Complete Accounting Solutions, LLC

Tax Scam Alert - Only a few days into the filing season, the IRS has already identified a new scam that began with cybercriminals filing fraudulent tax returns. In a new twist, the fraudulent returns used the taxpayers' real bank accounts for the deposit. A woman posing as a debt collection agency official then contacted the taxpayers to say a refund was deposited in error and asked the taxpayers to forward the money to her. This scheme is likely just the first of many that w...ill be identified this year as the IRS, state tax agencies and tax industry continue to fight back against tax-related identity thieves. Because the Security Summit partners have made inroads against identity theft, cybercriminals have evolved their tactics to focus on tax professionals where they can steal client data. Thieves know it is more difficult to identify and halt fraudulent tax returns when they are using real client data such as income, dependents, credits and deductions. Generally, criminals find alternative ways to get the fraudulent refunds delivered to themselves rather than the real taxpayers. See more

3 LAST MINUTE TAX MOVES TO MAKE NOW No one knows for certain if a tax bill will pass before the end of the year, how the Senate and House bills will be reconciled, or what the final product will look like but there are provisions where the two bills are in agreement Here are 3 things to think about doing now.... 1. Pay your 2017 state income tax in full. It's possible that the state and local income tax deduction will be axed or reduced in the upcoming tax bill. Pay every penny of your 2017 state and local tax bill before December 31 to take advantage of the deduction this year. Taxpayers who make estimated tax payments have until January 15 to pay their fourth quarter 2017 taxes, but you could save more by making that final payment before the end of the year. 2. Prepay your property taxes for next year. Deducting the full amount of your current property tax bill in 2017 might provide a larger tax benefit if your tax rate goes down next year under the new plan. If your property tax bill is greater than $10,000, you'll also be able to deduct more of it by paying next year's bill early. 3. Contribute to charities If you think your itemized deductions next year might not exceed the proposed new higher standard deduction, you might want to think about making your 2018 charitable contributions this year.

IRS Warns Consumers of Possible Scams Relating to Orlando Mass-Shooting WASHINGTON The Internal Revenue Service today issued a consumer alert about possible fake charity scams emerging due to last weekend’s mass-shooting in Orlando, Fla., and encouraged taxpayers to seek out recognized charitable groups. When making donations to assist victims of last weekend’s terrible tragedy, there are simple steps taxpayers can take to ensure their hard-earned money goes to legitimate c...harities. IRS.gov has the tools taxpayers need to quickly and easily check out the status of charitable organizations. While there has been an enormous wave of support across the country for the victims and families of Orlando, it is common for scam artists to take advantage of this generosity by impersonating charities to get money or private information from well-meaning taxpayers. Such fraudulent schemes may involve contact by telephone, social media, e-mail or in-person solicitations. The IRS cautions donors to follow these tips: Be sure to donate to recognized charities. Be wary of charities with names that are similar to familiar or nationally known organizations. Some phony charities use names or websites that sound or look like those of respected, legitimate organizations. The IRS website at IRS.gov has a search feature, Exempt Organizations Select Check, through which people may find qualified charities; donations to these charities may be tax-deductible. Don’t give out personal financial information such as Social Security numbers or credit card and bank account numbers and passwords to anyone who solicits a contribution. Scam artists may use this information to steal a donor’s identity and money. Don’t give or send cash. For security and tax record purposes, contribute by check or credit card or another way that provides documentation of the gift. Consult IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, available on IRS.gov. This free booklet describes the tax rules that apply to making tax-deductible donations. Among other things, it also provides complete details on what records to keep. Bogus websites may solicit funds for victims of this tragedy. These sites frequently mimic the sites of, or use names similar to, legitimate charities, or claim to be affiliated with legitimate charities in order to persuade people to send money or provide personal financial information that can be used to steal identities or financial resources. Additionally, scammers often send emails that steer recipients to bogus websites that appear to be affiliated with legitimate charitable causes. Taxpayers suspecting fraud by email should visit IRS.gov and search for the keywords Report Phishing. More information about tax scams and schemes may be found at IRS.gov using the keywords scams and schemes.

Phone Scams Continue to be Serious Threat, Remain on IRS Dirty Dozen List of Tax Scams for the 2015 Filing Season IR-2015-05, Jan. 22, 2015 WASHINGTON Aggressive and threatening phone calls by criminals impersonating IRS agents remain near the top of the annual "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams for the 2015 filing season, the Internal Revenue Service announced today....Continue reading

Tax Season Opens As Planned Following Extenders Legislation IR-2014-119, Dec. 29, 2014 WASHINGTON -- Following the passage of the extenders legislation, the Internal Revenue Service announced today it anticipates opening the 2015 filing season as scheduled in January.... The IRS will begin accepting tax returns electronically on Jan. 20. Paper tax returns will begin processing at the same time. The decision follows Congress renewing a number of "extender" provisions of the tax law that expired at the end of 2013. These provisions were renewed by Congress through the end of 2014. The final legislation was signed into law Dec 19, 2014. "We have reviewed the late tax law changes and determined there was nothing preventing us from continuing our updating and testing of our systems," said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. "Our employees will continue an aggressive schedule of testing and preparation of our systems during the next month to complete the final stages needed for the 2015 tax season."