National Small Business Week

In recognition of National Small Business Week, April 30 to May 6, the IRS is highlighting products to help small business owners and self-employed individuals understand and meet their tax obligations though the following links:

• Small Business Taxes: The Virtual Workshop
• Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center
• Independent Contractor (Self-Employed) or Employee?

Private Collection of Some Overdue Federal Taxes Starts in April; Those Affected Will Hear First From IRS; IRS Will Still Handle Most Tax Debts

• The IRS is sending letters to a relatively small group of taxpayers whose overdue federal tax accounts are being assigned to one of four private-sector collection agencies.
• Taxpayers being assigned to a private firm would have had multiple contacts from the IRS in previous years and still have an unpaid tax bill.
• As always, the IRS encourages taxpayers behind on their tax obligations to come forward and either pay what they owe or set up a suitable payment plan. This means there’s no need to wait for a phone call or letter from the IRS or any of its contractors.
• The IRS reminds taxpayers to be on the lookout for scammers posing as private collection firms.
• If taxpayers are unsure if they have an unpaid tax debt from a previous year – which is what the private collection firms will handle – they can go to IRS.gov and check their account balance: www.irs.gov/balancedue. If the account balance says zero, which means nothing is due, you typically wouldn’t be getting a contact from the IRS or the private firm.
• Publication 4518 What You Can Expect When the IRS Assigns Your Account to a Private Collection Agency

DID YOU KNOW?

• You can make Estimated Tax Payments using Direct Pay.
• You can look up your Estimated Tax Payments using:
• View Your Account Balance and Payment History
• If you're an individual taxpayer, you can use this tool to find out:
• Your payoff amount, updated for the current calendar day
• The balance for each tax year for which you owe
• Up to 18 months of your payment history (NEW!)

Helpful tools when your client gets a notice or letter from the IRS

• Understanding Your IRS Notice or Letter
• Understanding Your CP2000 Notice
• Publication 3498-A The Examination Process (Audits by Mail)
• Beware of Fake IRS Tax Bill Notices

Helpful tools for your clients with a balance due

• Publication 5034 “Need to make a payment?” in English and Spanish
• Payment Options: Pay Online, Installment Plans and More
• Direct Pay
• Online Payment Agreement