Posted in Tax Law & IRS Defense

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has now made its way through Congress and is awaiting signature from the President to become law. Since the Act generally gives a tax break to most people, it is expected to add $1.5 trillion to the deficit over the next ten years.  A law enacted in 2010, called PAYGO, requires such a large deficit created by a bill to be offset by spending reductions.  Currently, these cuts would require $150 billion in cuts for 2018, including a $25 billion cut to Medicare.  Congress would either have to change this law to avoid these cuts, or the President can delay the cuts by signing early next year.  However, Congress is currently working to pass a spending bill to prevent a government shutdown, and a waiver concerning PAYGO is in this spending bill, so we may see this Act become law in 2017.
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Posted in Tax Law & IRS Defense

In the past few years, the IRS has continued to see instances of scammers who are targeting victims by telephone.  The scammers make aggressive and threatening phone calls to individuals, claiming that a warrant is out for his or her arrest for unpaid taxes.
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Posted in Real Estate Law,Tax Law & IRS Defense

Your local Florida property appraiser mails out the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes (Truth in Millage or “TRIM” form) in August of each year.  Property owners or taxpayers who wish to contest or appeal their property value to the Value Adjustment Board must file a petition (one of the DR-86 forms) with the clerk of court within 25 days of the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes.
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Posted in Tax Law & IRS Defense

Taxpayers should know that the IRS cannot typically levy your assets without first giving you notice.  There are a few exceptions to this general rule, however.  For instance, the IRS may levy without prior notice if it feels collection of the tax is in jeopardy or when the IRS levies a state tax refund.  Absent an exception, the IRS will typically provide a formal Notice of Intent to Levy prior to levying any of a taxpayer’s assets.
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Posted in Business & Corporate Law,Tax Law & IRS Defense

Transient rentals are a thriving business in Florida, and one which many Florida real estate owners may utilize in an attempt to supplement their income.  Generally speaking, a transient rental is one that lasts for less than six (6) months.  What many property owners do not know is that transient rentals are subject to Florida sales tax.  Florida law requires that property owners charge to, and collect from, each transient guest an additional six percent (6%).
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Posted in Tax Law & IRS Defense

Calendaring important IRS and tax authority deadlines can save you a lot of headaches at tax time.  To avoid paying penalties and other tax consequences, keep a calendar and plan for tax deadlines with your Accountant, CPA, Enrolled Agent, or Tax Attorney.  Jackson Law Group has tax attorneys that can assist you with IRS or other tax problems.  The below items are a few examples of important dates that may vary based on individual circumstances:
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Posted in Business & Corporate Law,Tax Law & IRS Defense

If you are a Florida small business owner, independent contractor, or otherwise self-employed, it’s important to note that you may be liable for self-employment taxes.  Generally, the term self-employment tax refers to the Social Security and Medicare taxes for taxpayers who are self-employed.  Self-employed individual should calculate and report your self-employment tax on Schedule SE of their form 1040.
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Posted in Business & Corporate Law,Tax Law & IRS Defense

When the State of Florida turned St. Johns County over to local government in 1972, the county elected to collect local business taxes (formerly known as occupational licenses). The local business tax, County Ordinance 72-2, requires all individuals or organizations doing business located in or operating in St. Johns County to obtain a local business tax receipt. The tax is paid annually with the fiscal year beginning on October 1.
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