Martin Cantu, EA - Tax Consultant - Tax Relief Services Blog

The dog days of summer are a great time to spend a few minutes with your 2014 tax projections to see how the year is stacking up. Are you making as much income as you anticiapted? Are there any unexpected income or expense items? Are you having enough withheld or paid in as estimated tax? All great questions to be asking yourself now, rather than next April, when it's too late for action. Keep your notes - it makes a last minute look in December all the easier. While you're reviewing your situation, now is a great time to consider a charitable deduction to the 501(c)(3) charity of your choice. With school just around the corner, so many organizations are gearing up to help those in need as we move into a new school year. Their need for funding extends way beyond the end of the year. Our office supports these charities, as we're pleased to highlight them now for the great work they perform in the community.  In San Antonio we support Seton Home . They are a resi...

Here are a couple of notes from the #IRS audit front lines for the first half of 2014: 1. IRS auditors are focusing on particular industries and work groups, accumulating a lot of data that they can use in other audits in the same industry.  2.Auditors are more interested than ever in your "monetary lifestyle", and how that lifestyle compares to your stated deductions. 3. IRS auditors are more anxious to close out your case, good or bad, than ever before.  Lately we've read a lot in the press about the shortcomings of IRS spending on technology and staff. The IRS countered with some great data mining and sharing of information on the local level. For example, here in central and south Texas the IRS is focused on audits of oil field services, drilling operations and landowners in the #EagleFord area. Databases and other informal information on say, oil field truck drivers, is shared among the local audit group. Financial profiles quickly emerge; informat...