The Importance Tax Planning for Small Businesses

Your blood sweat and tears go into maintaining
your small business. Protect your time and money
by hiring an external accounting firm.

Unlike most mega corporations, small businesses don't have a team of accountants and lawyers to consult when hit with a IRS audit. 

This is among many reason why a small to moderate sized business should retain the services of a reputable accounting firm.

A reliable and historically proven  accounting firm, such as GBC Taxes Atlanta, would act  on your company's behalf if you ever find yourself  in need of assistance during or after an IRS audit.

Of course it is also prudent to avoid  getting audited altogether. The best way to do this is to outsource your financial  preparations for quality record keeping.  Even with dependable in house  accounting staff on hand, you will need a second pair of eyes to keep the tax man at bay.

Human Factors and Financial Accounting

The problem with relying solely on  company  finance officers is the principle of familiarity breeds contempt. It's not that the staff CPA's will consciously try to sabotage records, it's just that, being human, they will become comfortable with  the daily routine  of the office.  Such comfort has it's draw backs and minuses.  On the one hand, its good to have happy and satisfied workers--this makes them more likely do their jobs well in an effort to  remain employed.

The down side--in such an atmosphere it can become rather easy to become complacent, skipping over imperative details that  can provoke an  Internal Revenue investigation when tax time comes around. Besides, it never hurts to give your internal  ledger keepers a helping hand.

Maintenance and Record Upkeep

Another potential issue with in office record keeping is the propensity to lose all important paper work and documents.  This of course becomes an issue in during an audit where relevant  information  can make the difference between a loss of hundreds or even thousands of dollars into government coffers.

Knowing what these trends are can also e assist in cultivating  business planning that helps your company, and it's assets, grow.

When  small business outsource their financial record keeping for tax related purposes, they  have the added security of knowing pertinent information is being stored for easy accessibility when need be.  It's like having a back up, fire proof safe  at the ready in case of an emergency.

Business Planning and Updating

Because tax preparation and filing is the focus of any good accounting firm, they will be more likely  know what the current IRS regulations are, especially in terms of small businesses. This is essential, as governmental procedures can change annually depending on global and domestic economic climates. 
Your blood sweat and tears go into maintaining your small business. Protect your time and money investment and ensure long term viability by hiring an external accounting firm to fulfill all your  important  tax related needs.

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Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!

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When seeking the assistance of a Certified Public Accountant, experience is key. GBC Services CEO Ghassan R. Ghraizi has the education  and proven commitment  to  providing superior customer service and cutting edge accounting technologies. To learn more about  this highly qualified Atlanta based CPA, contact Ghassan R.Ghraizi  today.

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READ MORE

• About GBC Services
• GBC Audit Services Website
• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• GBC Tax Income Atlanta Office

Online Payroll Processing and Human Resource Management System Specialists

IRS and Small Business Owners IRS Alert

If you run a small to moderate sized company,
outsourcing options as a means to protect your
investments on the in case of IRS prompted audit.

Many small businesses suffer from the misconception that only big corporations have to worry about exhaustive IRS audits. 

Nothing can be further from the truth.


Why?
The Internal Revenue Service utilizes a different set of criteria for evaluating moderate and small businesses, so there are numerous things that can red flag your company for potential governmental scrutiny that are unique to typical mom and pop ventures.

The most common issue  that creates unwarranted suspicion is the filing of numerous tax deductions and exemptions.  Even if such deductions are legitimate, far  too many of them may  give the IRS the impression, mistaken or other wise, that you are playing fast and loose with tax loopholes, shelters and write offs.  To reduce potential risk of an IRS audit in this regard,  you may wish to mitigate the numbers of deductions you indulge, taking due care to keep all receipts  and documents on hand.  This measure may not only keep you from getting audited, but may very well assist in keeping the business in the black should you wind up  being the unwitting participant of  an IRS evaluation.

Another potential problem that may be more specific to smaller and mid sized business is the correspondence audit. 

Moderate sized companies are in greater danger.

Especially this type of review due to the fact that this type of IRS evaluations focus primarily on  red flags that are specific to more diminutive enterprises. In many cases,  this style of audit may not require a face to face meeting and can be disputed in an informal setting.

Another way to keep the tax man at bay is to outsource your major accounting work. Even if you have an in house bookkeeper or a reliable on staff finance team, it is always a good idea to have another pair of eyes evaluating your books. Not only does it guarantee your financial records will be maintained, it allows for pristine record keeping that reduces IRS related inquiry.

Outsourcing may be especially needful if you undergo a correspondence audit and decide to dispute the outcome. 

Even though these kinds of IRS audits are largely handled via snail mail, they can still be costly and problematic to a small company's bottom line when contested.   Companies that routinely outsource with reputable accounting firms will be able to utilize reliable CPA's to represent them in Tax Court. Additionally, the company will be familiar with your company's in house finance paradigm and can utilize this knowledge to assist you in the pursuit of your goals.

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• GBC Tax Offer Atlanta Experienced IRS Representation
• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• Atlanta Income Tax Preparation Services
• GBC Tax Income Atlanta Office
• Commonly Used Tax Forms
• Contact GBC Income Tax Services Today! 
• Payroll Taxes for Your Small Business

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Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!

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Things to Consider When Outsourcing Payroll and HRMS

A small business owner won't have the in depth
knowledge of tax codes as it relates to payroll,
governmental regulations or IRS standards.

Being your own purchasing agent  has very little if any drawbacks--but improper filing of tax documentations, or bad record keeping, could land you in hot water with the IRS.

While this is understandable, and can be done in many areas, one place where this can prove disastrous is in the realm of accounting. 

The issue is compounded when smaller ventures lack the manpower to effectively  structure a human resources department.  Without  an established  HRMS in place, office routines can become unorganized and dysfunctional.

The solution? Outsourcing.

Human Resource Management Services

Human Resource Management  is an extremely important aspect of running any business,  and is critically linked to quality accounting and  the upkeep of financial records.  Most small business can ill afford to ignore HRM  responsibility yet they  often think they can take on this aspect alone. The danger here of course is mismanagement, which could potentially lead to trouble further down the road.

Outsourcing to a firm that can expertly handle the day to day functions of Human Resource Management is the surest way to go. Reputable companies offer a variety of ways in which a small to midsized company can integrate their services and will happily consult with clients to address their goals and concerns.

Many small to moderate sized business owners attempt to wear  far too many hats in order to maximize their profits.  

When investigating options in this area, small business should take into consideration the longevity of the firm as well as its accreditation. Honestly,  would you trust your kids to someone  you just met or to an individual with a bad reputation? Your business is your baby--make sure you place it in the right hands.

Payroll Services

All too often, small to moderate sized businesses  attempt  to take care of their own payroll needs or hire one individual to take on the task of  payroll distribution and record keeping. The error here is somewhat obvious.  A small business owner won't have the  in depth knowledge  of tax codes as it relates to payroll, governmental regulations or IRS standards. Likewise,  relying on only one person or a small  department to address critical aspects of bookkeeping can put you on the pathway towards an exhaustive IRS audit.

Outsourcing is a great option here as it would be enable a company of any size to utilize the expertise of individuals whose primary concentration is tax, payroll and human resource management. Just be sure the company you choose employs certified  public accountants and has a  great reputation in this arena.  GBC Taxes of Atlanta can confidently make such claims and offers decades of collective accounting experience.  Contact or call us today to learn what we can do to help your small to moderate sized company run more efficiently, and avoid  common pitfalls that lead to an IRS audit.

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READ MORE

• About GBC Services
• GBC Audit Services Website
• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• GBC Tax Income Atlanta Office
• Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
  American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
  GBC Services LLC, Tax Accounting Services for Atlanta GA
  GBC Press Release : MORE

Successful Outcome in Tax Court Proceedings

AVOID Tax Court Drama

There is no surer way to get your assets seized than when the IRS comes knocking on your door. So how can we make sure our businesses are safe, that our taxes are done right, and most importantly, that we will be alright if the IRS decides to show its ugly head at the steps of our business?

Good news for you. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you disagree with the IRS actions proposed upon your business, it is your right (and perhaps duty) to go to Tax Court. At Tax Court you can have a judge review all the information the IRS has gathered and they can rule to see if the actions of the IRS were warranted in the first place.

For people looking for a favorable result in a tax court proceedings, it is noted that often using a Tax Court judge is more effective than looking for solutions down other IRS mediums or modalities. With that said, what kind of thing can LAND you in the Tax Court drama? Watch out for these:

• Denial of an Offer in Compromise
• Refund Claims
• Denial of Innocent Spouse
• The IRS Decision to seize assets (also known as levying)
• Assessment of Tax Liability

If you are going into tax court, do not go alone. Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!

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READ MORE

• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• Tax Requirements By State
• GBC Tax Offer Atlanta Experienced IRS Representation
• GBC Support and Consultation

Help the Success of the External Audit by Educating Your Professional Team on the Characteristics of Skepticism.

Expect your external auditors to
embrace a professional level of
skepticism in order to succeed.

Skepticism is integral to the conduct of external auditors. But the exercise of skepticism should not be limited to external auditors. Even if not codified in law or regulation, deterrence and detection of financial reporting fraud requires all participants in the financial reporting supply chain to exercise skepticism.

Skepticism is a questioning mindset, and it requires an understanding that even the best organizations can be susceptible to fraud. Management, audit committees, and internal auditors, at a minimum, should take a “trust but verify” approach with systems, methods, and communications rather than accept critical information at face value.

Skepticism is not an end in itself and is not meant to encourage a hostile atmosphere or micromanagement. The word skepticism, in fact, comes from the Greek word skeptikos, which means “inquiring” or “reflective.”

Is skepticism a set of personality traits, or is it a learned skill? The short answer is both. We will consider skepticism as an individual characteristic, albeit with multiple dimensions, listed as follows:

• Questioning mind—A disposition to inquiry, with some sense of doubt
• Suspension of judgment—Withholding judgment until appropriate evidence is obtained
• Search for knowledge—A desire to investigate beyond the obvious, with a desire to corroborate
• Interpersonal understanding— Recognition that people’s motivations and perceptions can lead them to provide biased or misleading information
• Autonomy—The self-direction, moral independence, and conviction to decide for oneself, rather than accepting the claims of others
• Self-esteem—The self-confidence to resist persuasion and to challenge assumptions or conclusions

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READ MORE>> www.thecaq.org: The Fraud-Resistant Organization

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•     About GBC Services
•     GBC Audit Services Website
•     Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website

What the IRS Looks for to Flag for an Audit

Contact GBC Audit Services today.

"The IRS examined 1.1 percent of all individual tax returns in 2010 and 2011, so the chances that your tax return will be audited are only about 1 in 90." -Moneywatch.

That is the good news, but nevertheless it's wise to be prepared, since being chosen for this is an unpleasant experience. Hire external auditors to come and evaluate your company for you and ensure you are taking care of business. Here is a brief summary of how the IRS looks for returns to audit:

The IRS uses a computerized process to check all tax returns for math and clerical errors, such as incorrect Social Security numbers and addresses, and also runs tax returns through a process that compares the information you report from your bank, employer, and W-2, 1099 and other forms and documents. If you omit an item from your tax return, it's very likely to be picked up by the IRS's computers.

A few newer items that can trip up some taxpayers include payments received by businesses from credit and debit cards and investors who report the sale of their investments. These amounts are reported by banks etc and it's important the amounts be accurate. Also, individuals who report gains from the sale of their investments should also take note that the securities industry is now reporting to the IRS the cost basis of investments that were sold as the gross proceeds from the sale.

Meanwhile, the IRS assigns numerical weights to certain tax return characteristics. These weights are added together to obtain a national composite score for all tax returns. When the total score of all selected items on your tax return exceeds the national average score set by the IRS, the agency will flag the return for a possible audit. The exact items the IRS zeroes in on and scoring method is a closely guarded secret, but some of the things the agency is believed to scrutinize include:

• Large amounts of income not subject to tax withholding 
• Unusually large amounts of deductions claimed than seem unreasonable when compared to your income 
• A large number of dependent exemptions claimed that doesn't square wtih reported SSNs, tax withholding allowances and so forth 
• Large deductions for charitable contributions, casualty losses, home office expenses, and travel and entertainment expenses 
• Indicating a change of address when not reporting a sale of your residence and not changing your home related deductions

While an IRS audit is not something most sane folks want to go through, it also isn't something to be feared. If you have kept complete and accurate records of all of your deductions and have reported all of your income, you should be fine. In fact, in about a quarter of audits, the IRS makes no changes or issues a refund. Contact GBC Audit Services today to arrange for smooth-sailing this tax season.

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READ MORE>> www.CBSNews.com: "What Triggers an IRS Tax Audit?"

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READ MORE GBC Tax Services Website
For All Your Accounting Needs Call GBC 678-366-9232

IRS Updates for Approaching Tax Season

Be prepared for next tax year!

All together, the IRS posted more than 40 updates in 2015.

*These are adjustments to be used for 2015 taxes, to be prepared in 2016, not what you would use to prepare your taxes now from the year that just ended.*

If you want to get a headstart for next year, this is a very good summary. If some of the changes look familiar, it's because they match up with predictions by Bloomberg BNA earlier this year! All taxpayers will see a slight bump in their standard deduction, and the personal exemption amount also goes up.

See upcoming changes in:

• Tax brackets
• Standard deductions
• Itemized deductions
• Personal exemptions

And also:

• Family-related tax item updates
• Education-related updates
• Healthcare and fringe benefit updates
• Federal estate and gift tax updates
• Retirement updates, and more....

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READ MORE>> Forbes.com: IRS Announces 2015 Tax Brackets, Standard Deduction Amounts and More

Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!
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READ MORE

• GBC Tax Offers Atlanta Experienced IRS Representation
• Essential Financial Services
• Tax Requirements By State
• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• GBC Audit Services

8 Areas to Focus on to Avoid a Tax Audit

Stay Alert, Stay Aware!

FACE IT; 

you don't have much time on your hands as a small business owner to deal with combing through every aspect of your financial records to avoid an audit.

With the help of a professional CPA, you can easily prepare and avoid pitfalls by being aware of the most common triggers of an audit.

The IRS uses a computer program called the Discriminate Function System (DIF) that analyzes returns and flags them if they are outside statistical norms. When a return receives a high DIF score, an agent reviews it to determine if it should undergo an audit.

Therefore, here are the appropriate areas to ensure are squeaky clean:

1. IF YOU HAVE A HIGH INCOME: 0.9 percent of people who make less than $200,000 were audited last year, compared to 10.9 percent of those who made $1 million or more.
2. OUT OF PROPORTION DEDUCTIONS: The IRS uses tables to determine how much is too much for different income brackets when it comes to deductions, although the tables are not made public. For example, an IRS agent will want to know more if you claim charitable deductions that are not in line with your income.
3. ROUNDING AND AVERAGING YOUR NUMBERS: Most folks appreciate rounding, but when it comes to IRS Agents, they  tend to believe that if you’re sloppy in this area, the rest of your return may not be entirely accurate.
4. HOME OFFICE DEDUCTIONS ARE TRICKY: The requirements necessary to take this deduction are not relaxed. Many don't know that a portion of a room does not qualify, even if that large corner of your bedroom is taking up space where you don't do anything personal. Click here for the Simplified Option for Home Office Deduction that the IRS came up with last year. And follow the rules!!
5. IF YOU CLAIM BUSINESSES LOSSES YEAR AFTER YEAR: The IRS may assume you are taking deductions you’re not entitled to in order to avoid paying taxes. They know, for example, that many claim hobby expenses (follow link to read more) as business losses, which is illegal under the tax code.
6. FILING SCHEDULE C DOES INVITE MORE SCRUTINY: But don't let fear of an audit keep you from claiming legal deductions. Just do it accurately and keep clean records. Or, if you think it may be time to set up your business as a separate entity instead, read more here.
7. EXCESSIVE BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT DEDUCTIONS: If you’re going to deduct these types of expenses, you must keep records for each write-off that includes when and where it occurred, who was in attendance, the purpose as it relates to your business, and a record of what was talked about. You’ll also need to keep receipts for expenses greater than $75 when you’re traveling for business.
8. CLAIM YOUR VEHICLE FOR 100% BUSINESS USE? This will raise a flag. Also, when deducting for business use of a car, you’ll have to choose between the IRS standard mileage rate and actual expenses. Deducting both of these on your tax return will bring the IRS knocking.

So be smart and make sure you consider these issues in your tax records carefully, but then relax, for there is good news: 

The new IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said that last year less than 1 percent of all returns underwent an audit, and only 0.6 percent of business returns (meaning 0.006)!

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READ MORE>> QuickBooks.Intuit.com: The 8 Most Common Tax Audit Triggers

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•     About GBC Services
•     GBC Audit Services Website
•     Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website

7 Red Flags to Trigger an Audit: 7 of 7

Be shrewd and hire a good CPA
with external auditing and IRS
Representation experience: GBC

When it comes to audits of your small business taxes by the IRS, we are basically all...

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT!
*Call GBC Services at 678-366-9232 for immediate assistance*

If you've been chosen for an audit, the burden is unfortunately on you to answer the IRS' questions and to prove anything you claimed. They will be sniffing around aggressively for any unreported or under-reported income, along with over-stated deductions, as that is their job. Excuses of losing paperwork or being unaware will not work. Make sure you're on the ball!

*This is a series of 7 red flags to avoid, to help you not invite an audit. Hopefully you can escape this stress... Here is the final point #7:

*CASH BUSINESSES BEWARE:

*Cash-intensive businesses, such as beauty salons, restaurants and car washes, will always be under closer IRS scrutiny, as they are more likely to under-report taxable income.

To avoid an audit: Beware of warnings, follow procedure, keep good records, hire a CPA, and don't ever ignore tax notices. If you do get audited, be very cooperative and maintain a good attitude with them, and your CPA should be able to handle any IRS Representation for you.

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READ MORE>> www.AmericanExpress.com (from Small Business "OPENForum"): 7 Red Flags That Could Get Your Small Business Audited

Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!
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READ MORE

• GBC Tax Offers Atlanta Experienced IRS Representation
• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• GBC Audit Services

7 Red Flags to Trigger an Audit: 4 of 7

Check in next month to learn
about the next red flag to avoid!

When it comes to audits of your small business taxes by the IRS, we are basically all...

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT!
*Call GBC Services at 678-366-9232 for immediate assistance*

If you've been chosen for an audit, the burden is unfortunately on you to answer the IRS' questions and to prove anything you claimed. They will be sniffing around aggressively for any unreported or under-reported income, along with over-stated deductions, as that is their job. Excuses of losing paperwork or being unaware will not work. Make sure you're on the ball!

*This is a series of 7 red flags to avoid, to help you not invite an audit. Hopefully you can escape this stress... Here is #4:

*EXCESSIVE DEDUCTIONS FOR BUSINESS MEALS, TRAVEL AND ENTERTAINMENT:

*Maintain receipts for all expenses, along with detailed records, and don’t overstate these expenses.

To avoid an audit: Beware of warnings, follow procedure, keep good records, hire a CPA, and don't ever ignore tax notices. If you do get audited, be very cooperative and maintain a good attitude with them, and your CPA should be able to handle any IRS Representation for you.

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READ MORE>> www.AmericanExpress.com (from Small Business "OPENForum"): 7 Red Flags That Could Get Your Small Business Audited

Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!
--------------------------------------------------

READ MORE

• GBC Tax Offers Atlanta Experienced IRS Representation
• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• GBC Audit Services

7 Red Flags to Trigger an Audit: 3 of 7

Check in next month to learn
about the next red flag to avoid!

When it comes to audits of your small business taxes by the IRS, we are basically all...

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT!
*Call GBC Services at 678-366-9232 for immediate assistance*

If you've been chosen for an audit, the burden is unfortunately on you to answer the IRS' questions and to prove anything you claimed. They will be sniffing around aggressively for any unreported or under-reported income, along with over-stated deductions, as that is their job. Excuses of losing paperwork or being unaware will not work. Make sure you're on the ball!

*This is a series of 7 red flags to avoid, to help you not invite an audit. Hopefully you can escape this stress... Here is #3:

*UNREASONABLY HIGH SALARIES PAID TO SHAREHOLDERS WHO ARE ALSO EMPLOYEES:

*Determine reasonable salaries for your type of business based on industry, skill level and geographic location.

To avoid an audit: Beware of warnings, follow procedure, keep good records, hire a CPA, and don't ever ignore tax notices. If you do get audited, be very cooperative and maintain a good attitude with them, and your CPA should be able to handle any IRS Representation for you.

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READ MORE>> www.AmericanExpress.com (from Small Business "OPENForum"): 7 Red Flags That Could Get Your Small Business Audited

Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!
--------------------------------------------------

READ MORE

• GBC Tax Offers Atlanta Experienced IRS Representation
• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• GBC Audit Services

7 Red Flags to Trigger an Audit: 2 of 7

Check in next month to learn
about the next red flag to avoid!

When it comes to audits of your small business taxes by the IRS, we are basically all...

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT!
*Call GBC Services at 678-366-9232 for immediate assistance*

If you've been chosen for an audit, the burden is unfortunately on you to answer the IRS' questions and to prove anything you claimed. They will be sniffing around aggressively for any unreported or under-reported income, along with over-stated deductions, as that is their job. Excuses of losing paperwork or being unaware will not work. Make sure you're on the ball!

*This is a series of 7 red flags to avoid, to help you not invite an audit. Hopefully you can escape this stress... Here is #2:

*CONSISTENT LATE FILING OF TAX RETURNS AND PAYMENT OF TAXES: 

*Failing to follow filing requirements and meet deadlines triggers penalties, interest and unwanted attention. Always ask for an extension if you won’t be able to meet a deadline.

To avoid an audit: Beware of warnings, follow procedure, keep good records, hire a CPA, and don't ever ignore tax notices. If you do get audited, be very cooperative and maintain a good attitude with them, and your CPA should be able to handle any IRS Representation for you.

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READ MORE>> www.AmericanExpress.com (from Small Business "OPENForum"): 7 Red Flags That Could Get Your Small Business Audited

Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!
--------------------------------------------------

READ MORE

• GBC Tax Offers Atlanta Experienced IRS Representation
• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• GBC Audit Services

Find Out About Your 2015 Credits and Deductions!

Click on the picture to go to the site.

Weigh your situation!!

Click on the scales to go quickly to the IRS page on credits and deductions in 2015. There are quite a few both for individuals and businesses, both small and large.

Examples are the Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC), and the Child and Dependent Care Credit, which help millions of families every year.

In addition to the standard deduction for individuals, common deductions include home mortgage interest, state and local tax, and charitable contributions. Many business expenses are deductible as well.

Check this out to get a preview of your tax outcome in 2015!

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READ MORE>> www.IRS.gov: Credits and Deductions
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READ MORE GBC Tax Services Website
For All Your Accounting Needs Call GBC 678-366-9232

Deducting Miles For Business, Medical, Moving & Charity

Your accountant or CPA can
help you find all your
legitimate deductions

Exactly how much can you deduct? 

For 2014, the standard mileage rates for the use of an automobile (which includes cars, vans, pickups or panel trucks) in cents per mile are:

         56 c/mi for business miles driven

         23.5 c/mi driven for medical or moving purposes

         14 c/mi driven in service of charitable organizations

The rates for business, medical and moving expenses will be different for the 2015 tax year since those rates are adjusted each year – expect to see those updated numbers reported here in December 2014. However, as the rate for charitable expenses is fixed by statute, it can only be changed by Congress so that number will likely sit tight at 14 cents just like it has since the Clinton era.

READ MORE >> FORBES.COM: "Back to School 2014: Deducting Miles For Business, Medical, Moving & Charity"

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•     About GBC Services
•     GBC Audit Services Website
•     Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website

Calculate Your 2015 Refund

Estimate your refund amount
or balance due

Make sure you get every dollar you’re entitled to. This 2015 Tax Refund Calculator should help you prepare your taxes for next year. We all work hard and look forward to our refund each year, and would like to find out if in fact we are going to owe tax so we can plan accordingly.

READ MORE >>
REFUNDSCHEDULE.COM: 2015 Tax Refund Calculator

• The Tax Estimator calculates your refund or how much you’ll owe in taxes.

• The W-4 Calculator helps you understand your refund amount or balance due from your current W-4.

• Estimate how the Affordable Care Act may affect you with our Health Care calculator.

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•     About GBC Services
•     GBC Audit Services Website
•     Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website

The IRS Offers Options for Getting Right with Uncle Sam

A good CPA can help you find
solutions to your tax problems.

Do you owe the IRS right now? The first thing to do is open all mail from the agency so you're on top of the matter. Next, stay calm. Well, it's understandable if you panic a little, because the IRS wields power that can make your life miserable. Depending on your situation, the agency can take your paycheck and your bank and retirement accounts, and more. They'll seize land, business assets, cars — anything they can auction and turn into cash quickly.

But all is not lost if you act now.  

Consider the following strategies to get back in good graces with Uncle Sam:

1. Ask for more time. Depending on your circumstances, you may be granted a short extension period to pay your tax in full. You can request this by filling out an application for an online payment agreement or by calling 800-829-1040.

2. Try for an installment plan. If you owe $50,000 or less in combined taxes, penalties and interest, you can fill out the application for an online payment agreement. Fees for setting up payment plans can range from $43 to $105.

3. Make an offer. That is, file for what's known formally as an "offer in compromise." You basically tell the IRS that you're prepared to pay a certain amount to settle your debt. Getting agreement will depend on whether the agency believes that this is the maximum you can manage. You must meet certain standards to be considered. If you're going through a bankruptcy, for example, you're not eligible. And if you haven't filed all of your tax returns, don't apply.

READ MORE >> AARP: Can't Pay Your Taxes?

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•     About GBC Services
•     GBC Audit Services Website
•     Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website

Should I Use the IRS Withholding Calculator This Tax Season?

Avoid having too much or too little
income tax withheld from your pay.

If you are an employee, the Withholding Calculator can help you determine whether you need to give your employer a new  Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate to avoid having too much or too little Federal income tax withheld from your pay. You can use your results from the calculator to help fill out the form.

Who Can Benefit From The Withholding Calculator?

• Employees who would like to change their withholding to reduce their tax refund or their balance due;
• Employees whose situations are only approximated by the worksheets on the paper W-4 (e.g., anyone with concurrent jobs, or couples in which both are employed; those entitled to file as Head of Household; and those with several children eligible for the Child Tax Credit);
• Employees with non-wage income in excess of their adjustments and deductions, who would prefer to have tax on that income withheld from their paychecks rather than make periodic separate payments through the estimated tax procedures.

READ MORE >> IRS.GOV: IRS Withholding Calculator

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•     About GBC Services
•     GBC Audit Services Website
•     Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website

New IRS Tax Brackets, Standard Deduction Amounts, And More

Let an accountant help you
simplify the process
this year at tax time.

The Internal Revenue Service has announced the annual inflation adjustments for a number of provisions for the year 2014, including tax rate schedules, tax tables and cost-of-living adjustments for certain tax items.

These are the applicable numbers for the tax year 2014. That means the year that we are in now. 

They are NOT the numbers and rates that you’ll use to prepare your 2013 tax returns in 2014 (the season is starting late this year).  These numbers and rates are those you’ll use to prepare your 2014 tax returns in 2015. Got it? Good.

All together, the IRS posted more than 40 updates.

READ THEM HERE >> FORBES.COM: IRS Announces 2014 Tax Brackets, Standard Deduction Amounts And More

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•     About GBC Services
•     GBC Audit Services Website
•     Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website

TAX BREAKS: Medical Expenses and Health Savings Accounts

Use the funds the year
without penalty.

If you have a high-deductible health insurance plan, there’s another option (aside from FSA or Flex-Spending) in the alphabet soup of savings accounts that might help you save on medical costs: a health savings account (HSA). A high-deductible health insurance plan means that the amounts you are required to pay out of pocket – on top of premiums – meet certain thresholds. For 2014, those are $1,250 for an individual or $2,500 for a family.

Under the terms of the HSA, you can contribute pre-tax dollars (directly from your paycheck) of up to $3,300 a year for an individual or $6,550 for a family into the account (for those 55 and older, the contribution limits are up to $4,300 for an individual and $7,550 for a family).

You can withdraw these funds tax-free so long as you use them for qualifying medical expenses.

Unlike the FSA, the HSA is not a use it or lose it account: the funds simply roll over at the end of the year. You can use the funds the next year without penalty – and you can top it up – so there’s no guesswork involved in funding.

READ MORE >> FORBES.COM: "Back to School 2014: Medical Expenses and Health Savings Accounts"

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•     About GBC Services
•     Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website

Essential Guide to Avoiding Tax Audits

Avoid problems at tax time.

A few simple tips to help you avoid a tax audit:

A tax return with lots of round numbers.
$1,200 in travel expenses or $1,500 in charitable contributions — suggests that you're just estimating those claims, and the IRS loves to go after people who don't keep good records. You don't need to include cents, but use the closest accurate dollar amounts, such as $1,260 or $1,525.

If you use a software program, do not use its e-filing feature.
If there's anything that might leave an IRS officer wondering. Print out your return and attach an explanation statement and mail it in. A new feature this year is that you will able to include PDF attachments with certain forms. Ask if your software supports this.

Sloppy arithmetic on a paper return can flag an audit.
People list correct numbers but on the wrong line. So make sure sums are not only correct but in the correct place.

READ MORE >> AARP.ORG: 9 Tips To Avoid Tax Audit

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