Employment Development Department (EDD) performs many services, but their primary role that impacts small businesses is collecting and auditing payroll taxes. Employers pay payroll taxes for W-2 employees, but not for 1099 independent contractors. The line between an independent contractor and an employee was more concretely defined with the implementation… [Read more]
Tax Liens: What are They and How to Avoid One
The Internal Revenue Services (IRS) works swiftly when taxpayers fail to pay taxes on time, or at all. Failure to pay or late payment of taxes triggers an IRS notification to you or your business of noncompliance, and outlines the necessary steps to rectify that noncompliance. When those warnings are… [Read more]
Six Triggers of an IRS Audit
An audit is, in itself, not a bad thing. we have come to equate audit with accusation or wrongdoing but an IRS audit is simply a review of the records. Int his spirit, there is no reason to fear IRS audit. In reality, the IRS audit process is triggered by… [Read more]
Case Study: EDD Audit Construction
When The California Employment Development Department, EDD did a site sweep, Ryan Brown found himself facing an audit. As he did research on his own as to what the ramifications of an EDD audit might be, he saw steep fines, jail time and high conviction rates reported time and time… [Read more]
2020 Tax Filing & the SBA PPP Loan
If your business received SBA PPP loan funds here’s what you need to know to prepare for your 2020 taxes. As with all elements of the forgivable loan, there are steps you should take right now to ensure forgiveness and compliance. In the video below we’ve outlined several scenarios to… [Read more]
Commentary on NY Times Article, “California Sues Uber and Lyft, Claiming Workers Are Misclassified”
California Sues Uber and Lyft, Claiming Workers Are Misclassified. In January, 2020 Assembly Bill AB-5 went into effect redefining the criteria for a 1099 contract worker as opposed to a W-2 employee. The bill was aimed at the employers who drive the Gig Economy and in the subsequent months, Uber,… [Read more]
Will AB-5 Withstand Coronavirus?
As we look forward from April into the second quarter of 2020 the question on many business owner’s minds is: will the rules outlined in AB-5 stand in the face of coronavirus? At the start of 2020, business owners’ level of concern about California EDD’s newfound power to audit businesses… [Read more]
Unemployment Claims Spike: So May EDD Audits
Unemployment claims are in the millions as a result of the coronavirus epidemic and the ensuing quarantine and lockdown. Small businesses are being deeply impacted by the downturn and many are having to lay off over half their workforce. Since the start of the outbreak, 3.2M people have filed for… [Read more]
How IRS Criminal Investigations Start
IRS Criminal investigations begin with a suspicion of fraud and violations of: Internal Revenue Code Bank Secrecy Act Money laundering statutes …Among others. When IRS determines there is a case against a violator, they refer it to the Department of Justice. Why IRS Special Agents target a business for investigation… [Read more]
Precision & Attention to Detail Are The Hallmarks of Milikowsky Tax Law
John’s level of precision and attention to detail is unmatched. At Milikowsky Tax Law, we partner with CPA firms to provide the highest level of service and support to their clients in case of IRS Audit, EDD investigation or other tax controversy matters. Bernie Minton, CPA is a trusted CPA… [Read more]