Monday, January 30, 2012

WHAT’S THE BUZZ? TELL ME WHAT’S A HAPPENNIN’ - BONUS EDITION

Some last minute BUZZ before my “tax season hiatus” begins -

+ Trish McIntire talks about a certain unnamed “tax chain” in her post “Listening to the Complaints” at OUR TAXING TIMES.

She asks the IRS –

So IRS, are you investigating these offices? It’s your rule; returns can’t be e-filed without the W-2s, W-2Gs and 1099R to back up the income. Are you contacting the taxpayers in the stories to get more info? Are you contacting, or investigating at all, reports from other preparers about tax offices filing with pay stubs? Have you contacted the news outlets with educational materials about filing before the taxpayer has their W-2s and what to do if it happens? Are you running reports for returns rejected because a prior return was filed and looking for trends?

Whatever you do, please avoid using a “tax chain” to prepare your 2011 returns.  Seek out a competent independent preparer.  You will get much better individual service and probably pay less!

+ Speaking of “tax chains” – just got an ad in the mail from Jackson Hewitt that said in big letters “GET $1,500 IN AS LITTLE AS ONE DAY!”.  How? Apply for a Refund Anticipation Loan!

The ad did not say that JH could correctly prepare your federal and state tax returns.  Or that its employees were competent and experienced tax preparers.  Just come in and get $1,500.  It did mention “Free Accuracy Guarantee with paid tax preparation”.  So normally you would have to pay an additional fee if you wanted an accurate return?

They offered a $40 OFF coupon (tax preparation fee only – not good for “financial products, online tax preparation products or other services”).  If that is the discount I can imagine the fee!

Once again – this tax season avoid “tax chains” like the plague!

+ Kelly Phillips Erb, the tax blogoshpere’s TAX GIRL, presents “Tax Trivia Giveaway #1: Top Tax Rates” at FORBES.COM.

The first trivia question is – What was the top income tax rate during World War I?

Do you know the answer?  You could win free tax software!

+ The IRS’s National Taxpayer Advocate, Nina Olsen, has started a blog!  Check out her first post – “Welcome to the National Taxpayer Advocate's Blog”.  We welcome Nina to the “tax blogosphere”!

As Nina says – “So, here’s to the opening of a dialogue about tax administration, taxpayer rights, and taxpayer burden”.

+ And Kay Bell brings us “Tax Carnival #96: Dealing With Tax Dragons” at DON’T MESS WITH TAXES.

I remembered to submit an item this time!  I end the Carnival with "Don't Be In Such A Hurry".  

TTFN

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