Per the Kiplinger letter:

Did you know that marketers are using cross-device tracking to learn all about you? They connect and track every Internet enabled gadget that you and others use every day. Because of this tracking Uncle Sam is considering possible regulations.

The Feds want to stop another new marketing tactic: The Federal Trade Comm. has issued cease-and-desist letters to app developers that are using your smart phone to pick up sounds, inaudible to humans, emitted by TV ads. The detailed personal tracking comes without the viewer’s knowledge or consent.

Kiplinger Tax Letter:

The IRS’s response time on correspondence from taxpayers is dismal. Last Year, it exceeded its 30 to 45 day goal in half the cases, according to Treasury inspectors. So taxpayers who have filed amended returns are seeing their requested refunds delayed. Others who have sent in documents to resolve their tax disputes keep getting erroneous notices from the agency. And victims of identity theft are waiting months for IRS to address their problems.

 

 

Over and over again courts have said there is nothing sinister in so arranging one’s affairs to keep taxes as low as possible. Everybody does so, rich or poor; and all do right, for nobody owes any public duty to pay more tax than the law demands; taxes are enforced exactions, not voluntary contributions.

The Hon. Judge Learned Hand Justice,
Appellate Court of the United States

In observance of the 4th of July our office will be closed Friday July 3rd and will re-open on Monday July 6th.

Let us together enjoy and celebrate our happiness.

On this 4th of July let us salute all those brave men and women

who fought for our country.

 

Have a Happy Independence day.

 

Paid Sick Leave Starting July 1, 2015

An employee who, on or after July 1, 2015, works in California for 30 or more days within a year from the beginning of employment, is entitled to paid sick leave. Employees, including part-time and temporary employees, will earn at least one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. Accrual begins on the first day of employment or July 1, 2015, whichever is later.

An employer may limit the amount of paid sick leave an employee can use in one year to 24 hours or three days. Accrued paid sick leave may be carried over to the next year, but it may be capped at 48 hours or six days.

Usage
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• An employee may use accrued paid sick days beginning on the 90th day of employment.
• An employee may request paid sick days in writing or verbally. An employee cannot be required to find a replacement as a condition for using paid sick days.
• An employee can take paid leave for employee’s own or a family member for the diagnosis, care or treatment of an existing health condition or preventive care or for specified purposes for an employee who is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.

Employers
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There are several things employers must do to comply with the Healthy Workplace Healthy Family Act of 2014 (AB 1522).

• Display poster on paid sick leave where employees can read it easily.  *see link below
• Provide written notice to employees with sick leave rights at the time of hire. **see link below
• Provide for accrual of one hour for every 30 hours worked and allow use of at least 24 hours or 3 days or provide at least 24 hours or 3 days at the beginning of a 12 month period of paid sick leave for each eligible employee to use per year.
• Allow eligible employees to use accrued paid sick leave upon reasonable request.
• Show how many days of sick leave an employee has available. This must be on a pay stub or a document issued the same day as a paycheck.
• Keep records showing how many hours have been earned and used for three years.
Retaliation or discrimination against an employee who requests or uses paid sick days is prohibited.

* http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/Publications/Paid_Sick_Days_Poster_Template_(11_2014).pdf
** http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/LC_2810.5_Notice.pdf
FAQ:  http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/Paid_Sick_Leave.htm

 

 

Beware of Scam IRS Calls

The IRS has issued a consumer alert providing taxpayers with tips to protect themselves from telephone scam artists who call pretending to be with the IRS.

 Remember that the IRS will never:

1.      Call you about taxes you owe without first mailing you an official notice.
2.      Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
3.      Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
4.      Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
5.      Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

Dealing with IRS Collections, Do’s and Don’ts

 

Is the IRS is trying to collect a debt from you?  Grown men – and women – have been reduced to tears because they feared IRS collection agents.

 

It doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, the worst thing you can do is ignore IRS collection agents. When you ignore them and don’t try to work out a mutually satisfactory arrangement for the repayment of your tax debts, they have no choice but to resort to enforced collection. An IRS agent has almost unfettered power to seize your assets, garnish your wages and, if he or she believes that you are intentionally evading taxes, to refer you to the Criminal Investigation Division. Jail Time!

 

Avoiding the inevitable is not the way to go. My experience is that if your qualified representative (enrolled agent, EA) deals with the agent in a direct and prompt, manner you can almost always work out some sort of payment arrangement that will allow you to maintain a reasonably comfortable lifestyle.

Here are five do’s and five don’ts for dealing with IRS collection agents:

The Do’s:

• Do consult a tax professional, preferably an EA, to find out what your rights are. Do file all your tax returns whether or not you have the money to pay the tax liability shown on those returns. Not filing your tax return is a crime.
• Do meet the call back deadlines included in IRS correspondence.
• Do treat IRS personnel with respect.

The Don’ts:

• Don't lie to the IRS.
• Don’t hire any organization that tells you the income tax is illegal or that there are legal ways for you to be exempt from taxes. These are scams.
• Don’t procrastinate
• Don’t blame others for your predicament. This is just another form of procrastination.

As with most things we fear, the reality is never as bad as the fantasy. The IRS is powerful but is also reasonable. The horror stories you hear are usually from people who ignored the IRS and didn’t follow my list of do’s and don’ts.

 

 

 

Call HGi Financial Services for assistance with all your tax returns, collections and audits. Share this with your family and friends. They may have tax concerns or know someone who does.

 

Go to http://www.hgifinancial.com/ for additional information.