TODAY IS SEPTEMBER 7, 2020

Here is the latest update. First, Tova got married on August 26 and has moved to NY.  She will continue working for me remotely.  If there is one lesson we learned from Covid it is that a lot of work can be done remotely.  You can reach her at the regular phone number (617-505-5606, extension 2) or directly at 479-668-4178.   Meanwhile, I am currently in Israel and plan to be here, Gd willing, until January 6.  I can be reached here at at the regular phone number (617-505-5606, extension 1) or directly at 617-566-5617.  Please keep in mind that I will be 7 hours later.

I will try to write more important things later, but, for now, here is an edited version of the last things I wrote. 

WELCOME TO MY SITE!

You either came here to find the phone number or address; or to check me out because someone referred you to me; or because you know this site is very entertaining.  Whatever the reason, it's nice to have you here.  Now, make an appointment or send us your stuff so we can prepare your return with the utmost care and alacrity (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alacrity).  

A continuing source of aggravation this year is the Earned Income Credit.  The tax preparer due diligence requirements are beyond belief, especially when you consider that the type of taxpayer affected by the Earned Income Credit is a low income person who is probably not going to a high-cost professional preparer.  That is why there is so much abuse in this area since unethical preparers take advantage of these people and create undeserved refunds which they split with the taxpayer or even keep for themselves.  You can read about it here in case you need a reminder as to why you didn't join this profession: https://www.eitc.irs.gov/tax-preparer-toolkit/welcome-to-the-tax-preparer-toolkit

We continue to be sensitive to the foreign bank account issue.  If you ever in your life thought about having a foreign bank account, you must disclose that information to the IRS and the Department of Treasury on two separate forms, each of which involves severe penalties for lying or thinking bad thoughts.  It's almost that bad.  But if you have a foreign bank account or signature authority over a foreign bank account or a foreign retirement account or property in a foreign country, you had better be prepared to report the assets or be subject to some serious penalties.  These guys don't fool around.

Another never-ending hot topic again this year is the phone scam.  People get phone calls from someone claiming to be from the IRS, threatening to have you deported, beheaded or locked in a room with Hillary explaining why the Electoral College was a bad idea.  THESE ARE SCAMS. They DO actually threaten to ruin your credit, have you arrested and other bad things if you don't pay by some sort of wire transfer or prepaid debit cards in the next few hours.  THESE ARE SCAMS.  You can read about them here: https://www.irs.gov/uac/Report-Phishing

But PLEASE keep in mind:  The IRS will NEVER call you like that.  They ALWAYS start with letters - lots of them - and give you plenty of opportunity to call and discuss your issue,  DO NOT call me and yell at me because the IRS is harassing you.  It is NOT the IRS.  I, myself, have gotten these phone calls.  DO please call me or e-mail me and tell me about it, but DO NOT respond to a phone call or an e-mail claiming to be from the IRS.  IT'S A SCAM.

There is also a lot of good stuff to be found on other tabs here, including advice, calculators and information.  Please browse around to further your education.

We look forward to servicing you (again?) this year.  Keep in touch.

UPLOADING AND DOWNLOADING FILES:

In general, it is not a good idea to send documents via regular e-mail, especially documents containing personal data such as social security numbers and account numbers. Therefore, we have contracted with a secure web portal provider to both send and receive stuff. Please click on the following link and follow the directions:

https://izzycpa.sharefile.com/r-rf13362a1f704d4d8

For those of you who are new to me or just shopping around, please note that my minimum charge for a personal return is $300; for an entity return the minimum is $500.  All rules have exceptions of course - except for this one (huh?).