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man riding a black bull

Naming the New Year: 2024 “Bucking Bull”

Like many people, I enjoy a good tradition.

Whether it is a familiar tradition like the family vacation or nightly family dinners, One of our favorite Traditions is Naming the New Year.

The New Year Name is chosen before the new year starts and will reflect important plans, challenges, obstacles, etc. ahead in the New Year.

Typically We’ve used a simple nomenclature = action + name

For instance,

  • 2019 – “Riding Tiger”
  • 2020 – “Running Bear”
  • 2021 – “Soaring Eagle”
  • 2022 – “Hanging Man”
  • 2023 – “Hungry Hummingbird”
  • 2024 – “Bucking Bull”

Why is this important?

In my experience, the tradition of naming the New Year has been at times inspirational, accurate and foreboding.

2023 “Hungry Hummingbird”, for example, was pretty accurate for the volatile Housing Markets and true to form, unexpected but awesome, rebound of the Stock Markets.

As entrepreneurs and business owners, it is important to work IN your business as well as work ON your business. The New Year name helps us associate an idea larger than any 1 person and at the same time focus 100% on the work at hand.

2024 “Bucking Bull” will be a year of energy, enthusiasm and competition. Much like riding a Bucking Bull, Smart Business will navigate uncertain economy and avoid getting dragged into uncontrolled situations. It will be more important then ever to stay enthusiastic and align your journey with competitive advantages.

A lot of people probably stopped reading when I said “nightly family dinners”, but for those of you who appreciate a tradition, We wish you a happy and safe New Year and best wishes in 2024.

Info@mrarrachecpa.com

man riding a black bull
Photo by Louise Brawn on Pexels.com

Iggy Azalea Tax Troubles & Tips For Paying Off The IRS

Iggy Azalea Tax Trouble IRSPop singer Iggy Azalea has skirted confirming rumors of IRS troubles to the tune of $400,000. Iggy recently tweeted @IGGYAZALEA “The IRS gave the option to pay them monthly or lump sum. i picked monthly, who wouldnt?”

Great question Iggy. Read below for facts regarding late payments, installment agreements and tips for taxpayers who owe the IRS money.

Failure-to-pay Penalty – If you do not pay your taxes by the tax deadline, you normally will face a failure-to-pay penalty of ½ of 1 percent of your unpaid taxes. That penalty applies for each month or part of a month after the due date and starts accruing the day after the tax-filing due date. If Iggy owes the Feds $400,000, that means she is accruing $2,000/month of failure-to-pay penalty until her installment agreement is accepted, then reduced there-after.

Installment Agreements – An installment agreement is an option for those who cannot pay their entire tax bills by the due date. Penalties are reduced, although interest continues to accrue on the outstanding balance. In order to qualify for the new expanded streamlined installment agreement, a taxpayer must agree to monthly direct debit payments. Taxpayers seeking installment agreements exceeding $50,000 will still need to supply the IRS with a Collection Information Statement (Form 433-A or Form 433-F). Taxpayers may also pay down their balance due to $50,000 or less to take advantage of this payment option. The maximum term for streamlined installment agreements has also been raised to 72 months from the current 60-month maximum.Ten Tips for

General Tips for Taxpayers Who Owe Money to the IRS

  1. Tax bill payments If you get a bill this summer for late taxes, you are expected to promptly pay the tax owed including any penalties and interest. If you are unable to pay the amount due, it is often in your best interest to get a loan to pay the bill in full rather than to make installment payments to the IRS.
  2. Additional time to pay based on your circumstances, you may be granted a short additional time to pay your tax in full. A brief additional amount of time to pay can be requested through the Online Payment Agreement application at www.irs.gov or by calling 800-829-1040.
  3. Credit card payments You can pay your bill with a credit card. The interest rate on a credit card may be lower than the combination of interest and penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. To pay by credit card contact one of the following processing companies: Link2Gov at 888-PAY-1040 (or www.pay1040.com), RBS WorldPay, Inc. at 888-9PAY-TAX (or www.payUSAtax.com), or Official Payments Corporation at 888-UPAY-TAX (or www.officialpayments.com/fed).
  4. Electronic Funds Transfer You can pay the balance by electronic funds transfer, check, money order, cashier’s check or cash. To pay using electronic funds transfer, use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System by either calling 800-555-4477 or using the online access at www.eftps.gov.
  5. Installment Agreement You may request an installment agreement if you cannot pay the liability in full. This is an agreement between you and the IRS to pay the amount due in monthly installment payments. You must first file all required returns and be current with estimated tax payments.
  6. Online Payment AgreementIf you owe $25,000 or less in combined tax, penalties and interest, you can request an installment agreement using the Online Payment Agreement application at www.irs.gov.
  7. Form 9465You can complete and mail an IRS Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request, along with your bill in the envelope you received from the IRS. The IRS will inform you (usually within 30 days) whether your request is approved, denied, or if additional information is needed.
  8. Collection Information Statement You may still qualify for an installment agreement if you owe more than $25,000, but you are required to complete a Form 433F, Collection Information Statement, before the IRS will consider an installment agreement.
  9. User fees If an installment agreement is approved, a one-time user fee will be charged. The user fee for a new agreement is $105 or $52 for agreements where payments are deducted directly from your bank account. For eligible individuals with lower incomes, the fee can be reduced to $43.
  10. Check withholding Taxpayers who have a balance due may want to consider changing their W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, with their employer. A withholding calculator at www.irs.gov can help taxpayers determine the amount that should be withheld.

More info about Iggy’s Tax Troubles

Call Mr. Smart Tax, Inc. if you need help with IRS tax debt relief.  (800) 425-0570

 

Best and Worst Job Prospects Per Industry

While the government talks about low unemployment figures, there is strong evidence that a lot of people have left the work force thereby artificially lowering the unemployment rate. Before you consider taking on a new career take a look at the following Economic Policy Institute graph illustrating unemployed vs job openings per industry.

Industry Unemployed vs Job Openings

TAX DUE DATE – Business & Trust/Estate Taxes – September 15th, 2015 – Are you ready?

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September 15, 2015 – This is the last day to file a 2014 calendar year income tax return for your:

  • Corporation
  • Partnership
  • Trust/Estate

Be aware – This due date applies only if you timely requested a 6-month or 5-month extension. If you did not file an extension then there is even more urgency to file your tax return as soon as possible – expect penalties and interest if this is the case, but contact us immediately and let’s get those penalties abated!

Also, you must deposit the third installment of estimated income tax for 2015.

If you need help filing or have questions, feel free to call us today for a FREE initial consultation (800) 425-0570 or email questions to Contact@MrSmartTax.com

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September 17th 6pm-8:30pm Personal Finance and Money Management

personal-financeMr. Smart Tax, Inc. will be presenting an exciting course on the basics of personal finance and managing your money. Learn how to take control of your money and strengthen your financial health whether you are starting out on your own, starting to invest or getting ready for retirement. Call to register today (800) 425-0570 or register online here

Date/Time: September 17th 6pm-8:30pm  (networking & refreshments 6pm-6:30pm; presentation 6:30pm-8:30pm)

Location: Mr. Smart Tax, Inc.
4590 MacArthur Blvd., 5th Floor
Newport Beach, CA 92660

Equal vs Fair – What is the difference?

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Today there are many reference to fair and equal, but do we really understand what these words mean? Do the politicians blasting their fair an equal message understand what they’re talking about?

In the most basic sense:

Fair = in accordance with the rules or standards; legitimate.

Equal = a person or thing considered to be the same as another in status or quality.

What do you think? Is being fair more important than being equal or is equality more important than fairness? Can both exist simultaneously?

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Marvel Comics $16M Super Mutant Tax Trouble

marvel comics

Not even superheroes can save Marvel Entertainment LLC from the IRS who assessed the comic company $16.6 million in tax deficiencies due the company harvesting losses from bankrupt companies. Marvel Entertainment Group Inc and some of its subsidiaries filed for bankruptcy in 1996 and there remained approximately $97 million of net operating losses (“nol’s”) which were then carried forward to the successor company the Marvel Group in 1998. As a result the Marvel group was able to reduce taxable income with these nol’s for the years 1999-2004. According to the IRS their method of doing so was a no-no. Something tells me that his superhero magnate is not down for the count just yet…

http://tiny.cc/wjh50x

 

The Ups and Downs of Refund Season 2014

wheres my refundRefund Season?  As data shows, the 2014 tax year had less refunds but bigger refunds.

With the aid of government subsidized credits – the premium tax credit for health insurance, earned income credit for low income taxpayers and education credits – refunds increased for low income taxpayers while taxpayers with incomes typically over $50K saw their taxes go up and their refunds go away.

Some will argue that the taxpayer with income over $50K subsidizes the under $50K income taxpayer, but none the less these trends do not seem to be reversing anytime soon and with the 2016 election race underway it will be interesting to see how this plays out.