Category Archives: Taxes

Tax News from EJK Accounting & Tax

12.23 2020

Financial Relief Before Year is Over

 

 

This year is end in a week. A spike in COVID-29 cases and related restrictions and shutdown, more people have been laid off and millions of people have received jobless help and benefit.

 

 

Don’t miss out!!!

Before 2020 is over, we still have time to gain some financial relief to help reduce the effects of the pandemic.

Paid sick leave

Fully refundable tax credits are available, as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

  • Up to $511 per day, or
  • $200 per day if caring for a family member or children if school is closed.

 

Paid family leave

One provision of FFCRA is fully refundable tax credits equal to two-thirds of the employee’s regular pay.

  •  Up to $200 per day, for an employee to care for a child due to school or place of care closure.

 

 

Employee Retention Credit

As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provides a fully refundable credit that is 50% of qualified wages.

  • $10,000, for a maximum credit per employee of $5,000 paid from March 13 – Dec. 31, 2020.

 

Important notes about COVID-19 tax credits:

  • For businesses to receive the credits, wages paid must occur by Dec. 31, 2020 or earlier.
  • If a Paycheck Protection Program loan was taken, the employer would not be eligible for the Employee Retention Credit.
  • Employers who choose to file one or more Forms 7200 to request an advance payment of the tax credits, the last day to file is either Feb.1, 2021, or the date employer’s Forms 941 are filed for forth quarter 2020, whichever is earlier. Any Forms 7200 received after that date will be rejected by the IRS

 

 

05.10 2016

IRS Workshops for Non-profits

In an effort to provide better access to popular workshops, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has posted virtual versions of workshops on their website. The most recent installment focuses on tax compliance for exempt organizations including small to medium-sized 501(c)3 organizations.

Lessons include topics such as how to apply for 501(c)3 status, 990 overview course, and hiring employees. They are designed to help both new and pre-existing organizations. The IRS also offers certificates of attendance to encourage comprehensive education around a variety of topics.

01.25 2016

2016 Tax Season

January starts a new year and a new tax season. In the next month, you’ll receive an array of IRS forms reminding you that it’s time to file. The deadline this year is Monday, April 18, 2016, but once you’ve received all your forms it’s never too early to file. For standard filers, here’s what you might expect to get in the mail:

  • Form W-2 from your current or past employers.
  • Form 1099-INT or 1099-DIV from any financial institutions from whom you earn interest.
  • Contractors will receive form 1099-MISC with total miscellaneous income earned.
  • Homeowners will receive form 1098 with total mortgage interest payments.
  • Students will receive form 1098-T with total tuition paid; students with loans will receive form 1098-E with total interest paid on student loans.

If you’re a small business owner, you’ll need to provide your tax preparer with a profit and loss statement so that they can complete a Schedule C.

Give us a call or talk to your preparer for a complete list of forms needed to complete your return.

10.25 2015

Talk to the IRS

Responding to a notice from the IRS can be a daunting task. Sometimes it’s hard to figure out why you’re being contacted, how to respond, what information the IRS needs, and/or whether or not we can refute any charges. Often times we are provided with a lot of information about what will happen if we don’t respond properly, but very little guidance on how our response should be presented. Here are some tips to ensure that your communication with the IRS is well received, and your issue can be resolved quickly.

Understand Your Notice
Read your notice and read it again. Make sure you fully understand what the IRS is telling you before you respond. If you are still unsure, you have options. Contact an accounting or tax professional to help you understand your notice, or call the IRS to clarify.

Call or Write?
Getting through to the IRS via phone can take time, but is helpful if you have questions about your notice. Calling can expedite your response process, as you can confirm with a representative exactly what the IRS is looking for, how you should respond, and if you have options. Have your identification information and questions ready before you call. Make sure you get off the phone knowing exactly what the next steps are.

Remember Who You’re Talking To
When you contact the IRS remember that you are talking to a regular person, not an entire government agency. Always be professional and respectful, but don’t be afraid to ask questions. They also want to resolve your issue as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Provide Relevant Information
When you’re ready to send your formal response, in writing, make sure you provide the following information to ensure your response is easily identifiable:

  1. Your name and/or business name (as written on your original notice) and tax ID.
  2. Reference number as written on the IRS notice you are responding to.
  3. Identify the issue and period the notice refers to. For example: Quarter 4 2014 Payroll Tax Deposits, or 2013 Form 940, or 2014 Form 1040, etc.
  4. Correct contact information. Include the individual’s name as written on the notice and correct phone and email. A Power of Attorney form must be completed for any other individual to communicate with the IRS on your behalf.
  5. A copy of the original notice.
  6. Enclose any relevant or requested documentation.
08.06 2015

Non-profit Audit Tips

Audits are never fun, but being prepared can help relieve a ton of pressure. Start prepping early so you can be ready when the auditor arrives. Talk to your accounting and administrative staff and get them working on the items below. Being prepared can help save you time and money!

Get prepared

  • Ask your auditor for a list of documents to gather. This is the best place to start. Review the list, see what you need to gather, and estimate how much time you need to do so. Wait to pick an audit date until you have an idea of how long it will take you to gather items and work on the additional items below.
  • Review a detail of income and expense transactions. Take a quick look at the prior years’ transactions to catch any miscoded or mis-classed items.
  • Gather donor information. Donors who gave $5,000 or more during the year will be reported on the 990. Make sure you have donor names and addresses to provide to the auditor.
  • Double check what’s sitting in grants receivable. Gather information regarding multi-year loans, and confirm any grants received from the prior closed year properly offset the grants receivable account.
  • Double check all liabilities. Confirm that ending balances for loans, accrued PTO, and other payroll liabilities are correct.
  • Make sure prior year ending balances match prior year return. Double check that account beginning balances match the ending balances for the prior year’s 990.

If you need help preparing for your audit, contact our office today!