by Fresh Start Tax | Feb 14, 2014 | IRS Tax Audit, Sales Tax, State of Florida, Tax Help
IRS, Sales Tax Audit Help Representation
We are a boutique IRS and sales tax representation firm that has been handling both IRS and sales tax problem since 1982 in the state of Florida.
FST are one of the most experienced and trustworthy firms in the state of Florida.
There are many good firms located within the state and we feel we are among the best.
Fresh Start Tax LLC is comprised of tax attorneys, certified Public accounts, enrolled agents, former IRS agents, managers and tax instructors.
Our firm have over 206 years of professional tax experience and have represented hundreds of clients for IRS and sales tax problems not only in the state of Florida but nationwide.
FST is A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau.
If you call our office you will speak directly to a true tax expert who was handled hundreds of IRS and state of Florida Department of revenue cases.
Both the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of revenue, Florida sales tax division audits regions and districts for certain tax issues and Port St. Lucie, Jupiter, Fort Pierce, and Titusville and Stuart are no different.
IRS and the state of Florida looks at common issues and industry norms as it pulls taxpayers for tax audits.
Both government agencies follow trends and patterns and your audit will be conducted based on those trends and patterns.
Call us today and we will review your case and give you a full valuation and find out how can we can save you the most amount of money.
If you will owe tax we work out a tax settlement as well.
Anytime you go into the federal or state government you always want to be represented by true experts in the industry.
One last note, if you have squeaky clean records there is nothing wrong with you being your own representative but if you have anything at all that causes suspicion or you may think there is a skeleton in your closet reach out for professional tax help.
IRS, Sales Tax Audit Help Representation * Affordable * Port St. Lucie, Jupiter, Ft.Pierce, Titusville, Stuart – Florida
by Fresh Start Tax | Nov 14, 2013 | Sales Tax, State of Florida, Tax Help
Sales Tax – Florida – Audit, Help, Problems
If you need tax relief from the state of Florida or any sales tax issues contact us today we can represent you during a tax audit, offer you help for any State of Federal collection problems you have or resolve any issues you have with the state of Florida or the federal government.
We are comprised of tax attorneys, CPAs and former IRS and state agents that have over 206 years of professional tax experience and over 78 years of both federal and state tax experience.
We are A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau and a been a private practice since 1982 right here in the state of Florida.
All consultations and assessments are free
Florida Business Owners Must Know How to Comply with Florida Tax Laws
What is Required by The State of Florida
Insider Tips – Helpful facts you need to Know:
1. File sales and use tax electronically, dealers may deduct a collection allowance only when they timely file and pay sales tax and use tax electronically.
If you owe electronically file (E – file) your return and electronically pay (E pay) tax timely, you are entitled to receive a collection allowance.
The collection allowance is to a half percent of the first $1200 of the amount due not to exceed $30.
Dealers who file their returns or make payments by a method other than electronic means are not entitled to a collection of allowance.
Sales Tax
2. Each sale, omission charge, storage, or rental is taxable unless the transaction is exempt. Sales tax is added to the price of the taxable goods or service and collected from the purchaser at the time of the sale. Florida’s general sales tax rate is 6%.
- The tax dollars you collect belong to Florida at the moment of collection. You serve as the trustee or custodian of these funds until you send them to the Florida Department of revenue.
- As a Florida business you must:
- register all business locations before conducting business
- collect sales tax on each taxable transaction using the bracket system
- pay use tax on items used by your business that were purchased tax exempt or removed from inventory and not resold
- send the sales tax you have collected and the use tax owed to the Florida Department of revenue timely by:
- paying and submitting your tax return online, or
- sending a completed sales and use tax return
- maintain complete and accurate records on all sales and purchases
- keep copies of your records for at least three years to support the information on the tax return
- notify Department of revenue of any address or ownership changes
Florida Use Tax
Use tax is due on the use or consumption of taxable goods or services when sales tax was not paid at the time of purchase.
For example:
- if you buy a taxable item in Florida and didn’t pay sales tax you owe tax
- if you buy an item tax exempt and tending to resell it and then use the item in your business or for personal use, you owe use tax
- if you buy a taxable item outside of Florida and bringing or have it delivered into the state and you didn’t pay sales tax on the item, you owe use tax.
Discretionary Sales Surtax
Most Florida counties have a discretionary surtax (County tax) that applies to most transactions subject to the sales or use tax.
The county surtax rate applies to a taxable item or service delivered into account the imposing a surtax. The surtax rate that applies to motor vehicles and mobile homes is determined by the home address of the purchaser.
You can find the tax rates reached County from the Florida Department of revenue (Form DR – 15 DSS) in which you sell or deliver taxable goods or services.
For certain transactions, only the first $5000 of a taxable sale or purchase is subject to the discretionary sales surtax.
How Tax is calculated
- Sales tax and discretionary sales surtax are calculated on each taxable transaction. Florida uses the bracket system for calculating sales tax when the transaction involved between two whole dollar amounts.
- Multiply the whole dollar amount by the tax rate (6% plus the county surtax rate) and use the bracket system to figure the tax on the amount less than a dollar. The Department of revenue has rate tables (Form DR-2X) to help you.
Who Must Pay Tax
- before you begin business in Florida, you must first find out if your business activity or products used will be subject to sales or use tax. If it is, you must register to collect sales tax or pay use tax.
A partial list of business activities that are taxable:
1. sales of taxable items at retail
2. repairs or alterations of tangible personal property
3. Reynolds, leases, or license to use real property(for example, commercial office space, many warehouses, or short-term living accommodations)
4. rental or lease of personal property
5. charges for admission to any place of amusement, sport or recreation
6. operating private membership clubs that provide recreational or physical fitness facilities
7. manufacturing or producing goods for sale at retail
8. importing goods from any state or for country, for sale at retail or for use in the business or for pleasure
9. selling service warranty contract
10. ordering and using, a regular basis, mail order products on which no sales tax was charged
11. operating vending or amusement machines
12. providing taxable services
If you need tax professionals to help deal with the matter owing Florida sales tax and dealing with tax warrants call us today for a free initial tax consultation and speak directly to true expert tax professionals.
You can speak to tax attorneys, CPAs, former Florida Department of Revenue Agent or former IRS agents and managers . We are a full service tax firm that deals with all federal and state tax matters.
Sales Tax – Florida – Audit, Help, Problems – Attorneys, Former Agents
by Fresh Start Tax | Oct 18, 2013 | Sales Tax
Florida/Georgia Sales Tax Audit – Affordable Experts
We are a specialty tax firm that specializes in Florida, Georgia sales tax audits on all types of business, corporations and individuals.
We are comprised of tax attorneys, CPAs, former IRS and state tax auditors. We have over 206 years professional tax experience in over 78 years of working for the federal and state governments.
We are A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau and the been in private practice since 1982.
We are the affordable sales tax experts who specialize in federal and state audit defense.
Tips from a former Sales Tax Agent:
1. Keep good records and keep them in a safe place, cloud records are an excellent source of record keeping,
2. File your Tax Returns and File On Time, it sounds simple but sometimes when you owe back sales tax you do not want to file your back tax return however you should be aware that there are late filing penalties that start adding up. So whether you you can pay the tax in full or not file your tax returns timely,
3. Accrue Use Tax on Internet purchases or purchases from out of state that did not have a Sales Tax Charged on your purchase,
4. Charge sales tax on all your sales that are not for resale or to exempt organization,
5. Make sure you have an up to date resale or exempt certificate on all sales to exempt organizations or sales for resale,
6. Remember that the rent you pay to your landlord is taxable and if your landlord is not charging you tax you still owe tax.
If you have been contacted by the STATE that you are going to undergo a tax audit the best advice that we can give you is to be thoroughly prepared and understand the scope of your Florida/Georgia sales and use tax audit liability.
Don’t be caught off guard!
Insider Tips for Florida/Georgia Tax Audit Help
You should know that Sales Tax Auditors will look for:
1. unreported sales (source info – bank statements, federal tax returns, state tax returns)
2. exempt sales without proper documentation
3. unreported exempt sales
4. taxable fees that were not taxed
5. sales invoices without sales tax
6. rent paid without sales tax for buildings and other real property
7. rental consideration without sales tax (real estate taxes and other considerations paid on behalf of the landlord)
8. purchase fixed assets as listed on the schedule of depreciation
9. purchase of consumable supplies
Also Noteworthy: Florida Cases
Representative Stuebe and Sen. Hukill have filed bills in Florida that would cut commercial lease sales tax. Stuebe’s bill would step the tax down to 1% by 2019, while Hukill’s bill would drop the rate to 5% at the beginning of 2015. Business groups such as Florida retailers have been asking for such a cut since Gov. Rick Scott said he wanted $500 million in tax cuts in the 2014 – 2015 budget.
Sen. Dorothy Hukill filed a bill that would give the Daytona international Speedway a tax break of $2 million a year over the next 30 years. Hukill’s 2013 effort to help the Speedway was unsuccessful, though the Speedway went ahead with the renovation project at a cost of $375 million-$400 million.
Interest groups make a claim for Gov. Rick Scott’s goal of 500 million in tax cuts next year, but the cuts could exceed that goal and lead to the elimination of older tax breaks.
Georgia/Florida
We will take the fear and worry out of the sales tax audit.Our former agents who know the law will fight back your debt.
We are a full-service tax firm that specializes state tax representation and are one of Florida’s most experienced in sales tax defense.
Our staff of tax attorneys, certified public accountants, former sales tax auditor with over 16 years of direct work experience with the Department of revenue and former IRS agents.
Feel free to contact us for initial tax consulting Florida/Georgia sales and use tax audit defense.
We will completely review your case and give you a full assessment sales tax status so that you can make an informed and confident decision on how to fully resolve your sales tax issues.
Florida/Georgia Sales Tax Audit – Affordable Experts
by Fresh Start Tax | Oct 17, 2013 | Sales Tax
Hire Former Sales Tax Auditors for Sales Tax Audits
Why use our firm?
We are A plus rated by the BBB and have been in practice since 1982.
We are comprised of tax attorneys, certified public accountants, and former IRS and State tax government agents. We successfully defend our clients.
Insider Tips by Former Sales Tax Agents
1.Did you know that you must file a tax return even if you do not owe tax.
2. Keep good records, during an audit if your records are incomplete or none the auditor could estimate the tax due on best information available,
3. Remember the Florida Department of Revenue has sources to find out the amount you purchased from your vendors for resale.
We are of Florida tax firm that specializes in Florida sales tax audits on all types of businesses, corporations, and individuals.
Our former Florida sales tax auditor will keep you posted of updates in Florida sales tax through:
• Florida Department of Revenue rule changes
• Court cases
• Tax Information Publications (TIP’s)
• Legislative changes
• Current events published in the Florida media
• Technical assistance advisement’s (TAA’s)
If you owe Florida back taxes, you could be arrested – get expert representation.
Beware: this is to put the fear of God in you, Florida Department of revenue actively pursues individuals companies and businesses who flatly fail to pay back sales tax.
They use taxpayers as examples for others to be compliant with Florida sales tax laws. Don’t let this happen to you.
Make sure you are represented and work out a payment plan or arrangement so that you can live without stress.
Arrests
Former Pasco County auto repair shop arrested
(Names omitted), the former owners of Haller’s Automotive, LLC, an auto repair shop located in New Port Richey, Florida, have been arrested on charges that he stole more than $18,000 in sales tax they collected from their customers but failed to send in to the state, the Florida Department of revenue announced today.
The owners, who also live in Newport Richey, arrested by the Pasco County Sheriff’s office, on felony charges relating to the theft state funds and misdemeanor charges relating to the refusal to file tax returns and pay tax due.
If convicted, they each face up to five years in prison and up to $5000 in fines, as well as possible repayment of stolen taxes, penalties and investigative costs. Haller’s Automotive was located at 4542 W. Trouble Creek Rd. in Newport Richey.
According to revenue Department investigators, the owners collected tax from customers at their repair shop.
However, during various periods beginning in 2011, lasting through periods in 2012, they failed to send in to the state all of the sales taxes that were collected or file a tax return as required by law.
Sales and use tax is a business tax that is greater than the federal and state income taxes combined.
Also this is the tax that arose from laws and regulations for which the business world got little formal training. You should take it very seriously and take immediate steps to let us inform you about it.
The taxing should be relatively simple, and reimbursement generally can be collected from customers, the very impact of the tax is underestimated by practitioners and businesses. The tax computed as small percentage of gross receipts will be greater than a tax computed as a much larger percentage of net income.
The reality is that sales and use tax is not very simple. It is very complex and varies from one business type to another.
The things you are doing or not doing could cost you in an expensive assessment from a sales tax audit.
From day 1 your business needs to be current Florida Sales and Use Tax Laws and how these Laws and Regulations can affect your business.
Let us help you either from day 1 or now, we have assisted many businesses during an audit, and how many times have they said: “I wish we would have contacted you prior to starting the business”.
Fear not we can still help you if you are being audited for sales and use tax and get you on a path for profitable future.
Our staff can help you and your business become aware of Sales and Use Tax Laws.
We have a staff 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.
Florida Department of Revenue – Reporting Requirements
Florida Department of Revenue Audit Representation
If you are going through a sales tax audit contact us today and speak to a former Florida sales tax agent, attorney, and Certified Public Accountants who could limit your exposure.
We are A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau and have been in practice in the State of Florida since 1982.
With spending increases and cutting taxes there is only one way to balance the budget – Fishing for money through an Audit of Your Business.
Your business could be a major source of audit assessments for The State of Florida. There is an increase in audit activity to generate funds to cover the increased spending budget and the reduced taxes and fees.
Voluntary Disclosure:
If you have been under reporting or not reporting and you have not received a notice of audit, it is highly recommended that you contact our firm and we will assist your business in the process of going through a voluntary disclosure program to come clean now with the Florida Department of revenue, have most of the penalties waived and prevent it from becoming criminal.
Florida Tax Audit Help provided all Types of Business
As An Insider – a former Florida State Sales Tax Agent – we can explain to you some of the sales tax audit techniques used by the State of Florida Department of Revenue and the audit issues that will be targeted:
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.
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Florida – Hire Former Sales Tax Auditors for Sales Tax Audits – Affordable Success
by Fresh Start Tax | Oct 16, 2013 | Sales Tax
If you are undergoing a Sales Tax Audit who better to call than former Agents who know the systems, the protocols, and settlement formulas. We have successfully worked thousands of cases since 1982.
We are A plus rated by the Better Business Bureau and have been in practice since 1982.
If you are undergoing a sales tax audit contact us today for free initial tax consultation.
We are comprised of Affordable sales tax experts for Audit Defense.
Our staff is comprised of tax attorneys, certified public accountants, and former IRS and state tax agents.
Our firm has over 60 years of direct work experience at the Internal Revenue Service in the local, district, and regional offices the IRS and over 16 years of working as sales Tax Auditors. Having all this experience give us a huge advantage for Sales Tax Audit Help Defense.
Information you should know
When a sales tax auditor goes out to audit your records as a general rule they already have information about your business. It is critically important you give them accurate information. As a general rule they have third-party information about your business before the audit even starts.
Before starting a sales tax audit it is best to have an initial tax consultation to find out the weaknesses of a particular business. You should know that if your records are squeaky clean, you should represent yourself as your is no reason in hiring a tax professional firm. You only hire a tax professional if you have doubts, questions or have some issues you need to be represented on.
By calling us for a free initial tax consultation we can make a free assessment or evaluation and proceed from there at no charge to you. We the fast, friendly and affordable tax firm.
Areas of Professional Tax Representation
- On staff, Board Certified Tax Attorney’s, IRS Tax Lawyers, Certified Public Accountants, Enrolled Agents,
- Full Service Accounting Tax Firm,
- We taught Tax Law in the IRS Regional Training Center
- Former IRS Agents, Managers and Instructors with over 60 years experience in the local, district and regional IRS offices.
- Former Sales Tax Agent with over 16 years experience
- Highest Rating by the Better Business Bureau “A” Plus
- Fast, affordable, and economical
- Licensed and certified to practice in all 50 States
- Nationally Recognized Veteran /Published Former IRS Agent
- Nationally Recognized Published EZINE Tax Expert
- As heard on GRACE Net Radio.com – Monthly Radio Show-Business Weekly
Areas of Professional Tax Practice:
- Same Day IRS Tax Representation
- Offers in Compromise or IRS Tax Debt Settlements
- Immediate Release of IRS Bank Levies or IRS Wage Garnishments
- Tax Relief from a IRS Bill, Letter or Notice of “Intent to Levy”
- IRS Tax Audits
- IRS Hardships Cases or Unable to Pay
- Payment Plans, Installment Agreements, Structured agreements
- Abatement of Penalties and Interest
- State Sales Tax Cases
- Payroll / Trust Fund Penalty Cases / 6672
- Filing Late, Back, Unfiled Tax Returns
- Tax Return Reconstruction
- Sales Tax Audits Help Defense
Sales Tax Audit Help Defense – Atlanta – Affordable Representation by Former Sales Tax Agents
by Fresh Start Tax | Oct 9, 2013 | Sales Tax, Tax Audit, Tax Help
Best Tax Audit Defense
We are experts in tax audit defense. With over 206 years of professional tax experience we are one of the most experienced tax audit firms in South Florida.
Why we are one of the South Florida’s best Tax Audit Defense Firms;
- We been representing clients since 1982,
- We are A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau.
- Our firm is comprised of tax attorneys, certified public accountants, enrolled agents.
- On staff, Former IRS Agents, Managers, Tax Instructors,
- Former IRS Appeals Agent
We have over 60 years of direct IRS work experience in the local, district, and regional tax offices of the Internal Revenue Service. We taught tax law at the Internal Revenue Service while employed there.
Also on staff are former IRS managers, IRS appellate agents and IRS teaching instructors.
If we do not like the decision of the local IRS Audit Agent, we appeal.
Sometime the best way to get a solid tax settlement is to go to IRS Appeals, the Agents have much more flexibility.
What Can IRS Appeals Do for You?
Many of the different departments within IRS are responsible for making decisions concerning the application of tax law to various taxpayer issues.
In some cases, agreement on these decisions, or determinations, cannot be reached. In other words, the taxpayer does not agree with the determination.
This is where Appeals comes in.
IRS Appeals is independent of any other IRS office and serves as an informal administrative forum for any taxpayer who disagrees with an IRS determination.
Appeals provides a venue where disagreements concerning the application of tax law can be resolved on a fair and impartial basis for both the taxpayer and the government. The mission of Appeals is to settle tax disagreements without having to go to the Courts and a formal trial.
Our Billing Tax Audit Defense
All our billing for tax audit defense is done on a flat fee basis.
Our firm does not hourly bill.Once we evaluate your case we will tell you exactly what the fees are up front so there is absolutely no guessing.
Professional Tax Practice:
- Same Day IRS Tax Representation
- Offers in Compromise or IRS Tax Debt Settlements
- Immediate Release of IRS Bank Levies or IRS Wage Garnishments
- Tax Relief from a IRS Bill, Letter or Notice of “Intent to Levy”
- IRS Tax Audits
- IRS Hardships Cases or Unable to Pay
- Payment Plans, Installment Agreements, Structured agreements
- Abatement of Penalties and Interest
- State Sales Tax Cases
- Payroll / Trust Fund Penalty Cases / 6672
- Filing Late, Back, Unfiled Tax Returns
- Tax Return Reconstruction if Tax Records are lost or destroyed
- Tax Defense Company, Best Tax Audit Defense
Our Firm Resume:
- Our staff has collectively over 205 years of Professional IRS Tax Representation Experience
- On staff, Board Certified Tax Attorney’s, IRS Tax Lawyers, Certified Public Accountants, Enrolled Agents,
- We taught Tax Law in the IRS Regional Training Center
- Former IRS Agents, Managers and Instructors with over 60 years experience in the local, district and regional IRS offices.
- Former State of Florida Tax auditor, Expert Florida Sales Tax
- Highest Rating by the Better Business Bureau “A” Plus
- Fast, affordable, and economical
- Licensed and certified to practice in all 50 States
- Nationally Recognized Veteran /Published Former IRS Agent
- Nationally Recognized Published EZINE Tax Expert
- As heard on GRACE 90.3 FM Monthly Radio Show-Business Weekly
We a local AFFORDABLE South Florida tax firm that has been offering experienced, successful and affordable tax on a tax audit defense for IRS and state tax matters. Call us today for free initial tax consultation.
Best Tax Audit Defense – IRS & State, The Affordable Experts – Miami, Ft.Lauderdale, Florida Keys – FLORIDA
