W-4 Issues In Light Of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act

Posted on November 30, 2018 by camcpavalue.com in Tax Tips & More | Leave a comment

Estimated Taxes, 1099s and Tax Break Extensions for January 2015 Notice 2018-92 relates to the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (P.L. 115-97) changes to sections 3402 and 3405, and the IRS’ and Treasury Department’s decision to delay an overhaul of the Form W-4 from 2019 to 2020. This notice provides interim guidance for 2019 on income tax withholding, requests comments on certain withholding procedures, and indicates that regulations are planned to update the withholding regulations to reflect changes made by the TCJA.

Specifically, this notice (1) announces that the 2019 Form W-4 will be similar to the 2018 Form W-4, (2) addresses new TCJA “withholding allowance” terminology, (3) continues until April 30, 2019 Notice 2018-14’s temporary suspension of the requirement to furnish new Forms W-4 within 10 days for changes resulting solely from the TCJA, (4) provides that, for 2019, the default rule when an employee fails to furnish a Form W-4 will continue to be single with zero withholding allowances, (5) allows taxpayers to take into account the qualified business income deduction under section 199A to reduce withholding under section 3402(m), (6) announces that the IRS and Treasury intend to update the regulations under section 3402 to explicitly allow taxpayers to use the online withholding calculator or Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax, in lieu of the worksheets to Form W-4, (7) requests comments on alternative withholding methods under section 3402(h) and announces that the IRS and the Treasury Department intend to eliminate the combined income tax withholding and employee FICA tax withholding tables under Treas. Reg. § 31.3402(h)(4)-1(b), (8) modifies notification requirements for the withholding compliance program, and (9) provides that, for 2019, withholding on annuities or similar periodic payments where no withholding certificate is in effect is based on treating the payee as a married individual claiming 3 withholding allowances under § 3405(a)(4).

IRS Warns of Scams After Orlando Mass Shooting

Posted on June 20, 2016 by camcpavalue.com in Tax Tips & More | Leave a comment

In light of the news that $7,000,000 has been raised for the victims of the shooting at the Pulse night club in Orlando, the IRS has issued the following advisory:

IRS Warns Consumers of Possible Scams Relating to Orlando Mass-Shooting

WASHINGTON ― The Internal Revenue Service today issued a consumer alert about possible fake charity scams emerging due to last weekend’s mass-shooting in Orlando, Fla., and encouraged taxpayers to seek out recognized charitable groups.

When making donations to assist victims of last weekend’s terrible tragedy, there are simple steps taxpayers can take to ensure their hard-earned money goes to legitimate charities. IRS.gov has the tools taxpayers need to quickly and easily check out the status of charitable organizations.

While there has been an enormous wave of support across the country for the victims and families of Orlando, it is common for scam artists to take advantage of this generosity by impersonating charities to get money or private information from well-meaning taxpayers. Such fraudulent schemes may involve contact by telephone, social media, e-mail or in-person solicitations.

The IRS cautions donors to follow these tips:

Be sure to donate to recognized charities.
Be wary of charities with names that are similar to familiar or nationally known organizations. Some phony charities use names or websites that sound or look like those of respected, legitimate organizations. The IRS website at IRS.gov has a search feature,Exempt Organizations Select Check, through which people may find qualified charities; donations to these charities may be tax-deductible.
Don’t give out personal financial information — such as Social Security numbers or credit card and bank account numbers and passwords — to anyone who solicits a contribution. Scam artists may use this information to steal a donor’s identity and money.
Don’t give or send cash. For security and tax record purposes, contribute by check or credit card or another way that provides documentation of the gift.
Consult IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, available on IRS.gov. This free booklet describes the tax rules that apply to making tax-deductible donations. Among other things, it also provides complete details on what records to keep.

Bogus websites may solicit funds for victims of this tragedy. These sites frequently mimic the sites of, or use names similar to, legitimate charities, or claim to be affiliated with legitimate charities in order to persuade people to send money or provide personal financial information that can be used to steal identities or financial resources.

Additionally, scammers often send emails that steer recipients to bogus websites that appear to be affiliated with legitimate charitable causes.

Taxpayers suspecting fraud by email should visit IRS.gov and search for the keywords “Report Phishing.”

More information about tax scams and schemes may be found at IRS.gov using the keywords “scams and schemes.”