IRS to Privatize Some Debt Collection

irs-logoThe Internal Revenue Service will be turning over the collection of certain overdue federal tax debts to private collection agencies that will be assisted by the filing ch 7 bankruptcy lawyers. Starting this spring, the IRS will be assigning some accounts that it’s no longer working on itself to four private contractors: CBE Group of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Conserve of Fairport, New York; Performant of Livermore, California; and Pioneer of Horseheads, New York. Continue reading

Monetary Donations Best to Help Natural Disaster Victims

Red Cross

The best way to help victims of the natural disasters like the Kokomo tornadoes or the catastrophic Baton Rouge flooding is to contribute financially to a reputable charity. The American Red Cross estimates flood recovery efforts will cost nearly $30 million. As of Monday they had only received $7.8 million in donations and pledges. Red Cross volunteers are already in central Indiana providing emergency services in the aftermath of yesterday’s tornadoes.

Continue reading

Tax Scammers Now Targeting Students

scam-alert-150x120The Internal Revenue Service is warning taxpayers about another phone scam, this one targeting students. A caller claiming to be from the IRS demands payment for a “Federal Student Tax,” threatening to report students to the police if they don’t wire money immediately. Not only are these scammers not from the IRS, the “Federal Student Tax” doesn’t even exist. Continue reading

IRS Offers Cash Payment Option at 7-Eleven Stores

irs-logoThe Internal Revenue Service is now offering taxpayers the option to pay in cash at 7-Eleven locations. The IRS says it’s partnering with ACI Worldwide’s OfficialPayments.com and the PayNearMe Company to provide the service. It lets people make payments without the need of a bank account or credit card at over 7,000 7-Eleven stores nationwide, including locations in South Bend, Mishawaka, and Griffith. Continue reading

Beware of Income Tax Scams

scam-alertTax refund fraud is predicted to soar again this year. The Internal Revenue Service expects it to reach $21 billion. Now that tax filing season is here, Hoosiers and taxpayers across the country are getting calls from scammers claiming to be with the IRS. Mandla Moyo with AARP Indiana says such scammers prey on people’s fears and count on the fact they will take an official-sounding telephone call seriously. Continue reading

State Police Warn of Phone Scams During Tax Season

scam-alert-150x120With tax season approaching, Indiana State Police are warning residents to be on the lookout for phone scams. Callers claiming to be from the IRS but often having foreign accents tell residents they may face a lawsuit or imprisonment if they don’t immediately send money for what they say is a delinquent tax bill. Then, they demand personal information to try to steal the recipient’s identity. Continue reading

IRS Warns of New Scam Tactics

Scammers posing as IRS agents have separated unsuspecting victims from upwards of $20 million over the past few years, according to federal officials. They may call, email or send a letter threatening arrest, deportation or license revocation unless immediate payment of back taxes is made. Continue reading

IRS May Need More Information Due to Affordable Care Act

The IRS may need more information from some income tax filers this year due to provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Taxpayers who signed up for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace chose to either have advance payments of the premium tax credit paid directly to their insurance provider in order to reduce their premiums throughout the year or to get their assistance at tax time as a premium tax credit. Continue reading