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Upcoming events & IRS news releases, outreach campaigns     2/15/2017

Announcements & Upcoming Events:

 

IRS Webinar: Understanding the Sharing Economy

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/webinars-for-small-businesses-1#ready

The presentation will focus on defining the Sharing Economy, tax implications for individuals performing services, determining employee/independent contractor, rules for home rentals, business expenses, and employer/payer employment tax obligations.

 

The webinar will be presented twice on February 16:

8:00 a.m. (Pacific) – register here: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1148/18972

11:00 a.m. (Pacific) – register here: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1148/18986

(closed captioning available for 11:00 am session only)

 

IRS Webinar: Understanding Payment Options

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/webinars-for-small-businesses-1#paymentoptions

The presentation will provide an overview of payment options, including direct pay, online payment agreements, cash payments, offers in compromise, and other options.

 

The webinar will be presented twice on March 16:

8:00 a.m. (Pacific) – register here: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1148/18987

11:00 a.m. (Pacific) – register here: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1148/18988

(closed captioning available for 11:00 am session only)

 

Post Disaster Recovery Forum

https://www.co.pierce.wa.us/CivicSend/ViewMessage/message?id=30589

What happens to my business if there is a major earthquake or volcanic eruption in the Puget Sound area?  What roads are open? Is my building safe to work in?  Can my trucks roll and can I get supplies? Please join us as we hear from some of those who will be involved in making decisions that can answer those questions. 

Seating is limited so please register using the link above. Cost is complimentary.

 

Tuesday March 7 -- 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Dacca Barn - 2820 54th Ave E, Fife, WA  98424

 

Presented by the Pierce County Economic Development Department
The forum will feature multiple presenters and topics such as:

·         Red Tagging: How do I get back in my building?

·         Power/Water Outage: How are priorities set for repairs?

·         Road Closures: How are priorities set for what re-opens and when?

·         The role of FEMA and Washington State Emergency Management Division


Small Business Administration Workshops

https://www.sba.gov/offices/district/wa/seattle

SBA offers a variety of workshops, some online and others in person. Check the Events Calendar for a complete list.

 

Seattle - Business Resource Open House

Thursday, February 16 - 5:00pm PST

Seattle Public Library - Central Branch

1000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104

 

Auburn - Free Tools for Starting a Business

Tuesday, February 21 - 2:00pm PST

Washington State Worksource Center in Auburn

Registration Required

 

Seattle - Business Lunch Series-"Knowing The Rules: Office of Labor ...

Women's Business Center

Thursday, February 23 - 11:30am PST

Business Impact NW, 1437 S Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98144

Registration Required

 

Happening Thursday, February 23 at the SBA Education & Training Center in Seattle:

Seattle - Meet the Lenders: How to Finance Your Small Business

February 23 - 9:00am PST

Registration Required

 

Seattle - Your Business Plan: Do the Financials Add Up?

February 23 - 11:00am PST

Registration Required

 

Seattle - Best Financial Practices for Your Business

February 23 - 1:00pm PST

Registration Required

 

SCORE Workshops

SCORE offers workshops designed to give you the skills necessary to start your own successful business. 

Seattle: http://seattle.score.org/localworkshops

Mar 1, Apr 5 -- Starting a New Business

Feb 24, Mar 17 – Taxes on Small Business

Feb 16, Mar 16, Apr 20 -- Understanding Financial Statements

 

Spokane: http://scorespokane.org/workshops

Mar 1 -- Starting a New Business

 

There are also a number of online workshops available: https://seattle.score.org/onlineworkshops/tab-a  

 

 

IRS Updates & News Releases:

Did you know? One of the best ways to get information is by visiting the IRS Small Business Tax Center where you can learn everything from how to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) online to how to best navigate an audit.

 

Dirty Dozen 

 

https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/dirty-dozen

The Dirty Dozen represents the worst of the worst tax scams. Compiled annually, the “Dirty Dozen” lists a variety of common scams that taxpayers may encounter anytime but many of these schemes peak during filing season as people prepare their returns or hire someone to help with their taxes. Don’t fall prey. The IRS will update this page regularly with the 2017 list of Dirty Dozen Tax Scams. 

 

Here is the list, with each topic linked to an article:

Frivolous Tax Arguments

Abusive Tax Shelters

Falsifying Income Scam

Falsely Padding Deductions

Excessive Claims for Business Credits

Falsely Inflating Refund Claims

Fake Charities

Return Preparer Fraud; Choose Reputable Return Preparers

Identity Theft

Phone Scams

Phishing Schemes

 

Information is also available in Spanish:

Reclamos excesivos de créditos por negocio llegan a la “Docena Sucia” de estafas tributarias del IRS

https://www.irs.gov/spanish/reclamos-excesivos-de-creditos-por-negocio-llegan-a-la-docena-sucia-de-estafas-tributarias-del-irs

 

Avoid the Rush: Be Prepared to Validate Identity if Calling the IRS

https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/avoid-the-rush-be-prepared-to-validate-identity-if-calling-the-irs

The Internal Revenue Service said mid-February marks the agency’s busiest time of the year for telephone calls. The IRS is reminding taxpayers who have questions about their tax accounts to be prepared to validate their identity when speaking with an IRS assistor. This will help avoid the need for a repeat call. The IRS recognizes the importance of protecting taxpayers’ identities. That’s why IRS call center assistors take great care to make certain that they only discuss personal information with the taxpayer or someone authorized to speak on the taxpayer’s behalf.

 

To better serve taxpayers around the President’s Day holiday, the peak time of the year for telephone calls to the IRS, the IRS toll-free lines will be open Saturday, Feb. 18, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (callers’ local time) and Monday, Feb. 20, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (callers’ local time). This tip is part of the IRS Avoid the Rush news release series designed to provide taxpayers with the information they need, when they need it. More details on this series, including information on additional online resources, are available on IRS.gov.

 

IRS Announces Two New Members for the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee

https://www.irs.gov/uac/irs-announces-two-new-members-for-the-electronic-tax-administration-advisory-committee

The Internal Revenue Service announced the selection of two new members for the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC). Established in 1998, ETAAC provides an organized public forum for discussion of electronic tax administration issues, including the prevention of identity theft and refund fraud, in support of the overriding goal that paperless filing should be the preferred and most convenient method of filing tax and information returns. ETAAC members work closely with the Security Summit, a joint effort of the IRS, state tax administrators and tax software providers to fight electronic fraud.

 

Information Reporting Program Advisory Committee (IRPAC): IRS Names Seven New Information Reporting Advisory Members

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-seven-new-members-for-information-reporting-program-advisory-committee

The Internal Revenue Service announced the selection of seven new members for the Information Reporting Program Advisory Committee (IRPAC), which provides a forum for IRS officials and members of the public to address information reporting issues. The committee presents an annual report to the IRS Commissioner. Committee members represent the taxpaying public, tax professionals, small and large businesses, the financial industry and payroll providers.

 

IRS Selects New Advisory Council Members

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-selects-new-advisory-council-members-2017

The Internal Revenue Service announced the selection of five new members to the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC) and the 2017 IRSAC Chair.  IRSAC provides an organized public forum for IRS officials and representatives of the public to discuss key tax administration issues. The IRSAC, established in 1953, selects members to represent the taxpaying public, tax professionals, small and large businesses, academia and the payroll community. The council provides the IRS Commissioner and division leadership with important feedback, observations and suggestions.

 

IRS Releases Updated Form 990-EZ; New Options to Help Exempt Organizations Avoid Errors, File a More Accurate Return

https://www.irs.gov/uac/irs-releases-updated-form-990-ez-new-options-to-help-exempt-organizations-avoid-errors-file-a-more-accurate-return

The IRS announced today the release of an updated Form 990-EZ, Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, that will help tax-exempt organizations avoid common mistakes when filing their annual return. The updated Form 990-EZ includes 29 “help” icons describing key information needed to complete many of the fields within the form. The icons also provide links to additional helpful information available on IRS.gov. These “pop-up” boxes share information to help small and mid-size exempt organizations avoid common mistakes when filling out the form and filing their return.  On the new form, the help icons are marked in boxes with a blue question mark. The icons and underlying links work on any device with Adobe Acrobat Reader and Internet access. Once completed, filers can print Form 990-EZ and mail it to the IRS. Although many large exempt organizations are required to file Form 990-series information returns electronically, the IRS encourages all exempt organizations to consider filing electronically.

 

"Taxes. Security. Together." Tax Tip Series

https://www.irs.gov/uac/taxes-security-together-tax-tip-series

How the IRS Taxpayer Bill of Rights Works

 

 

Tax Tips

https://www.irs.gov/uac/irs-tax-tips

Six Tax Tips for the Self-Employed

IRS Guide to Community-Based Free Tax Preparation

Don’t Fall for Scam Calls and Emails Posing as IRS
IRS Debunks Myths Surrounding Tax Refunds
Top Ways to Get Help Now From IRS.gov

Health Care Tax Tips

https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/health-care-tax-tips2

Affordable Care Act: What Employers with Fewer than 50 Employees Need to Know

If/Then Chart Explains How the Health Care Law Affects You

 

Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace

https://www.healthcare.gov/small-businesses/

The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace helps small businesses provide health coverage to their employees. The SHOP Marketplace is open to employers with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees (FTEs). This includes non-profit organizations. You can enroll in SHOP any time of year - there’s no restricted enrollment period. For more information, visit HealthCare.gov.

The Affordable Care Act and Employers
Information on Key Tax Provisions Affecting Employers 

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