Latest IRS Updates and News Releases

Announcements & Upcoming Events: (updated - 04/16/13)

Tax filing questions or need to check on a tax account issue?

Call the IRS Business & Specialty Toll Free number, 1-800-829-4933, open Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. your local time (Alaska & Hawaii follow Pacific Time). You can find a complete list of IRS toll free numbers here. And yes, during the tax season there will be long hold times on that line!

Did you know? One of the best ways to get information is by visiting the IRS Small Business Tax Center where you can learn everything from how to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) online to how to best navigate an audit.

Better Business Bureau’s Secure Your ID Day - Free Tax Time Shredding

http://alaskaoregonwesternwashington.bbb.org/article/BBB-Offers-Free-Tax-Time-Shredding-40787

Did you know that protecting your identity is largely in your own hands? Fifty-six percent of identity theft victims traced the theft to something that was stolen from their own possession. So here’s the first rule: If you don’t need it, shred it – responsibly. BBB is here to help with Secure Your ID Day. On Saturday, April 20, 2013, BBBs across North America will host this helpful identity theft prevention event featuring FREE on-site shredding plus tips to protect your identity.

Saturday, April 20, 2013 -- 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

America's Credit Union
1495 Wilmington Drive

DuPont, WA

Wilson Motors --1100 Iowa St.

Bellingham, WA

Drop off up to three bags or boxes of unwanted documents to be securely shredded on-the-spot for free. No three-ring binders or damp materials. Also, donate unneeded phones to Cell Phones for Soldiers and Verizon’s HopeLine. For more information, please contact BBB at 206-431-2227 or events@thebbb.org.

Washington State Dept of Labor & Industries - Free Contractor Training Days

http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Contractors/Workshops/Contractor/

More than 25 different classes are offered on subjects including: safety, managing your claims to control your workers' compensation costs, public works contracting, business planning, risk management, marketing and more. See the link above for registration information.

Upcoming dates:

May 17 – Renton -- Renton Technical College (www.rtc.edu).

June 28 – Mt. Vernon -- Skagit Valley College

Small Business Workshops – Seattle SBA Education and Training Center
Small Business Taxes & Bookkeeping for the Small Business Owner - 2^nd & 4th Thursday of each month - 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Learn about important information regarding your tax responsibilities as a small business owner. Topics covered:

What taxes to pay and when they are due
How to choose the right accountant and the right accounting software
How to document expenses and activities
How to take care of employee and contractor payroll taxes
The difference between city, county, state, and federal taxation
What the tax advantages are for the sole proprietor or for business entities in general

Workshops are held at the 4th & Battery Building - 2401 Fourth Avenue, Suite 450, Seattle

Please pre-register by calling 206-553-2664 or e-mail workshops@sba.gov.

SBA and SCORE also offer a variety of other workshops for small business owners – find out more here: http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/2/3157

Seattle SCORE Workshops

http://seattle.score.org/localworkshops

SCORE offers workshops designed to give you the skills necessary to start your own successful business.

May 1, June 5 -- Starting a New Business

4th & Battery Building - 2401 Fourth Avenue, Suite 450, Seattle

Spokane SCORE Workshops

http://www.scorespokane.org/workshops

Spokane Regional Business Center (SRBC), 801 W. Riverside Avenue, Suite 444, Spokane

How to Start a Business – May 1, June 5 -- 8:00 am – 12:30 pm – Cost: $40

Small Business Financial Management – Apr 24, May 22 – 8:00 am – 12:30 pm – Cost: $40

Check website for current listings and registration information.

Employer's Introduction to L&I Workshops

http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/TrainTools/Workshops/Available/EmpOrien/default.asp

This workshop is designed for new businesses or businesses that plan to hire workers for the first time. It explains an employer’s rights and responsibilities and provides an overview of the services and resources available at Labor and Industries.

Apr 18 – Bremerton – 9am – 12 pm

Apr 23 – Vancouver – 9am – 12 pm

May 7 – Yakima– 9am – 12 pm

May 9 – Port Angeles– 9am – 12 pm

New Business Tax Workshops – Washington State Department of Revenue

https://fortress.wa.gov/dor/efile/SecureForms/Content/WorkshopsAndEducation/AttendAWorkshop/RegisterForWorkShop.aspx?ID=213

Learn the basics of Washington State taxes. This free workshop will help you understand your tax reporting responsibilities. Tax reporting classifications, deductions, sales tax collection, and recordkeeping requirements will be discussed. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions regarding taxes that apply specifically to your business. To find out when the next workshop will be held in your area, and to register, see the link above. Can’t attend a workshop in person? Watch an online workshop or tutorial.

IRS Updates & News Releases:

IRS Releases the Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2013

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Releases-the-Dirty-Dozen-Tax-Scams-for-2013

The Internal Revenue Service has issued its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams, reminding taxpayers to use caution during tax season to protect themselves against a wide range of schemes ranging from identity theft to return preparer fraud. The Dirty Dozen listing, compiled by the IRS each year, lists a variety of common scams taxpayers can encounter at any point during the year. But many of these schemes peak during filing season as people prepare their tax returns. Illegal scams can lead to significant penalties and interest and possible criminal prosecution. See the full article for the list of Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2013.

IRS Expands Law Enforcement Assistance Program on Identity Theft to 50 States; Victim Assistance and Criminal Investigations Grow

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Expands-Law-Enforcement-Assistance-Program-on-Identity-Theft-to-50-States

The Internal Revenue Service announced a nationwide expansion of the program designed to help law enforcement obtain tax return data vital to their local efforts in investigating and prosecuting specific cases of identity theft. More than 1,560 waiver requests have been received since the Law Enforcement Assistance Program’s inception from over 100 state and local law enforcement agencies in the nine states participating in the pilot. The expansion covers all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia.

IRS Smartphone App IRS2Go Now Available in Spanish

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Smartphone-App-IRS2Go-Now-Available-in-Spanish

The Internal Revenue Service has released IRS2Go 3.0, an update to its smartphone application that offers practical tax tools and information for the first time in either Spanish or English. The free mobile app offers taxpayers a number of safe and secure ways to access popular tools and the most up-to-date tax information. For the new version, IRS2Go is available for the first time in Spanish. The taxpayers’ phone language settings determine whether the IRS2Go content appears in English or in Spanish.

IRS Achieves $1 Billion in Cost Savings and Efficiencies

http://www.irs.gov/uac/IRS-Achieves-$1-Billion-in-Cost-Savings-and-Efficiencies

Since Fiscal Year 2010, the IRS has made a concerted effort to identify and put in place ways of saving taxpayer dollars and working more efficiently. This effort intensified in FY 2011 when the agency’s budget outlook became more challenging. As a result, the IRS estimates it will have achieved $1 billion in budget savings and efficiencies between FY 2010 and the end of FY 2013. These savings and efficiencies have been achieved across the IRS in numerous areas, including personnel, travel, training, office space and contracts.

At the same time, the IRS continues to invest in strategic priorities that allow it to fulfill its dual mission of tax law enforcement and taxpayer service. As the budget environment has become more difficult and the IRS has stepped up its cost-saving activities, it has also maintained strong taxpayer service performance results and continued a balanced and effective enforcement program. In particular, the IRS has increased its efforts against refund fraud, especially fraud caused by identity theft.

The IRS consistently achieves a high return on investment for its activities while running a fiscally disciplined operation. Going forward, the IRS remains committed to being as efficient as possible and spending taxpayer dollars wisely.

However, the continued reductions in the IRS budget will begin to have an adverse impact on service and enforcement efforts in the near future. This will affect the service we provide to taxpayers and the amount of money we collect through enforcement activities.

Budget in Brief FY 2014
This summarizes how the budget request will enable the agency to meet its strategic goals: improve customer service and enhance enforcement of the tax laws.

Tips on Reporting Natural Resource Income

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/Tips-on-Reporting-Natural-Resource-Income

Taxpayers who own land that contains valuable natural resources should be aware that arranging for the development of the resources by means of a lease creates tax consequences. Landowners may make complex financial agreements to receive royalty, bonus or other income in exchange for access to the resources on their land, such as natural gas and oil from shale deposits. Here are some important facts from the Internal Revenue Service about these transactions.

Tax Tips for 2013

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Tax-Tips-for-2013-1

Ten Helpful Tips for Paying Your Taxes
Tax Tip 2013-55, April 15, 2013

Tips for Taxpayers Who Can't Pay Their Taxes on Time
Tax Tip 2013-53, April 11, 2013

Six Tips on Making Estimated Tax Payments
Tax Tip 2013-49, April 5, 2013

Get Connected to the IRS with Social Media
Tax Tip 2013-47, April 3, 2013

Top Six Tax Tips for the Self-Employed
Tax Tip 2013-46, April 2, 2013