Some deductions like charitable contributions are conducive to tax fraud. These tax-related events are subject to the utmost IRS scrutiny. Therefore, taxpayers are subject to very detailed rules which require them to produce a specified form of documentation as proof of a viable deduction. If they do not provide the requisite paperwork, then no deduction will be allowed, regardless of the availability of other information that may justify the deduction. Taxpayers that make charitable deductions in excess of $250 and fail to provide specific, detailed documentation to the IRS will have their deductions ultimately disallowed.
When, If Ever, Can I Deduct Pet-Related Costs?
Believe it or not, there are some pet-related expenses which may be deducted from your taxes. Here is a summary of such expenses. And you thought all you were ever going to get out of this relationship was love, affection, and undying loyalty!
Medical Expenses
Taxpayers may include the expenses of buying, training and maintaining guide dogs used for assistance in cases of either reduced vision or hearing. This may include all necessary food, training, grooming and veterinary care. You may also deduct this expense if you’ve been diagnosed with a physical or mental condition that benefits from the attention of a trained therapy animal. Keep in mind that unless the animal is trained or certified as treatment for a diagnosed illness or condition, the IRS will disallow any deduction.
Red Flags That Attract IRS Auditors
People typically think that the amount of their income is the biggest red flag that attracts an IRS auditor, and they would probably be right. But what are some of the other items on a tax return that may attract their attention? Some say that simple, plain returns are fairly safe and likely to avoid extended scrutiny by IRS auditors. According to the IRS, there are multiple ways a return may end up audited, here are some examples:
Pushing It To The Limit: Odd, Unusual And Crazy Tax Deductions
Working at the IRS or representing clients before the IRS has its perks and advantages. Having the opportunity to observe all of the outlandish and bizarre attempts by taxpayers to assert legitimate,valid tax deductions is rare. On one hand, it certainly may involve the observance of a unique form of comedy. Here are some odd, crazy, unusual, and please note, unsuccessful tax deductions:
*Crazy Home Office Deductions
A woman that ran a home business tried to deduct what was basically her home refrigerator. She explained to her tax professional that she kept drinks in the refrigerator for customers and other business associates that came to the home office for meetings. According to the owner, this occurred four or five times a year while the refrigerator was in her kitchen and served her family.
Unsure if you should go with standard or itemize deductions?
Unsure of whether you should use the standard deduction amount, or take the time to itemize deductions? The answer is fairly straightforward; you should itemize deductions if your total deductions are more than the standard deduction amount. Also, you should itemize if you don’t qualify for the standard deduction. Taxpayers should initially calculate itemized deductions and then compare that amount to their standard deduction to determine which provides the greater benefit. A taxpayer may be subject to a limit on some itemized deductions if he or she exceeds the adjusted gross income limits.
The Alternative Minimum Tax, Explained
Under the Internal Revenue Code and the vast body of rules and regulations related thereto, certain tax benefits can significantly reduce the amount of taxes that a taxpayer may owe. The alternative minimum tax (AMT) applies to those taxpayers with high levels of income by limiting these benefits and ensuring that these taxpayers pay at least a minimum amount of tax. If the AMT applies to you, you may lose many credits or deductions you would normally receive if you didn’t have to pay the AMT.
IRS Audits – What Are My Chances?
It’s considered by many taxpayers to be one of the most frightening events that could happen related to their everyday business affairs. What is this frightening event? An IRS audit, of course. But is a tax audit really that scary in real life? The numbers reveal that only 1% of all taxpayers experience an audit, and of this one percent, about one in five result in a meeting with the IRS.
Presently, the IRS audits half as many taxpayers as it did five years ago. However, the amount of tax recovered per audit has increased. The IRS uses an elaborate computer selection process, auditing only those returns which will almost certainly yield some adjustment.
You’ve filed your tax return, how long does the IRS have to audit you?
You’ve filed all of your tax returns, and because of your level of income you find yourself in the class of taxpayers whose return is more likely to trigger an IRS audit. So you wonder, how long does the IRS now have to audit you?
Due to disclosure requirements, the IRS makes contact with a taxpayer selected for an audit by telephone or mail only. When returns are filed, they are compared against norms for similar returns. These norms are developed from audits of a statistically valid random sample of returns, selected as part of the National Research Program conducted by the IRS to update return selection information.
Congress’ Extension Of Expired Deductions
As 2016 starts to move forward, Congress seems especially less likely to agree on legislation extending all the tax breaks that have currently expired. S. 1946, Tax Relief Extension Act of 2015, generally provides for a two-year extension while the Tax Cuts for America Act of 2015, H.R. 1808, has only seven tax provisions, and the bill would extend those benefits for only 2015 retroactively.
In recent tax years, taxpayers have faced a great deal of uncertainty in determining whether they can continually and regularly depend on tax incentives to help them lower their taxes. At the beginning of 2013, Congress enacted the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which extended 51 provisions for two years retroactively through the beginning of 2012 and through 2013.
Should Donald J. Trump Release His Tax Returns?
In this most interesting presidential election primary season, many different issues have dominated the news. Perhaps no candidate has dominated the airwaves more than Donald J. Trump, the leading candidate in the Republican primaries. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Trump has made a number of controversial statements, antagonizing a variety of groups and countries alike. It is no surprise then that Trump is again in the center of the latest controversy – the release of his tax returns.