Accounting News and Notes

Gwinnett CPA Advises Atlanta Taxpayers on the Filing of Back Taxes & Old Income Tax Returns 

The filing of old back tax returns often “freezes” taxpayers who become too scared to address their open monies. Below is an example of an inquiry from a taxpayer seeking advice on filing of past unfiled income tax returns:

I’m looking for help filing back taxes (last 5 years) and I am desperate to get my tax situation in order. I need to find help I can afford!

If I’m too small a customer do you know of another resource for help with this issue? Thank you very much, 

Below is my response to their inquiry: 

Thanks for visiting www.HisCPA.com  

I would suggest using us to get your back taxes filed. On the contact page of my website I have a checklist you can use to pull your information together to file the returns. In the interim I have recapped a bit about our business philosophy and services.

When addressing unfiled tax returns and to file back taxes, 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. After you have filed you back taxes and got all of your returns filed with the IRS it is then time to turn your attention toward the successful payment of your open IRS obligations.

IRS Installment plans are essentially long range, but are frequently the most convenient way to solve an IRS tax bill short term. However this option is frequently the worst option as interest and penalties continue to be assessed thus ensuring that you continue to owe even more additional monies rather than less. Form 9465 is used by taxpayers with the IRS to make an Installment Agreement Request to set up a monthly payment plan. If at all possible it is recommended that before you set up an installment plan, you look to other options available such as a loan from a bank.

Also great care should be taken to be a forward thinker when doing your cash flow and to plan long term to ensure that you will be able to fulfill the financial commitment you make in a Formal IRS Installment Plan. For example, if you owe taxes for the 2008 tax year and have not yet filed your 2009 returns and have not yet done adequate tax planning for 2010, setting up an Installment Plan with the IRS might be one of the worst things you can do. Care should be exercised to both, get all of your back/old income tax returns filed first and then to evaluate your 2010 taxable income to ensure that you will have the taxes and monies to pay all of the tax years in question. Failing to do so can be especially problematic as one of the rules of being on an Installment Plan is that you have to stay current on all of your filings and payments for the duration of the payment period, or the IRS will void the Installment Agreement and reinstate collection efforts. Considering all of these options allows you to have a much less problematic agreement and avoid unnecessary headaches, professional fees, and additional fines, penalties and interest. 

I look forward to hearing from you. Cheers, John Dillard CPA, 770 8014 9304 

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 visit http://www.john-dillard.com/ 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.

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.