 With the potential of a third stimulus check heading our way, a brand new round of stimulus fraud has made its ugly appearance. We wanted to shed some light on the topic and to help avoid any issues that might get you in trouble!
Welcome to the Hoods Tax and Accounting Service blog! While we are inching closer to the end of tax season, we wanted to bring a very important topic to our reader's attention! With the possibility of a third or even more stimulus checks coming our way, the rise of stimulus fraud has begun to show its ugly head yet again. When the country needs support now more than ever, you'd think that these scammers and spammers could take a break. Sadly, this is not the case. When people are in need, they are an easy targets for these horrible people to hit. They have taken advantage of people many times before and have been very active during these last 11 months of this global pandemic. While we will get through the pandemic, we might never be able to get through or get over these scammers and spammers. We wanted to share some more information about these ugly scams and how to keep yourself protected and safe! These thieves, scammers, and spammers are taking advantage of honest taxpayers during this current tax season and have been through the stimulus payment periods. With the constant back and forth of the media on the current political atmosphere, it's easy for many to not know if that third potential stimulus check is a reality or not. Tax season is also in its own flurry, as many Americans are trying to file as quickly as they can to get much-needed funds from their tax return. In this fiscal pandemonium that is where these criminals are striking. It is very important to know that a third stimulus has not been distributed nor has it been confirmed, it is still in the works. Also, please remember that you will not receive your tax return until you've filed your taxes, and you will receive it one of two ways. You will either receive it in the form of a direct deposit to your bank account that you have set up with the IRS by providing your banking information, or in the form of a check in the mail. They will not ask you for any personal information directly to access your refund money. They already have all of this information about you. Also, they will never try to send your return to you in any other way nor can you do anything extra for the IRS (outside of filing your taxes) to receive your return. While we know finances are still strained and you need that money, please do not accept any other offers baiting you to receive your tax return early. Also, please do not give away any personal information in exchange for your tax return. That is most likely some kind of scam or criminal target you. Please note, criminals do not discriminate. They will go after anyone to get any information or money that they can. It is also important to understand that the main form of contact for the IRS is through your mailbox. If you receive a text message, phone call, email, or voice mail from someone who claims to be the IRS without you prompting these responses, that too is most likely some kind of spam or attack. While not directly linked, according to ABC 7 Chicago, another scam is to keep your eyes open for is fake COVID packages and test kits. These scams include offers to sell bogus cures, pills, the vaccine, and other medical advice for false and unproven COVID-19 treatments. Please do not give anyone information to receive such materials. These packages are fake, as are the items inside of them. If you are looking for a vaccine or help with a COVID diagnosis, please contact your doctor. One of the biggest things we can recommend is to not engage in any of these criminal efforts. Do not respond to any phone calls, text messages, emails, or letters, even if it's asking them to not bother you. At the end of 2020, CNBC reported that Americans lost over $211 million to these types of scams, and the FTC has received over 275,000 complaints. When the first round of stimulus checks were released and time passed, fraud activity did quiet down. Now that the second has been released and tax season is here, there is no doubt that this rate will rise and continue until tax season is over on April 15th. If a third stimulus check is released, this pattern will repeat itself all over again. Scammers are always looking for an opportunity for their next payout. Remember that one of the many tactics these criminals use is fear, scamming taxpayers into giving them private information, or else! The IRS will not send unprompted emails, texts, nor will they call you with threats of sending you to jail or filing a lawsuit against you. They will also not demand wiring money or gift cards in return for your tax payments. What Are Some Current Scams and Spam Threats? Along with offering cures, vaccines, and help to fight or stay safe from the COVID-19 virus, some current scams look like this:
How Do I Protect Myself from Tax and Stimulus Fraud? With all of these very intelligent criminals hitting their targets on so many different platforms and in so many different ways, how can you protect yourself?
Tax season, tight finances due to a global pandemic, and dealing with staying up to date with potential future stimulus payments is difficult enough. Stay alert and educate yourself to avoid any fraud or scams that could potentially make your life even more difficult. Please never hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, and we are here and ready to help you through your 2020 tax season! Remember, if you are looking for the best accounting services in Goose Creek, the best tax preparation in Goose Creek, business consulting in Goose Creek, bookkeeping in Goose Creek, or payroll services in Goose Creek, we are here for you! Our phone lines and inboxes are waiting for you. Don't hesitate! Please stay safe, everyone. We will see you soon! To learn more and to report fraudulent activity, please visit the IRS or FTC website by following the links below.
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 hile many of us received both of our stimulus payments, for many Americans that was not the case. Today, we are going to be talking about how to claim your stimulus payments on your 2020 tax returns.
Tax season will officially be here on Friday, February 12th, and while all Americans are preparing to get their taxes in by April 15th, many are still waiting for one or both of their stimulus payments to arrive. Great news, the two go hand in hand! You can claim your missing stimulus money on your 2020 tax return. Even if you are a nonfiler, you are still able to file a 2020 tax return and receive your stimulus funds. Today, we are going to be talking about how best to do that and why you will want to file your taxes as early as possible to help benefit future stimulus payments. How Do I Claim My Missing Stimulus Payments On My 2020 Tax Return? While tax season might bring on stress and worry, take comfort in the fact that if you've not received one or both of your stimulus payments or you feel like you were not given the correct amount by the IRS, filing your taxes can help you take action to get the money you're owed!
We know 2020 taxes and future stimulus payments might be difficult to navigate, but we are here to help in every way possible. If you are still concerned about filing your 2020 taxes or about receiving your stimulus payments, please don't hesitate to reach out! Please know that all of us at Hoods are here to help you, and we want to help you receive your tax return as quickly as possible! Please reach out to us if you'd like to begin working with us or have any questions or comments! Is there a topic about taxes that you would like to learn more about? Let us know and comment below! Remember, if you are looking for the best accounting services in Goose Creek, the best tax preparation in Goose Creek, business consulting in Goose Creek, bookkeeping in Goose Creek, or payroll services in Goose Creek, we are here for you! Our phone lines and inboxes are waiting for you. Don't hesitate! Please stay safe, everyone. We will see you soon!  This might be one of the most unique tax seasons we will ever see in our lifetime, so we want to make sure you're prepared. Here are ten tips to help prepare you for your 2020 taxes!
Hello to all of our readers here in Goose Creek and beyond! All of us here at Hoods hope that you had a wonderful holiday season and that you're ready for tax season to begin. The IRS has announced that the nation's tax season will start on Friday, February 12, 2021. They will begin accepting and processing your 2020 tax year returns. After the tumultuous year that 2020 was, and the difficulties that are still with us, one thing we want to make sure of is that you're prepared for this current tax season. This might be the most unique tax season any of us will experience in our lifetime, but we want to make sure it is as pain-free as possible. First and foremost, if you are overwhelmed and would like to work with a professional tax company, we will be happy to work with you! However, make sure to sign up for our services as quickly as possible before we run out of time and space to help you file your taxes on time. Remember, the sooner you file, the faster your tax return will be in your pocket! For those who didn't receive their $1,200 or $600 stimulus checks, make sure to include this in your tax paperwork to receive these funds as quickly as possible. With so many individuals still struggling with financial issues, we want to help get all of your money to you as quickly as possible. With all of that being said, we wanted to create a checklist filled with important suggestions to prepare you for doing your taxes. Our goal is to eliminate any stress, worry, and fear with this list!
As we said, tax season takes preparation and that is no joke! It takes time and dedication, but it is well worth it. Over the next few months, our blogs are going to be dedicated to tax preparation and things you should know about doing your 2020 takes. Make sure you stick around and keep checking back in with us throughout tax season and beyond! Remember, if you are looking for the best accounting services in Goose Creek, the best tax preparation in Goose Creek, business consulting in Goose Creek, bookkeeping in Goose Creek, or payroll services in Goose Creek, we are here for you! Our phone lines and inboxes are waiting for you. Don't hesitate! Please stay safe, everyone. We will see you soon! To help you prepare for this tax season to the fullest extent, we have also included a few helpful links for you to enjoy and use below!
 In part two of this blog, we are going to be finishing up our recommendations on how to prepare for your end of the year tax prep. Our gift to you is to suggest that you get it done now so that when tax season is here in a blink, you'll be ready for it no matter what!
Hello Goose Creek and to all of our readers! As we are now sitting in the last few days of 2020, and we hope that this blog reaches each of you and helps you prepare for the coming tax season. We have always believed at Hoods that being prepared way ahead of time can not only save you huge amounts of stress and worry, but it can also potentially save you huge amounts of money. This year has been difficult, we've touched on it in almost every blog of 2020. This pandemic has been a devastating blow in more ways than one, and our finances have taken some of the biggest hits and blows. While there is still so much uncertainty about what is to come with the future of our finances, what is in our power now is to control what we do know and what we do have. Being prepared can help make any transition or event that may or may not come from the government easier to deal with and easier to move forward with. Who knows what financial help we might receive between now at April 15th or what might even happen between now and April 15th. What we do know is that there will still be tax day and that we have the power in our own hands to organize our tax documents from this current year and get ready to face 2021 head-on. This season might not be as jolly or bright as the years past, we understand. However, we are here to make it as holly and jolly as possible. If you have any questions, concerns, or need help finishing out this year or starting off strong in 2021, please never hesitate to reach out. We believe in our community and what to help and support each of you as best we can, let us do our job for you! What is left of 2020 is still ticking down, so let's hop back into part two of this blog. We will be continuing and wrapping up with our tips, suggestions, and ideas on how to wrap up your finances and taxes this year, and get ready for the upcoming tax season! HELLO, 2021! Now that you've read part one of this blog and you have a few ideas on how to prepare for the end of this current year, let's focus on how to prepare for the beginning of this new year. Remember, one of the first things we will always recommend in these situations is to work with a tax advisor or a tax preparation company. Of course, we would recommend working with us, but we understand if you work with another company currently. We've said it before, but please note that tax law does change every year. With how uniquely challenging this year has been, there are bound to be some very new and unique things we will be facing with our 2020 taxes. Working with a company like ours will help ensure that all of these new compliances are followed and that nothing is missed. This will help you avoid any tax penalties, avoid underpaying your taxes, will help avoid overpaying your taxes, and will help get your refund much faster!
Just to make sure that we didn't overwhelm you with either part of this blog, we listed only the top things and tasks you need to be thinking about and preparing for now for both your end of the year tax preparation and the tax prep you should be starting 2021 off with. Don't worry, there will be more to come over the next few months and as we inch closer and closer to tax day 2021. We hope that both of these checklists help prepare you to close this year out strongly and to start 2021 out focused and prepared. If you need help to make this upcoming tax season the most stress-free of them all, never hesitate to reach out! Remember, if you are looking for the best accounting services in Goose Creek, the best tax preparation in Goose Creek, business consulting in Goose Creek, bookkeeping in Goose Creek, or payroll services in Goose Creek, we are here for you! Our phone lines and inboxes are waiting for you. Don't hesitate! Please stay safe, everyone. As our last blog of 2020, we want to thank all of you for your support, your business, and for letting us be apart of this wonderful community. We will continue to work hard for the people of Goose Creek and our whole community. From our family to yours, we hope you had a wonderful holiday and have a fantastic New Year! We will see you soon!  Tax season is here, and for many of our clients, as you grow professionally and through your financial years, you come to discover more and more things finding their way onto your tax documents that you have to pay for. One of the most expensive things that you will depend on later in life is your retirement fund. Are you prepared to retire and are you aware of what you may or may not have to pay taxes on once you do?
February is here, and we are one day closer into tax season here in Goose Creek. We are here to provide the best tax preparation services to all of our current and new clients, so please don't hesitate to contact us this tax season! We are in full swing, and are prepared for what is going to be a very busy but very exciting tax season! With that being said, we are here to offer our clients at many stages of their lives help with their taxes. For those filing for the first time, for those filing for the first time as a married couple, and those filing for the first time after retiring. Just as you change through the stages of your life, how you pay your taxes will also change along with you. Planning for your retirement is one of the most important things you can start doing once you start working in the professional world. You'll be paying for your retirement your whole professional career, and it will most likely be one of the most expensive things you'll ever pay for. There are no loans, no short cuts, so you will have to save and work for it. As overwhelming and difficult as this can be at times, the sooner you can start, the better your years of retirement will be. In honor of that, we will be dedicating this two-part blog to the pros and cons of having a 401(k) versus a Pension, and what that will mean come tax season once you are thinking of retiring and once you do retire! The days of working for a company for 40 plus years and retiring with an amazing pension, health benefits, and security are becoming things of the past. Today, the 401(k) is dominating the world of the retirement plan. A 401(k) is a plan that was specifically designed to help you save for retirement and was created almost by accident! The 401(k) that we know today started its journey in 1978 with the creation of the Revenue Act passed by Congress that year. This Act was added to the Internal Revenue Code, Section 401(k), and it allowed employees to avoid paying taxes on deferred compensation. in 1980, a gentleman by the name of Ted Benna, benefits consultant of the Johnson Companies, was trying to come up with a way to have a more tax-friendly option for companies to provide retirement programs based on this new 401(k) idea. He came up with the incredible idea that allowed employees to save pre-taxed money in a retirement plan that the employer would then match and put back into the plan as well. This was the birth of the modern-day 401(K) plan, and The Johnson Companies were one of the first to provide these new benefits to their employees. In the very beginning, the original section of the 401(K) in the Internal Revenue Code, did not allow stand-alone accounts to be created and to be funded by salary reductions. Mr. Benna pushed the IRS to change this idea, and they followed through. Those employees who now decided to partake in a 401(k) could now use their deferred income to make investments and not be taxed on any gains. By 1982, 401(k)s were being offered by thousands of companies, and they are commonplace for most companies today. There are many benefits 401(k) programs give to business owners and employers, and many of these benefits are why pensions are becoming an endangered species.
The benefits a 401(k) can offer to the employee are also very positive.
Right away in just these two short lists (they could be much longer, this is just an overview), you can see how a 401(k) can be such a relief on your taxes now, and it won't be an issue on your taxes or even something you have to worry about until you start pulling money out of it. But even though there are some wonderful benefits to a 401(k) there are still some cons.
Don't be overwhelmed with these cons. When deciding on your future, especially your financial future that could affect your taxes, you need to be aware of both sides of the coin. It is good to remember that what you pay into your 401(k) can help reduce the liability rate on your taxes every year and can help with tax withholding during every one of your pay periods. You have a lot on your plate right now when it comes to tax season, so for those who aren't taking money out of their 401(k) this year, it's one less thing you have to worry about when filing. For those who are just starting to use their 401(k) plan as retirement or in a situation based on need, this tax season might be a little different for you. But don't worry, we are here to help. We hope this information has enlightened you a little more on 401(k) plans, and one of the many options available to you for retirement. In our next blog, we will be exploring pension's and what kind of taxes you may or may not be facing with those. Until then, we are Hood's Tax and Accounting Service, here to help you with all of your tax needs in Goose Creek, SC!  There are many loose ends you need to tie up at the end of any year for your personal taxes and those of your small business. You also need to be staying on top of the many changes coming your way in 2020 taxes. You might have more work ahead of you, so it's better to be prepared now for what is quickly heading your way.
You've made it through the holidays and all the celebrations that go along with them, both in your job and with your families. As tax season approaches for the 2019 fiscal year, you need to start thinking about a few new changes that you'll be seeing sooner rather than later, along with tying up a few loose ends.
In this blog, we won't be discussing all of the changes that are heading your way. We will just be touching on some of the most important. You will see changes in the W-4 form in 2020, in State withholding, Federal W-2s and State Deadlines, ACA Compliance from the State, and in Gig Economy and worker classification. Changes with W-4 Forms In 2020 you're going to see changes with the IRS W-4 tax form. They have changed the form and given it a bit of a facelift. The changes include calculations for income tax withholding. There is a new form that has been added for the head of the household as well. The new form eliminates withholding allowance. As an employee, you will just adjust your withholdings by putting your tax information on your W-4 forms. This will include non-wage income, full-year deductions, and any child or any other dependent tax credits. If you own a small business or are getting a new job in the year to come, filling out tax papers will be much different than previous years. Since you probably don't know all of your tax information off the top of your head, and you probably won't be carrying around copies of last year's tax refund, take more time filling out the paperwork. If you are a business owner, allow your employee to take it home. Ask your new employer for a private space to call home or your tax professional to fill out all the information. If you are happy with your current withholdings at your job now, you will not need to fill out the w-4 form again. If you need to change anything for your future taxes, you will have to fill out the new paperwork. State Withholdings The new W-4 paperwork could affect state tax withholdings. Many states are still trying to figure out how to work with these new changes, so you or your small business won't be the only one trying to follow along. You will need to prepare for these changes by the end of next year, as their decisions on how to deal with these new changes will also affect how you file your taxes. The main issue many states are dealing with right now is the fact that there is no longer a box for allowances on the federal tax forms. Different states are picking different ways to handle the situation. One option that might become the norm is taking the focus away from income tax and shifting to pay-roll taxes. This might not be a very fun solution for many of us, but be prepared. When it's time to do taxes and paperwork for 2020, make sure to pay attention to the choices your state has made to deal with the W-4 changes. Federal W2s and State Deadlines In 2020 the tax rate will remain the same for employees and employers, at 6.2%. Medicare tax rates will also stay the same as they were in 2019. The IRS has now moved up the W-2 submission deadline to January 31st. They have done this to continue the fight against tax fraud and identity theft. Most states will now require electronic W-2 filing from your employers. Many states have also increased the penalties for late filings of W-2 forms. Be very aware of these due dates. These fees can add up very quickly and become very costly. The good news for you, if you're feeling overwhelmed for next year's tax season, is that we are here to help you keep up to date on these changes. We are here to help you understand them, help guide you through them, and prepare for them. These charges vary from small differences to ones that will affect you on a state and federal level. Just like any tax law changes, the new ones we will be seeing in 2020 will evolve into others. So don't get too comfortable. Stay connected, educated, and ready for the unexpected.  This season is meant for celebrating, and no matter how you celebrate it can be overshadowed by the fear that tax season is getting closer. But fear not, we have the perfect gift you can give yourself to make this tax year and the years to come pain-free with more celebration in store for you!
The holidays are here, and with a rush of mistletoe and delicious treats, in comes the last fiscal quarter of 2019. We've made it, and that in itself is a reason to celebrate. While we sit here enjoying a mug of holiday cheer, we can't help but start to think of tax season. We are about to put this year to sleep and tuck it in to the IRS come April. But come January 21st, the IRS will start taking e-file returns, which means getting your tax return back even sooner! There is one more step you can go about doing to make your tax holiday season even better. That is to gift yourself with hiring a Tax Professional! Perhaps you've done your taxes for the last handful of years. That's amazing, ambitious, and very time-consuming. We understand your hesitation in hiring someone to help you with your taxes. It does cost money. But in the spirit of giving, we want to pass along five of the top reasons why you should consider hiring a tax professional to do your 2019 taxes!
In five easy steps, this can be the best holiday yet. Fill your mug up with holiday cheer and settle into the last few weeks of the holiday. Don't fear tax season. 2020 is going to be an excellent year, just you wait! From all of us at Hoods, we wish you and yours a wonderful holiday and a happy New Year!  What happens if you are unable to pay your taxes on time? Are there other options for you? Don't panic, that is what we will be discussing!
Tax Day will be here on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, if we are ready or not. You can file your taxes as soon as you get all of your W2s, 1099s, and other tax forms from your employers. One of the perks of filing early is getting that prized tax return early. You should receive it within three weeks of filing. If you file your taxes sooner than most, you won't be fighting against the crush of everyone else who waited until the last moment to get everything filed. But what happens if you've filled out all your tax paperwork and you can't pay what you owe the IRS? What happens if you don't fill out your paperwork and file on time? Take a breath and let's review some options out there for you.
Not being able to pay your taxes can cause huge amounts of stress and panic, but try and not let it. Just make sure you are using the options and resources available to you. You will make it through this tax season, and many more to come! For more information and help from the IRS follow the link below! https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/what-if-i-cant-pay-my-taxes  Preparing and paying your taxes for the very first time is a terrifying rite of passage into adulthood. But for a first-time taxpayer, it's easy to scare yourself into making very simple and easy mistakes. Take the time to take a deep breath, check your work, and understand what you're doing!
The very first time you pay your taxes is scary. It's scarier than this Halloween season. For most of us, our first tax experience comes with our first job while we are still in high school and living under our parent's roof. But once the safety blanket of Mom and Dad helping you file your taxes or taking you to their tax accountant goes away, things can get pretty dicey. You're out in the world for the very first time worrying about some huge adult things. Where are you going to live, how are you going to get around, how will you pay your bills, can you feed yourself, what will your job be? Those are huge learning curves, and we all go through them. And just like those learning curves, taxes have their curve too. Most first-time taxpayers are just afraid they'll do it wrong. Afraid they'll miss a signature, not understand the paperwork, or not provide the correct paperwork to prove write-offs or prove their source of income. Sadly, this will happen for most first-time taxpayers. These mistakes can cause your return to be delayed or you can receive a terrifying official letter from the IRS. The letter will point out the mistakes you made, and you will have to correct them all before seeing your tax return. Take a deep breath, we are here to help you solve those issues. In this blog, we will be discussing some of the most common mistakes made by first-time taxpayers and how to prevent them from happening!
Tax season might still be a few months off, but we wanted to put any worried first-time taxpayers at ease. If you're a parent, family member or friend of a first-time taxpayer, share this with them! We are sure you remember how hard it was the first time you paid your taxes. Remember, we also offer the best Quickbooks training and Quickbooks services in Goose Creek, and are happy to help you and your family whenever you need it. Please don't hesitate to reach out! |
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Hoods Tax & Accounting Service, LLC.
105 Etling Ave, Goose Creek, SC 29445 Phone: (843) 797-5153 Email: [email protected] |
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