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Do you need to file back taxes? If you missed a return in the past your answer should be yes. The IRS requires that you file a return every year, and even if you think you can get away with not doing this you are wrong. Filing back taxes is not as hard as some people believe. You can do this easily enough if you know the steps to follow.

1) Gather all the documents needed to file for the year you missed. This includes your W-2, 1099’s, receipts, and bank statements among others. The more information you can dig up the easier it will be for you to file your back tax return. If you cannot find old W-2s you can either contact the company you worked for during the years that are missing or you can contact the IRS. The IRS may have this information because it is very likely that the company you worked for reported exactly how much they paid you to the IRS so they can take as a tax deduction. If you have no luck at finding your documents this way it is possible to file a substitute W-2 which will estimate your earnings.

2) Fill out the form that matches the year for which you did not file. It is important to realize that you need a different form for each year. In other words, if you have back taxes for two years you need to use two separate forms – the IRS does not allow them to be combined. The IRS website can supply you with the form for the proper year. Be sure to claim proper deductions, credits, and exemptions in order to reduce the total amount of taxes you owe, especially if you are re-filing a tax return that the IRS already filed for you. When the IRS files a return on your behalf they don’t give you the benefit of the doubt on anything and will not take any deductions, so if you are re-filing, you must take deductions to get down the liability that they IRS claims you owe.

3) Hire a tax professional. This is not mandatory, but something that many people do. Filing back taxes is a bit more involved than doing so for the current year. This is due to the fact that time has gone by, you may not have all the information you need, and you may owe money or be owed a return. Hiring a tax professional can speed up the process and help to ensure accuracy and efficiency. It will cost you some money, but in the long run it is beneficial. A tax professional can also help you get deductions you would not have seen or known to take and most of all, they can help you eliminate or lower any penalties that you will be charged for filing late.

4) Sign and date your return, and then send it off to the IRS. Do not delay in doing this; you have waited long enough. Make sure you send to the appropriate address. You must send the return address listed on the return.

5) If you owe money, decide how you are going to pay. Do you have the money to pay in full? Do you qualify for an installment agreement? Even if you do not know how you are going to pay, make sure you still file your return.

These five steps will help you to file back taxes.

Find more information on filing back tax returns. Need help? Our professionals can assist you with unfiled taxes.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/5-steps-to-follow-when-filing-back-taxes-1770707.html

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There are many ways to settle IRS back taxes. The only thing you do not want to do is ignore this situation. When you owe money to the IRS, no matter how much it may be, you need to pay up as soon as possible. This does not mean that you have to do so all at once, though. As soon as you know your options for settling IRS back taxes it becomes easier to see what will work best for you.

Here are a few of the most common ways to settle IRS back taxes:

1. Use a tax professional. Why do everything on your own when you do not have to put yourself through the stress? A professional who knows how to work with the IRS and settle your taxes can save you a lot of money. The job of a tax professional is to analyze your situation, inform you as to what is going on, and help you make the right decisions.

2. Installment agreement. This is one of the best ways to settle IRS back taxes. With an installment agreement you are allowed to pay back a small amount of your debt each month, instead of in a single lump sum. As long as you pay the minimum on time every month the IRS will consider your account to be in good standing.

3. Partial payment installment agreement. With a partial payment installment agreement you will not be required to make the full monthly payment that is required with an installment agreement. This part pay alternative is available to those that cannot afford to pay the full amount and in order to do so they must prove to the IRS that they don’t have the means to make the monthly payment required with the regular form of installment agreement.

4. Declare Hardship. One thing people don’t realize is that the IRS actually does have some limits as to when they will collect from individuals. The IRS does not want to collect from taxpayers if the collection would cause extreme financial hardship. However, the IRS will collect if they are not made aware that the collection of taxes would cause financial hardship. If you can prove to the IRS that the collection of taxes would cause financial hardship they will put a temporary hold on collections and allow you time to better your financial situation before they collect. Sometimes if your financial situation does not improve enough, they may never collect from you. The statute of limitations on tax debts is 10 years and many times this time period expires while the person is under hardship and they are no longer liable for the taxes owed.

5. Bankruptcy. Typically bankruptcy is not the best settlement method to ever choose because you owe taxes but sometimes it can help you settle if you owe other debts as well. With Chapter 7 you can discharge all taxes owed if you meet strict requirements. You will first be required to liquidate your assets in order to put that money towards paying your taxes first and after that it is a possibility that any remaining can be discharged. Other types of bankruptcy will require you to still pay back your taxes in a form of a payment plan.

6. Offer in compromise. This is the method that most people who owe IRS back taxes want to consider. With an offer in compromise you end up paying less to the IRS than what you actually owe. Those who want to settle their debt for pennies on the dollar need to look into this option. The only downfall is that the IRS does not accept offers from everybody. Instead, offers in compromise are only accepted roughly 10 to 15 percent of the time. A tax professional can help you decide if you qualify.

These three methods for settling IRS back taxes are commonly used by taxpayers across the country. If you consider them all you should find your way out of tax debt soon enough.

Need to settle taxes? Find out more information on various ways to settle back taxes with the IRS. Also connect with excellent tax professionals to help you resolve your tax problems.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/how-to-settle-irs-back-taxes-6-different-ways-1770689.html

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   If you are receiving a structured settlement, you may want to look into hiring a structured settlement broker. There are certain advantages to having a broker help you navigate through the settlement process. Brokers understand how these types of settlements work, and can help you understand all of the details this type of deal involves. They can help you create a plan which best suits you and your situation, which is something you may not be able to do on your own.

   A settlement broker can help you negotiate a settlement or can help you sell your structured settlement, should you wish to do so. They are flexible in the services they provide as either a negotiator, or as acting in your proxy in order to sell your settlement. Brokers work with both sides of the settlement process, striving to get an agreement ironed out which meets your needs.

   In many instances, an individual could be losing money by not using a competent settlement broker. Acting as your agent, your broker will relate your interests to the entity which will be making the payments. In most cases, a good broker will be able to get everything you request pertaining to selling your settlement.

   If you are selling your structured settlement, the broker will attempt to get the most money for your settlement as possible. Some brokers will work on a percentage basis, so it is definitely in their best interest to sell your settlement for top dollar. If you have a large settlement, a broker can make a huge difference in the amount of money that you receive from whoever is purchasing it.

   Most individuals receiving structured settlements are doing so because of injury or personal loss. There are also instances where lottery winners will want to sell their yearly or monthly lottery payments, instead of waiting years to get their complete winnings. In either instance, it is to your advantage to get someone who knows the intricacies of both the laws and the formalities of buying and selling settlements.

   A structured settlement broker is a professional who specializes in getting the most money from buying or selling settlements. In almost all cases, an individual will walk away with more cash in their pockets by hiring a competent broker. Therefore, it only makes sense to have one working for you.

To learn how to sell your structured settlement, or to find a qualified structured settlement buyer.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/why-you-should-consider-hiring-a-structured-settlement-broker-1764757.html

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