Using a Tax Shelter? IRS Says Beware
People look for many different ways to save on taxes, or even to avoid paying some of the taxes they really do owe. However, despite taxpayers’ best efforts, the IRS is always on the prowl and if you’re using unscrupulous means to avoid paying taxes there is a good chance you will get caught, including employing what the IRS calls “abusive tax shelters and structures.”
According to IRS Commissioner John Koskinen taxpayers should stay away from anyone who promotes or sells phony tax shelters whose only purpose is to avoid paying taxes that are owed. These schemes can end up costing taxpayers much more in penalties, interest and back taxes, said Koskinen.
Koskinen added that these types of schemes “have evolved from simple structuring of abusive domestic and foreign trust arrangements into sophisticated strategies that take advantage of the financial secrecy laws of some foreign jurisdictions and the availability of credit/debit cards issued from offshore financial institutions.”
If you want to save on taxes legally your best bet is to work with a highly capable accounting and tax firm, like GROCO, which knows how to utilize every legal tax measure available in order to get you the best refund possible. Give us a call or contact us online and make sure you avoid the perils of getting involved with the wrong kind of “tax help.”
Seven Tax Facts About Selling Your Home
Seven Tax Facts About Selling Your Home During summer months, some people sell their home. Many of those individuals will make a profit on the sale and still will not have to pay a single dime of additional income tax to the IRS. Here are seven tax facts about selling your home. Ownership and Use…
When Not to Name Your Spouse the Beneficiary of Your IRA
When Not to Name Your Spouse the Beneficiary of Your IRA By Robert Cavanaugh In most cases, naming your spouse as the beneficiary of your IRA makes the most sense. However, depending on your wishes, other beneficiary arrangements may do a better job of accomplishing your goals. First, let’s take a quick look at the…
IRS Guidance for SEC Disclosure of Listed Transaction Penalties
IRS Guidance for SEC Disclosure of Listed Transaction Penalties On August 15, 2005, the IRS issued guidance to taxpayers who are required to disclose listed transaction penalties to the SEC. Rev. Proc. 2005-51 sets forth the form, content, and timing of SEC disclosures for certain reportable transaction penalties that taxpayers are required to make pursuant…
How to be a “Tax-Conscious” Investor
How to be a “Tax-Conscious” Investor “Uncle Sam wants you!” goes the slogan on that old poster. He also wants you to pay taxes. On the income from your employment. On what you earn from many of your investments. On a portion of the gain from the sale of those investments. But there is a…