taxhelp: WHAT’S UP WITH S-CORPORATIONS AND REASONABLE COMP PART - 1 - 03/16/24 11:44 AM
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – When it comes to IRS priorities and enforcement, Subchapter S-Corps and their owners/shareholders are at the top of its list.  In a Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Report in 2021, the IRS reported that it will begin to turn up the heat on S-Corp owners who take little to no compensation.  Why, with the federal government running financial shortfalls, the IRS has been charged with going after compensation tax so that the government can work on filling its coffers.
It's obvious why S-Corp owners want to take as little income as wages as possible, and … (0 comments)

taxhelp: IRS ORDERS IMMEDIATE STOP TO ERC PROCESSING THROUGH YEAR’S END - 09/15/23 03:21 PM
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – When it comes to the Employee Retention Credit (the “ERC”), it seems like every time I start a multi-part analysis of the ERC something changes.  Yesterday, the IRS published a notice informing taxpayers that the IRS has imposed a moratorium on processing new claims for the ERC through year’s end so that the IRS can add more safeguards to prevent future abuse and to protect businesses from predatory tactics.  In addition, the IRS announced that it will be working with the Justice Department to pursue fraud fueled by aggressive marketing.  Here is the link to the … (0 comments)

taxhelp: CRIMINAL CONCERNS RELATED TO THE ERC - 07/30/23 07:30 PM
Salt Lake City, Utah – It has been a few weeks since I have posted about the ERC or any tax topic for that matter.  Any free time that I have had over the last few weeks has been spent with my youngest son, Andrew.  Last Wednesday, Salli and I dropped off our son, Andrew, at the Mission Training Center in Provo, Utah, where Andrew will prepare to serve a Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Papeete Tahiti.  So, while I am thrilled to see him go and live and serve among the people of Tahiti, … (1 comments)

taxhelp: PROBLEMATIC ERC CLAIMS CAN MEAN PROBLEMS LATER - 07/08/23 02:09 PM
Salt Lake City, Utah - In my last Blog I discussed the steps that most taxpayers are taking to make an ERC Claim.  The purpose of this post/blog is to finish up that outline.  Currently if a taxpayer is making an ERC Claim, the taxpayer is amending its past payroll tax returns to claim the ERC.  In my outline I left off with the Taxpayer receiving a percentage of the ERC after the ERC Mill received its share of the refund.  Below is a continuation of what we are seeing when it comes to problematic amended payroll tax returns:
After the … (0 comments)

taxhelp: ERC CONTINUED – THE IRS CONTINUES TO WARN TAXPAYERS ABOUT THE ERC! - 07/06/23 06:03 PM
Salt Lake City, Utah - In my last Blog I provided an outline of what we are seeing when it comes to problematic ERC Claims.  I had planned to finish up the outline I had prepared this evening, but I then viewed a post on LinkedIn by the IRS and thought that I should pass it along instead. 
In its most recent LinkedIn Post the IRS informed all who care to listen that the “Employee Retention Credit encouraged employers to keep employees on the payroll despite COVID-related economic hardships.”  It then advised taxpayers “Beware of ERC offers beyond IRS guidelines, as … (1 comments)

taxhelp: ERC CONTINUED – PROBLEMATIC ERC CLAIMS CAN MEAN PROBLEMS LATER - 07/02/23 09:34 AM
Salt Lake City, Utah - In my last Blog I discussed ERC Insurance options in protecting yourself in the event of a problem with an ERC Claim.  Today, I want to discuss what could happen if you an ERC Claim problem.
Currently if a taxpayer is making an ERC Claim, the taxpayer is amending its past payroll tax returns to claim the ERC.  What we are seeing is that some of the ERC Claims being made are valid claims, some of the ERC Claims are filed by and ERC Mill and would be considered abusive, and in certain situations, some ERC Claims … (0 comments)

taxhelp: ERC CONTINUED – ERC INSURANCE - 06/29/23 07:22 AM
Salt Lake City, Utah - In my last Blog I discussed what I call the “Holy Grail” that most ERC Companies use to achieve ERC eligibility.  Most ERC Mills couple the Supplier-Based Partial Suspension with the OSHA Position.  Today I want to discuss “ERC Insurance”.
There are certain insurance companies that are willing to underwrite what is called “Tax Insurance”.  Not surprisingly, a taxpayer who makes a claim for the ERC can also obtain Tax Insurance so that if the taxpayer has a tax problem with the ERC, the insurance company will cover the tax risk.  In a nutshell, Tax Insurance is:
Designed … (2 comments)

taxhelp: IRSnews FOR A FATHERS DAY TAKEOVER - 06/16/23 05:28 PM
#FathersDay #IRS #TaxTips4Dads #FathersDayTakeover - Who are they trying to kid, the last thing I want to think about on Father's Day is any Tax Tips, the IRS Taking Over Father's Day, or the IRS. I just want to spend Father's Day with my Family, and to try and find some peace and relaxation. If you or someone you know has an issue with paying their federal or state taxes and needs help to end their IRS nightmare, please contact Kent Brown at Strong & Hanni by either phone at (801) 532-7080 or email at: kbrown@strongandhanni.com or go to my personal … (0 comments)

taxhelp: ERC CONTINUED – THE OSHA POSITION - 06/16/23 04:21 PM
Salt Lake City, Utah - In my last Blog I briefly discussed three supply-chain disruption or impact questions.  The purpose of this Blog is to discuss the “OSHA Position”.  Under one of the IRS Notices, the following language was used to define “governmental orders”:
Orders, proclamations, or decrees from the Federal government or any State or local government may be taken into account by an employer as "orders from an appropriate governmental authority" only if they limit "commerce, travel, or group meetings (for commercial, social, religious, or other purposes) due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)" and relate to the suspension of … (0 comments)

taxhelp: ERC CONTINUED – SUPPLIER-BASED PARTIAL SUSPENSION – THREE AREAS OF EMPHASIS - 06/11/23 05:43 PM
Salt Lake City, Utah - In my last Blog I briefly discussed that most taxpayers who have claimed the ERC did so based on one of two concepts.  The first is supply-chain disruption or impact and the second is CDC/OSHA restrictions or modifications.  In speaking with prospective clients who have made a claim for the ERC based on supply-chain disruption, I have heard from the prospective clients that “I was told I was eligible because of supply chain disruption for all eligible quarters.”  To be eligible based on supply-chain disruption, here are a few considerations:
Knowledge of the supplier's “full or … (0 comments)

taxhelp: ERC CONTINUED – SUPPLIER-BASED PARTIAL SUSPENSION - 06/05/23 08:34 PM
Salt Lake City, Utah - In my last Blog I briefly discussed that most companies that have claimed the ERC did so based on one of two concepts.  The first is supply-chain disruption or impact and the second is CDC/OSHA restrictions or modifications.  In the next few Blogs, I will discuss supply-chain disruption or impact and what the IRS is looking for in determining eligibility for the ERC based on supply-chain disruption.
In claiming the ERC, I have heard from many taxpayers that “we were eligible (or told we were eligible) because of a supply chain disruption.”  Often, we see this eligibility … (0 comments)

taxhelp: EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT CLAIMS – IRS GUIDELINES??? - 06/04/23 01:33 PM
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – Starting last week, the IRS commenced sending out Audit and Exam Notices to Taxpayers.  Most of the IRS notices given to me by potential clients have dealt specifically with payroll tax issues.  With this increase in audit activity, one thing I have noticed is that most of the taxpayers receiving these audit or exam notices are businesses that received the ERC.  In addition, the quarter or quarters being audited are the same quarters where the taxpayer qualified for the ERC.
Over the next few weeks, I will be blogging about and highlighting what the IRS is looking … (0 comments)

taxhelp: TAX ALERT!!! - IRS ENFORCEMENT RESTARTING – UPDATE FROM WASHINGTON DC - 05/22/23 08:08 PM
Salt Lake City, Utah – I recently attended a Zoom Meeting with the past chair of the American Bar Association Tax Section’s Subcommittee for the Small Business/Self-Employed Division who had a one-on-one meeting with the IRS Commissioner of the Small Business/Self-Employed Division.  The meeting was with Commissioner Amalia Colbert and Deputy Commissioner Darren Guillot.  At that meeting Commissioner Colbert and Deputy Commissioner Guillot provided an updated on the status of IRS Enforcement and when a deluge of enforcement notices will begin again since being paused during the pandemic.
This is what we were told:
The backlog of mail is now caught up; … (1 comments)

taxhelp: WHEN WILL THE IRS STOP HOUNDING ME????? - 05/16/23 08:17 AM
Salt Lake City, Utah - As Benjamin Franklin said: “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”  So, the simple answer about the IRS hounding you is that the IRS will not stop hounding you for tax revenue while you are alive – and maybe sometimes when you are dead.  The real concern for most people is when will the IRS no longer be in the rear-view mirror for past taxes paid. Invariably, when I meet with a prospective client, I will eventually hear from them: “How much time does the IRS have to collect … (1 comments)

taxhelp: UPDATE FROM WASHINGTON DC – IRS ENFORCEMENT RESTARTING - 05/08/23 09:05 AM
Salt Lake City, Utah – Over the last few months I have provided warnings/updates on IRS Enforcement issues.  Many of the warnings had to deal with the increased funding for the IRS.  Last Week, Commissioner Amalia Colbert and Deputy Commissioner Darren Guillot, with the Small Business and Self-Employed Division of the IRS, provided the following update on IRS Enforcement:
The backlog of mail is now caught up; The CP-14 Notices (Balance Due Letters) that have been paused will go out at the end of May to roughly 8 million taxpayers; The taxpayers who owed balances before and are due for enforcement … (0 comments)

taxhelp: WHAT IS ALL THIS BALLYHOO ABOUT THE EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT - 05/06/23 07:41 AM
Salt Lake City, Utah – By now we have all heard about the Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”) and how a business can receive tens of thousands of dollars in a refundable tax credit.  In a recent news release by the IRS, the IRS spelled out which employers are eligible - https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/employee-retention-credit
Employers who sustained a full or partial suspension of operations; or Employers who experienced a “decline in gross receipts”; or Employers who qualify in the third or fourth quarters of 2021 as a “recovery startup business.” It was interesting to me to see that the IRS, in this particular … (2 comments)

taxhelp: EVERYONE WANTS A PILLOWCASE FULL OF CASH $$$ - 04/25/23 08:17 AM
Salt Lake City, Utah - Let’s pretend that upon your death you leave your assets to your children. All of them have good jobs, manage their finances well, and are happily married.
 
A few years go by after your death and one of your children ends up going through a divorce.  Then a couple of years later, one of your children is in a car accident and is sued.  Then a couple of years after that, one of your children gets into a bad business deal and ends up filing for bankruptcy.
 
The question then arises, does your trust protect the assets you’ve … (2 comments)

taxhelp: THE FIRST STEP IN TAX RESOLUTION IS TO GET TAX COMPLIANT! - 04/23/23 12:37 PM
Salt Lake City, Utah - As a tax attorney, one of the biggest legal trends I have seen this year is that many of my friends, acquaintances, family members, or friends of family members, tell me that they know someone who has a tax problem. This legal trend is not surprising.  The IRS recently published a news release explaining that 1 in 6 taxpayers have some form of tax debt.  These individuals then tell me about a cool fresh start or tax program the IRS has that allows a taxpayer to discharge most if not all of the tax debt.  You … (3 comments)

taxhelp: TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO CLAIM $1.5 BILLION IN REFUNDS FOR TAX YEAR 2019 - 04/21/23 08:19 AM
Salt Lake City, Utah – July 17, 2023, is the deadline for claiming your 2019 tax refund.  The IRS announced that 1.5 million people across the country have unclaimed refunds for tax year ending in 2019.  IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel stated: “[t]he 2019 tax returns came due during the pandemic, and many people may have overlooked or forgotten about these refunds . . . . We want taxpayers to claim these refunds, but time is running out.”  Here is a link to the IRS News Release webpage for more information:  https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/time-running-out-to-claim-1-point-5-billion-in-refunds-for-tax-year-2019-taxpayers-face-july-17-deadline
To claim the 2019 refund, the taxpayer who has overpaid … (1 comments)

taxhelp: DANGERS OF "PAY ON DEATH" ACCOUNTS - 04/20/23 09:04 AM
Salt Lake City, UT - Twice a week I try and post something about taxes and tax controversy issues.  Today I am changing it up a little based on a recent experience that I had with one of my clients.  When I meet with individuals and we start looking at their assets, we always discuss their bank accounts, credit union accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, etc.  After we look at these accounts, invariably a question will arise about what is called a “Pay on Death” account or “POD Account”. Based on my experience, you may have a POD account of your … (0 comments)

 
Kent Brown, Your IRS Tax Attorney (Strong & Hanni)

Kent Brown

Your IRS Tax Attorney

Salt Lake City, UT

More about me…

Strong & Hanni

Address: 102 South 200 East, Suite 800, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111

Office: (801) 532-7080

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