by Fresh Start Tax | Feb 12, 2014 | Tax Help
Florida’s Affordable IRS, Sales Tax Audits Help
We are one of Florida’s most affordable IRS and Sales tax experts. we have been practicing since 1982 and have over 206 years professional tax experience.
We are A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau.
You can call us today for free initial tax consultation and we can help you through your IRS or sales tax audit.
Being former IRS and sales tax auditors we can tell you the exact methods and means that both the federal and state government will use to audit your back federal or State sales tax returns.
We can help minimize the risk due to our 78 years of government experience.
With our free initial tax consultation you will be able to determine your own risk and the best way to handle the tax audit situation you currently have.
Why was my return selected for audit?
When returns are filed, they are compared against “norms” for similar returns. The “norms” are developed from audits of a statistically valid random sample of returns.
These returns are selected as part of the National Research Program which the IRS
State conducts to update return selection information.
The return is next reviewed by an experienced auditor.
At this point, the return may be accepted as filed, or if based on the auditor’s experience questionable items are noted, the agent will identify the items noted and the return is forwarded for assignment to an examining group.
Upon assignment to a group, the return is reviewed by the manager.
Items considered in assigning a case are: factors particular to the area such as issues pertaining to construction, farming, timber industry, etc. that have specific factors and rules that apply.
Based on the review, the manager can accept the return or assign the return to an auditor.
The assigned auditor again reviews the return for questionable items and either accepts it as filed or contacts the taxpayer to schedule an appointment.
Both the state of Florida and the IRS audits tax return must stay in there budgets when auditing tax returns. Only curtain numbers of returns are selected for tax audits.
Florida’s Affordable IRS, Sales Tax Audits Help – Crestview, Milton, Pensacola, DeFuniak Springs – Back Tax Problems
by Fresh Start Tax | Feb 12, 2014 | Tax Help
Office in the Home Tax Deduction
Lets make this a simple as we can.
The automated IRS services can also help home-based businesses check out the new simplified option for claiming the home office deduction, a straightforward computation that allows eligible taxpayers to claim $5 per square foot, up to a maximum of $1,500, instead of filling out a 43-line form (Form 8829) with often complex calculations.
Office in the Home Tax Deduction Made Easy, Former IRS
by Fresh Start Tax | Feb 12, 2014 | Tax Help
Facts and Figures of Tax Returns
1. The IRS expects to receive more than 148 million individual tax returns this year, and more than four out of five returns are now filed electronically.
2. About three out of four filers typically get refunds, and the IRS issues more than nine in ten of these refunds in less than 21 days.
3. Last year, taxpayers received an average refund of $2,744. E-file, when combined with direct deposit, is the fastest way to get a refund.
4. More than three out of four refund recipients now choose direct deposit.
by Fresh Start Tax | Feb 12, 2014 | Tax Help
The Earned Income Tax Credit
Four out of five eligible workers claim EITC, but the IRS wants every eligible worker to claim and get this credit.
Here are some things the IRS wants you to know about this important credit:
Your eligibility.
If you worked and earned under $51,567, you may be eligible for EITC.
If your financial or family situation has changed, you should review the EITC eligibility rules.
You might qualify for EITC this year even if you didn’t in the past. Workers who qualify for EITC must file a federal income tax return and specifically claim the credit to get it, even if they do not have a requirement to file a return.
Know the rules.
Before claiming EITC, you need to understand the rules to be sure you qualify. It’s important to get it and get it right.
There are several factors to consider:
- Your filing status can’t be Married Filing Separately.
- You must have a valid Social Security number for yourself, your spouse if married, and any qualifying child listed on your tax return.
- You must have earned income. Earned income includes earnings such as wages, self-employment and farm income.
- You may be married or single, with or without children to qualify. If you don’t have children, you must also meet age, residency and dependency rules.
- If you are a member of the U.S. Armed Forces serving in a combat zone, special rules apply.
Lower your tax or get a refund.
The EITC reduces your federal tax and could result in a refund. If you qualify, the credit could be worth up to $6,044.
The average credit was $2,355 last year.
If you are a member of the U.S. Armed Forces serving in a combat zone, special rules apply.
Earned Income Tax Credit – What is it and what you need to Know, Former IRS
by Fresh Start Tax | Feb 12, 2014 | Tax Help
Sales Tax Audit Help, Affordable Representation
If you are going through or experiencing a sales tax audit contact us today for a free initial tax consultation.
You will be represented by either a tax attorney, former IRS agent, or Frank Lamantia, a Former Sales Tax Agent with the State of Florida.
Frank has an extensive background and can help you through any issues you have.
Pre-Audit Risk Assessment
Sales tax audits are intrusive, stressful, and can be very expensive if mishandled.
Unpaid tax, interest and penalties will be imposed on your business if it fails to comply with sales tax rules.
Being prepared for an eventual audit can make the difference between success and failure. Let us help your business prepare for an upcoming sales tax audit.
We examine the high risk transactions areas such as invoice preparation, exempt sales, sales tax exemption certificates capital asset additions.
Voluntary Disclosure Negotiations
Despite your best efforts to avoid sales tax mistakes, your business may still have underpaid the taxes due. If these mistakes are detected in an audit, the auditor may go back many years and issue your business a tax assessment for the unpaid taxes, interest and penalties.
Businesses can often resolve these problems proactively when properly handled through the process called Voluntary Disclosure Agreements.
This process can shorten the tax look back period, reduce interest cost, and avoid penalties. Our voluntary disclosure negotiations have saved clients untold amounts of tax, interest, and penalties. Let us negotiate these tax savings for you.
Business being audited for Florida sales and Use Tax.
Has the Florida Department of Revenue contacted your company about a Florida sales and use tax audit or have you already received the Florida form DR 840 – Notice of Intent to
Audit Books and Records
Audit Management
The shortage of Florida State revenue is causing Florida auditors to become very aggressive on Florida sales tax audits as a way to increase revenue.
Auditors are pushing the envelope with their interpretations of the sales tax law and in their sampling methods. Our audit management services can help you from the opening audit interview to the closing interview and beyond.
If you are not experienced in handling sales tax audits, now is not the time to learn.
Beware:
The Florida Department of revenue will use every effort to intimidate you in order to collect tax, penalty and interest from your business. Do not be bullied by a Florida tax agent.
We are a full-service tax firm that specializes in everything from IRS bills and notices and state warrants to tax records.
We are comprised of tax attorneys, tax lawyers, certified public accountants, enrolled agents, former IRS agents, and former state of Florida auditor, managers and tax instructor’s.
Businesses and individuals that the DOR suspects have avoided for tax payment are targeted, but any business with significant business activity can expect to be audited eventually.
Lately we’ve seen the DOR target entire industries such as convenience stores, restaurants and bars, hotels, and manufacturers.
But let it be known that audits are also randomly selected or could have been turned in by a former employee or customer for the tax issue.
The auditor will ask for all kinds of records that they are not necessarily entitled to have such as electronic copy of your whole accounting records.
The auditor will also ask you to sign certain documents that could wave your rights as a taxpayer, such as agreeing to the states sample method.
Most of the time the auditor is chasing a lead that may not prove to generate any revenue for the state but in the chase they usually find other tax issues.
Companies that have done everything they can to comply with the Florida tax laws can still end up with serious complications on a Florida sales and use tax audit just because the auditor’s job is to find deficiencies.
Firm Overview
We are a full-service tax firm that specializes in federal tax representation and are one of Florida’s most experienced for sales tax audit defense.
Our staff consists of tax attorneys, certified public accountants, former IRS agents and a former sales tax auditor with over 16 years of direct work experience with the Florida Department of revenue.
Feel free to contact us for initial tax consulting for Florida sales tax audit defense.
We will completely review your case and give you a full assessment of your audit status so you can make an informed and confident decision of how to fully resolve your sales tax audit case.
Sales Tax Audit Help, Representation – Affordable Experts – Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg – Florida Sales Tax
