Blog

Do I Have a Right to Privacy During an IRS Audit? There is quite a bit of conversation these days about privacy rights and how much the government is allowed to know about individuals’ lives. I hear this question a lot when it comes to the limits to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) power and the...

Beware of Tax Scams and Fraudulent Tax Preparers “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” We’ve all heard that expression when it comes to getting a great deal on something. That phrase also rings true when it comes to tax preparers. And unfortunately, tax season brings out the fraudulent tax professionals...

Is the IRS Keeping My Refund? *The following article was updated in January 2025* There are not many things more satisfying than filing your tax return and finding out you are getting a refund. Everyone is thrilled when they learn the IRS owes them money. But just because the federal government owes you money, will...

Keeping Accurate Tax Records in California It may sound simple, but one of the best and most effective things you can do to protect your company from an IRS audit is to keep accurate business records. I’ve heard from so many San Francisco business owners who could have avoided complicated audits or inquiries if their...

Should I Make Estimated Tax Payments? *The following article was updated in January 2025* One question I hear often is whether a taxpayer needs to pay the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimated tax payments throughout the year. Estimated tax payments—also known as quarterly tax payments—are typically made for the current tax year by individuals, including...

What Are the Consequences of Failing an IRS Audit? Facing an IRS audit can feel overwhelming, especially when it’s your personal or business’ financial future on the line. I receive a lot of questions from business owners and taxpayers asking me what happens if they fail an IRS audit in California. It’s common to worry...

IRS Audit Myths Debunked I can’t tell you how many times I received phone calls from clients who are worried about the IRS in one way or another. More often than not, these taxpayers and San Francisco business owners are worried about common IRS audit myths that can be easily debunked. In this post, I’ll...

One of the best feelings is filing your taxes and realizing you’re entitled to a refund. The thought of money coming into your pockets is an exciting thing. However, there are a few circumstances in which the IRS may keep your refund, especially if you owe them money in back taxes. Let’s look at the...

The Fresh Start Program, established by the IRS in 2011, is legitimate but often misunderstood. It did not introduce new options for taxpayers but aimed to expand and clarify existing ones. How To Be Eligible For The IRS Fresh Start Program It’s not uncommon to struggle with paying your federal taxes. I hear from individuals...

Can the IRS Audit a Dissolved Business? I’m often asked by business owners whether the IRS can audit a business once it’s closed or dissolved. Like with many tax law questions, the answer is: A business can be audited after it closes because audits, tax returns, and claims often occur after the business has dissolved....