US District Court Activates COVID-19 Operations Plan

Wilson Tax Law Group

Newport Beach, CA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, March 23, 2020

US District Court For Central District of California issued the following COVID-19 NOTICE:

The United States District Court for the Central District of California has activated its Continuity of Operations Plan (“COOP”), effective March 23, 2020 through and including May 1, 2020 necessary to ensure the continuous performance of essential functions and operations of the Court in light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Court is taking the following actions to limit social interactions in its courthouses:

Access to the Courthouses

All of the Courthouses of the Central District of California will be closed to the public except for hearings on criminal duty matters, as indicated below.

All federal Pro Se Clinics in the district are closed.

Court Hearings

In civil cases, no hearings will go forward except for emergency time-sensitive matters, such as requests for temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions, as ordered by the assigned judicial officer. Any hearings on emergency civil matters will proceed telephonically only.

In criminal cases, criminal duty matters will go forward in the Edward R. Roybal Building and United States Courthouse in Los Angeles only. Telephonic hearings on other criminal matters may proceed as directed by the assigned judicial officer.

Filing Information

The intake sections in each courthouse will be closed to the public. To post a bond or submit an emergency, time-sensitive filing such as a temporary restraining order, call the following telephone numbers:

Los Angeles – (213) 894-8288

Riverside – (951) 328-4450

Santa Ana – (714) 338-3958 or (714) 338-4760

All criminal duty matters handled by a district judge shall be filed in the appropriate division.

All magistrate judge criminal bench duty matters shall be filed in the Edward R. Roybal Building and United States Courthouse in Los Angeles.

All criminal document duty matters handled by a magistrate judge shall be filed electronically.

For all other intake and records questions, call the following telephone numbers:

Los Angeles Civil Intake – (213) 894-3535

Los Angeles Criminal Intake – (213) 894-8288

Riverside Civil and Criminal Intake – (951) 328-4450

Santa Ana Civil Intake – (714) 338-2886

Santa Ana Criminal Intake – (714) 338-4786

Archival records requests are suspended because the Federal Records Center is closed.

The court’s CM/ECF system is available 24/7 for electronic filing of documents.

Unrepresented litigants who cannot electronically file their documents and attorneys who are required to manually file documents pursuant to the local rules must mail their filings to the Clerk of Court at 225 E. Temple Street, Suite TS-134, Los Angeles, CA 90012-3332.

Non-paper physical exhibits or other exhibits exempted from electronically filing shall be sent via U.S. Mail or other commercial delivery to the Clerk of Court at the above address.

Mandatory Chambers Copies

Until further notice, all district judges and magistrate judges do not require mandatory chambers copies during the pandemic.

Any judge can require a chambers copy in a particular case if desired. The chambers copy shall be mailed to the judge via Fed Ex. Chambers copy cannot be hand-delivered to the courthouse.

Updates and other adjustments will be provided as more information becomes available.

Please contact the former IRS Attorneys at Wilson Tax Law Group regarding any legal tax issues.

Newport Beach Main Office

1401 Dove Street Suite 630

Newport Beach, CA 92660

Yorba Linda Branch Office

18281 Lemon Drive

Yorba Linda, CA 92886

By Appointment Only

949.397.2292 (Newport Beach Office Phone)

714.436.4430 (Yorba Linda Office Phone)

Website: https://wilsontaxlaw.com

IRS Payment Deadlines Extended

The Internal Revenue Service has delayed the April 15 tax payment deadline until July 15 for most individuals and businesses to relieve some of the adverse economic impacts of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the agency said Wednesday.

People and pass-through businesses with tax liabilities of less than $1 million and corporations with tax bills of up to $10 million have three additional months to file their taxes, the Internal Revenue Service said in a notice. President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency earlier this month gave the U.S. Department of the Treasury authority to delay the payment deadline under Internal Revenue Code Section 7508A , according to the notice.

The extension doesn’t apply to tax filing deadlines, the IRS said. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had announced the relief Tuesday as part of the federal government’s plans to grapple with the economic fallout from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

If you or your business have a tax concern, contact the former IRS attorneys at Wilson Tax Law Group at 949-397-2292.

California Tax Relief Due to Coronavirus

On March 12, the Governor of California declared tax relief that delays the deadline for state tax filing by 60 days for individuals and businesses unable to file on time based on compliance with public health requirements related to COVID-19 filings.

This relief follows the Governor's March 5th declaration of a State of Emergency to make additional resources available, formalize emergency actions already underway across multiple state agencies and departments, and help the state prepare for broader spread of COVID-19. (www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3.4.20-Coronavirus-SOE-Proclamation.pdf)

The Governor's March 5th declaration states that employers statewide directly affected by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) may request up to a 60-day extension of time from the EDD to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit payroll taxes without penalty or interest. Written requests for extension must be received within 60 days of the original delinquent date of the payment or return to file/pay.

Wilson Tax Law Group endorses any tax relief efforts being sought to assist those communities, industries, businesses and individuals negatively affected by the outbreak. Although tax relief doesn’t solve the problem it helps mitigate the finacial fallout. If you or your business has comments or concerns or is seeking professional and diligent legal tax help, contact the Wilson Tax Law Group at 949-397-2292.

Possible US Tax Relief Due to Coronavirus

Reports have emerged that White House officials are considering deferring taxes for the cruise, travel and airline industries to stem the economic fallout from the outbreak. The tax deferrals for the travel industry are being considered as airlines cut back on routes and warn about declining ticket sales.

Hotel chains are struggling with vacancies in Asia and are bracing for similar waves in the United States. Business travel is falling, and trade shows, music festivals and conventions are being canceled from San Francisco to Chicago to Austin to Miami. Families and college students are reconsidering spring break excursions and distant summer plans.

Other countries have already enacted tax relief for their hardest-hit industries. On Sunday, Italy announced a tax credit for any company that has seen revenue decline by more than a quarter. That is on top of Italy’s announcement last month that companies and individuals in areas affected by the “epidemiological emergency” would be granted an extension on spring tax filings.

Congress should consider tax filing and payment extensions, medical tax credits for household and other virus prevention and recovery costs, capital loss carry-back extensions, and more.

Wilson Tax Law Group endorses any tax relief efforts being sought to assist those communities, industries, businesses and individuals negatively affected by the outbreak. Although tax relief doesn't solve the problem it helps mitigate the finacial fallout. In addition to the Feds, the State of California and other states should consider tax relief to individuals and businesses due to the outbreak. If you or your business has comments or concerns or require professional and diligent legal tax help, contact the Wilson Tax Law Group at 949-397-2292.

Tax Flash - IRS Ramps Up Audits of High Earners

The IRS is planning to audit more high-income taxpayers, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told House lawmakers this week. The plan comes on the heels of recent reports that the IRS has conducted more audits of lower-income taxpayers largely because of the increased complexity and resources needed for high-income examinations. In doing so, the Trump administration’s FY 2021 budget request proposes $12 billion in base funding for the IRS, which would provide an increase from currently enacted levels of $11.5 billion.

If you or your business have legal questions or concerns regarding a state or federal tax audit, the professionals at Wilson Tax Law Group are available to assist and can be reached at 949-397-2292. Wilson Tax Law has offices in Newport Beach and Yorba Linda, California. Wilson Tax Law assists clients throughout California, the United States and worldwide.

Feds Gut Alimony Deduction but State of California Still Allows

With respect to payments required under divorce or separation instruments that is executed after Dec. 31, 2018, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) eliminates the deduction for alimony payments and recipients of affected alimony payments will no longer have to include them in taxable income. These changes solely apply to federal tax returns.

California law does not conform to changes made by the TCJA regarding alimony and separate maintenance payments made under any divorce or separation agreement executed after December 31, 2018, or executed on or before December 31, 2018, and modified after that date (If the modification expressly provides that the amendments apply). Thus, deduction for alimony payments are still deductible and recipients of alimony payments are still required to include them in taxable income under California law.

If you or your business have legal questions or concerns regarding your state or federal tax filings, the professionals at Wilson Tax Law Group are available to assist and can be reached at 949-397-2292. Wilson Tax Law has offices in Newport Beach and Yorba Linda, California and assists clients worldwide.

IRS "Beefs Up" Identify Theft Resources for Tax Professionals and Clients

The IRS has announced the launch of "Identity Theft Central", a resource designed to improve online access to information on identity theft and data security protection for taxpayers, tax professionals and businesses. The resource provides information on how to report identity theft, how taxpayers can protect themselves against phishing, online scams and more. It is located on the IRS website and is available 24/7.

The IRS, state tax agencies and the nation’s tax industry, all working in partnership under the Security Summit banner, have made substantial progress in the fight against tax-related identity theft since 2015. However, thieves are still constantly looking for ways to steal the identities of individuals, tax professionals and businesses in order to file fraudulent tax returns for refunds. As a part of the effort to help educate and improve protections for taxpayers, tax professionals and businesses, the IRS has redesigned the information into a new, streamlined page- Identity Theft Central. The following information is available to taxpayers on the page:

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  Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft, including what to do if someone becomes a victim of identity theft.

  
  


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  Identity Theft Information for Tax Professionals, including knowing responsibilities under the law.

  
  


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  Identity Theft Information for Businesses, including how to recognize the signs of identity theft.

  
  

Moreover, the IRS has advised tax professionals and others to bookmark Identity Theft Central and check their specific guidance periodically for updates. Finally, the page features videos on key topics that can be used by taxpayers or partner groups, including a video message from the IRS Commissioner on warning signs for phishing email scams.

If you are the subject of identity theft and/or have questions or concerns regarding your tax filings, the professionals at Wilson Tax Law Group are available to assist and can be reached at 949-397-2292.