IRS Warns of Back-to-School Scams; Encourages Students, Parents, Schools to Stay Alert

The scammers never rest. See below for information on "Back to School" scams. https://www.irs.gov/uac/irs-warns-of-back-to-school-scams

Don’t be Fooled; IRS Scams Continue to Pose Serious Threat

From the IRS Twitter account: IRS @IRStaxpros The #IRS is NOT calling you threatening a lawsuit, arrest or demanding a #tax payment. That's a #scam #dontfallforit http://go.usa.gov/csp4T

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Be wary of phone calls from anyone who claims to be calling from the IRS. I just got a call on my cell phone from someone claiming to be from the IRS on "a recorded line." He tried getting information from me before I started asking him difficult questions like "what is your badge number?" Every IRS representative is assigned a badge number.

Half of Free E-File Services Don’t Protect Consumers Enough: Audit

You get what you pay for with free services. Caveat emptor...

Seniors Income Tax Issues Many seniors have no income tax liability. Think about it. There’s a $6,300 standard deduction, per person, and another $1,250 if you’re 65 or older, or blind, per person, per event. (If you’re single or HoH, it’s + $1550). And there is your personal exemption which is now $4000 per person. Examples, • A couple, Married Filing Jointly (MFJ), both over 65, your filing threshold is $23,100. • For a Single person, over 65, the earning threshold is $11,850. • Your numbers are higher if one or both is blind. And there is a benefit in Louisiana. If you don’t have to file a federal return, you have no state tax liability. But there are very good reasons to file: • If you file, someone cannot fraudulently use your Social Security number to file. You would know usually within 24 hours if you have an IRS Identity Theft issue. This could save you a real mess. • If you are taking retirement account Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), your tax return provides a platform for you to attest to your receipt of the RMDs. • Continuity; if you've been filing for years, then stop, the IRS may send you a letter asking why they didn't file. Then you get the opportunity to write letters back and forth with the IRS. • Even if your current income is below the filing threshold, what happens if you win the lottery or even more common, cash in a deferred annuity you just found. And what about the US Savings Bonds you’re holding for that rainy day? Bingo, you may have taxable income and the obligation to file. But then you have open years. Open years gives the IRS the opportunity to request the missing tax returns if you have to start filing income tax returns again. For these reasons, filing a simple tax return could help seniors.

Identity Protection: Prevention, Detection and Victim Assistance

IRS Guidance on Identity Protection

IRS phone scams on the rise as tax season begins

Beware of IRS phone scams. If the IRS is calling you, it's most likely NOT the IRS.

Timeline Photos

Here is a handy chart to determine deductible mileage.

I just received the following notice via email: Due to an error, taxpayers are receiving Identity Protection PIN letters with an incorrect year listed. Taxpayers and tax professionals should be advised the IP PIN listed on the CP 01A Notice dated January 4, 2016 is valid for use on all 2015 individual tax returns. The notice incorrectly indicates the IP PIN issued is to be used for filing the 2014 tax return when the number is actually to be used for the 2015 tax return. The IRS emphasizes the IP PIN listed on the CP 01A notice is valid for the 2015 returns. Taxpayers and their tax professionals should use this PIN number for 2015 tax returns, which the IRS will begin accepting from taxpayers starting January 19, 2016. The IRS apologizes for the confusion and any inconvenience.