IRS Away

Joseph M. Arndt III - Tax Controversy Attorney

Put Your IRS Tax Problems Behind you - NOW!

Call 803-771-4037
Get Help Now!
Get Some Relief!

Permanently Resolve YOUR Tax Problem

Fast and Free - In Person - Confidential Plan for You

  • Do not let the IRS destroy the life and business you have built because you do not know how to defend yourself.
  • If you have tax problems, your help has arrived. Since 2000 we have been dedicated to creating solutions for busineses and personal tax problems.

End IRS wage garnishment, liens, and levies on your account now!
End the crushing cycle of delinquent tax returns, backtaxes, audits, and IRS problems today.

SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TO LEARN ABOUT

Ethical, Vigorous, Experienced Defense of the Average American Taxpayer challenged by the tax authorities of government.

IRS SEIZURES

  • Federal Tax Liens
  • Notice of Levy
  • IRS Summons Enforcement
  • Seizures of Wages, Bank Accounts, Property

IRS ASSESMENTS

  • IRS Audits
  • IRS Collections
  • Appeals
  • Employment Tax Problems

IRS SETTLEMENTS

  • Offers in Compromise
  • Innocent Spouse
  • Taxpayer Rights
  • IRS Penalties

OTHER SERVICES

  • Voluntary Disclosure of Offshore Accounts
  • US Tax Court
  • IRS Criminal Investigations
  • State Tax Problems

Joseph Arndt - Tax AttorneyJoseph M. Arndt, III, tax attorney in Columbia, SC, helps people resolve their IRS problems.

If you have been contacted by the IRS due to unpaid tax returns, are subject to an IRS audit or are receiving IRS penalties, contact our office today at 803-771-4037.

We offer free consultations and peace of mind knowing that your IRS tax controversy problems are being taken care of.

By

SC Tax Return Season

SC Tax Return Season

South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) began accepting Individual Income Tax returns January 29, 2018.
Returns are due Tuesday, April 17, 2018.

Important information for this year’s filing season is included below. Additional information and resources are available on our website at dor.sc.gov/iit. This article is an excerpt from news@dor.sc.gov.

File Online – Save time.

The SCDOR reminds taxpayers that electronic filing is the most efficient and safest way to file.

“Approximately 87% of South Carolina taxpayers filed electronically in 2017,” said Hartley Powell, SCDOR Director. “We encourage all taxpayers to please consider the many benefits of electronic filing before deciding to file on paper.”

Electronic filing along with choosing direct deposit provides the safest, fastest way to file and receive due refunds. Electronic filing also helps prevent tax fraud, a growing national problem the SCDOR continues to work vigorously to combat.

Taxpayers can learn more about the many available electronic filing options on our website at dor.sc.gov/iit-filing including free electronic filing for eligible taxpayers through the Free File Alliance. Taxpayers can complete and submit simple Individual Income Tax returns online with SC Fillable Forms starting January 29, 2018.

Tax Fraud

The SCDOR is committed to keeping your tax refund safe from fraudsters, and our anti-fraud measures remain aggressive. If you receive an SCDOR letter requesting verification of a return or additional information, please know this is for anti-fraud purposes and may delay some refunds. Your prompt response is appreciated.

If you suspect a refund has been fraudulently requested on your behalf, complete and submit the IRS Identity Theft Affidavit Form 14039 and call the SCDOR’s dedicated customer care line at 1-803-898-7638. Protect your personal information from fraudsters, and review security tips available on our website.

By

IRS Tax Audit Questions: During the Audit

IRS Tax Audit Questions: During the Audit

In our last post on IRS Tax Audits, we talked you through the initial shock of learning you are the subject of an audit. And we answered some questions, courtesy of the IRS, about how to prepare for the IRS tax audit process.

Today, the lead-up is over, and the audit begins; what can you expect? Tax attorney Joseph M. Arndt and the IRS Away team considers some of these questions, including the most important of all: Who can I turn to for IRS tax audit help?

IRS Tax Audit Question #5: How Long will the Audit Take?

There are a lot of variables. One might be how far the IRS is going back in your records. Generally, that’s is up to 3 years. They might go further if the situation warrants it, but they generally don’t go past 6 years.

Otherwise, there are a lot of logistics to consider: how complex is your case? Did the IRS receive all the info they need? Was everyone able to gather together in a timely manner? Will you agree with the IRS’ judgement, or will you contest it?

IRS Tax Audit Question #6: Do I Have any Rights Here?

You do have rights during an IRS Tax audit. These include the right to:

  • Professional, courteous treatment
  • Privacy and confidentiality
  • Know what the IRS wants, why they want it, and what they will do if they don’t get it
  • Appeal the IRS decision, even in a court of law

And, one of your most important rights:

IRS Tax Audit Question #7: What are the Possible Outcomes?

When your IRS tax audit concludes, it can go one of 3 ways:

  • No change: you have answered all their questions and provided sufficient documentation, and they are happy
  • Agreed: they have determined that your return needs to be changed, they have determined what you owe (if anything), and you agree with them
  • Disagreed: they have made their findings, and you DO NOT agree with them

IRS Tax Audit Question #8: Final Steps?

If you Agree, and you owe, you must sign off on the finding. Then you can look into payment plans.  If you Disagree, you can request a meeting with a higher-up in the IRS structure. The IRS offers mediation, and also an appeals process if certain conditions apply.

IRS Tax Audit: Don’t Go it Alone!

As we said, during an IRS tax audit you have a right for courteous, professional treatment. This doesn’t mean friendly and stress-free. And don’t expect them to hold your hand and thoroughly educate you while you respond to their queries and decide your course of action. In short, you must go into the process confident and well-prepared. That’s why you need professional representation by Tax attorney Joseph M. Arndt and the IRS Away team. Contact us today!

 

By

IRS Tax Audit Questions: Before the Audit

IRS Tax Audit Questions: Before the Audit

When you hear the words IRS Audit, in any context, a chill goes up your spine. When you see those words and your name in the same sentence, that chill becomes a panic. And once you are done hyperventilating, you will have a BUNCH of questions.

Tax attorney Joseph M. Arndt and the IRS Away team would like to take a look at some of these IRS audit questions, courtesy of the IRS itself. And we would also like to remind you that, if these questions apply to you, you have somebody on your side!

IRS Tax Audit Question #1: Why Me?

Did you do something on your IRS tax return to draw their attention? Maybe, maybe not. Sometimes it’s a matter of random computer selection.  The computer compares you to other people like you – they call this the Norm. If your IRS tax return differs from the Norm too much, that can be a trigger.

Other times, someone else out there in the Norm – somebody with income or deductions similar to yours – has been audited. Since you are somewhat like them, you get caught in the net. When the computer flags you, it goes to a real live person who reviews your IRS tax return and then decides whether or not to move the audit process forward.

IRS Tax Audit Question #2: What is the Process?

First of all, if the IRS goes forward with the audit process, they will notify you by mail. In this era of online and telephone phishing scams, that’s important to remember.

As we have said previously, the location of the audit is a good indication of how serious your IRS problems may be. A “by mail” audit may simply request for missing documents. A “come into the IRS office” audit may be looking for unreported income or improper deductions. An “in your home” audit is the most serious, and includes a thorough investigation of your home and belongings.

Regardless of the severity, you should take any audit seriously, and seek the professional help of Tax attorney Joseph M. Arndt and IRS Away!

IRS Tax Audit Question #3: What do I Need?

The IRS will tell you exactly which documents they require. Here is a potential list. This might include hardcopies of documents, or electronic ones. Be sure to ask the tax auditor what is acceptable.  Hopefully you have kept all of your documents for (at least) the past three years, though many people prefer seven years.

IRS Audit Tax Question #4: How do I Respond?

The IRS will tell you how much time you have to respond. If you send your records by mail or other delivery service, ALWAYS request confirmation that they received it. If you need more time to pull your records together, you can send a written request for a 30-day extension (for a by-mail audit) or contact the auditor personally (for an in-person audit.) There are certain conditions that determine whether or not they will grant the extension.

IRS Tax Audit? Call IRS Away!

By now, you are staring to wade into the process. It typically will only get more complex from here. If you haven’t already done so, contact Tax attorney Joseph M. Arndt and IRS Away!

Next time: What happens now? And how will IRS Away help me navigate the tax audit process? Stay tuned!

Law Offices of Joseph M. Arndt III

3218 Millwood Avenue
Columbia, SC, 29205
803-771-4037