Recent Blog Posts

Recently, the IRS and United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) have been criminally prosecuting more payroll tax cases than ever before.  Several years ago the decision was made to focus on payroll tax cases for both civil and criminal enforcement, given the importance of payroll taxes to the federal income stream.When it comes to charging taxpayers criminally for the failure to account and pay over payroll taxes there are three main statutes the IRS and DOJ use: IRC § 7202 (the felony statute for payroll tax violations), IRC § 7215 (the misdemeanor statute for payroll violations) and IRC § 7201 (Tax Evasion).IRC § 7202 - Willful Failure to Collect or Pay Over TaxIRC § 7202 makes the failure of an employer to account and pay over the payroll taxes a felony.  IRC § 7202 was designed p... 04/21/2024

Businesses that fall behind with payroll taxes are the number one source of new clients for most tax rep professionals.  The IRS takes payroll tax debts very seriously, as it is a double whammy on the government: it does not receive the tax money, and yet it will be issuing refunds to the taxpaying employees when they file their 1040 tax returns.So the IRS has a letter it sends to employers, Letter 903, that outlines the number of enforcement actions that may occur if the employer does not change course and pay the taxes.  These include any and all of the following: File a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) to protect the government’s interest. By filing this notice, we are making a legal claim to your property as security for the payment of your tax debt. An NFTL is a public notice to y... 04/21/2024

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Great info on how to reduce costs! Smart Ways to Reduce Cost of Living Expenses Key Highlights Are you tired of spending too much every month? Here are 10 clever ways reduce your living expenses and save money. By optimizing your monthly budget, slashing utility bills, minimizing grocery costs, reducing transportation expenses, cutting down on dining out, reevaluating your housing situation, consolidating and negotiating debt, cancelling unused subscriptions, embracing second-hand shopping, and DIYing whenever possible, you can significantly lower your living costs. These strategies are easy to implement and can make a big difference in your financial well-being. Don't wait any longer, start saving money today!   Introduction Are you looking for ways to save money and reduce your living... 04/21/2024

In short, the first contact or phone call is great,   and often warranted.  But subsequent phone calls, texts or appointments need to be with the agent and the client.You want to be there?  Great, I welcome that, especially if you are there to provide support for your child or parent, or even a friend.In the past, from experience, the sooner you allow the client to engage, the better the results, and of course, success in me helping them achieve their real estate needs.  Going through a third party typically creates a communication gap,  which is never in the best interest of the client.And as always, I truly appreciate your real estate referrals!(609) 864-8164https://michaelelliott.fathomrealty.com/   04/21/2024

Yesterday Beckett’s team, the Smurfs played despite a storm that was descending on Austin. The temperature fell to 60 degrees, the wind picked up; and at first started drizzling. With 30 minutes left in the game it started raining, the field became muddy, and the balls were slick so they called the game! Beckett took first base because she accidently was hit by a ball from the pitcher! It happens, the wind was up.Hudson and I huddled under a blanket and thank goodness he brought it! The good news is they all played well and hung in there until the game was called! It’s all just part of sports, you learn to persevere!“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”  Lou Holtz 04/21/2024

Businesses that fall behind with payroll taxes are the number one source of new clients for most tax rep professionals.  The major issue many of these clients has is confusion about what to do first.  Often we hear “I should make a payment against the oldest period first, that way the IRS knows we are serious.”No they don’t!The IRS does not think that way.  The first step to do anything with the IRS is to get into tax compliance first.What is “Tax Compliance”?In order for the business to have any chance of surviving the tax debt issue is being able to get back into tax compliance, meaning it is filing and paying the payroll taxes on time.  If the business is unable to do this, then it needs to shut down, or the IRS will force the issue by levying the bank accounts and effectively making... 04/21/2024

Westwood Weekly Market Update April 8th - 14th, 2024 Ashton East RECENTLY SOLD Manning Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1392 sq. ft. | $995,000 The Colony at Westwood BACK ON THE MARKET Veteran Avenue | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 661 sq. ft. | $600,000 Tuscany Villas RECENTLY SOLD Eastborne Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1684 sq. ft. | $1,190,000 Greenfield East RECENTLY SOLD Greenfield Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1224 sq. ft. | $920,000 Kinnard Village NEWLY LISTED Kinnard Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1442 sq. ft. | $1,150,000 04/21/2024

Smart Ways to Reduce Cost of Living ExpensesKey Highlights Are you tired of spending too much every month? Here are 10 clever ways reduce your living expenses and save money. By optimizing your monthly budget, slashing utility bills, minimizing grocery costs, reducing transportation expenses, cutting down on dining out, reevaluating your housing situation, consolidating and negotiating debt, cancelling unused subscriptions, embracing second-hand shopping, and DIYing whenever possible, you can significantly lower your living costs. These strategies are easy to implement and can make a big difference in your financial well-being. Don't wait any longer, start saving money today!  Are you looking for ways to save money and reduce your living expenses? Living costs can quickly add up and lea... 04/21/2024

Businesses that fall behind with payroll taxes are the number one source of new clients for most tax rep professionals.  The first three issues that must be dealt with are: Can the business get into and maintain tax compliance? Is this business viable in its current form? If the business is not viable in its current form, can it be restructured to be a viable ongoing concern? Tax ComplianceIn order for the business to have any chance of surviving the tax debt issue is being able to get back into tax compliance, meaning it is filing and paying the payroll taxes on time.  If the business is unable to do this, then it needs to shut down, or the IRS will force the issue by levying the bank accounts and effectively making it impossible to operate.  The reason is that, if the business is not ... 04/21/2024

Jack Key Golf Teaching Facility in Auburn, ALHey there, fellow golf enthusiasts and future homeowners!  Looking to elevate your golf game and find your dream home in the vibrant community of Auburn, Alabama? Well, look no further than the Jack Key Teaching Facility and yours truly, your award-winning realtor with an intimate knowledge of Auburn’s real estate scene!Let’s tee off with the Jack Key Facility – a golfer’s paradise spread across 30 lush acres. Picture this: a sprawling range boasting nearly 400 yards of practice space, with tees strategically placed to challenge your skills in varying wind conditions. And with five Bermuda grass greens and 19 wedge targets scattered around, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to perfect every aspect of your game.But wait, there’s more! At the... 04/21/2024

SERVES: 2PREP TIME: 10 MINUTESCOOK TIME: 25 MINUTES  INGREDIENTS   1 Bell & Evans Half Chicken 1/2 cup Olive oil, plus more for brushing grates 1/2 cup Orange juice 2 Lemons, juiced 3 Limes, juiced 1/4 cup Chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish 8 cloves Garlic, minced 2 tsp Chopped fresh oregano 1 tsp Ground cumin 2 tsp Salt 1 tsp Pepper 1 (15-oz) can Black beans, rinsed and drained 2 cups Cooked long-grain white rice, kept warm Place the chicken in a resealable bag. Add the oil, orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper. Massage the mixture into the chicken to cover completely. Marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate several hours or overnight. Brush excess marinade off the chicken. Heat the grill or grill pan to... 04/21/2024

In my nearly two decades in the contracting business, I've come to appreciate the critical role of marketing in establishing and growing my firm. While general contracting requires robust leadership and managerial skills, it's crucial not to overlook marketing. Often, in the hustle of meeting job demands, marketing can take a backseat, potentially hindering the growth of your firm. Yet, growth is an essential aspect of leadership. Embedding marketing at the core of your contracting firm isn't just beneficial—it's necessary.In this article, I will share five strategies that have proven to be the most effective in generating job leads for my firm. 1. UX Web DesignStart with the basics: your company's website serves as your digital storefront and is often the first point of contact with po... 04/21/2024

On April 18, 2024, National Association of Realtors® (NAR) reported that nationwide existing home sales decreased 4.3% to annual rate of 4.19 million homes in March of 2024 from February of 2024, and declined 3.7% from 4.35 million homes from March of 2023.There were 1.11 million homes supplies of available inventory in March of 2024, higher 4.7% from February of 2024, jumped 14.4% from 970,000 homes in March of 2023.There were 3.2 months available inventory in March of 2024 gained from to 2.9 months in February of 2024, and grew from 2.7 months in March of 2023.On average it took 33 days to sell a home in March of 2024, lower from 38 days in February of 2024, but higher from 29 days in March 2023.First time buyers acquired 32.0% of homes in March of 2024, grew from 26.0% in February of... 04/21/2024

After reading the barrage of articles about all the changes or should I say impending doom in real estate such as real estate 3.0, more transparency, etc. the one thing that is not being said or highlighted is:Real estate agents are salespeople who are licensed!Pretty simple! And yet, how many real estate agents think of themselves as salespeople?I remember taking my 90-hour pre-licensing course and the instructor told all those in attendance that real estate was all about marketing and they as real estate agents were marketers.  With over four decades of sales experience, I knew that was false and decided not to engage in a fruitless discussion.Marketing is about attracting, hopefully positive, attention from the targeted audience.Successful salespeople understand that sales is essenti... 04/21/2024

Here is the north Texas real estate market update for  April 21 2024.New properties for sale 275Back On Market 50Price Decrease 163Price increase 21Active kick out 6Active option contract 194Active contingent 35Pending listings 222Sold listings 132Expired listings 26Cancelled listings 23Withdrawn listings 3Temporary off market listings 24Coming soon listings 41 04/21/2024

Blooms A Poppin in Prospect CT, 2Our weather was slightly stalled this week as we had cooler temps and a bit of rain.The spring colors may have been slowed, but they still showed additional presence.The pink weeping willow is showing its colors well and is beautiful when they flow with the wind.The rock garden at the bottom of the driveway is coming to life and the daffodils have blossomed and greet all that drive by.The phlox in front of it is starting to show signs of spring and that white/pink carpet should be in full blossom shorty.It's still too early for the azaleas and the pink of the choke cherries will show itself shortly as well.It's spring in the northeast and much appreciated as well.Blooms A Poppin in Prospect CT, 2  04/21/2024

We frequently have taxpayers arrive in our office with collection notices for an IRS balance due that they believe they do not owe.  Whether due to not receiving the notice of proposed changes (CP-2000), or because they submitted records that were ignored by the IRS, these taxpayers are now facing balances with penalty and interest they should not have to pay.More often than not it is the Final Notice of Intent to Levy and Your Right to a Hearing (CP-90) that gets them to act and contact us.  Other times it is the Notice of Federal Tax Lien being filed that triggers the response. In either case, the first move is always to request the Collection Due Process hearing (“CDP”) and prepare for the hearing.  This will prevent any levy from being issued and allow us to work out a collection al... 04/21/2024

I am not a big fan of time share units but if that is what you want to talk about, lets get it on.  It was another rough week for would-be-buyers, with 30-yr mortgage rates approaching 7.5% in response to hotter retail sales data and comments from Fed Chair Powell.Despite this, the spring buying & selling season is definitely here, with rising competition levels and faster sales.Looking to take some profits or make a move?Let's talk! #housingmarket #realestatenews #housingmarketupdates #realestatemarket #mortgage #realestate #whatsupwithrealestate 04/21/2024

Northridge Weekly Market Update April 8th - 14th, 2024 Northbrooke BACK ON THE MARKET Vanalden Avenue | 3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1576 sq. ft. | $700,000 04/21/2024