Charlotte Attorney's Informative Blog

SAVE 30% OFF THE FEES WHEN you prepay for your tax preparation services and schedule the Service online.

You’ve decided to hire someone to file your taxes this year. You’ve looked at your tax pro options and decided which kind of paid preparer fits your needs.

Now the next step: Thoroughly vetting the tax professional.

Remember, regardless of who fills out your 1040 and sends it on to the IRS, when you sign your tax return, you are legally responsible for everything on it. So it’s crucial to hire a tax pro who’s not only knowledgeable, but also ethical.

Most tax preparers are honest and provide quality service. But as with any consumer transaction, it’s up to you, the buyer of the services, to make sure you’re hiring a true professional.

Here are some things to keep in mind when someone else prepares your return.

Check on IRS registration

Starting this year, preparers must be registered with the IRS to file a return. Make sure the person you hire has done so.

If you live in a state that licenses or registers tax preparers, contact that regulatory office to make sure there are no complaints against the person you plan to hire.

Do they belong?
Check your preparers professional affiliations. Membership in such groups requires that a tax preparer follow a code of ethics and participate in continuing education programs.

Office hours are important
Make sure your tax preparer will be around after the April filing deadline. Some offices open up just during filing season and then disappear as soon as returns are filed. But the IRS can come asking questions about a return months later. The person who helped you file it should be around so you can get the answers to any possible IRS questions. We are open five days a week and if you are unable to come to the office you can mail or fax your tax documents to us. Our turnaround time for tax information that are faxed or mailed in is often less than a week.

Who does the actual work?
If your tax preparer is part of larger firm, determine whether he or she will be the person actually doing your tax work or whether your taxes will be delegated to someone else in the office, perhaps a person with less tax training.

Also find out if your preparer exports tax returns for preparation. Foreign countries do not have the same security and privacy laws as the United States, nor is there any recourse should your information be compromised as a result of lax or nonexistent privacy procedures.

How do they charge?
Don’t hire a tax preparer whose fee is based on how big of a refund you get. That’s usually an indication that tax law envelopes will be pushed to get you more money than you’re rightfully entitled to just so your tax preparer can make more money.

Similarly, avoid preparers who claim they can get you a larger refund than other preparers. If your returns are prepared correctly, every preparer should come up with essentially the same tax and refund numbers. Our fees are competitive and relatively low for the amount of expertise and professional services you are receiving. HR Block charge anywhere from $200 – $300 for a single w2 earner where as we are charging you $150.00 or less. HR preparers are only required to have a high school diploma. Our Attorney has been assisting clients with tax related issues for several years and is familiar with most deductions.

Find someone who wants to know
Be wary of preparers who aren’t concerned about documentation. Reputable tax preparers will request to see your receipts and will ask you detailed questions to determine your qualifications for expenses, deductions, credits and the like. It’s always better that these questions are asked by your preparer and answered before filing, rather than later by an IRS examiner.

Avoid blank return requests
Remember that warning about being responsible for the return you sign? If a tax preparer asks you to sign a blank tax return, find a new tax pro. Never sign a tax document before it’s finished and then only after you’ve read it carefully and understand the entries.

If you’re unsure about an entry and your tax pro can’t explain it to your satisfaction, then don’t sign the return. A tax preparer who won’t or can’t explain the items on your 1040 and associated schedules is either incompetent or unscrupulous.

Sure, thoroughly checking out your tax pro takes some time. But it’s time well spent when it ensures that your taxes are completed properly.

For several years now Attorney Maxwell has assisted clients with tax collection defense and has seen several of her clients audited based on improperly prepared returns and countless other issues and errors on income tax returns which cause her clients a lot of trouble and money in the end. She is a Tax Lawyer that offers Low Cost Income tax preparation services, FREE ELECTRONIC FILING for both individuals and businsess tax payers, 1040 filings, 1099 filing assistance,  and year round income tax service

She also assists with:

•Itemized Deductions (Sch A)
• Interest and Ordinary Dividends (Sch B)
•Sole Proprietorship Income & Expenses (Sch C)
• Capital Gains and Losses (Sch D)
• Calculating Cost Basis on Long Term Investments
• Rental Property Income, Expenses and Depreciation (Sch E)
• Household Employment Taxes (Sch H)
• Income Tax Filing Extensions

Clients have several options for having their returns prepared. We have two locations one on Charlotte and One in Concord. For more information see our tax intake form. Save 30% off the fees by prepaying for the service and scheduling your appointment and or the service online.

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BY TAX ATTORNEY

Under some circumstances people may not be required to file a Federal Tax Return. But in most cases individuals are required to file a Federal Tax Return annually.

2011 Minimum Income Requirements to File a Federal Income Tax Return

If you are unable to pay to have your return prepared there are low income free filing services available at VITA locations. Our firm offers great fast, affordable services and free e-filing services too our clients.

Maxwell Law Firm, PLLC represents clients all over the United States on Tax related issues: Garnishments, Tax Liens, Tax Collection Defense, Offers in Compromise, Installment Agreements, and  Income Tax Preparation Services  you may call them at 704-461-1883 or save 25% off our already low fees by your appointment scheduling online.

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TAX DEFENSE ATTORNEY

MISSION

Our Goal is to help you solve your tax problem. More often than not we are able to alleviate our client’s IRS problems.

SERVICES OFFERED

We discuss your matter with IRS on your behalf and deal with telephone and mail correspondence, until the matter is resolved. We offer the professional tax help and advice for reasonable fees.

Some of our areas of expertise include:

• IRS Bank Levies
• IRS Tax Liens
• IRS Audits
• Settling Back Taxes
• Discharging Old Taxes
• Tax Attorney Services
• Offer in Compromise
• Delinquent Tax Returns
• IRS Payment Plans
• Payroll Tax Problems (941)
• Investment Fraud Representation
• Innocent Spouse
• Tax Preparation (including Filing old returns)

Why should I hire an Attorney

If you fail to communicate with the IRS, you are more likely to face tax lien, seizure of your tax refunds, attachments of your checking accounts, and wage garnishment. IRS is authorized to put lien on your personal and real property, WITHOUT A COURT ORDER. Even if there is delay in paying taxes from your side, you tax attorney will assist you in communicating with the IRS and get rid of any tax liens and provide you with a solution to resolve those issues.

Why should you hire us

We have been assisting debtors with tax issues since 2008. We take the time to evaluate your unique situation and determine the best line of defense . In certain cases you could end up paying less than half of the overall debt or nothing at all! Our firm also assists clients with filing for bankruptcy and certain tax debt can be discharged in bankruptcy.

Locations & Appointments

Maxwell Law Firm, represents clients all over the United States on Tax related issues: Wage Garnishments, Tax Liens, Tax Collection Defense, Offers in Compromise, Installment Agreements, and Income Tax Services for both IRS and the state of North Carolina collections. We have offices in Charlotte and Concord, North Carolina. Our two offices offer clients the convenience of meeting face-to-face with an attorney without having to travel far and take time away from their live. You may call 704-461-1883 or save 25% on the bankruptcy fees by scheduling your appointment online. PLEASE NOTE TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE. To schedule a consultation, call 704-780-1100 or save 25% off the services by scheduling your appointment online here http://maxwelllegal.com/consultations.html. TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE.

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At Tax Resolution Services, we all agree that tax evasion is never a good idea.  People who pull tax scams, such as filing false tax returns, may feel like they are lining their pockets with money at the moment, but the money does no good once they are in prison.  Tax cheats usually end up in prison and with a hefty fine to boot, as in the example below.

The manager of a Warrensburg, Mo., restaurant has pleaded guilty to a role in a conspiracy to file false tax returns.

Javier Posada, 43, of Warrensburg, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Mexico, admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to under report income received at several El Vaquero restaurants in Missouri from June 2002 to August 2008.

Conspirators removed cash from the register or directed others to remove cash from the register, and the restaurants failed to report the receipt of that cash for tax purposes. They also created fraudulent sales ledgers and destroyed guest tickets.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Posada must pay $382,296 in restitution to the IRS. He also faces up to five years in prison.

Related posts:

1. Two Tax Rules: Avoid Tax Scams and If You Need Tax Relief Consult a Tax Professional

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It never hurts to be prepared. That's the thinking of freshman Rep. Daniel Webster.

The Florida Republican has introduced the Prioritize Spending Act of 2011 (H.R. 2402) to, he says, "ensure America's priorities are preserved in the event that the debt ceiling is reached."

"It is important that while we fight for true spending transformations," said Webster in announcing the bill, "we also prepare to prevent any default by protecting our priorities."

So just what does Webster think should be paid with the actual dollars Uncle Sam will have on hand if there's no debt ceiling deal?

First, the U.S. should prevent default by making the country's debt payments.

Then we should continue to pay military salaries and benefits in "such amounts as the President certifies to the Congress are necessary to carry out vital national security priorities."

Finally, Webster would spend what we have left on providing Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Some cash left over: Actually, says Webster, after meeting these suggested obligations, the Treasury should have around $30 billion left over each month.

The decision on what else would be paid, he said, would remain with the executive branch.

Webster emphasizes that his proposal is purely a stopgap spending plan if worse comes to worst in a few weeks.

"This bill is intended to be a short-term measure to require the Treasury to pay the specified accounts until a debt reduction plan can be initiated," he said in a fact sheet released in connection with the bill's introduction.

Picking priorities: So how did he come up with the spending priorities?

"The purpose in prioritizing public debt repayment is to keep the United States from entering a period of default on its existing loans," said Webster.

As for the military and senior citizens, Webster said "it is irresponsible to allow a situation to develop where our military and seniors, two groups of citizens that rely on Washington to fulfill its promises, may be forced to go without the programs that provide for their basic needs."

The bill is pending in the Ways and Means Committee. Cosponsors, all Republicans, are Rep Richard Nugent, Bill Posey and Dennis Ross, all of Florida; Michael Turner of Ohio; and Joe Wilson of South Carolina.

Do you agree with the Representatives' choices on spending our potentially limited federal funds? What do you want from government? What would you pay for, first and last?

History of the debt ceiling: While we are all waiting for resolution of the current U.S. fiscal situation, it's perversely reassuring to realize that this isn't anything new.

Glenn Kessler, The Fact Checker for the Washington Post, explains the debt ceiling debate, providing some perspective, history and evaluation of recent rantings about what's happening or not happening.

Related posts:

• What's wrong with the Democrats when it comes to budget negotiations?
• GOP needs to learn how to declare victory
• The closure of Minnesota, America's fiscal future in miniature?
• What government services would you give up for a lower tax bill?

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If you own a home, you pay property taxes.

And if you're like a lot of other homeowners, the statement you got from your local tax assessor-collector revealed that your taxes headed up while your house's value slipped.

In those situations, you should look into contesting your property valuation and the tax bill upon which it was based.

It's also a good bet that most such appeals are by homeowners in places that have relatively high property taxes. That would put a large number of them in New Jersey.

The median property tax in the Garden State in 2009 was $6,579.

That's the largest median property tax amount amount in the country, according to data compiled by Credit Sesame. And it's this week's By the Numbers figure.

How does that figure compare to the lowest property tax state? The New Jersey median property tax amount, according to the lending data website, was 27 times more than what Louisiana property owners paid.

Here are few more N.J. numbers:

• The $6,579 in taxes represented 1.89 percent of a home's value.
• The tax amount was 7.45 percent of the property owner's income.

Now to the big question: Just how do your property taxes compare?

You can find out at Credit Sesame's interactive map:

Click on the map (or here) to check your state's property tax stats.

Related posts:

• Fighting rising property taxes 
• Property tax appeals on the rise
• How do your property taxes stack up?
• No Schedule L for 2010 property taxes
• By the Numbers archive

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Everything right now is all about the deficit, including my posts last week at my other tax blog.

The longer Congress and the President take to agree on where to trim the budget and who should pay more taxes, the closer some sacrosanct tax benefits get to entering the mix.

Among the tax benefits generally thought to be untouchable, but which eventually might come under consideration are the many tax breaks connected to homeownership. A recent study by the Pew Charitable Trusts of the costs and benefits of housing tax subsidies. found that the top home-related tax breaks cost around $304 billion in fiscal year 2010.

That's a lot of budget balancing potential.

Meanwhile, Minnesota's budget crisis offered a preview of what could happen if Congress doesn't reach a deal on increasing the federal debt ceiling.

The political and tax policy battle lines in the North Star State are almost identical to those in our national capital. That's not comforting.

Here's hoping the folks in D.C. are paying attention.

Catch up on the details over at my Bankrate Taxes Blog.

Related posts:

• What's wrong with the Democrats when it comes to budget negotiations?
• GOP needs to learn how to declare victory
• The closure of Minnesota, America's fiscal future in miniature?
• Last week at my other tax blog Archives Page

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