Audits

A new year is right around the corner. However, you do not need to wait until Jan. 1 to make resolutions for 2020. You can start preparing for a better year now by tackling some tax issues and taking steps to increase your refund. Over the next few weeks, you can utilize some of thecontinue reading…

Since 2010, Congress has been asking the IRS to do more with less money. This has reduced the IRS’s audit resources by 28 percent, and the audit rate has fallen from 0.9% in 2010 to only 0.5% last year. And, the overall number of audits dropped by almost half over the same period. Here arecontinue reading…

In April, the nonprofit newsroom ProPublica reported on a surprising imbalance at the IRS. Although it would almost certainly be both more effective and bring in more revenue if it focused on auditing the rich, the agency does not do this. No, it audits the working poor at almost the exact same rate as itcontinue reading…

A captive insurance company is one that is created by a business as protection against certain risks. And, Section 831(b) of the Internal Revenue Code allows certain small insurance companies the option of paying tax on only their investment income. There are other tax advantages to captives, as well. It’s perfectly legal and quite commoncontinue reading…

Minnesota lawmakers are considering two tax bills to raise revenue for the state. Key changes that would go into effect if the proposal, as written, becomes law include: Gas tax. The proposal would increase the gas tax by 70% over the next four years, resulting in an estimated 20 cent per gallon increase.   Estate tax. Statecontinue reading…