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Upcoming events & IRS news releases     11/28/2017

Announcements & Upcoming Events:

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.

Did you know the SBA Seattle District Office streams live webinars every second Thursday? Get your questions answered by business savvy experts from the comfort of your home or home office.

The following workshops are live webinars in Pacific Daylight Time:

Thursday, Dec 14

How to Get Money for Your Small Business -- 10:15 – 11:15 am

Tax Talks: End of the Year Tax Tips for Seasonal Employees -- 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/o/sba-seattle-district-office-7828614365 to see the full lineup of Free Thursday Workshops through 2017.

 

Also check out the SBA Learning Center for a variety of free online courses, available anytime!  Here is an example of one:

Financing Options for Small Businesses

https://www.sba.gov/tools/sba-learning-center/training/financing-options-small-businesses?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

This self-paced training exercise is an introduction to financing options for your business. Topics include determining your financial needs, loans, grants, venture capital, angel investors, crowd funding and other financial options available to small businesses. Duration: 30 minutes

 

SCORE Workshops

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

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

Dec 6 -- Starting a New Business

Dec 14, Jan 18, Feb 9 – Saving Taxes for Small Businesses 

 

Spokane: http://scorespokane.org/workshops

Jan 3 -- How to Start a New Business

 

There are also several 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.

 

IRS, State Tax Agencies and Tax Industry Announce National Tax Security Awareness Week, Nov. 27-Dec. 1; Event Focuses on Protecting Tax, Financial Data in Advance of Holidays, Filing Season

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-state-tax-agencies-and-tax-industry-announce-national-tax-security-awareness-week-nov-27-dec-1-event-focuses-on-protecting-tax-financial-data-in-advance-of-holidays-filing-season

For the second year, the Internal Revenue Service, state tax agencies and the tax industry will host National Tax Security Awareness Week to encourage both individual and business taxpayers to take additional steps to protect their tax data and identities in advance of the 2018 filing season. Starting Monday, Nov. 27, National Tax Security Awareness Week will focus daily on one issue that poses a threat to individuals and businesses and offer steps they may take to better protect themselves from cybercriminals.

 

National Tax Security Awareness Week No. 1: Online Security - Seven Steps for Safety 

During the online holiday shopping season, the IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry remind people to be vigilant with their personal information.

 

Reminder to Employers and Other Businesses: Jan. 31 Filing Deadline Now Applies to All Wage Statements and Independent Contractor Forms

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/reminder-to-employers-and-other-businesses-jan-31-filing-deadline-now-applies-to-all-wage-statements-and-independent-contractor-forms

The Internal Revenue Service reminds employers and other businesses of the Jan. 31 filing deadline that now applies to filing wage statements and independent contractor forms with the government.  The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act includes a requirement for employers to file their copies of Form W-2 and Form W-3 with the Social Security Administration by Jan. 31. The Jan. 31 deadline also applies to certain Forms 1099-MISC filed with IRS to report non-employee compensation to independent contractors. Such payments are reported in box 7 of this form.

 

IRS Encourages Taxpayers to Check Their Withholding; Checking Now Helps Avoid Surprises at Tax Time

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-encourages-taxpayers-to-check-their-withholding-checking-now-helps-avoid-surprises-at-tax-time

IRS YouTube Video:
IRS Withholding Calculator:
English | Spanish

As the end of 2017 approaches, the Internal Revenue Service encourages taxpayers to consider a tax withholding checkup. The withholding review takes on even more importance given a tax law change that started last year. This change requires the IRS to hold refunds a few weeks for some early filers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit. In addition, the IRS and state tax administrators continue to strengthen identity theft and refund fraud protections, which means some tax returns could require additional review time next year to protect against fraud.

 

10 Million Taxpayers Face an Estimated Tax Penalty Each Year; Act Now to Reduce or Avoid it for 2017; New Web Page Can Help

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/10-million-taxpayers-face-an-estimated-tax-penalty-each-year-act-now-to-reduce-or-avoid-it-for-2017-new-web-page-can-help

The IRS reminds taxpayers assessed an estimated tax penalty for tax year 2016 that they still have time to take steps to reduce or eliminate the penalty for 2017 and future years.  To help raise awareness about the growing number of estimated tax penalties, the IRS has launched a new “Pay as You Go, So You Don’t Owe” web page. The IRS.gov page has tips and resources designed to help taxpayers, including those involved in the sharing economy, better understand tax withholding, making estimated tax payments and avoiding an unexpected penalty.

 

IRS Offers Small Businesses a One-Stop Resource Center for Help Preparing, Filing and Paying Taxes

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-offers-small-businesses-a-one-stop-resource-center-for-help-preparing-filing-and-paying-taxes

The Internal Revenue Service wants new small business owners, including those involved in the sharing economy, to know that IRS.gov has an online resource center to help them learn all they need to know about the tax implications of running a small business. The Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center offers a variety of useful tools that small business owners can access to prepare, file and pay taxes.

 

IRS Urges Taxpayers with Expiring ITINs to Submit Renewal Applications as Year-End Deadline Approaches

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-urges-taxpayers-with-expiring-itins-to-submit-renewal-applications-as-year-end-deadline-approaches

The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers with expiring Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) to submit their renewal applications as soon as possible. Failing to renew them by the end of the year will cause refund and processing delays in 2018. The IRS mailed more than 1 million letters to taxpayer households that include an ITIN holder with middle digits 70, 71, 72 or 80. Affected taxpayers who expect to file a tax return in 2018 should submit a renewal application now.

 

To help taxpayers, the IRS has prepared a variety of informational materials, including flyers and fact sheets, available in several languages on IRS.gov. In addition to English and Spanish, ITIN materials are available in Chinese, Korean, Haitian Creole, Russian and Vietnamese.

 

IRS Statement on 2018 Filing Season Start Date

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-statement-on-2018-filing-season-start-date

The IRS has not yet announced a date that it will begin accepting individual tax returns for the 2018 tax filing season. The IRS is continuing to update its programming and processing systems for 2018. In addition, the IRS continues to closely monitor potential legislation that could affect the 2018 tax season, including a number of “extender” tax provisions that expired at the end of 2016 that could potentially be renewed for tax year 2017 by Congress.

 

Get Ready for Taxes: Plan Ahead for 2018 Filing Season to Avoid Refund Delays

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/get-ready-for-taxes-plan-ahead-for-2018-filing-season-to-avoid-refund-delays

The Internal Revenue Service advises taxpayers about steps they can take now to ensure smooth processing of their 2017 tax return and avoid a delay in getting their refund next year. This is the first in a series of reminders to help taxpayers get ready for the upcoming tax filing season. Additionally, the IRS has a special page on its website with steps to take now for the 2018 tax filing season.

 

Get Ready for Taxes: Save for Retirement Now, Get a Tax Credit Later; Saver’s Credit Helps Low-, Moderate-Income Workers

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/get-ready-for-taxes-save-for-retirement-now-get-a-tax-credit-later-savers-credit-helps-low-moderate-income-workers

The Internal Revenue Service reminds low- and moderate-income workers to plan now to earn a credit on their 2017 tax return. A special tax break can help people with modest incomes save for retirement. It’s called the Saver’s Credit and it could mean up to a 50 percent credit for the first $2,000 a taxpayer contributes to a retirement plan.

 

Plan now to Use Health Flexible Spending Arrangements in 2018; Contribute up to $2,650; $500 Carryover Option Available to Many

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/plan-now-to-use-health-flexible-spending-arrangements-in-2018-contribute-up-to-2650-500-carryover-option-available-to-many

The Internal Revenue Service reminds eligible employees that now is the time to begin planning to take full advantage of their employer’s health flexible spending arrangement (FSA) during 2018. FSAs provide employees a way to use tax-free dollars to pay medical expenses not covered by other health plans.

 

IRS Advisory Council Releases Its 2017 Annual Report

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-advisory-council-releases-its-2017-annual-report

The Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC) has issued its annual report for 2017, including numerous recommendations to the IRS on new and continuing issues in tax administration.

 

Tax Tips

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

National Tax Security Awareness Week: Eight Steps to Keep Online Data Safe

National Tax Security Awareness Week: Data Protection Tips to Help Taxpayers, Businesses

Taxpayers can use IRS Select Check tool before Donating on Giving Tuesday

Participating in the Sharing Economy Can Affect Taxes

Five Things to Know about Estimated Taxes and Withholding

Five Things to Remember about Hobby Income and Expenses

IRS has Resources for Veterans, Current Members of the Military

Five Facts about Charitable Contributions

Individual Taxpayers: Seven Things to Do When an IRS Letter Arrives

Reminder for Disaster Victims, Other Taxpayers: E-File Closes Nov. 18 

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