Get Your RMDs Before It’s Too Late!

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Have you taken the required minimum distribution (RMD) from your individual retirement arrangement or workplace pension plan? That’s an important question because failure to take your RMD on time could result in a stiff penalty of 50% of the amount you should have withdrawn (plus the income tax on the distribution).

In general, those who are over age 70½ must take at least a minimum payment from their retirement account each year by December 31. (A bonus for first-timers: You have until April 1 of the year following the one in which you turn 70½ to take the RMD.)  One exception to the rule is if you have a Roth IRA, which is not subject to an RMD during the account owner’s lifetime. Each taxpayer’s RMD calculates based on the amount in their retirement accounts and their life expectancy. You can always take more than your RMD, but your withdrawals increase your taxable income. Whether you’re planning for retirement or already enjoying it, we can help you determine or update what your RMD will be, decide how much income you will need each year and plan ways to minimize your tax bite. Please contact us with all your tax concerns.

Plan Now to Save on Taxes Later

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Even though tax filing time is next year, now is the perfect time to complete your planning so you can take advantage of all opportunities to minimize your tax bill. That begins with ensuring you’ve taken all the deductions that can help reduce your taxable income. Have you maxed out retirement plan contributions, for example? Set aside money for 529 college savings plans or health savings accounts? Considered which charitable donations you want to make before year’s end? Those are just a few of options that might help cut your taxes.

At the same time, since tax rates for high-income taxpayers have risen in recent years and are likely to decrease in 2017, it’s also smart to investigate ways to lower the income you report this year and to avoid generating passive income. With only a few days left in the year, contact our offices today for advice on steps you can take now that will pay off on April 15

An end to Penalties for Small Business HRA’s

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Story follows up on the previous announcement as the President signed the bill making it law effective January 1, 2017.

Health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) enable small businesses to contribute to employee health care expenses, including premiums, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs. Unfortunately, up until now, employers with HRAs have faced the threat of potential hefty penalties of up to $36,500 per employee per year because the arrangements violate the rules for group health plans under the Affordable Care Act.

The law exempts qualified small employer HRAs as long as the business is not already subject to the ACA’s employer mandate and doesn’t offer an employee group health plan. Qualifying HRAs must also be funded only by an eligible employer and reimburse medical expenses that don’t exceed $4,950 a year ($10,000 for families). HRAs can help small companies attract and retain great people because they demonstrate their commitment to employees. If you would like more information about HRAs or other health care coverage options for your business, be sure to contact us today.

IRS Continues to Warn Taxpayers of Impersonation Scams

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The IRS released the document below to tax preparers. As we continue to see a rise in tax scams and identity fraud, we felt it was best to share the entire article with you. If you have any questions or additional concerns, do not hesitate to contact our office at (717) 337-1414 or info@rmfcpallc.com

IRS Warns Taxpayers of Numerous Tax Scams Nationwide;  Provides Summary of Most Recent Schemes

WASHINGTON — As tax season approaches, the Internal Revenue Service, the states and the tax industry reminded taxpayers to be on the lookout for an array of evolving tax scams related to identity theft and refund fraud.

Every tax season, there is an increase in schemes that target innocent taxpayers by email, by phone and on-line. The IRS and Security Summit partners remind taxpayers and tax professionals to be on the lookout for these deceptive schemes.

“Whether it’s during the holidays or the approach of tax season, scam artists look for ways to use tax agencies and the tax industry to trick and confuse people,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “There are warning signs to these scams people should watch out for, and simple steps to avoid being duped into giving these criminals money, sensitive financial information or access to computers.”

This marks the fourth reminder to taxpayers during the “National Tax Security Awareness Week.” This week, the IRS, the states and the tax community are sending out a series of reminders to taxpayers and tax professionals as part of the ongoing Security Summit effort.

Some of the most prevalent IRS impersonation scams include:

Requesting fake tax payments: The IRS has seen automated calls where scammers leave urgent callback requests telling taxpayers to call back to settle their “tax bill.” These fake calls generally claim to be the last warning before legal action is taken. Taxpayers may also receive live calls from IRS impersonators. They may demand payments on prepaid debit cards, iTunes and other gift cards or wire transfer. The IRS reminds taxpayers that any request to settle a tax bill using any of these payment methods is a clear indication of a scam. (IR-2016-99)

Targeting students and parents and demanding payment for a fake “Federal Student Tax”: Telephone scammers are targeting students and parents demanding payments for fictitious taxes, such as the “Federal Student Tax.” If the person does not comply, the scammer becomes aggressive and threatens to report the student to the police to be arrested. (IR-2016-107)

Sending a fraudulent IRS bill for tax year 2015 related to the Affordable Care Act: The IRS has received numerous reports around the country of scammers sending a fraudulent version of CP2000 notices for tax year 2015. Generally, the scam involves an email or letter that includes the fake CP2000. The fraudulent notice includes a payment request that taxpayers mail a check made out to “I.R.S.” to the “Austin Processing Center” at a Post Office Box address. (IR-2016-123)

Soliciting W-2 information from payroll and human resources professionals:  Payroll and human resources professionals should be aware of phishing email schemes that pretend to be from company executives and request personal information on employees. The email contains the actual name of the company chief executive officer. In this scam, the “CEO” sends an email to a company payroll office employee and requests a list of employees and financial and personal information including Social Security numbers (SSN). (IR-2016-34)

Imitating software providers to trick tax professionals: Tax professionals may receive emails pretending to be from tax software companies. The email scheme requests the recipient download and install an important software update via a link included in the e-mail. Upon completion, tax professionals believe they have downloaded a software update when in fact they have loaded a program designed to track the tax professional’s key strokes, which is a common tactic used by cyber thieves to steal login information, passwords and other sensitive data. (IR-2016-103)

“Verifying” tax return information over the phone: Scam artists call saying they have your tax return, and they just need to verify a few details to process your return. The scam tries to get you to give up personal information such as a SSN or personal financial information, including bank numbers or credit cards. (IR-2016-40)

Pretending to be from the tax preparation industry: The emails are designed to trick taxpayers into thinking these are official communications from the IRS or others in the tax industry, including tax software companies. The phishing schemes can ask taxpayers about a wide range of topics. E-mails or text messages can seek information related to refunds, filing status, confirming personal information, ordering transcripts and verifying PIN information. (IR-2016-28)

If you receive an unexpected call, unsolicited email, letter or text message from someone claiming to be from the IRS, here are some of the tell-tale signs to help protect yourself.

The IRS Will Never:

  • Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer or initiate contact by e-mail or text message. Generally, the IRS will first mail you a bill if you owe any taxes.
  • Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
  • Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
  •  Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

If you get a suspicious phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, here’s what you should do:

  • Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately.
  • Search the web for telephone numbers scammers leave in your voicemail asking you to call back. Some of the phone numbers may be published online and linked to criminal activity.
  • Contact TIGTA to report the call. Use their “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” web page or call 800-366-4484.
  • Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.
  • If you think you might owe taxes, call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040.

If you receive an unsolicited email that appears to be from either the IRS or an organization closely linked to the IRS, such as the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), report it by sending it to phishing@irs.gov.

The IRS also provides a variety of resources for tax professionals about security threats posed by identity theft issues targeting the industry through its Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself campaign.

Taxpayers and Tax Professionals can help spread the word on this week’s messages using the hashtag #TaxSecurity in social media platforms.