I am a former IRS Revenue Agent with over 20 years’ experience. Having recently retired from government service, I have transitioned to private practice as an IRS Enrolled Agent providing tax preparation services and representation for personal and business taxes.
Enrolled agents are licensed by the IRS subject to a suitability check and must pass a three-part Special Enrollment Examination, which is a comprehensive exam that requires them to demonstrate proficiency in federal tax planning, individual and business tax return preparation, and representation. Enrolled agents may generally represent any taxpayer regarding any tax matter before any IRS office, also known as unlimited practice rights.
The Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 marked a change that mandated Uncle Sam to adjust how it treated taxpayers. Uncle Sam must fully communicate with taxpayers and grant them...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 12/18/2021
The executor, most of the time, is charged with filing the state and federal income tax return for the deceased at the year of death. The surviving spouse is responsible if they file...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 12/10/2021
There is no dodging of social security taxes for many people for their employment and self-employment taxes. However, there are exceptions to these groups of people.You cannot dodge...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 11/30/2021
As the year winds up, many might feel it is too late to get any savings on their tax. However, no matter what you already earned as income, there are some moves you can make to reduce...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 11/21/2021
Not all small business owners want (or need!) to know how to find a tax professional. And if you feel like it's not good for you, that's fine.But if you decide that when tax...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 11/11/2021
Growing your business in this age and time is not an easy venture. With lots of competition and the constant evolution of the market, it can be sometimes overwhelming to keep up. Are...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 11/04/2021
Almost every gambler looks forward to winning when they bet on a sport. Unknown to most gamblers; however, the taxman also wants his cut. Uncle Sam considers sports betting winning...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 10/30/2021
No one is above mistakes. You might file your tax and discover some errors or miss some breaks; you usually make amends by filing an amended tax return. There is a grace period of...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 10/24/2021
Your tax payment as an independent contractor could be a little tricky. You must file extra forms, ensure you pay Uncle Sam enough in the year, and pay your self-employment tax. Who...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 10/19/2021
You may have already heard about bitcoin before due to the attention the world has given to cryptocurrencies and digital transactions. But what is Bitcoin? How does it relate to how...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 10/09/2021
As an entrepreneur, you probably quickly clicked on this article because you are curious about avoiding overpaying taxes. Regardless of the money, you make a profit; you can agree...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 09/30/2021
Every taxpayer needs to ensure they get all the credits and deductions that they qualify for, as this is the only way to legally reduce your tax bill. Uncle Sam does not care...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 09/26/2021
Every new retiree should ensure that they take full advantage of all tax breaks they get, especially if they are on a fixed income. Don’t forget that you need to confirm your...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 09/20/2021
Divorce comes with a series of surging emotions and the last thing on people’s mind, most times is finances. However, you will make several decisions that might directly or indirectly...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 09/09/2021
Also known as EITC or EIC, the Earned Income tax Credit is a refundable credit, meaning that if you owe no tax and you qualify, you will get the value of the credit. The idea is to...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 09/03/2021
The idea behind getting life insurance for many people is for their heirs to have enough sustenance and provision after their death. Many people desire for their family members to...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 08/24/2021
When tax season is upon us, it is usually when tax professionals get panic questions from clients who are being audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) because they haven't...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 08/15/2021
Having a cash flow projection can be the difference between a thriving business and filling for a Chapter 11 for small business owners.A study found that 30% of businesses fail because...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 08/06/2021
Having an up-to=date book is primal to your business success. Freelancers might be able to keep tabs on their bank account to know their business success. However, with bookkeeping...
The loss of a loved one can lead to emotional burden and significant financial debt related to the settling of the estate. If you are the beneficiary of a retirement plan's assets,...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 07/17/2021
Exchange-traded funds are investment types that combine the best advantage of two assets. As a result, users enjoy the benefit of diversification of mutual funds alongside the ease...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 06/18/2021
Paying taxes with a credit card presents a rare opportunity to get points if you use a credit card. While many employees only have to deal with taxes once a year (April 15), self-employed...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 06/11/2021
As long as you repay such a loan fully, there is no need for income taxes on a personal loan. However, the forgiveness of any part of the loan or paying the loan for a lesser amount...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 06/06/2021
An enrolled agent is someone who has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the IRS by passing a comprehensive IRS test covering personal and corporate income tax returns...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 05/30/2021
Almost every section of the tax code was changed by the 2017 TCJA, which also affected every taxpayer, including businesses. While some of these changes were positive (reduced tax...
While many people might not realize, there are amazing tax benefits of purchasing a house. Two significant advantages are the property tax deduction and the mortgage interest, which...
The tax that exists on all business income differs in various states. While some US states tax corporations strictly, others tax many forms of businesses. Various states have different...
A tax levy is any collection employed by Uncle Sam and other tax authorities like the state treasury to settle tax debts that people owe.The process involves collecting and seizure...
Paying taxes should be a priority for everyone, no matter the line of business. One of the areas where the government shows incredible seriousness and dexterity is collecting tax debts....
When you get married, everything about you changes and this includes your financial status, tax obligations, filing status, and so much more. Here are tips that can immensely...
Saving for retirement can be a challenge, and if you're falling behind, you're not alone. In 2020, the average 401(k) account balance was around $25,000, according to a Vanguard...
A lot of people worry that if they get a raise, they will have to pay a higher tax, leaving them in a terrible financial situation. However, it is wrong and a misconception of the...
Airbnb and a series of other home-sharing firms are fantastic ways to bring in extra income. You might have a spare room to let, lease out your house when on vacation, or even have...
When a city, state, or county raises funding for state projects by issuing debt security, it is called municipal bonds. Common projects under such categories are road construction,...
A reverse mortgage is a means of generating income when you employ the equity in your home. This loan provides an excellent way for seniors to get money if finances are not working...
IRC Code, Section 501(c) sheds light explicitly on the critical requirement for a tax-exempt organization. In applying for tax exemptions, firms need first to apply to be recognized...
What is a private activity bond (PAB)?PABs are tax-exempt bonds distributed by or on behalf of a state or local authority to provide special financial benefits for eligible projects....
Student loan interest stands out for having a lower rate, which might be attractive to many. However, there are still a couple of things to know if you consider taking a student loan. Effect...
Going through the process of divorce or separation can be a very difficult time. Consider these tax tips for avoiding mistakes with the IRS.The process of divorce or separation is...
It can be an overwhelming thought if you don't know what share of your care insurance policy (Long term) will go to Uncle Sam. This post will shed light on the operation...
Audits, collections, taxes, and fees - these conditions can sow fear in taxpayers' hearts during tax season.You may be concerned that an error in your tax return could result in...
While taxes for 2020 are not due until 2021, many important financial decisions made now can have a major impact on farm taxes and when they are paid. An important resource is the...
A refund offset is a process in which the taxpayer will not get the full refund; instead, the excess federal income tax will be used to service unpaid government debt. Many people...
What if you had the chance to win an award of excellence for your outstanding contributions to art, community service, or science? Do you have to pay income tax on this amount? The...
An alternative minimum tax puts a cap on the tax percentage amount every taxpayer must pay no matter the deductions or credit they claim. As long as your income is above a specified...
It is not a good idea to turn up empty-handed if you have a tax appointment. You need some records as proof as it will save you time and effort.New clients need to have copies of the...
Posted by Karen Munoz, EA on 12/20/2020
If you're like most business owners who want to close the year and prepare taxes this month, there are several holiday expenses that you can deduct that can save you thousands...
The standard mileage rate, also known as daily mileage or deductible mileage, is a rate set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) per mile maintained by a taxpayer for business purposes...
Several charities are experiencing a drop in donations as the United States grapples with the COVID health crisis. In response, Congress included a clause in the CARES Act, designed...
Some laws remain relatively unchanged for decades, if not centuries. However, tax laws are not timeless and must reflect an ever-changing global economy, complex government changes,...