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Velie Consulting Services, LLC
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Most taxpayers can deduct up to $300 in charitable contributions without itemizing deductions

12/14/2020

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Following tax law changes, cash donations of up to $300 made this year by December 31, 2020 are now deductible without having to itemize when people file their taxes in 2021.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act includes several temporary tax law changes to help charities. This includes the special $300 deduction designed especially for people who choose to take the standard deduction, rather than itemizing their deductions.

This change allows individual taxpayers to claim a deduction of up to $300 for cash donations made to charity during 2020. This deduction lowers both adjusted gross income and taxable income – translating into tax savings for those making donations to qualifying tax-exempt organizations.

Before making a donation, taxpayers should check the Tax Exempt Organization Search tool on IRS.gov to make sure the organization is eligible for tax deductible donations.

Cash donations include those made by check, credit card or debit card. They don't include securities, household items or other property. Though cash contributions to most charitable organizations qualify, some don’t. People should review Publication 526, Charitable Contributions for details. Cash contributions made to supporting organizations are not tax deductible.
The CARES Act includes other temporary allowances designed to help charities. These include higher charitable contribution limits for corporations, individuals who itemize their deductions and businesses that give food inventory to food banks and other eligible charities. For more information, visit the Coronavirus Tax Relief page of IRS.gov.

By law, recordkeeping rules apply to any taxpayer claiming a charitable contribution deduction. Usually, this includes getting a receipt or acknowledgement letter from the charity before filing a return and retaining a cancelled check or credit card receipt.
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Identity Protection PIN Program will soon be available to taxpayers nationwide

12/9/2020

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In January, the IRS Identity Protection PIN Opt-In Program will be expanded to all taxpayers who can properly verify their identity.
An identity pretention PIN is a six-digit number assigned to eligible taxpayers to help prevent their Social Security number from being used to file fraudulent federal income tax returns. This number helps the IRS verify a taxpayer’s identity and accept their tax return. The online Get An IP PIN tool immediately displays the taxpayer’s assigned number.
This tool uses Secure Access authentication verify a person’s identity. Taxpayers should review the Secure Access requirements before they try to use the Get An IP PIN tool.
Other ways to get an IP PIN
There are other ways to get an IP PIN if someone is unable to pass the Secure Access authentication. Taxpayers with income of $72,000 or less should complete Form 15227 and mail or fax it to the IRS. An IRS employee will call the taxpayer to verify their identity using a series of questions. Those who pass authentication will receive an IP PIN the following tax year.
Taxpayers who cannot verify their identities remotely or who are ineligible to file Form 15277 should make an appointment, visit a Taxpayer Assistance Center and bring two forms of picture identification. This is an in-person identity verification. After the taxpayer passes authentication, an IP PIN will be mailed to them within three weeks.
Taxpayers should never share their IP PIN with anyone but their tax provider. The IRS will never call to request the taxpayer’s IP PIN, and taxpayers must be alert to potential IP PIN scams.

Here’s what taxpayers need to know before applying:
  • The Get an IP PIN tool will be available in mid-January.
  • This is the preferred method of obtaining an IP PIN and the only one that immediately reveals the PIN to the taxpayer.
  • Taxpayers who want to voluntarily opt into the IP PIN program don’t need to file a Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit.
  • The number is valid for one year. Each January, the taxpayer must get a new one.
  • It must be entered correctly on electronic and paper tax returns to avoid rejections and delays.
  • Taxpayers with either a Social Security Number or Individual Tax Identification Number who can verify their identity are eligible for the program.
  • Any primary or secondary taxpayer or dependent can get an IP PIN, if they can prove their identity.
  • The IRS plans to offer an opt out feature to the IP PIN program in 2022.
Confirmed victims of tax-related identity theft
There is no change in the IP PIN Program for confirmed victims of tax-related identity theft. These taxpayers should still file a Form 14039 if their e-filed tax return rejects because of a duplicate SSN filing. The IRS will investigate their case and once the fraudulent tax return is removed from their account, they will automatically receive an IP PIN by mail at the start of the next calendar year.
IP PINs will be mailed annually to confirmed victims and participants enrolled before 2019. For security reasons, confirmed identity theft victims can’t opt out of the IP PIN program. Confirmed victims also can use the Get an IP PIN tool to retrieve lost IP PINs assigned to them.
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IRS warns people about a COVID-related text message scam

12/8/2020

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​The IRS and its Security Summit partners are warning people to be aware of a new text message scam. The thief’s goal is to trick people into revealing bank account information under the guise of receiving the $1,200 Economic Impact Payment.

Here’s how this scam works
People get a text message saying they have “received a direct deposit of $1,200 from COVID-19 TREAS FUND. Further action is required to accept this payment… Continue here to accept this payment …" The text includes a link to a phishing web address.
This fake link appears to come from a state agency or relief organization. It takes people to a fake website that looks like the IRS.gov Get My Payment website. If people visit the fake website and enter their personal and financial account information, the scammers collect it.

Here’s what people should do if they receive this message 
Anyone who receives this scam text should take a screenshot and include the screenshot in an email to phishing@irs.gov with the following information:
  • Date/time/time zone that they received the text message
  • The phone number that received the text message
The IRS doesn’t send unsolicited texts or emails. The agency will never demand immediate payment using a gift card, prepaid debit card or wire transfer or threaten to have a taxpayer arrested.
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