IRS Tax Reform Archived Webinars
Archived webinars on Tax Reform are now available on the IRS Video Portal!
SBA’s Million Dollar Women’s Panel
This Women’s History Month, we honor and celebrate the economic contributions and hard work of local women entrepreneurs who have made $1 million or more in business revenues since the founding of their business.
The SBA Seattle District Office invites you to attend this special event where you will:
- Network with other current and aspiring entrepreneurs
- Hear from our panel of “Million Dollar Women”
- Discover resources to start or grow your business from the women’s business resource fair
Although this event focuses on women entrepreneurs, it is inclusive and open to all who are interested by this topic.
March 22 – 9am – noon
Seattle SBA office
Free – register at the link above.
Form I-9 E-Verify Symposium with USCIS
March 25, 2019 | 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Seattle invites you to attend the Form I-9 and E-Verify Symposium on Monday, March 25. This one-day event will provide employers and adult employment services coordinators with and overview of:
• Acceptable Documents for Verifying Employment Authorization;
• Completing, Retaining and Storing the Form I-9;
• Form I-9 Best Practices; and
• The E-Verify Program.
2019 SBA Resource Guide for Washington & Northern Idaho Now Available!
The updated 2019 SBA Resource Guide is now available! Go to the direct link above, or find it on the SBA website by following these steps:
Click on “Seattle District Office Resource Guide”
Small Business Administration Workshops
SBA offers a variety of workshops, some online and others in person. Check the Events Calendar for a complete list.
Also check out the SBA Learning Center for a variety of free online courses, available anytime!
SCORE Workshops
SCORE offers workshops designed to give you the skills necessary to start your own successful business.
Mar 13, Apr 10 -- Saving Taxes for Small Businesses
Mar 13, Apr 10 – Understanding Financial Statements
Mar 14, Apr 17 – Successfully Starting a New Business
Mar 28 -- Organizing and Managing a New Business with Employees
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Workshops
The SBDCs across Washington offer a variety of online and in person training for businesses. Visit the two links above to see what is available.
Mar 13 – Tukwila: Choose OR Change Your Business Structure
Mar 27 – Auburn: Small Business Start-up
Apr 2 -- Kent: Small Business Start-up
Apr 17 – Mountlake Terrace: Your Business - Start Smart
May 15 – Tukwila: Prevent Fraud in Your Small Business
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 waives estimated tax penalty for farmers, fishermen who file returns and pay tax by April 15
The Internal Revenue Service will waive the estimated tax penalty for any qualifying farmer or fisherman who files his or her 2018 federal income tax return and pays any tax due by Monday, April 15, 2019. (The deadline is Wednesday, April 17, 2019, for taxpayers residing in Maine or Massachusetts.) The IRS is providing this relief because, due to certain rule changes, many farmers and fishermen may have difficulty accurately determining their tax liability by the March 1 deadline that usually applies to them. For tax year 2018, an individual who received at least two-thirds of his or her total gross income from farming or fishing during either 2017 or 2018 qualifies as a farmer or fisherman.
IRS kicks off annual list of most prevalent tax scams: Agency warns taxpayers of pervasive phishing schemes in its ‘Dirty Dozen’ campaign
Kicking off the annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams, the Internal Revenue Service warned taxpayers of the ongoing threat of internet phishing scams that lead to tax-related fraud and identity theft. The IRS warns taxpayers, businesses and tax professionals to be alert for a continuing surge of fake emails, text messages, websites and social media attempts to steal personal information. These attacks tend to increase during tax season and remain a major danger of identity theft. To help protect taxpayers against these and other threats, the IRS highlights one scam on 12 consecutive week days to help raise awareness.
Phishing schemes are the first of the 2019 “Dirty Dozen” scams (in this article); the next three are listed below:
The Internal Revenue Service warned taxpayers to be alert to tax time phone scams where aggressive criminals pose as IRS agents in hopes of stealing money or personal information. Phone scams or “vishing” (voice phishing) continue to pose a major threat. The scam has cost thousands of people millions of dollars in recent years, and the IRS continues to see variations on these aggressive calling schemes.
Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses a stolen Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to file a fraudulent tax return claiming a refund.
The IRS reminds taxpayers to be careful when selecting a tax professional. Though most tax professionals provide honest, high-quality service, a minority of dishonest preparers operate each filing season perpetrating refund fraud, identity theft and other scams that hurt innocent taxpayers. See the article for tips to help taxpayers avoid unscrupulous tax preparers.
IRS YouTube Videos:
Tax Time Guide: ‘Where’s My Refund?’ remains easiest way to check tax refund status
The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that the easiest way to check on a tax refund is “Where’s My Refund?,” an online tool available at IRS.gov and through the IRS2Go app. The fastest way to get a refund is to use IRS e-file and direct deposit. This news release is part of a series called the Tax Time Guide, a resource to help taxpayers file an accurate tax return. Additional help is available in Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax, and the tax reform information page. The IRS issues nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days. Refunds for those claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit had to be held, by law, until mid-February. Taxpayers claiming these credits should begin to see their refunds deposited in bank accounts February 27.
Taxpayers who owe should pay as much as possible to minimize interest and penalty charges. They should visit IRS.gov/payments to explore their payment options. It’s especially important in 2019 for taxpayers who had an unexpected result when they filed their 2018 tax return to perform a Paycheck Checkup now to determine whether the right amount is being withheld for their 2019 taxes. Taxpayers who do need to adjust their withholding should submit a 2019 Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, to their employer as soon as possible.
IRS urges businesses to e-file cash transaction reports; It’s fast, easy and free
The Internal Revenue Service urges businesses required to file reports of large cash transactions to take advantage of the speed and convenience of filing these reports electronically. Although businesses have the option of filing Form 8300, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000, on paper, many have already found that e-filing is a faster, more convenient and cost-effective way to meet the reporting deadline. The form is due 15 days after a transaction and there’s no charge for the e-file option. For more details, see Cash payment report helps government combat money laundering.
Individuals who need passports for imminent travel should contact IRS promptly to resolve tax debt
The Internal Revenue Service reiterated its warning that taxpayers may not be able to renew a current passport or obtain a new passport if they owe federal taxes. To avoid delays in travel plans, taxpayers need to take prompt action to resolve their tax issues.
Interest rates remain the same for the second quarter of 2019
Interest rates will remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning April 1, 2019, as they were in the first quarter of 2019.
Be Tax Ready – understanding tax reform changes affecting individuals and families
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), enacted in late 2017, produced the most sweeping tax law change in more than 30 years. The TCJA, often referred to as tax reform, affects nearly every taxpayer — and the 2018 federal return they’ll file in 2019. For taxpayers preparing to file their 2018 tax return or getting ready to meet with their tax professional, understanding the changes from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act can help them “Be Tax Ready.” More information is available in IRS Publication 5307, Tax Reform Basics for Individuals and Families.
Tax Time Guide: Most people affected by major tax reform changes; Special publication, other online resources can help
With major tax law changes impacting every taxpayer, the Internal Revenue Service has developed a special electronic publication and other online resources designed to help people understand how tax reform affects them this year and the years ahead. This news release is part of a series called the Tax Time Guide, a resource to help taxpayers file an accurate tax return. Additional help is available in Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax, and the tax reform information page. Last fall, the IRS released an online publication, called Tax Reform: Basics for Individuals and Families. Available at IRS.gov/getready, Publication 5307 provides an overview of these and other key changes affecting tax returns.
IRS YouTube Videos:
IRS provides a safe harbor method of accounting for passenger automobiles that qualify for the 100-percent additional first year depreciation
The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service issued guidance that provides a safe harbor method for determining depreciation deductions for passenger automobiles that qualify for the 100-percent additional first year depreciation deduction and that are subject to the depreciation limitations for passenger automobiles. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), the additional first year depreciation deduction applies to qualified property, including passenger automobiles, acquired and placed in service after September 27, 2017, and before January 1, 2027. For more information on the additional first year depreciation deduction, see TCJA, Depreciation.
Tax Tips
