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by Larson Accounting
24 de October de 2023
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ALERTTax 2023Tax 2023

IRS: Beware of fake charities; check before donating

With the tragic crises and natural disasters happening around the globe, many are responding to the call to give what they can to help. The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers to be wary of criminals soliciting donations and falsely posing as legitimate charities. When fake charities scam unsuspecting donors, the proceeds don’t go to those who need the help and those contributing to these fake charities can’t deduct their donations on their tax return.

“We all want to help innocent victims and their families,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “Knowing we’re trying to aid those who are suffering, criminals crawl out of the woodwork to prey on those most vulnerable – people who simply want to help. Especially during these challenging times, don’t feel pressured to immediately give to a charity you’ve never heard of. Check out the charity first and confirm it is authentic.”

Those who wish to make donations should use the Tax-Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) tool on IRS.gov to help find or verify qualified, legitimate charities.

With the TEOS, people can:

  • Verify the legitimacy of a charity
  • Check its eligibility to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions
  • Search for information about an organization’s tax-exempt status and filings

In addition, the IRS urges anyone encountering a fake or suspicious charity to see the FBI’s resources on Charity and Disaster Fraud.

Fake charities

Criminals commonly set up bogus charities to take advantage of the public’s generosity during international crises or natural disasters. Typically, they seek money and personal information, which can be used to further exploit victims through identity theft.

Fake charity promoters may use emails, fake websites, or alter or “spoof” their caller ID to make it look like a real charity is calling to solicit donations. Criminals often target seniors and groups with limited English proficiency.

Here are some tips to protect against fake charity scams:

  • Verify first. Scammers frequently use names that sound like well-known charities to confuse people. Potential donors should ask the fundraiser for the charity’s exact name, website and mailing address so they can independently confirm the information. Use TEOS to verify if an organization is a legitimate tax-exempt charity.
  • Don’t give in to pressure. Scammers often pressure people into making an immediate payment. In contrast, legitimate charities are happy to get a donation at any time. Donors should not feel rushed.
  • Don’t give more than needed. Scammers are on the hunt for both money and personal information. Taxpayers should treat personal information like cash and not hand it out to just anyone.
  • Be wary about how a donation is requested. Never work with charities that ask for donations by giving numbers from a gift card or by wiring money. That’s a scam. It’s safest to pay by credit card or check — and only after verifying the charity is real.

Taxpayers who give money or goods to a charity can claim a deduction if they itemize deductions, but these donations only count if they go to a qualified tax-exempt organization recognized by the IRS.

Source: IRS-2023-196, Oct. 23, 2023

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by Larson Accounting
16 de October de 2023
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Oct. 16 tax filing extension deadline nears for millions of taxpayers

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers about the upcoming tax filing extension deadline. To avoid a possible late filing penalty, those who requested an extension to file their 2022 tax return should file their Form 1040 on or before Monday, Oct. 16.

Disaster-area taxpayers in most of California and in parts of Alabama and Georgia also have until Oct. 16, 2023, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

Those with an IRS address of record in other areas covered by Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster declarations and those returning from a combat zone may have additional time to file. They include:

  • Taxpayers affected by flooding in Illinois and Alaska. They have until Oct. 31, 2023, to file.
  • Those affected by flooding in Vermont. They have until Nov. 15, 2023, to file.
  • Taxpayers affected by recent natural disasters including those impacted by the recent Maui fires and hurricane Idalia in parts of Florida, South Carolina and Georgia. Those in the counties of Maui, Hawaii, and many counties in Florida, South Carolina and Georgia have until Feb. 24, 2024, to file various individual and business tax returns. This list continues to be updated regularly. Taxpayers potentially affected by recent storms should visit the disaster relief page on IRS.gov for the latest information.
  • Members of the military and others serving in a combat zone. They typically have 180 days after they leave the combat zone to file returns and pay any taxes due.

IRS Free File and other online resources

IRS Free File is available through Oct. 16 and lets qualified taxpayers prepare and file federal income tax returns online using guided tax preparation software. It’s available to any person or family with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $73,000 or less in 2022. Taxpayers can use IRS Free File to claim the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and other important credits. IRS Free File Fillable Forms is available for taxpayers whose 2022 AGI was greater than $73,000 and are comfortable preparing their own tax return.

Taxpayers can get answers to many tax law questions by using the IRS’s Interactive Tax Assistant tool. Additionally, taxpayers can view tax information in several languages by clicking on the “English” tab located on the IRS.gov home page.

The IRS Online Account feature provides information to help taxpayers file an accurate return including AGI amounts from last year’s return, estimated tax payment amounts and refunds applied as a credit.

Schedule and pay electronically

Taxpayers can file anytime and schedule their federal tax payments up to the Oct. 16 due date. They can pay online, by phone or with their mobile device and the IRS2Go app. Some other key points to keep in mind when filing and paying federal taxes electronically include:

  • Convenience. Electronic payment options are easy and flexible. Taxpayers can pay when they file electronically using online tax software. Those who use a tax preparer should ask the preparer to make the tax payment through an electronic funds withdrawal from a bank account.
  • IRS Direct Pay. This feature allows taxpayers to pay online directly from a checking or savings account for free and schedule payments up to 365 days in advance. An IRS Online Account is needed, however, to use IRS Direct Pay.
  • Pay by card. Payments can be made with a credit card, debit card or a digital wallet option. These are available through a payment processor. The payment processor, not the IRS, charges a fee for this service.
  • IRS2Go. The IRS2Go mobile app provides access to mobile-friendly payment options, including Direct Pay and debit or credit card payments.
  • Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). Convenient, safe and easy, EFTPS allows for payments online or by phone using the EFTPS Voice Response System. EFTPS payments must be scheduled by 8 p.m. ET at least one calendar day before the tax due date.

Source: IRS-2023-183, Sept. 29, 2023

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by Larson Accounting
16 de October de 2023
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Tax 2023

IRS: Taxpayers impacted by the terrorist attacks in Israel qualify for tax relief; Oct. 16 filing deadline, other dates postponed to Oct. 7, 2024

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced tax relief for individuals and businesses affected by the terrorist attacks in the State of Israel. These taxpayers now have until Oct. 7, 2024, to file various federal returns, make tax payments and perform other time-sensitive tax-related actions.

In Notice 2023-71PDF, posted today on IRS.gov, the IRS provided relief to certain taxpayers who, due to the terrorist attacks, may be unable to meet a tax-filing or tax-payment obligation, or may be unable to perform other time-sensitive tax-related actions. The IRS will continue to monitor events and may provide additional relief.

Filing and Payment Relief

Today’s notice postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred or will occur during the period from Oct. 7, 2023, through Oct. 7, 2024 (postponement period). As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until Oct. 7, 2024, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period. Among other things, this includes:

  • Individuals who had a valid extension to file their 2022 return due to run out on Oct. 16, 2023. The IRS noted, however, that because tax payments related to these 2022 returns were due on April 18, 2023, those payments are not eligible for this relief. So, these individuals filing on extension have more time to file, but not to pay.
  • Calendar-year corporations whose 2022 extensions run out on Oct. 16, 2023. Similarly, these corporations have more time to file, but not to pay.
  • 2023 individual and business returns and payments normally due on March 15 and April 15, 2024. So, these individuals and businesses have both more time to file and more time to pay.
  • Quarterly estimated income tax payments normally due on Jan. 16, April 15, June 17 and Sept. 16, 2024.
  • Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on Oct. 31, 2023, and Jan. 31, April 30 and July 31, 2024.
  • Calendar-year tax-exempt organizations whose extensions run out on Nov. 15, 2023.
  • Retirement plan contributions and rollovers.

Other tax-related deadlines are postponed as well. See Notice 2023-71 and Rev. Proc. 2018-58 for details.

In addition, the penalty for failure to make payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Oct. 7, 2023 and before Nov. 6, 2023, will be abated as long as the deposits are made by Nov. 6, 2023.

Who Qualifies for Relief?

  • Any individual whose principal residence or business entity or sole proprietor whose principal place of business is in Israel, the West Bank or Gaza (the covered area).
  • Any individual, business or sole proprietor, or estate or trust whose books, records or tax preparer is located in the covered area.
  • Anyone killed, injured, or taken hostage due to the terrorist attacks.
  • Any individual affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization and who is assisting in the covered area, such as a relief worker.

The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers whose principal residence or principal place of business is located in the covered area based on previously filed returns and applies relief. Other eligible taxpayers can obtain this relief by calling the IRS disaster hotline at 866-562-5227. Alternatively, international callers may call 267-941-1000.

If an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS for the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the number on the notice to have the penalty abated.

Source: IRS-2023-188, Oct. 13, 2023

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