Articles Posted in Income Tax

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The Alabama Tax Delinquency Amnesty Act of 2018 is effective as of March 6, 2018. Alabama taxpayers will need to act quickly, however, as the amnesty program will be held only for a period of time beginning July 1, 2018, and ending September 30, 2018. While property taxes, motor fuel taxes, and motor vehicle taxes are excluded from the amnesty program, all other taxes do qualify for the program if the taxes: (1) were due prior to January 1, 2017, and (2) were for taxable periods that began before January 1, 2017.

To enter the program, applicants must waive any rights to protest or initiate a proceeding, administrative or judicial, for the taxes that fall under the amnesty program. If approved, the amnesty cannot be applied outside the narrow scope of the agreement. The agreement applies only for the specific tax and the specific period.

How does the Alabama Tax Delinquency Amnesty Act of 2018 work? It contains a three-year look-back period, which is applied separately to each type of tax. Please note, if there is tax collected but not remitted, the look-back period extends back as far as point of collection. It is vital that a company evaluate its records and determine if tax was collected from customers and not remitted to the state before applying for this amnesty.

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As Florida tax attorney’s we are often asked the question as to whether the IRS can come after an officer of a company personally for taxes. As a very general rule, the state or the IRS can only come after an officer personally if the taxes are trust fund taxes. This means taxes that an individually is holding on behalf of the state. The classic example is employment taxes held by the employer for the government. Another common scenario is a company collects sales tax on behalf of the state it is considered the state’s money held in trust by the company, and personal liability becomes an issue.

Whether one is dealing with the IRS or a state for trust fund taxes, the government can come after the “responsible party.” Generally, the government comes after the officers of a company or the person signing the checks to determine who the responsible party is. But what about a corporate shareholder? Can the government come after someone who is merely a shareholder in the company as a responsible party?

In late August 2013, the Tax Court heard a case involving this very issue is Hellman v. Comm’n, 106 T.C.M. 138 ( Aug. 21, 2013) In the case, the IRS determined the shareholder, Hellman, was the responsible party and went after Hellman’s assets personally. There was a pending court case to determine whether Hellman was in fact willfully failing to pay the taxes as required by section 6672, IRC. The Taxpayer challenged the refund and said this was unfair.

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Between the years of 1993 and 1997, whistle blowers brought forth ten cases accusing medical groups of conspiring to defraud Medicare. Normally, a case like this doesn’t grab my attention; however, as a Florida tax attorney, this medical case caught my eye. I was not interested in whether the claims were false, if the medical companies scammed Medicare, or what other potentially unprofessional practices the group engaged in. Rather, from a tax perspective, I was curious if the settlement payment was tax deductible.

Section 162, Internal Revenue Code (“I.R.C.”) allows a deduction for expenses of a business that are necessary and ordinary. Generally, a settlement claim paid by a business can be properly deducted on its federal tax return. See, Comm’r v. Pacific Mills, 207 F. 2d 177, 180 (1st Cir. 1953). However, under section 162(f), I.R.C., if an expense or payment is a fine or similar payment paid to the government, then the expense is not deductible. This makes sense in that the IRS does not want to grant tax incentives to companies for paying fines and the like. Thus, the question in this case is whether a settlement relating to Medicare fraud is a fine or similar payment.
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Whenever a new potential client comes to your office, it is good practice to run a quick check. Among the initial checks that should be made by a Florida tax attorney or other tax professional is to make sure the person you are speaking to is an officer of the corporation and the corporation is in good standing with its state of incorporation. On May 7, 2013, the United States Tax Court issued an opinion that can be used as a reminder for a tax lawyer or other professional in John C. Hom & Associates, Inc. v. Commissioner, 140 T.C. No 11 (May 7, 2013).
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The story starts with a company incorporating in California in 1986. The company had its rights and privileges to do business in California suspended in March, 2004 through April 13, 2012. On March 16, 2011, the IRS issued a notice of deficiency for over $200,000 in tax, penalties, and interest. On June 13, 2011, the petition was filed to challenge the assessment, and the IRS moved to dismiss the case because the corporation was suspended. The Taxpayer pointed out this fact and argued that, in addition, the notice had the wrong address to challenge the assessment on its face. Assuming the Taxpayer was suspended at the time of filing the Petition, and the IRS sent the notice to the wrong address, who wins?
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Our practice receives many calls dealing with collection due process hearings. The hearing is an opportunity for a Taxpayer to contest a tax assessment by the IRS. Recently, on April 18, 2013, the Tax Court issued a Memo (an opinion) regarding a collection due process hearing sought by two individuals. This memo serves as another reminder as to why it is often advantageous to get an experienced tax attorney involved when dealing with the state taxing agency or the IRS.

In this case, Kenneth Taggart, the Taxpayer and a Pennsylvania resident, worked as a real estate appraiser and broker. He owned two S-Corps, through which he conducted his businesses, and four rental properties. In September of 2007, the Petitioner timely filed his a zero 2006 Federal Income Tax Return, and then mailed an amended 2006 return in 2008 showing income of just over $100,000. Filing a zero return can be a useful tool to start the ticking of the statute of limitations even if the return shows 0. In addition, the Taxpayer filed a return for $133,000 in 2008 but failed to include the proper tax payment. The IRS ultimately assessed him $31,000 in tax due plus penalties and interest of about $2,000 as it is able to do under section 6651, IRC.

In 2009, an offer in compromise was received from the Taxpayer, which was rejected in early 2010 because the offer was less than reasonable in the IRS’ view. The Taxpayer missed its 30-day appeal period but was afforded an opportunity to resubmit a new offer in compromise in March 2010. Before the appeal period had run, the IRS filed a notice of tax lien accompanied with a Notice of Federal Tax Lien Filing and Your Right to a Hearing under IRC 6320. The Taxpayer submitted Form 12153 to challenge the premature Tax Lien filing. Following a conference and several correspondences with the IRS, the Taxpayer lost the challenge and his offers in compromise were denied.
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Many individual and corporate taxpayers are becoming annoyed with rising tax rates. For many wealthy Americans, income is taxed federally and by many states at the corporate level and then taxed again when the income is distributed to the shareholders of the corporation. Without even taking into account state and local taxes, most corporations are taxed a 35% rate and, with the recent tax increases, individuals are taxed at a rate over 40%. This has led to some creative tax planning in the recent years.

One recent development, as explained in more detail at CNBC.com, is a move by a number of corporations, namely private prisons, casinos, and billboards, to convert to a Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”). The REIT was developed as a vehicle for investors to pool money and share costs when investing in a diversified real estate portfolio. In short, a REIT is an investment pool in which a company (a trust) essentially manages the money of its investors and returns the profits to the investors. For more information about a REIT, please click here to learn about NNN, the REIT that once employed me.

The REIT has been around for decades and was largely used by only for real estate holdings. Recently, companies such as the Correction Corporation of America, a large prison company, has received the IRS’s blessing to be reclassified as a REIT. Other companies, such as Penn National Gaming, M Resort Spa and Casino, and Geo Group have also received the ok to be designated as a REIT.

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It is difficult to change the channel without hearing some development this week in the Boston Marathon explosion. This week in April, 2013 has been mostly a dark one. However, as we tend to in the face of crisis, our nation has shown its resolve and unity. While it can never replace the loss of life and the feeling of fear that stemmed from the incident, there have been some rays of sunshine. Among the acts of good faith to those struck by this horrible event are the IRS and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Each has shown some leniency for its respective filing deadlines.

With tax day marked as April 15, 2013, the IRS allowed for an extension as a result of the tragedy. Specifically, the IRS has allowed for a three-month filing and payment extension to Bostonians and others affected by the explosions. Consequently, no filings or payments will be due if completed by July 15, 2013. The three-month leniency applies to all individuals who are residents of Suffolk County, Massachusetts, including the City of Boston. The IRS also allowed an extension for victims and their families, first responders, and those who had preparers that were adversely affected.

Piggybacking on this idea was the Massachusetts Department of Revenue for state and local tax filings. Massachusetts announced that state and local tax payers have another week to file their returns. That means any person or business that has personal, business, or corporate income tax returns has at least until April 23, 2013 to file their returns.

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I am sure many people, myself included, have seen the movements on the airwaves and social media discussing the same-sex marriage case out of California. From constant coverage online and on news stations, to many changing their Facebook default picture, the California same-sex marriage case has grabbed the national spotlight over the last few months in 2013. Unaware of exactly what was unfolding, I have attempted to become apprised of the situation in California. Although the ruling will likely have little value for a tax attorney in South Florida, it is interesting from a constitutional and tax law perspective.
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By way of background, the status of same-sex marriage is unique in California because the state granted same-sex marriage licenses to couples in June, 2008. The same year in November, Proposition 8 ended same-sex marriages within California. Upset by the state constitutional amendment, a group took the issue to federal court to challenge the constitutionality of Proposition 8 and won on August 4, 2010 (See Perry v. Schwarzenegger). The case was appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

On July 31, 2012, Judges Reinhardt and Smith delivered the opinion of the 9th Circuit. Specifically, California enacted Proposition 8 which stripped the couples of the right to have their relationships recognized by the state as a “marriage.” Conversely, same-sex couples had all other rights and responsibilities, but California classified them as “domestic partners.” The challengers argued that the amendment violated the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
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It is no secret that professional golf can be extremely lucrative for its star players. Not only do the tour golfers make substantial income from the golf tournaments in which they do well, but they can also make exponentially more money from endorsement or royalty deals. As all sports, especially professional golf, gain international popularity, how income is allocated becomes increasingly important. If a professional golfer makes the majority of his money in the United States, but lives in a foreign country, how much of the income should be attributable to his activities here in the United States?

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Specifically, the Spanish born and aptly named “El Nino,” entered into an endorsement agreement with TaylorMade. Under the seven year agreement that commenced in 2002, TaylorMade received the rights to use the Swiss resident’s likeness, image, signature, voice, and any other symbol to promote its products. El Nino had to also exclusively wear and use TaylorMade golf products and “associated brands,” which were Adidas and Maxfli. Regardless of your personal beliefs TaylorMade apparently signed the young golf star because it believed he would add a “cool, athletic, and competitive” element to the TaylorMade brand, which would appeal to the “fun” side of young golfers. The tour pro had to wear the brand on and off the golf course, play in at least 20 professional golf events per year, and had to fulfill several other obligations of TaylorMade.

Although the deal seemed one sided, it wasn’t all bad for El Nino. In 2003 through 2005 his base royalty fees from TaylorMade were $7 million. From 2005 on, his income was performance driven and would range from $3 million (if he finished ranked below 21st) to $9 million (if he finished ranked #1). In addition, he could earn bonuses depending on the events he won in a given year. For the golf fans out there, there was also an apparent disagreement between the then rising star and TaylorMade that led to several contract amendments because the golf pro refused to use the MaxFli ball.
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