If You’re Going to Argue About Taxes Your Argument Better Be Good

Lets face it a lot of taxpayers make mistakes on their tax returns. It’s also true that there are plenty of other taxpayers that willfully falsify their returns in order to save on their total tax bill. Some people even go as far as to simply skip out on filing a return all together. You should already know how that sits with the IRS.

Of course, the nation’s top tax agency doesn’t take kindly to people who don’t file a tax return when they are obligated by the law to do so. What’s more, they like it even less when one of those individuals or companies decides to argue their case but doesn’t have much of an argument. Taxpayers give all kinds of reason for not filing a return, but if you plan on putting up a fight with the IRS, then you had better have a really good reason; and forget about any argument deemed frivolous. The IRS hates those.

In fact, the tax agency even has a list of such arguments and if you happen to go down that road you can expect serious consequences. That’s because the IRS has the right to add a special frivolous position penalty to your bill under Section 6702 of the tax code. As with all situations associated with the IRS, your best bet is to always just tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. However, if you aren’t completely truthful to begin with, don’t make it worse with a frivolous argument.

Posted in

Underpayment of Taxes – Personal Returns – How to Avoid Penalties – Dreaded “Spiky Income”

Underpayment of Taxes – Personal Returns – How to Avoid Penalties – Dreaded “Spiky Income” By Ron Cohen, CPA, MST Partner Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co., LLP One of the most frustrating issues taxpayers confront as they attempt to deal with their taxes is to determine the required amount and due dates for estimated tax…

Are You Ready for the 2014 Tax Year?

Are You Ready for the 2014 Tax Year? If you’re like most individuals or businesses then you’re probably breathing a sigh of relief as the 2013 tax year is finally in the rearview mirror, except for those who have filed for an extension, of course. Well, don’t get too comfortable; it’s time to start thinking…

6 Tips for Avoiding Digital Clutter

6 Tips for Avoiding Digital Clutter What is “Digital Clutter” and why do we need to avoid it? Although there isn’t a true definition for the phrase, we can define the term “clutter” and apply it to the digital world. “Clutter” is defined as a collection of things lying about in an untidy mess. Although…

Enduring Your Race

Enduring Your Race Every Year in Australia, an endurance race is held. It stretches from Sydney to Melbourne totaling 543.7 miles. For a world class athlete it takes five days to run. These athletes are young, professionally trained, and receive huge sponsorships Cliff Young was a very unlikely competitor in the race. At the age…