Is it always a good idea to amend your tax return if you find an error?
 
There's usually an element of relief after your annual tax return has been filed. But what do you do if you find an error on your tax return? Should you always file an amended return? Here are some things to consider.
 
Errors in the IRS's favor
 
Errors discovered that lead to an additional tax obligation are legally required to be fixed by filing an amended tax return. This is especially true if the discovered error is from missing information found on a Form 1099 or a Form W-2. Why? This information is being reported to the IRS and matching programs will typically catch the error. The sooner you amend your return and pay the tax the lower the possible interest and penalties.
 
Errors that result in a lower tax liability
 
If correcting the error or omission results in a large additional refund, the answer is usually obvious. File the amended return. But this is not always the case.
 

• The period of time during which the IRS can audit your tax return could be extended. Federal tax returns are typically subject to audit for three years after the original tax return due date OR the date the return was filed, whichever is later. If you file an amended tax return, the audit clock may change based on the amended return filing date and degree of change requested. It may trigger a request from the IRS to extend the audit review period. The refund also resets the IRS erroneous refund recovery statute, adding another two to five years during which a review by the IRS is possible based upon the date of the latest tax return refund.

 

• The amended return may become examined. Amending a tax return puts a spotlight on your tax return. The IRS has certain topics that trigger individual examination when amended returns are requested. Amended tax returns based on things like the Earned Income Tax Credit, Small Business Income and the Research Tax Credit for small businesses, could result in a visit from your local IRS examiner. Because of this, keep all the necessary records to substantiate your amended tax return close at hand.

 

• Amending one tax return may require amending several other returns. Making a minor change in one year may require you to make changes in other tax years. Is it worth it?

 

• Don't forget other taxing authorities. Making a change on your federal tax return may require you to file an amended state or local tax return. Do not assume that an amendment in your favor at the federal level will necessarily also be in your favor at the state and local level.

 

• Don't expect the refund to be timely. Amended tax returns can take a long period of time to be processed. There have been cases where the IRS has delayed initial review of an amended return for more than a year, then decided to examine the return. While not typical, the process could take up to 18 months to resolve.

 

• Timing is important. Remember there is also a time limit to request a change to your tax return and receive an additional refund. This is typically set at three years after the initial filing deadline of the tax return. Make sure you file these tax returns using certified mail. Should the IRS delay responding to your amended return, you may need to prove it was filed timely.

 

• You have a chip in your pocket. If the refund amount is not large enough to justify an amended tax return, still keep the documentation. Should you be chosen for an audit, you can often present your case at that time to offset any additional tax.

 
While finding an error or omission on your tax return can be unsettling, rest assured there are ways to fix the problem, but it is often worth taking a balanced approach to determine the best solution.
 
"Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office.
 
The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance.
 
We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. 

Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs.   
 
We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Rates, Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com.

Monarch Accounting Group, Inc
145 Tower Drive, Suite 4
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Phone (630) 320-3720

​Help is available for taxpayers who need tax information for prior years, but who didn’t keep copies of their returns. There are options for helping taxpayers get the information they need.
Taxpayers should generally keep copies of their tax returns and any documentation for at least three years after they file. If taxpayers didn’t keep these records, here are some things they can do:
 
Ask software provider or tax preparer
 
Those who need a copy of their tax return should check with their software provider or tax preparer first. Prior-year tax returns are available from the IRS for a fee.
 
Get a transcript
 
Taxpayers who can’t get a copy of a prior-year return may order a tax transcript from the IRS. To protect taxpayers’ identities, this document partially masks personally identifible information such as names, addresses and Social Security numbers. All financial entries, including the filer’s adjusted gross income, are fully visible. These are free and available for the most current tax year after the IRS has processed the return. People can also get them for the past three years.
Taxpayers ordering a transcript should allow time for delivery. Here are the three ways to get transcripts:

• Get Transcript online. People can use this tool to view, print or download a copy of all transcript types. Those who use it must authenticate their identity using the Secure Access process. Taxpayers who are unable to register or prefer not to use Get Transcript Online may use Get Transcript by Mail to order a tax return or account transcript type. Taxpayers should allow five to 10 calendar days for delivery.

 

• By phone. The number is 800-908-9946.

 

• By mail. Taxpayers can complete and send either Form 4506-T or Form 4506T-EZ to the IRS to get one by mail. They use Form 4506-T to request other tax records: tax account transcript, record of account, wage and income and verification of non-filing. These forms are available on the Forms, Instructions and Publications page on IRS.gov.

 
Request a copy of a tax return from the IRS
 
If necessary, taxpayers can request a copy of a tax return by completing and mailing Form 4506 to the IRS address listed on the form. There’s a $50 fee for each copy and these are available for the current tax year and up to six years prior.

​"Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office.
 
The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance.
 
We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. 

Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs.   
 
We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Rates, Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com.

Monarch Accounting Group, Inc
145 Tower Drive, Suite 4
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Phone (630) 320-3720

The Social Security Administration announced a 1.3 percent boost to monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for 2021. The increase is based on the rise in the Consumer Price Index over the past 12 months ending in September 2020.
 
For those contributing to Social Security through wages, the potential maximum income subject to Social Security tax increases 3.7 percent this year, to $142,800. A recap of the key amounts is outlined here:
 
What does it mean for you?
 

• Up to $142,800 in wages will be subject to Social Security taxes, up $5,100 from 2020. This amounts to $8,853.60 in maximum annual employee Social Security payments. Any excess amounts paid due to having multiple employers can be returned to you via a credit on your tax return.

 

• For all retired workers receiving Social Security retirement benefits the estimated average monthly benefit will be $1,543 per month in 2021 – an average increase of $20 per month.

 

• SSI is the standard payment for people in need. To qualify for this payment you must have little income and few resources ($2,000 if single/$3,000 if married).

 

• A full-time student who is blind or disabled can still receive SSI benefits as long as earned income does not exceed the monthly and annual student exclusion amounts listed above.

 
Social Security & Medicare Rates
 
The Social Security and Medicare tax rates do not change from 2020 to 2021.
 
Note: The above tax rates are a combination of 6.20 percent Social Security and 1.45 percent for Medicare. There is also 0.9 percent Medicare wages surtax for those with wages above $200,000 single ($250,000 joint filers) that is not reflected in these figures.
 
Please note that your employer also pays Social Security and Medicare taxes on your behalf. These figures are reflected in the self-employed tax rates, as self-employed individuals pay both halves of the tax.

"Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office.
 
The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance.
 
We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. 

Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs.   
 
We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Rates, Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com.

Monarch Accounting Group, Inc
145 Tower Drive, Suite 4
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Phone (630) 320-3720

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the deadline to register for an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) is now Nov. 21, 2020. This new date will provide an additional five weeks beyond the original deadline.
 
The IRS urges people who don’t typically file a tax return – and haven’t received an Economic Impact Payment – to register as quickly as possible using the Non-Filers: Enter Info Here tool on IRS.gov. The tool will not be available after Nov. 21.
 
“We took this step to provide more time for those who have not yet received a payment to register to get their money, including those in low-income and underserved communities,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “The IRS is deeply involved in processing and programming that overlaps filing seasons. Any further extension beyond November would adversely impact our work on the 2020 and 2021 filing seasons. The Non-filers portal has been available since the spring and has been used successfully by many millions of Americans.”
 
Special note: This additional time into November is solely for those who have not received their EIP and don’t normally file a tax return. For taxpayers who requested an extension of time to file their 2019 tax return, that deadline date remains Oct. 15.
 
To support the ongoing EIP effort, many partner groups have been working with the IRS, helping translate and making available in 35 languages IRS information and resources on Economic Impact Payments.
 
To help spread the word, the IRS sent nearly 9 million letters in September to people who may be eligible for the $1,200 Economic Impact Payments but don’t normally file a tax return. This push encourages people to use the Non-Filers tool on IRS.gov.
 
“Time is running out for those who don’t normally file a tax return to get their payments,” Rettig added. “Registration is quick and easy, and we urge everyone to share this information to reach as many people before the deadline.”
 
While most eligible U.S. taxpayers have automatically received their Economic Impact Payment, others who don’t have a filing obligation need to use the Non-Filers tool to register with the IRS to get their money. Typically, this includes people who receive little or no income.
 
The Non-Filers tool is secure and is based on Free File Fillable Forms, part of the Free File Alliance's offering of free products on IRS.gov.
 
The Non-Filers tool is designed for people with incomes typically below $24,400 for married couples, and $12,200 for singles who could not be claimed as a dependent by someone else. This includes couples and individuals who are experiencing homelessness.

Anyone using the Non-Filers tool can speed the arrival of their payment by choosing to receive it by direct deposit. Those not choosing this option will get a check.
 
Beginning two weeks after they register, people can track the status of their payment using the Get My Payment tool, available only on IRS.gov.

​"Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office.
 
The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance.
 
We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. 

Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs.   
 
We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Rates, Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com.

Monarch Accounting Group, Inc
145 Tower Drive, Suite 4
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Phone (630) 320-3720

How a tax law makes us sloppy and creates a tax risk
 
One of the more popular provisions in the tax code is the $250,000 capital gain exclusion ($500,000 for a married couple) of any profit made when selling your home. As long as you follow the rules, most home sales transactions are not a taxable event.
 

• But what if the tax law is changed?
• What if you rent out your home?
• What if you cannot prove the cost of your home?

 
Your best defense to a potentially expensive tax surprise in your future is proper record retention.
 
The problem
The gain exclusion is so high, that many of us are no longer keeping track of the true cost of our home. This mistake can be costly. Remember, this gain exclusion still requires documentation to support the tax benefit.
 
The calculation
To calculate your home sale gain, take the sales price received for your home and subtract your basis. This basis is an IRS tax term that equals the original cost of your home including closing costs, adjusted by the cost of any improvements you have made in your home. You might also have a reduction in home value due to prior damage or casualty losses. As long as the home sold is owned by you as your principal residence in at least two of the last five years, you can usually take advantage of the capital gain exclusion on your tax return.
 
To keep the tax surprise away
Always keep documents that support calculating the true cost of your home. These documents should include:
 

• Closing documents from the original home purchase
• All legal documents
• Canceled checks and invoices from any home improvements
• Closing documents supporting the value when the home is sold

 
There are some cases when you should pay special attention to tracking your home's value:
 

• You have a home office. When a home office is involved, it can impact the calculation of the capital gain exclusion. This is especially true if you depreciated part of your home for business use.

 

• You live in your home for a long time. Most homes will rise in value. The longer you stay in your home, the more likely the value of your home will rise over time. For example, a sizable gain can occur when an elderly single parent sells their home after living in it for over 50 years.

 

• You live in a major metropolitan area. Certain areas of the country are known to have rapidly increasing property values.

 

• You rent your home. Any time part of your home is depreciated, it can impact the calculation for available gain exclusion. Home rental also can impact the residency requirement calculation to receive the home gain tax exclusion.

 

• You recently sold another home. The home sale gain exclusion can only be used once every two years. If you recently sold a home at a gain, keeping all documents related to your new home will be critical.

 
The best way to protect this tax code benefit is to keep all home-related documents that support calculating the cost of your property.
 
Please call if you wish to discuss your situation.

"Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office.
 
The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance.
 
We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. 

Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs.   
 
We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Rates, Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com.

Monarch Accounting Group, Inc
145 Tower Drive, Suite 4
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Phone (630) 320-3720