Navigating the IRS Appeals Process: Essential Guidance

Navigating the IRS Appeals Process: Essential Guidance

Navigating the IRS Appeals Process: Essential GuidanceSteve Perry
Published on: 28/06/2025

- The IRS appeals process offers taxpayers an impartial way to resolve disputes involving audits, penalties, collections, and other tax decisions without going to court. - Steve Perry, Enrolled Agent (EA) at Books, Taxes & More, expertly manages appeals by reviewing IRS notices, building strong protest cases, and negotiating effectively during appeals conferences. - Appeals over $25,000 require detailed protests with supporting documentation, while smaller cases may use simplified forms; strategic arguments align with tax law and precedents. - Perry skillfully negotiates using the IRS's litigation risk model and can escalate unresolved cases to Tax Court or refer to attorneys as needed. - Effective tax representatives combine tax knowledge, negotiation skills, strategic thinking, and IRS experience to advocate for the best outcomes. - Proper documentation is critical for validating tax claims, reducing penalties, speeding audits, and building defenses; key records include receipts, mileage logs, bank statements, income reports, and legal documents. - The IRS recommends keeping records for at least three years, longer in cases of underreported income, fraud, or property-related transactions. - As an EA, Steve Perry guides clients in organizing, maintaining, and reconstructing records, representing them before the IRS, and educating on documentation requirements. - With expert representation and thorough documentation, taxpayers are empowered to protect their financial interests and face IRS challenges confidently.

Tax education articles and IRS representation advice for individuals and small businesses
How long should a taxpayer keep records?

How long should a taxpayer keep records?

How long should a taxpayer keep records?Steve Perry
Published on: 27/06/2025

- The IRS typically audits tax returns within three years of filing, but this extends to six years if over 25% of income is unreported and is unlimited in fraud cases. - Certain transactions like real estate sales or business asset depreciation may require keeping records beyond the standard period. - For example, a homeowner who takes a home office deduction must keep all related purchase, improvement, and sale documents until three years after filing the return that reports the home sale profit. - It is advisable to retain such records for at least seven years to ensure safety. - Keeping detailed receipts and documentation of property acquisition, maintenance, improvements, and sale is crucial to protect tax deductions. - Proper record-keeping prevents costly losses during audits or reviews by tax authorities. - For personalized advice on record retention, contacting a tax professional is recommended.

Bookkeeping
Why Every S-Corporation Owner Needs a Reasonable Compensation Basis

Why Every S-Corporation Owner Needs a Reasonable Compensation Basis

Why Every S-Corporation Owner Needs a Reasonable Compensation Basis Steve Perry
Published on: 27/06/2025

S-corporation owners are required to pay themselves a reasonable salary for the work they perform. The IRS scrutinizes these salaries, and failure to properly document reasonable compensation can trigger audits and penalties. Many business owners struggle to determine what is considered reasonable. Steve Perry, EA at Books Taxes & More creates comprehensive, audit-proof reasonable compensation studies based on industry data, government statistics, and detailed job analysis. His studies have never lost in an IRS audit. Proactively establishing a defensible salary structure protects business owners from unnecessary payroll taxes and costly audit adjustments. Contact Steve Perry, EA to secure your defense.

Tax education articles and IRS representation advice for individuals and small businesses
Hobby or Business, What’s the Difference and Why Does it Matter?

Hobby or Business, What’s the Difference and Why Does it Matter?

Hobby or Business, What’s the Difference and Why Does it Matter?Steve Perry
Published on: 26/06/2025

- Businesses can deduct most expenses even if they show a loss, unlike hobbies that cannot lose more than their gross income. - The IRS defines a business by its profit motive; hobbies lack this motivation. - Nine subjective factors determine if an activity is a business, including record-keeping, effort to profit, dependence on income, handling losses, adaptability, skills, past profit track record, profitability over time, and potential asset appreciation. - Passing more of these tests strengthens the case for business status, with profitability being the most critical factor. - Misclassifying a business as a hobby risks IRS audits, disallowed deductions, penalties, and interest, potentially for prior years. - Taxpayers should assess their motivation to make a profit and willingness to invest time and effort in the activity. - If profits aren’t growing despite motivation, consulting a qualified small business accountant is essential. - Professional accountants help isolate expenses and evaluate profitability, supporting better business decisions. - The key advice: focus on what you do well and delegate other tasks to experts.

Tax education articles and IRS representation advice for individuals and small businesses