Hurricane Irma victims in parts of Florida will receive tax relief similar to the victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Victims of hurricane Irma have until January 31st, 2018 to file certain individual and business tax returns and make certain tax payments. According to the IRS "The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting on Sept. 4, 2017 in Florida and Sept. 5, 2017 in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until Jan. 31, 2018, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period. This includes the Sept. 15, 2017 and Jan. 16, 2018 deadlines for making quarterly estimated tax payments. For individual tax filers, it also includes 2016 income tax returns that received a tax-filing extension until Oct. 16, 2017." To read the entire press release click here. 
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AG Morgan Tax & Accounting wants to remind you...
Tax Extension Deadline
The due date for your tax returns are as follows:​

• Corporations- September 15th, 2017
• S Corporations- September 15th, 2017
• Partnerships- September 15th, 2017
• Individuals- October 16th, 2017

You have already filed your business and/or personal tax extension. That’s great.
Now it’s time to complete the process and we can help.

Gather your tax documents
AG Morgan Tax & Accounting can email you a list to help you know what to look for and make sure nothing is missed.
Just get a hold of us by phone 888-999-0829 or email asabella@agmorgantax.com to request a reference list.
Once your documents are all gathered, send them our way through our secure link: Upload Tax Documents Here

Can’t pay the tax currently due?
Some people ask, “What if I can’t pay the full tax?”
You need to file your taxes anyway and pay what you can when you can. This will greatly reduce the non-filing penalties and we can work out a payment plan with the IRS and states. 

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IR-2017-106, June 13, 2017
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today the addition of several new features to the online account tool first introduced late last year as part of the IRS’s commitment to improve and expand taxpayer services.
The online account allows individual taxpayers to access the latest information available about their federal tax account through a secure and convenient tool on IRS.gov. When it first launched in December 2016, the tool assisted taxpayers with basic account inquiries such as information about their balance due and access to the various IRS payment options. Since then, the IRS has added new features allowing taxpayers to:

• View up to 18 months of tax payment history
• View payoff amounts and tax balance due for each tax year
• Obtain online transcripts of various Form 1040-series through Get Transcript
• Give feedback on their experience with their online account and make suggestions for improvements

“We are constantly looking for ways to improve taxpayers’ interactions with the IRS and adding these new features to the taxpayer’s online account is an important step in that direction,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “The IRS is committed to serving taxpayers in multiple ways and now taxpayers who want to interact digitally with us in a secure environment have access to even more helpful features.”
Before accessing the tool, taxpayers must authenticate their identities through the rigorous Secure Access process. This is a two-step authentication process, which means returning users must have their credentials (username and password) plus a security code sent as a text to their mobile phones.
Taxpayers who have registered using Secure Access for Get Transcript Online or Get an IP PIN may use their same username and password. To register for the first time, taxpayers must have their personal and financial information including: Social Security number, specific financial information, such as a credit card number or loan numbers, email address and a text-enabled mobile phone in the user's name. Taxpayers may review the Secure Access  process prior to starting registration.
As part of the security process to authenticate taxpayers, the IRS will send verification, activation or security codes via email and text. The IRS warns taxpayers that it will not initiate contact via text or email asking for log-in information or personal data. The IRS texts and emails will only contain one-time codes.
In addition to the online account, the IRS continues to provide several self-service tools and helpful resources available on IRS.gov for individuals, businesses and tax professionals.

​Chelsea Brandt 
June 19th, 2017
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My younger cousin started his first part time job at the age of fourteen at an amusement park. After working two long weeks for $7.25/ hour (the minimum wage in 2012), he was thrilled about receiving his first pay check. He quickly opened his envelope with a huge smile on his face but suddenly the smile transformed into a puzzled frown. He looked up at his parents and screamed, “Who is this FICA and why is he stealing from me?”

What (or who) is FICA?       
          
Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax is a United States federal payroll (or employment) tax imposed on both employees and employers to fund Social Security and Medicare. FICA is comprised of a 6.2 percent Social Security Tax and 1.45 percent Medicare tax. The 6.2 percent Social Security tax helps fund benefits for retirees, disabled people, and children of deceased workers. The 1.45 percent of Medicare tax is used to provide medical benefits for certain individuals when they reach the age of 65.  

Who is paying the FICA tax?

Unlike federal or state income taxes, employers are required by law to withhold a percentage of an employees’ wages for FICA. So how much does the employer pay? The same amount! Employers must pay 7.65% of each employee’s wages so both the employer and employee contribute the same amount. The IRS receives 15.3% of each employee’s wages for FICA tax.
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FICA Tax Exemptions 

Some individuals in F-1 and J-1 non immigrant status are exempt from FICA payments for a certain time period. Below are a few of the common FICA tax exemptions:

General Student FICA Exemption: FICA taxes do not apply to payments received by students employed by a school, college or university where the student is pursuing a course of study.

Qualifying Religious Exemption: Members of certain religious groups could qualify for the exemption, but it must be recognized religious sect opposed to accepting Social Security benefits. The exemption isn’t automatic; you must apply for it by completing Form 4029.

Nonresident aliens: A nonresident alien working in the U.S usually pays Social Security tax on any income made here. However, there are some exceptions.  For example, foreign students and educational professionals in the U.S on a temporary basis don’t have to pay Social Security taxes.

​IR-2017-107, June 15, 2017
WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today warned people to beware of a new scam linked to the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), where fraudsters call to demand an immediate tax payment through a prepaid debit card. This scam is being reported across the country, so taxpayers should be alert to the details.
In the latest twist, the scammer claims to be from the IRS and tells the victim about two certified letters purportedly sent to the taxpayer in the mail but returned as undeliverable. The scam artist then threatens arrest if a payment is not made through a prepaid debit card. The scammer also tells the victim that the card is linked to the EFTPS system when, in fact, it is entirely controlled by the scammer. The victim is also warned not to contact their tax preparer, an attorney or their local IRS office until after the tax payment is made.
“This is a new twist to an old scam,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “Just because tax season is over, scams and schemes do not take the summer off. People should stay vigilant against IRS impersonation scams. People should remember that the first contact they receive from IRS will not be through a random, threatening phone call.”
EFTPS is an automated system for paying federal taxes electronically using the Internet or by phone using the EFTPS Voice Response System. EFTPS is offered free by the U.S. Department of Treasury and does not require the purchase of a prepaid debit card. Since EFTPS is an automated system, taxpayers won’t receive a call from the IRS. In addition, taxpayers have several options for paying a real tax bill and are not required to use a specific one.
Tell Tale Signs of a Scam:
The IRS (and its authorized private collection agencies) will never:

• Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. The IRS does not use these methods for tax payments. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes. All tax payments should only be made payable to the U.S. Treasury and checks should never be made payable to third parties.
• Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
• Demand that taxes be paid without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

For anyone who doesn’t owe taxes and has no reason to think they do:

• Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately.
• Contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report the call. Use their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting web page. Alternatively, call 800-366-4484.
• Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the FTC Complaint Assistant on FTC.gov. Please add "IRS Telephone Scam" in the notes.

For anyone who owes tax or thinks they do:

• View your tax account information online at IRS.gov to see the actual amount you owe. You can then also review your payment options.
• Call the number on the billing notice, or
• Call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help.

The IRS does not use email, text messages or social media to discuss personal tax issues, such as those involving bills or refunds. For more information, visit the “Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts” page on IRS.gov. Additional information about tax scams is available on IRS social media sites, including YouTube videos.