Tag Archives: Congress

National Taxpayer Advocate Releases Report to Congress; Identifies Priority Challenges and Issues for Upcoming Year

Courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service – IR-2008-87, July 8, 2008 WASHINGTON — National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson today delivered a report to Congress that identifies the priority issues the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate will address in the coming fiscal year. Among the key areas of focus will be improving IRS procedures to […]

Congress and their Foreclosure Fiasco – TaxMama’s Economic Idiot Award

TaxMama’s Economic Idiot Award goes the 58 Senators who voted for this plan. Speaking of wasting money. Did you follow the Congressional debates on the foreclosure crisis? [See links in Resource Box below.] What a total disappointment! Congress nixed the authority for bankruptcy judges to revise interest rates and principal on existing loans – so […]

Other State Pension

Today TaxMama hears from Andre in New Jersey who tells us, “My dad died last year and he left some money to me and my two siblings. He worked for the State of Illinois and it’s from a deferred compensation plan. Is the money taxable in New Jersey (where I live)?”

Changes to Tax Laws in 2007

Courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service TT-2008-27 Taxpayers should be aware of important changes to the tax law before they complete their 2007 federal income tax forms. Here are some changes that may affect your return. AMT Exemption Increased for One Year. For tax-year 2007, Congress raised the alternative minimum tax exemption to $66,250 for […]

Tax Preparers Beware! Uncle Sam is Watching Ever More Closely

[note: Added 01/28/08 – link to IRS Revenue Procedure 2008-14 covering “Adequate disclosure for Statements on Tax Return” for purposes of reducing an understatement of income tax under section 6662(d) and for purposes of avoiding the section 6694(a) preparer penalty.] Report from the IRS Practitioner Liaison meeting in Los Angeles, January 17, 2008 – at […]

IRS Names Four New Frivolous Claims to Avoid

Courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued a notice that lists four additional erroneous legal positions that taxpayers should refrain from using as an excuse to avoid paying their taxes. An individual or group may not avoid paying their fair share of taxes by making “frivolous” legal arguments […]

Procedure Unveiled for Reporting Violations of the Tax Law, Making Reward Claims

Courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service IR-2007-201, Dec. 19, 2007 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today outlined ways informants can report violations of the tax law and possibly claim a reward based on the amount of additional tax, penalties and interest that is owed. “Since Congress enacted new procedures increasing award amounts last year, […]

AMT Patch Passes Congress

courtesy of: David & Mary Mellem, EAs & Ashwaubenon Tax Professionals Congress has finally agreed on an AMT patch for years beginning in 2007. President Bush has indicated he plans to sign the bill. The bill is titled the “Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2007”. There are two parts to the bill: 1) The tax […]

Ask Taxmama Issue 437 – Mortgage Relief