Stand Up to the IRS

by Daily, Frederick W.

• ISBN13: 9781413301533
• ISBN10: 1413301533
• Edition: 8th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-03-30
• Publisher: Nolo

Summary

This bestselling book - now totally revamped to reflect the latest tax rules, exemptions and deductions - helps readers survive any face-off with the IRS. Packed with insider secrets and practical suggestions, the book covers how to:- survive an audit with minimum damage- put together documentation to support deductions- negotiate an installment plan- file delinquent tax returns- appeal an audit decision- find IRS forms online

Table of Contents

Inside the IRS: What You Need to Know About IRS Operations
IRS Inefficiency	4	(1)
Communicating With the IRS	4	(2)
Rules of the Game---Tax Laws	6	(2)
Interpreting the Tax Code	8	(1)
Self-Assessment of Income Taxes	8	(1)
Winning the IRS Game	9
Filing Tax Returns: If You Haven't Filed and Other Concerns
How Long Must You Worry About Not Filing a Tax Return?	3	(1)
Consequences of Not Filing	4	(2)
It's Better to File Before the IRS Contacts You	6	(2)
What Will Happen When You File Late	8	(2)
Requesting an Extension to File a Tax Return	10	(1)
Filing a Return When You Can't Pay What You Owe	11	(1)
Filing a Tax Return When You Live Out of the U.S.	11	(1)
Reducing the Chance of an Audit When Filing	12	(1)
Amending Tax Returns	12	(1)
A Word About ``Aggressive'' Tax Filing	13
Winning Your Audit
How Long Do I Have to Worry About an Audit?	3	(2)
Do I Have to Learn Tax Law to Win My Audit?	5	(1)
Audit Selection---Why Me, O Lord?	5	(6)
When the IRS Increases Your Tax Bill Without an Audit	11	(7)
Types of IRS Audits	18	(9)
How an Auditor Approaches an Examination	27	(1)
Preparing for an Audit	28	(2)
Who Should Attend the Audit?	30	(1)
How to Act at an Audit	31	(8)
Finishing Audits	39	(8)
Serious Audit Problems	47
Appealing Your Audit Within the IRS
Pros and Cons of Appealing an Audit	2	(1)
How to Appeal an Audit	3	(3)
How the Appeals Office Works	6	(1)
Preparing for an Appeals Hearing	7	(2)
Meeting the Appeals Officer	9	(1)
Presenting a Case to an Appeals Officer	9	(1)
Negotiating a Settlement	10	(4)
Should You Hire a Tax Professional for Your Appeal?	14	(1)
If You Don't Settle on Appeal	14
Going to Tax Court: No Lawyer Necessary
Tax Court Facts	2	(1)
Small Tax Cases---People's Court	3	(10)
Regular Tax Court Cases---Over $50,000	13	(1)
Other Federal Courts---Paying First Is Required	14	(1)
Bankruptcy Court	15	(1)
Appealing to Higher Courts	15
When You Owe the IRS: Keeping the Tax Collector at Bay
When You Can't Pay With Your Tax Return	5	(1)
Getting Time to Pay After the Tax Bill Comes	5	(1)
IRS Service Center Tax Billing Process	5	(2)
IRS Automated Collection System	7	(3)
Revenue Officers---Front Line Collectors of the IRS	10	(15)
Offers in Compromise---Settling Tax Bills for Pennies on the Dollar	25	(11)
Using the Bankruptcy Code to Stop the IRS	36	(7)
Protecting Your Assets From the IRS	43	(1)
Suspending Collection of Your Tax Bill	43
IRS Enforced Collection: Liens and Levies
Tax Liens	3	(4)
Tax Levies	7	(1)
Assets the IRS Can't or Won't Seize	7	(3)
Avoiding a Levy	10	(2)
Getting a Tax Levy Released	12	(2)
IRS Sales of Levied Assets	14
The Taxpayer Advocate: A Friend at the IRS
Who Qualifies for Help From a Taxpayer Advocate?	2	(2)
Contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Service	4	(1)
Emergency Help: Taxpayer Assistance Orders	5
Family, Friends, Heirs and the IRS
It's a Family Affair	2	(4)
Owning Property Jointly	6	(1)
Death and Taxes	7
Fraud and Tax Crimes: Do You Really Have to Worry?
How People Cheat on Their Taxes	2	(1)
If You Are Caught Cheating	2	(3)
IRS Criminal Investigations	5	(4)
If You Are Prosecuted	9
Small Businesses/Self-Employed: When IRS Trouble Comes
Self-Employed---You're a Prime Audit Target	2	(1)
Employees or Independent Contractors?	2	(3)
Payroll Taxes---IRS Dynamite	5	(1)
The Dreaded Trust Fund Recovery Penalty	6	(5)
Cash Transactions Over $10,000	11
Penalties and Interest
Penalties Added to Tax Bills	2	(1)
Interest on Tax Bills	3	(1)
Understanding Penalty and Interest Notices	3	(1)
Reducing or Eliminating Penalties and Interest	4	(3)
Designating Voluntary Tax Payments	7
Help Beyond the Book: Tax Professionals and Tax Information
Finding and Using a Tax Professional	2	(3)
Tax Professionals and Audits	5	(1)
Hiring a Tax Return Preparer	6	(1)
Researching Tax Questions	6
When You Owe State Income Taxes
The IRS and State Taxing Authorities	2	(1)
Does Your State Have a Taxpayers' Bill of Rights?	2	(1)
State Time Limits to Assess and Collect Income Taxes	2	(1)
State Tax Collection Departments	3	(1)
Settling Your Bill	3	(2)
When All Else Fails, Try Your Political Connections	5
The Taxpayers' Bill of Rights
Taxpayers' Bill of Rights I	2	(1)
Taxpayers' Bill of Rights II	3	(1)
The 25 Most Frequently Asked Questions
Glossary of Tax Terms
Appendix
Index