Tick, tick, tick.
For some American tax filers, those surpassing seconds can seem akin to a default mantra that begins to sound in their heads around this time each year.
Yes, it’s … tax season.
For legions of individual and joint filers in the Bay Area and nationally, getting square with federal and state tax regulators each spring is not a big ordeal.
In fact, it is routinized and often yields similarly predictable results with each passing cycle. Fill in the boxes, apply the usual formulas, spit out the results and send off the returns. And, of course, either self-applaud the refund or begrudgingly write the accustomed check.
For other select filers, though, tax season can seem fraught with peril and replete with uncertainty marked by varied complexities.
Often it is filers with overseas holdings that stress the most. Their angst is understandable, owing to the years’-long spotlight that the IRS, Treasury Department and U.S. Department of Justice have aimed at that demographic. Not only are the rules, processes and penalties relevant to filers with foreign holdings dense and technical; they are ever-changing, as well.
Of course, there can be far more than overseas assets to think about concerning the tax realm and filing season. Estate planners ranging from high-asset filers to individuals and families with relatively modest holdings often have tax-linked concerns and issues that need to be addressed and resolved.
A proven estate planning attorney can closely help with the process. A few select legal advocates combine tax-related legal acumen with specialized credentials conferred as a certified public accountant and can provide even more value for a client relying upon professional advice and representation.
Tax planning and compliance is a core concern for most filers. An experienced planning professional stands ready to help.