While the employee retention credit established under the CARES Act (and extended under the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act) provided much-needed financial relief for many businesses seeking to keep their employees on staff during the pandemic, businesses that claimed the credit are also at risk for facing IRS scrutiny. Combating COVID-19 relief fraud has become a top federal law enforcement priority, and this includes targeting businesses suspected of improperly claiming credits and other tax benefits.

Each year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) publishes a list of its “Dirty Dozen” tax scams. While the list primarily highlights scams that target taxpayers, it also includes tax scams that top the IRS’ list of enforcement priorities. In 2022, the IRS published its “Dirty Dozen” list in a series of articles, and the last article in the series makes clear that the IRS is prioritizing offshore account and digital asset reporting compliance in 2022. Learn more from New Jersey tax attorney Kevin E. Thorn, Managing Partner of Thorn Law Group:

Most New Jersey residents think about taxes once a year—usually a few weeks or months before April 15. But, many taxpayers have an obligation to make quarterly estimated tax payments throughout the year. Taxpayers who fail to make estimated payments as required can face steep penalties, and they can increase their risk of facing a tax audit or investigation. Learn more from New Jersey tax attorney Kevin E. Thorn, Managing Partner of Thorn Law Group.

It is around this time each year that many individuals learn they have fallen victim to tax scams. From fraudulent tax return preparers to phone and email phishing scams, taxpayers face several risks if they are not careful. If you thought you filed your taxes on time but now find yourself dealing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), here are some important facts from New Jersey tax attorney Kevin E. Thorn, Managing Partner of Thorn Law Group:

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is actively targeting estate planners, grantors, trust administrators and beneficiaries suspected of utilizing abusive trust arrangements to evade federal tax liability. Those who utilize abusive trust arrangements can face IRS audits—and these audits can lead to civil or criminal penalties depending on the IRS’ findings. Here, New Jersey tax lawyer Kevin E. Thorn, Managing Partner of Thorn Law Group, discusses five issues that may lead to IRS scrutiny.