Business or Hobby Determination for IRS Taxes

You love planning parties.  Over the last few years, friends and family asked for your assistance on planning various celebrations: open house, graduation party, baby shower, wedding reception, and birthdays.  After awhile you started to think, could I start a party planning business?  Why not?  You may or may not earn money doing this.  It does not matter to you.  You have a normal full time job.  The party planning will be a side business for fun.

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IRS Issues a New Phone Scam Warning

The IRS issued a warning to the public about phone scams.  The scammers are making unsolicited phone calls to individuals falsely claiming to be the IRS.  The scammer will claim taxes are owed and request an immediate payment by wire transfer or debit card.  The calls are typically hostile and abusive.

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Charitable IRS Deduction Tax Tips

You have done a great thing by donating to your favorite charity. You are helping others in desperate need of help. You feel good about the donation. On top of it all, you can deduct the donation on your IRS tax return. Here are 5 tax tips for deducting  charitable contributions on your IRS tax return.

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Michigan Offer in Compromise is Good for Taxpayers

Michigan will join over 40 other states that provide an Offer in Compromise program to its taxpayers.  The bill HB 4003 was placed into law on July 16, 2014.  Michigan has offered “Amnesty” programs in the past.  The Amnesty program allowed taxpayers to fully pay the tax only.  The penalties and interest were waived.  However, an Offer in Compromise program is different.  Taxpayers who are unable to pay their back taxes or legitimately do not owe the taxes, will be able to negotiate the tax, penalties, and interest.

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Michigan Taxes on Gambling Income and Keeping Records

Going to the casino and winning big is an adrenaline rush. This is especially true if you gamble regularly. But it’s not fun to pay taxes on the winnings. Gamblers know that all winnings are taxable. However, most people do not report their winnings unless he or she wins more than $1,200. $1,200 is the threshold of when the casino must report your winnings to the IRS on Form W-2G, Certain Gambling Winnings. If you gamble regularly, you could save on taxes by keeping a daily record of your gambling winnings and losses.

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New Michigan Offer in Compromise Program

Governor Snyder signed into law HB 4003. HB 4003 allows the State of Michigan to negotiate Michigan taxes. This is exciting news for Michigan taxpayers! For the first time ever, Michigan residents will be able to negotiate Michigan taxes for less. The new law will start in 2015.

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Negotiate IRS Taxes

Can I really negotiate with the IRS?  Does getting pennies on a dollar happen?  There is no way the government would reduce my tax bill.  It is the government.  The government does whatever they want.

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