Awards & Recognition
Specific tax compliance requirements affect different groups of taxpayers. For example, in addition to meeting the basic state and federal income tax filing requirements that apply to most individuals, taxpayers with offshore bank or investment accounts must also obey foreign account disclosure rules. Corporations and other business entities are subject to particularly intricate reporting requirements, including requirements to comply with employment, payroll, and sales tax laws. For many taxpayers, the recent passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has further complicated compliance efforts by introducing a wave of new and overhauled tax regulations.
At the Tax Law Office of David W. Klasing, we are dedicated to resolving complex tax issues effectively and efficiently, finding innovative solutions that reduce state and federal tax penalties while putting you back into compliance with the law. Even if it has been many years since you were part of the tax system, we can identify strategic paths forward. If you have unfiled returns, undisclosed bank accounts, delinquent tax liabilities, or other compliance issues that need addressing, our Bakersfield tax lawyers are standing by to deliver around-the-clock, award-winning legal support. See our Non-Filer Q and A Library
What is the so-called Spies Evasion?
California + U.S. Income Tax Compliance Help
With some exceptions, most U.S. citizens are required to file federal income tax returns, as are resident aliens (such as green card holders) and nonresidents. California residents, and even nonresidents who earn California-source income, are additionally required to file state tax returns. If you have unfiled back taxes, have failed to pay state or federal tax liabilities, omitted information from your previous returns, or included inaccurate information on your previous returns, you must take corrective action as soon as possible. Depending on the situation, it may be appropriate to file amended (corrected) returns, to make payments to the IRS or state tax agencies (such as the Franchise Tax Board), or to participate in a California or IRS voluntary disclosure program.
Corporate Employment + Payroll Tax Compliance Services
The IRS requires employers to withhold, in some cases match, and remit (“pay over”) various payroll and employment taxes. For example, in addition to withholding income tax, employers are typically required to withhold and match payroll (FICA) taxes, such as Medicare and Social Security taxes, along with federal unemployment (FUTA) taxes, which are paid by employers but not withheld from worker wages. Similar requirements apply to self-employed individuals (such as sole proprietors, independent contractors, and other freelancers), who file and pay self-employment (SE) taxes to cover Social Security and Medicare. Noncompliance can lead to the imposition of Trust Fund Recovery Penalties (TFRPs), or if willful, even criminal prosecution. See our Employment Tax Law Q and A Library
IRS Sales Tax Compliance for Online Businesses + E-Commerce
If you store products, employ workers, or otherwise do business in the state of California, you may have “nexus” with the state, which means that you are liable for collecting and remitting California sales and use tax. This applies not only to physical businesses, but e-commerce and online companies. However, retailers who meet certain criteria (“qualifying retailers”) may be eligible for relief from various sales tax penalties and assessments, depending on whether they have timely registered with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) and taken the other steps necessary to qualify. If you do business in California, our sales tax audit attorneys can review your records and internal procedures to ensure that you are calculating, collecting, and reporting sales tax properly. See our Sales Tax Q and A library
What is the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)?
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires certain U.S. citizens, U.S. residents, and nonresidents to report offshore financial accounts, including various types of foreign bank and investment accounts, if they surpass federal thresholds (which start at $50,000). To be in compliance with FATCA and related laws, taxpayers must file Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets) – along with reporting foreign income on Schedule B (Form 1040 (Interest and Ordinary Dividends)) and, potentially, filing an FBAR.
The FBAR, or Foreign Bank Account Report (also called “FinCEN Form 114”), must generally be filed by U.S. citizens and residents whose foreign assets exceed or exceeded $10,000 in aggregate at any time during the tax year. Taxpayers who have failed to file an FBAR or comply with FATCA can correct the problem by participating in the new IRS voluntary disclosure program, making a streamlined disclosure, or in some situations, by filing amended returns and supporting documents. See our 2011 OVDI Q and A Library
See our FBAR Compliance and Disclosure Q and A Library See our Foreign Audit Q and A Library
Bakersfield, CA Tax Compliance Lawyer + CPA
At the Tax Law Office of David W. Klasing, we understand the wide-ranging, often complex challenges posed by California and U.S. tax regulations. Whether you are an expat, the recipient of an inheritance, the sole member of an LLC, an online business owner, a retiree living abroad, a resident alien who recently obtained your green card, or are facing a different type of situation, our Bakersfield tax compliance attorneys have the experience and the expertise to help you successfully comply with the regulations affecting you. Contact us online today to arrange a reduced-rate tax consultation or call our Bakersfield tax office at (661) 432-1480 to get started. Please note that meetings at our Bakersfield satellite location are by appointment only.
Note: If you have concerns about the privacy of our initial or subsequent communication and are unable to easily travel to our Irvine / Orange County Main Office, consider scheduling a GoToMeeting to safely and securely establish an initial or maintain an existing attorney client relationship. With end-to-end encryption, strong passwords and top-rated reliability, no one is messing with your meeting. To schedule a reduced rate initial consultation via GoToMeeting follow this link. Call our office and request a GoToMeeting if you are an existing client. We are generally happy to travel to any of our appointment only satellite offices for a subsequent meeting in appropriate circumstances once a relationship is established via a signed engagement letter and the payment of an initial retainer or where enough retainer is available where a current client to cover the reasonable travel time and time required for the meeting.
Will it cost me more to hire the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing, who’s main office and the vast majority of the firm’s staff is located in Irvine California, but an appointment only Satellite office is close to my location, as opposed to a local company? Absolutely not! See our policies that address this issue here
