The California Supreme Court issued a ruling on August 28, 2017 in California Cannabis Coalition v. City of Upland that may have created a loophole for special interests to get around the limitations on tax increases established by Propositions 13 and 218. In the...
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Month: August 2017
Fake Scams Already Surfacing While Hurricane Harvey Hits Houston
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a warning about possible fake charity scams related to the effects of Hurricane Harvey. Taxpayers should be sure the charities they want to support are recognized by the government to accept donations. Don't let your...
Bitcoin Users Beware – The IRS May Know Your Identity
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has just obtained specialized software for identifying users of bitcoins and other virtual currency. According to a work contract obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by The Daily Beast, the IRS hopes to use this...
California Luxury Counties Targeted by the Treasury Department
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced on August 22, 2017 that it will be targeting shell companies purchasing luxury properties for $2 million or more in the California counties of San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Mateo, or Santa Clara....
Applicants Sought for IRS Advisory Committee
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is seeking applicants for places on its Advisory Committee on Tax Exempt and Government Entities (ACT), specifically to assist with the employee plans, exempt organizations, and tax exempt bonds segments. The Department of the...
New Scam Targets Professionals’ Tax Software Passwords, Security Summit Warns
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued a warning to tax professionals to be alert to a new e-mail scam that impersonates tax software providers and attempts to steal usernames and passwords. Recipients of these e-mails are told that,...
IRS Sting Operation – Private Citizens Foot Bill
A group of private business owners have filed suit in a dispute with the IRS over reimbursement for their involvement in a sting operation to identify people filing fraudulent tax returns. "I think it is unusual for the IRS to use a private...
FTB Rules on Market-Based Sourcing of Non-Marketing Services
The California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) issued Chief Counsel Ruling 2017-01 on August 2, 2017, regarding market-based sourcing rules for performance of "non-marketing" services. Where a subcontractor performed administrative or non-marketing business services for a...
FTB Releases Data on 2017 Filing Season
The California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) recently released an update on the current state tax filing season. The number of personal returns that were e-filed in 2017 increased by one percentage point as compared to 2016 (88% in 2017, and 87% in 2016). Some 133,400...
IRS Office of Appeals Begins Virtual Conference Pilot Program
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is launching a pilot program to offer a web-based virtual conference option for taxpayers and their representatives in Appeals cases. The Office of Appeals hears over 100,000 cases each year for taxpayers who would like to...
