The IRS Audit Blog

Archive for September, 2010

Question: How do I view IRS form 990 for Charitable Organizations?

I used to be able to view IRS form 990 for charitable hospitals on Guidestar.com for free, but it appears that they now charge for this service. Is there a site, online, where these forms, which are supposed to be freely available for the public, can be viewed?

Answer: Actually, the only part that is freely available is that you can go to the organization and inspect the return. Nothing else is actual free, especially the service this group was providing. You can call those organizations and see if they will email a copy to you, but not likely.

Why do you feel so entitled?

Deadline extended for nonprofits slated to lose nonexempt status

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – More than 80 Lake County nonprofits are in danger of losing their tax exempt status for failing to file Tax Form 990 in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 990 – Are You Ready?

Guilty Plea Filed in Federal Money Laundering Case

U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr., announced last week that John Sorrentino of East Aurora pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William M. Skretny to money laundering. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000 or both.

Internal Revenue Service to issue IRS Apology Payments?

Question: Upon the advice of my tax attorney, was told to open a new checking acc’t, (IRS) problem: I owe other banks!

Had my own business, fell through, lost everything. IRS states I owe 6 figures, my lawyer said I should get a new bank acc’t as it would take 8-10 months for them to get to the new account information. I’m on the “checksystems” and don’t think I can open a new checking account with another bank. Can I have a family member open one under their name and be listed as well? I’m worried the IRS will empty out my bank account! Please help with valid ideas? Thank you kindly!
****The intent to wait 8-10 months is to have time to work out details regarding the moneies owed to the IRS.

Answer: Hmmmmmmm, Im not so sure if I would listen to that attorney!!! If you owe other banks, it is on your credit bureau. Just because you change banks does NOT mean your cash is safe. Your social security number immediately alerts the IRS of where you are banking and they will seize that money immediatley……
Think this one thru…..your attorney is WRONG!

Take Care,
Darlene M

Lovell Joins nexAir as CFO, General Counsel

Having entered the legal profession as a means to develop a long-term business career, Milton Lovell realized his goal recently when he was named the …

New York Tax Attorney – Sean Chi offers advice on Reducing Your Tax Debt

Question: If my return was accepted, is it still possible to be having problems with the refund?

I have been reading the answers to some questions on here and people are saying that the reason some refunds were being delayed are because there are errors with the refunds. Also, something about possible problems with another stimulus or something. What I want to know is, if I have already recieved a confirmation letter from the IRS saying my tax return was accepted, can I still be having problems with it?
So, do they inform you that they found problems, or do they just assume you have psychic powers and know?

Answer: Yes, the acknowledgment just means the IRS has received your return, and there weren’t any glaring errors–like incorrect social security number, or two people claiming the same child. There are several reasons that the refund can be delayed for up to a week or two. One that I’ve seen is claiming earned income credit with zero withholding on your W-2. I’ve read that this year, if the rebate recovery credit (additional stimulus payment) that you claim is different from the one that the IRS had figured you would claim, a living person needs to look at the return to see who is correct. And that can take up to a week. I’m sure there are others.

If they can’t resolve the issue within a few weeks, they’ll let you know.

Letters to the Editor — April 20, 2010

DEAR EDITOR : With nearly 18 years of experience in psychiatry/mental health and drug and alcohol rehab I have seen a lot of misery. From the standpoint of public health and safety I object to the proliferation of storefront marijuana dispensaries.

Tax Tips: Received a Letter from the IRS? (ASL, Captions & Voice Over)

Question: if one is being audited by the state, does the state also notify the irs?

the lady who does my parents’ taxes is being criminally investigated for fraud. because of this, the state is auditing their taxes, along with all her other clients. because of the nature of this investigation, will the state eventually notify the irs, leaving them (my parents and her other clients) open to be audited federally?

Answer: State and Federal authorities frequently exchange notes so they should plan on it. Most states base the state tax liability on the Federal return as a starting point so any changes will have to be reported to the IRS as well.

Karzai’s brother says he will amend US tax returns

The eldest brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai said he is not aware of a criminal investigation into his activities, an inquiry he claims is more about political differences with the U.S. than wrongdoing on his part.

MSNBC Investigation – Rachel Maddow Tax Shelter Crackdown