If you have not already done so, now is the time to review your tax situation and make a 2017 estimated quarterly tax payment using Form 1040-ES. The first quarter due date is now here.

First-quarter due date: Tuesday, April 18, 2017.

Remember, you are required to withhold (pre-pay) at least 90 percent of your current tax obligation, or 100 percent of last year’s federal tax obligation throughout the tax year.* A quick look at last year’s tax return and a projection of this year’s obligation can help determine if a quarterly payment might be necessary in addition to what is being withheld from any paychecks. Here are some things to consider:

Your next audit may be an "audit lite"

In-person audits with an IRS agent are becoming more uncommon. The IRS is instead handling many routine reviews through form letters called correspondence audits.

These IRS letters are a kind of “audit lite” the agency uses to ask for clarification and justification of specific deductions on your tax return. Common issues that trigger a correspondence audit are large charitable deductions, withdrawals from retirement accounts and education savings plans, excess miscellaneous deductions, and small business expenses.

The IRS disclosed there will be more than $1 billion in federal tax refunds forfeited this year if taxpayers don’t claim them by April 18.

Refunds have to be claimed within three years or they are forfeited to the government. The unclaimed $1 billion comes from about 1 million taxpayers who still haven't filed returns for the 2013 tax year. Often the people who leave these refunds behind are young adults, college students, senior citizens and low-income taxpayers.

Why refunds go unclaimed

Tax Credits versus Tax Deductions... Which is worth more to you? 

Every industry and profession has common terms that are used so often those of us in the business often forget that most people do not have the depth of understanding that a person working within the tax code might have. One of these areas is understanding the differences between the tax terms "deductions" and "credits". Is one better than the other?

If it were simple

DiSabatino CPA Receives 2017 Best of Camarillo Award

Camarillo Award Program Honors the Achievement

CAMARILLO March 2, 2017 -- DiSabatino CPA has been selected for the 2017 Best of Camarillo Award in the Certified Public Accountants category by the Camarillo Award Program for the fifth consecutive year.

The Tax Impact as Your Children Grow Up
Prepare now for potential income tax hits

As your children grow older, you can easily be surprised by a larger tax bill. To help ease the possible burden, consider these tax implications as your dependent children age.

 Ten Commonly Overlooked Deductions
Don't forget these ideas to lower your taxes

The tax code is about 75,000 pages long, so it’s not surprising there are many overlooked money-saving deductions hidden within it. Check out this list of commonly overlooked deductions. You might wind up with a bigger refund than you expected.

Finally...your refund is soon to be on its way

The IRS recently announced that tax returns using the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Tax Credit will have their refunds issued. Congress approved legislation that delayed sending out these refunds until at least February 15th.

Here are the key dates: 

Here is a copy of the announcement:

Please recall this announcement only relates to held refunds that use the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Tax Credit. Other refunds should be processed in normal timing.

Please consult our firm to asses your specific situation.

DiSabatino CPA
Michael DiSabatino
651 Via Alondra Suite 715
Camarillo, CA 93012
Phone: 805-389-7300
ww.sharpcpa.com

This publication provides summary information regarding the subject matter at time of publishing. Please call with any questions on how this information may impact your situation. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed without permission, except as noted here.  All rights reserved.

No Health Insurance Still Means Big Penalties

If you think President Trump's recent executive order means that the fees for not having health insurance are no longer in effect, you could be sorely mistaken. To avoid potentially thousands of dollars in "shared responsibility" tax penalties, you still need to be covered by a basic level of health insurance.

Rejected!

More than 90% of individual tax returns are now filed electronically, and usually the process goes smoothly. However, when an e-filed tax return is rejected, e-filing can become more complicated.

If a parent or loved one died this past year, you may wish to consider filing a final tax return even if not technically required to do so.

One of the more common tax questions is whether you need to file a tax return this year. The answer is: It all depends. Here are some quick tips to help you determine your answer.

Most taxpayers receive at least one 1099 each year. Virtually every small business, including sole-proprietors, must issue at least one 1099 each year. Here is a summary of the most common of these informational tax forms that you will need to file your tax return this year.

Is a worker an independent contractor or an employee? This seemingly simple question is often the contentious subject of numerous IRS audits. As an employer, getting this wrong could cost you plenty in the way of Social Security, Medicare taxes, and other employment related taxes. Here is what you need to know.

Extension for Form 1095 Reporting
What everyone needs to know

For 2015 tax returns, everyone employed by a company with 50 or more employees will receive a new Form 1095. This form is in addition to the Form 1095’s received by other taxpayers using the Marketplace to purchase their health insurance. You need this form to file your taxes as it provides the necessary proof that you have adequate health insurance for the year.

A recent announcement by the IRS provides a delay for the issuing of this form due to complications in creating the proper form by employers and insurers.

IRS PIN Announcement: DO NOT THROW OUT

If you are one of the unfortunate victims of IRS identity theft you will need a one-time PIN to file your tax return. Without this numeric identifier your 2015 tax return will be rejected. The IRS issues taxpayer victims this PIN in a written notice.

Now is the time to make your estimated tax payment

If you have not already done so, now is the time to review your tax situation and make an estimated quarterly tax payment using Form 1040-ES. The fourth quarter due date is now here.

2016 Mileage Rates Now Established

TIPS FOR THE MONTH - JUNE

The Supreme Court expects to rule on Affordable Care Act subsidies in June. Watch for details.

June 15 is the due date for making the second payment of 2015 individual estimated tax.

Do mutual fund tax planning at midyear

Are mutual funds part of your portfolio? As you begin your mid-summer investment review in preparation for year-end, think about how your funds can affect your federal income taxes.

Here are two things to consider.