowledgment of the donation using IRS Form 1098-C, which will include a certification of the organizations use or sale of the vehicle. Charitable organizations that fail to provide the acknowledgment or provides a fraudulent statement will be subject to penalty. IRS Form 1098-C must list the taxpayer and vehicle ID# and a description and good faith estimate of the value of any goods/services provided in exchange for the vehicle. 

If the charitable organization sells the vehicle without significant improvement or significant intervening use the written acknowledgment must also certify that the vehicle was sold in an arm’s length transaction between unrelated parties, listing the gross proceeds, and state that the deduction for the donor taxpayer may not exceed the gross proceeds.  

If the charitable organization retains the vehicle for its own significant use or makes a material improvement, the acknowledgment must certify the use or improvement, the time frame the charity will use the vehicle, and that the vehicle will not be sold or transferred before  the use period or the improvement is completed. 

If the charitable organization sells the vehicle at a significantly reduced value/price to a needy individual or gratuitously transfers the vehicle, the taxpayer can only claim the vehicles fair market value only if the transfer/sale directly furthers the charity’s specific purpose. In the even the charity sells the vehicle at auction the IRS will not accept as documentation an acknowledgment that the vehicle was transferred to a needy individual at a significantly reduced value. In that event, the taxpayer donor may claim a deduction greater than $500, however this is limited to the extent that the gross proceeds from the sale exceed that amount and that the donor documents the contribution with an acknowledgement listing the gross proceeds.  

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC, 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.HisCPA.com/   

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

Atlanta CPA: Evaluating Tax Payment Options vs. an Offer in Compromise 

The IRS and state of Georgia both allow taxpayers to submit an Offer in Compromise, which is a proposal on your part to pay only a portion of the back income taxes you owe. If the offer is accepted, the remainder of the tax debt will be forgiven. For individuals or corporations with significant tax problems, an IRS offer in compromise can eliminate tax obligations much the same way as filing bankruptcy can eliminate personal or corporate debt.

The IRS has specific rules that must be followed when submitting an offer in compromise, including:

• All tax returns and forms from prior and current years must be submitted
• You must be paid up on all current year tax obligations, including estimated tax payments
• The amount you propose to pay must be reasonable, based on your net worth and estimated cash flows for the next several 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.

Though the news and press clippings tend to portray an Offer in Compromise as the best solution to all tax problems when in reality many/most taxpayers do not qualify. The best option frequently is to pay the taxes and interest in full, while asking for penalty abatement. The below is a sample letter that might be used to affect such a course. Always keep in mind that a taxpayer representing themselves will do much harm to their case because of their unfamiliarity with tax laws and procedures.

Internal Revenue Service

Atlanta, GA 39901 

I am following up on the above taxpayers predicament with the IRS and to address their open taxes due for the 2008 to 2009 tax years, which the clients have recently filed. For your convenience I have enclosed a copy of the power of attorney to represent the above referenced client. Please note that the taxpayer is aware that the refund for the 2004 tax year will be lost as it is beyond the required three year filing statute. 

I have enclosed a check payable to the IRS for $2,650 to pay the $2,500 Total Taxes Due as detailed above and the $150 Estimated Interest Thereon. Please accept these monies and as full payment against the trust fund/principal portion and estimated interest of their account balance while abating the assessed penalties. During the time these monies were paid the taxpayers were not using an accountant, who could have advised them on how to properly pay for and account for their taxes. The taxpayer is desirous of paying and complying with all tax laws and has since and have been advised that taxes in the future are required to be paid as they become due. Accordingly I believe that the abatement of the penalties is a just and fair request, thus I would like to apply all the monies as per the above as payment against their trust fund liabilities and request the assessed penalties be abated. 

The taxpayers are desirous in resolving these monies/accounts ASAP and are committed to doing so. Please do not pursue and collection efforts while this is being done so the taxpayer can work with the IRS to satisfactorily resolve these monies. Accordingly please allow us ninety days as we work through resolving their open monies with the IRS. The taxpayer has asked that the check enclosed be returned if this offer is not acceptable as presented. 

Due to the above: 

I request that all penalties and interest be abated. 

My name is John Dillard CPA of HIS CPA, P.C., 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097. 

I am relying on the below facts as a reasonable basis for full abatement of the penalty. The taxpayer acted in good faith has paid their taxes and interest in full. There was no fraud, no intent to deceive, and no misrepresentation. Returns, which were filed, were accurate and reliable as there were no accuracy related issues. Taxpayer was forthright in dealing with, responding, and payment of all taxes owed. There was no willful neglect as the taxpayer strived and paid his tax in full and was not in a tax shelter of any type and openly and honestly paid all taxes owed. There was no effort made to defeat the tax or to avoid payment of same. The taxpayer was willfully compliant and eagerly complied and assisted with their payment of their just tax. That the IRS is desiring to assist those who are complying with tax law and paying their full legal tax willingly. 

Under penalties of perjury, I declare that the facts presented in my written protests, 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. Accordingly I believe my request to abate their penalties is a just and fair request. 

I appreciate your attention to this matter and please do not hesitate to call me if you have any questions. 

Very Sincerely Yours, John C. Dillard, CPA, President 

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 

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