The IRS Audit Blog

Archive for December, 2008

Governor-elect attends pre-inaugual ball, helps food bank

Governor-elect Bob McDonnell attended a pre-inaugural celebration in Southwest Virginia after helping package meals for a soup kitchen Friday.

Attorney Jobs in Alexandria

Question: received, bogus email, irs stating there’s a refund & a form 2 fill out. Who do I contact?

Answer: Those who have received a questionable e-mail claiming to come from the IRS may forward it to a mailbox the IRS has established to receive such e-mails, phishing@irs.gov, using instructions contained in an article titled “How to Protect Yourself from Suspicious E-Mails or Phishing Schemes.”

Scams to watch for in 2010

A new year brings new scams, and a reminder not to fall for the oldies, but goodies!

Stop ObamaCare Tyranny BEFORE 1AM – Fax Call Write Email Visit Senators!

Question: Mileage Deductions from the IRS: Commuting to-from work miles if you work from home?

My boss is having a problem with my mileage, and wants me to deduct “personal miles” I use from my mileage reimbursement on my expense reports.

The problem is, he’s referring to my to-from work miles, that the IRS does not allow you to claim as deductible work related mileage, but I work out of my home, and do not travel to an office or any specific place each day.

I take calls and work from my home, and travel to customer sites for tech support, but this can be anywhere in the states of Georgia or Tennessee, and is just on an as-needed basis.

If I have no office to commute to, what does the IRS say would be my to-from commuting mileage, if any?

Answer: Are you a w2, or a 1099? Travel between a temporary location and your home is one of the most difficult areas in terms of figuring out whether or not to deduct mileage.

If you have no “permanent place of work” outside of your home, then traveling from home to a temporary locations becomes more difficult to deduct. In order to deduct mileage between home and a temporary location, you need a home office, aka a place that is exclusively dedicated to your work. Otherwise the mileage between your home and your first temporary work location is NOT deductible. See IRS Publication 463, pages 14 and 15 for details.

If you are a field tech and regularly pick up parts at a certain parts depot or package hub (FedEx, UPS, etc.) then the depot will be considered your “office”, and the mileage between your home and the parts depot will NOT be deductible. The mileage from the depot to your calls WILL be deductible, and so will the mileage back home from the temporary location (unless you go to the depot and drop off parts, THEN go home…that will NOT be deductible).

Your wording of “deduct” is a bit confusing…it sounds like your boss wants you to “remove” (not deduct) personal miles from your expense reports. He has the right to do so.

It sounds to me like you have a really nasty boss, you wouldn’t happen to work as a field tech for BancTec, NCR or Qualxserv? They can be really cheap support companies. Most techs stay there a few months build a client base, then leave. I would recommend leaving after memorial day weekend, when volume starts skyrocketing. Good luck.

Using Sales Taxes to Trim Your tax Bill

Filers who claim the standard deduction get the chance on 2009 returns to write off sales taxes on a new vehicle purchase. And some taxpayers who itemize could find themselves getting an additional sales tax deduction this filing season.

Tennessee Banks preparing for Bank Holiday-Bank Runs have Started?!?!

Question: What kind of power of attorney do I need to file if the person is already deceased?

My brother passed away and he has never been married and has no children. He did not have a power of attorney and now we are trying to file taxes, deal with his personal property, real estate etc.. and we need to have a power of attorney… I am going to try to file this forms myself but is very unsure which power of attorney I need to file to give my mom all the rights to act on his behalf … Could someone please advise me … I am in the state of Mississippi.

Answer: I dont believe you would be filing to become a power of attorney since he is already passed (sorry to hear that, btw). I think you would be seeking to be the executor of his estate.

Warsaw City Council doesn’t agree with drainage district

WARSAW, Ill. –– Two proposals from the Hunt Drainage District were voted down by the Warsaw City Council Wednesday. Warsaw owns 4.55 acres inside the Hunt Drainage District, and all land owners in the district were sent letters and ballots in December.

Patent Agent Jobs in Mississippi

Question: Economic Stimulus Payment??

okay, so from what I am reading, You get your money directly to your bank if you did your taxes as a direct deposit.

but does anyone know if that still applies to people who did there taxes through places like Jack Hewett and did direct deposit through there company?

the reason I ask is because I just recently moved (a few weeks ago) and now I am unsure if my payment will be through a check or direct payment..and the post office wont forward government mail. I can’t get through to the IRS and my change of address wont get there in time to have them send it to my new place.

anyone know? please help, I am getting a bit nerve racked over here. =(

Answer: If your refund came direct to your account from the IRS, your rebate should come that way. But if it went first to JH for them to deduct their fees, then it would come in the mail.

File the 8822 change of address with the IRS. That way if it DOES end up coming in the mail, and the post office returns it to them, then the IRS will know where to resend it.

Headwaters Incorporated Announces Results for First Quarter Fiscal 2010

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah—-HEADWATERS INCORPORATED , a diversified building products company dedicated to improving sustainability by transforming underutilized resources into valuable products, today announced results for its December 31, 2009 quarter, the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

Second Look at the Federal Reserve by Edward Griffin 3 of 7