IRS Warns about Private Debt Collectors for Tax Season 2018
What accountants can do to help. And 20 other problems.
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Underfunded IRS Swamped with Problems
Not a good way to start Tax Season 2018.
By Rick Telberg
CPA Trendlines
An angry and frustrated National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson has slammed Congress hard in the Taxpayer Advocate Service 2017 Annual Report to Congress. After a series of IRS budget cuts over the last several years, Olson says she sees the daily consequences of reduced funding and the choices made by the agency in the face of funding constraints.
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“Funding cuts have rendered the IRS unable to provide acceptable levels of taxpayer service, unable to upgrade its technology … and unable to maintain compliance programs that both promote and protect taxpayer rights,” Olson says in her preface to the annual report.
“‘Shortcuts’ have become the norm, and ‘shortcuts’ are incompatible with high-quality tax administration,” says Olson, describing her agency as swamped with problems and inadequacies.
2018 Tax Filing Season Begins Jan. 29
Tax Returns Due April 17.
from the IRS
The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the nation’s tax season will begin Monday, Jan. 29, 2018 and reminded taxpayers claiming certain tax credits that refunds won’t be available before late February.
The IRS will begin accepting tax returns on Jan. 29, with nearly 155 million individual tax returns expected to be filed in 2018. The nation’s tax deadline will be April 17 this year – so taxpayers will have two additional days to file beyond April 15. READ MORE →
2018 Tax Season: The Race to Be Ready
As tax season approaches, practitioners race to get ready.
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TODAY’S BONUS QUESTION:
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The IRS Tip 10 List for Choosing a Tax Pro
Setting expectations.
By CPA Trendlines
As a tax pro, you already know what it takes to serve your clients well. But do your clients and prospects know?
In a new 10-point news release aimed at taxpayers, the IRS sets some guidelines for taxpayers to “choose their tax return preparer wisely.” You might want to be prepared for the questions clients and prospects may ask.
Here are ten tips for taxpayers to remember when selecting a preparer: