Most of us in the Bay Area file our tax returns like clockwork. Many of us get a refund after the tax deadline. Some of us find that we owe money to the Internal Revenue Service. When we owe a lot of money or we don't have the cash on hand, we may put off paying the...
Month: July 2012
Executive loses IRS battle over offshore account unfiled reports
In a previous post we reminded our California readers that June 30 was the deadline to file their Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, or FBAR, to the Internal Revenue Service. The report is required for anyone with more than $10,000 in a foreign or offshore...
Property can be seized for as little as $400 in overdue taxes
There are a number of unpleasant consequences which can occur when someone is behind on their taxes. Two issues can be involved: how much is owed and what entity is owed the taxes. As we have stated in previous posts, it is possible to achieve a compromise or workout...
Sacramento couple is tripped up by technicalities
It is difficult to imagine the frustration that must have been felt by a Sacramento couple as they tried to do something good, and were slapped on the hands for their efforts.The couple donated a parcel of land to a charitable remainder trust, and took a deduction for...
Overpay for house? Then pay $600,000 in property taxes.
Perhaps if you pay $100 million for your house or estate in Silicon Valley, it doesn't matter to you if you overpaid. According to a real estate assessor, a Russian billionaire paid way too much for his California purchase. The real estate taxes for the property used...
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Even a fortune can disappear without sound estate planning
Some figures baffle.Like the speed of light. Like the age and size of the universe. And like estimates pegging the personal fortunes of America's richest families.Consider this imagery relevant to the storied Vanderbilt family for a moment: a pile of money equaling...
Broad, measured thinking out of the box promotes sound estate planning
"You own this." Those words might sound frightening to a would-be California estate planner, but they are actually meant to promote a feeling of empowerment rather than intimidation. It is no secret that legions of...
Remarrying couples unquestionably need to focus on estate planning
Many remarrying California individuals fail to timely consider and update existing estate plans to reflect new realities.Don't be one of them. Many remarrying California individuals fail to timely consider and update existing estate plans to reflect new...
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