IRS Rules Encourage Leave-Based Donation Programs for Victims of COVID-19

The IRS has provided relief to support employer leave-based donation programs to aid victims of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Under these programs, employees may forgo vacation, sick or personal leave in exchange for cash payments the employer makes to charitable organizations providing relief for the victims of the pandemic.

An employer’s donations under a leave-based donation program are not gross income or wages for the employees who surrendered leave so long as the donations are made in cash to a charitable organization for the relief for victims of the COVID-19 pandemic, before January 1, 2021. Similarly, the employee does not receive income or wages from the opportunity to forgo leave. Thus, the employer does not have to report its leave-based donations on the employee’s Form W-2.

An employee may not claim a charitable contribution deduction for the value of leave that is surrendered in a leave-based donation program and excluded from the employee’s wages. However, the employer can deduct its cash payments as a charitable contribution under Code Sec. 170 or as a ordinary and necessary business expense under Code Sec. 162 if the employer otherwise meets the respective requirements.

Wilson Tax Law Group, APLC (www.wilsontaxlaw.com) is a boutique Orange County tax controversy law firm that specializes in representation of individuals and businesses before federal and state tax authorities with audits, appeals, FBAR, offshore compliance, litigation and criminal defense. The firm was founded in 2014 by Joseph P. Wilson, a former Federal tax prosecutor, trial attorney for the IRS and trial attorney for the Franchise Tax Board.

For further information, or to arrange a consultation please contact: Wilson Tax Law Group, APLC

Newport Beach and Yorba Linda, California

Tel: (949) 397-2292 (Newport Beach Office)

Tel: (714) 463-4430 (Yorba Linda Office)

California—Property Tax: Assessment Appeals Filing Periods Set for 2020

The regular appeals filing periods for 2020 for California county property tax assessments have been certified. The regular appeals filing periods will begin on July 2 and end on either:

• September 15; or


• November 30.

The end date a county uses depends on whether the county assessor mails assessment notices by August 1 to all taxpayers with property on the secured roll.

Letter to County Assessors, No. 2020/026, California State Board of Equalization, June 2, 2020

Wilson Tax Law Group, APLC (www.wilsontaxlaw.com) is a boutique Orange County tax controversy law firm that specializes in representation of individuals and businesses before federal and state tax authorities with audits, appeals, FBAR, offshore compliance, litigation and criminal defense. The firm was founded in 2014 by Joseph P. Wilson, a former Federal tax prosecutor, trial attorney for the IRS and trial attorney for the Franchise Tax Board.

For further information, or to arrange a consultation please contact: Wilson Tax Law Group, APLC

Newport Beach and Yorba Linda, California

Tel: (949) 397-2292 (Newport Beach Office)

Tel: (714) 463-4430 (Yorba Linda Office)

Tax Court Resumes Accepting Copy Requests; Proceedings Conducted Remotely

The Tax Court has announced that it will resume accepting requests for copies of court records from non-parties (copy requests) beginning June 1, 2020. The Tax Court also announced that all proceedings will be conducted remotely until further notice due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Copy Requests

Until further notice, all copy requests must be made by telephone and will be fulfilled electronically by email. The Tax Court’s fees with respect to these copy requests will be $0.50 per page, with a per-document cap of $3.00. The Records Department can be reached at (202) 521- 4688. Litigants registered for electronic access continue to be able to electronically file and view documents in their cases without charge. Additional information can be obtained here.

Remote Proceedings

Administrative Order 2020-02 provides information regarding remote proceedings. Further, Administrative Order 2020-03 can be reviewed for obtaining information regarding Limited Entries of Appearance. More information can be found here.

Wilson Tax Law Group, APLC (www.wilsontaxlaw.com) is a boutique Orange County tax controversy law firm that specializes in representation of individuals and businesses before federal and state tax authorities with audits, appeals, FBAR, offshore compliance, litigation and criminal defense. The firm was founded in 2014 by Joseph P. Wilson, a former Federal tax prosecutor, trial attorney for the IRS and trial attorney for the Franchise Tax Board.

For further information, or to arrange a consultation please contact: Wilson Tax Law Group, APLC

Newport Beach and Yorba Linda, California

Tel: (949) 397-2292 (Newport Beach Office)

Tel: (714) 463-4430 (Yorba Linda Office)

 

IRS’s People First Initiative Unveiled

The IRS announced that it unveiled the People First Initiative on March 25, 2020 to ease the burden on people facing tax issues as much as possible and to enable them to better focus on the well-being of themselves and others during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative is an unprecedented effort to temporarily scale back many collection and enforcement activities by the IRS during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The IRS, in consultation with its partners, will continue to review the initiative and modify or expand it as necessary during this situation.

The People First Initiative modified numerous IRS compliance programs by providing taxpayers relief from the following programs:

• Existing Installment Agreements,


• New Installment Agreements,


• Offers in Compromise (OIC),


• Field Collection Activities - Liens and levies,


• Automated Levies, and Systemic Liens and Levies,


• Certifications of seriously delinquent tax liabilities to the State Department (impacting the issuance or renewal of a passport),


• Private Debt Collection, and


• Field, Office and Correspondence Audits.

Further, the IRS announced that while the IRS Independent Office of Appeals continues to work its cases, it would not hold in-person conferences with taxpayers. However, they may hold conferences over the telephone or by videoconference. Moreover, the IRS urged those who owe back taxes to take this opportunity to file delinquent returns and resolve any outstanding liabilities. Taxpayers can visit the IRS website for more information about payment options, including several options for taxpayers who may be unable pay the full amount now. Finally, additional information may be obtained at the following sites: IRS People First Initative FAQs, Coronavirus Tax Relief, Employee Retention Credit FAQs.

Wilson Tax Law Group, APLC (www.wilsontaxlaw.com) is a boutique Orange County tax controversy law firm that specializes in representation of individuals and businesses before federal and state tax authorities with audits, appeals, FBAR, offshore compliance, litigation and criminal defense. The firm was founded in 2014 by Joseph P. Wilson, a former Federal tax prosecutor, trial attorney for the IRS and trial attorney for the Franchise Tax Board.

For further information, or to arrange a consultation please contact: Wilson Tax Law Group, APLC

Newport Beach and Yorba Linda, California

Tel: (949) 397-2292 (Newport Beach Office)

Tel: (714) 463-4430 (Yorba Linda Office)

E-File Your Amended Tax Return? Yes

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced yesterday that later this summer taxpayers will for the first time be able to file their Form 1040-X, Amended U.S Individual Income Tax Return, electronically using available tax software products.

Making the 1040-X an electronically filed form has been a goal of the IRS for a number of years. It's also been an ongoing request from the nation's tax professional community and has been a continuing recommendation from the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC) and Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC).

Currently, taxpayers must mail a completed Form 1040-X to the IRS for processing. The new electronic option allows the IRS to receive amended returns faster while minimizing errors normally associated with manually completing the form.

"This new process is a major milestone for the IRS, and it follows hard work by people across the agency," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "E-filing has been one of the great success stories of the IRS, and more than 90 percent of taxpayers use it routinely. But the big hurdle that's been remaining for years is to convert amended returns into this electronic process. Our teams have worked diligently to overcome the unique challenges related to the 1040-X, and we look forward to offering this new service this summer."

About 3 million Forms 1040-X are filed by taxpayers each year.

The new electronic filing option will provide the IRS with more complete and accurate data in an easily readable format to enable customer service representatives to answer taxpayers' questions. Taxpayers can still use the "Where's My Amended Return?" online tool to check the status of their electronically-filed 1040-X.

When the electronic filing option becomes available, only tax year 2019 Forms 1040 and 1040-SR returns can be amended electronically. In general, taxpayers will still have the option to submit a paper version of the Form 1040-X and should follow the instructions for preparing and submitting the paper form. Additional enhancements are planned for the future.

"Adding amended returns to the electronic family also complements our partnership with the tax software industry, which continues to work with us to provide better ways to help taxpayers," said Ken Corbin, Commissioner of the IRS Wage and Investment division.

Wilson Tax Law Group, APLC (www.wilsontaxlaw.com) is a boutique Orange County tax controversy law firm that specializes in representation of individuals and businesses before federal and state tax authorities with audits, appeals, FBAR, offshore compliance, litigation and criminal tax defense.  Firm founder and managing shareholder, Joseph P. Wilson, is a former Federal tax prosecutor, trial attorney for the IRS and trial attorney for the Franchise Tax Board.  The firm is entirely comprised of ex-IRS attorneys and Assistant US Attorneys.

For further information, or to arrange a consultation please contact: Wilson Tax Law Group, APLC

Newport Beach and Yorba Linda, California

Tel: (949) 397-2292 (Newport Beach Office)

Tel: (714) 463-4430 (Yorba Linda Office)

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Protests Cause California to Shutdown

It is reported that all California state departments and agencies have been asked to close their offices, in all cities’ downtown areas today, Monday June 1st, in preparation for possible protests.  In Los Angeles County, all 38 courthouses will be closed Monday.

Wilson Tax Law Group, APLC (www.wilsontaxlaw.com) is a boutique Orange County tax controversy law firm that specializes in representation of individuals and businesses before federal and state tax authorities with audits, appeals, FBAR, offshore compliance, litigation and criminal tax defense.  Firm founder and managing shareholder, Joseph P. Wilson, is a former Federal tax prosecutor, trial attorney for the IRS and trial attorney for the Franchise Tax Board.  The firm is entirely comprised of ex-IRS attorneys and Assistant US Attorneys.

For further information, or to arrange a consultation please contact: Wilson Tax Law Group, APLC

Newport Beach and Yorba Linda, California

Tel: (949) 397-2292 (Newport Beach Office)

Tel: (714) 463-4430 (Yorba Linda Office)

IRS Extends Covid-19 Tax Relief to Alien Individuals

IRS updated its FAQs for Individuals Claiming the Medical Condition Exception on May 29. 2020 as follows:

The virus that causes COVID-19 has created a global outbreak (the COVID-19 Emergency) during which some alien individuals, who are present in the United States, have fallen or may fall ill with COVID-19 or experience other medical conditions or medical problems. Some of these individuals may have intended to leave the United States but were unable to leave due to a medication condition or problem, as described in section 7701(b)(3)(D)(ii). These individuals may be eligible to claim the medical condition exception to exclude certain days of U.S. presence from the substantial presence test, described in section 7701(b)(3), provided they meet the requirements described in section 7701(b)(3)(D)(ii) and section 301.7701(b)-3(c) (Medical Condition Exception). Alien individuals who are eligible to claim the Medical Condition Exception generally must file Form 8843, Statement for Exempt Individuals and Individuals With a Medical Condition , to obtain this exception, which requires a signed statement from a physician or other medical official that the alien individual was unable to leave the United States due to a medical condition or medical problem.

Due to considerations unique to the COVID-19 Emergency, it may be difficult to obtain a signed statement by a physician or other medical official attesting to the alien individual's inability to leave due to a medical condition. Accordingly, these FAQs modify the requirements for completing Part V of Form 8843 for certain alien individuals claiming the Medical Condition Exception during calendar year 2020. These FAQs also provide information regarding relevant record keeping requirements for persons filing Form 8843 without a physician's statement, either pursuant to these FAQs or the relief granted in Rev. Proc. 2020-20. Rev. Proc. 2020-20, published on May 11, 2020, provides relief for certain nonresident alien individuals stranded in the United States due to the COVID-19 Emergency; it describes procedures for Eligible Individuals to claim the COVID-19 Medical Condition Travel Exception, pursuant to which an Eligible Individual can exclude a single period of up to 60 consecutive calendar days of presence in the United States for purposes of applying the substantial presence test.

Q 1. Will an alien individual who intended to but is or was unable to leave the United States on the individual's planned departure date due to a medical condition or medical problem in calendar year 2020 be required to obtain a physician's statement as required by Part V of Form 8843?

A1. Any alien individual who is eligible and fulfills the requirements to claim the Medical Condition Exception may file the Form 8843 without a physician's statement to cover a single period of up to 30 consecutive calendar days in calendar year 2020 (30-Day Medical Condition). This FAQ does not modify the eligibility requirements to claim the Medical Condition Exception, only the procedures for claiming the exception on Part V of Form 8843 and only with respect to a single period of up to 30 consecutive calendar days of presence in the United States in calendar year 2020.

Pursuant to the Medical Condition Exception, any days of presence for which an alien individual is eligible and claims a 30-Day Medical Condition will be excluded for purposes of the substantial presence test. The exemption from the Form 8843 requirement to obtain a physician's statement for a 30-Day Medical Condition can be claimed in addition to the relief provided in Rev. Proc. 2020-20. The instructions to Form 8843 for 2020 will reflect the 30-Day Medical Condition contemplated by this FAQ.

Q2. What types of documentary evidence should alien individuals retain to support their eligibility for the 30-Day Medical Condition?

A2. In lieu of a physician's statement, alien individuals claiming the 30-Day Medical Condition should retain documentary evidence that substantiates their medical condition, their inability to leave due to the medical condition, and the period of the medical condition, such as (i) evidence of consultations with a heath care provider (for example, a phone bill or a text message or email from the health care provider), (ii) receipts related to healthcare purchases, (iii) evidence of canceled or changed travel reservations, or (iv) official medical records or written healthcare correspondence that the individual received (for example, automated responses instructing an individual to self-isolate). These documents should not be submitted with the Form 8843, but alien individuals claiming the 30-Day Medical Condition should be prepared to produce these records if requested by the IRS.

Q3. How should alien individuals who only claim the 30-Day Medical Condition complete Part V of Form 8843 (the section of the form applicable to individuals claiming the Medical Condition Exception)?

A3. For those claiming a 30-Day Medical Condition without claiming relief under Rev. Proc. 2020-20 or any other excluded days pursuant to the Medical Condition Exception, the alien individual should write “30-Day Medical Condition” and then describe in detail the 30-Day Medical Condition that prevented the alien individual from leaving the United States under Line 17a in Part V of Form 8843. When determining the information to include in line 17a, an alien individual should provide relevant information so that the individual can clearly demonstrate qualification for the Medical Condition Exception if the Form 8843 is later reviewed by the IRS with the corresponding documentary evidence discussed in FAQ 2, as applicable. Lines 17b and 17c should be completed consistently with the form's instructions. Line 18 of the form should be left blank. As described in FAQ 2, third-party documentary evidence of an alien individual's medical condition should not be submitted with the form, but should be retained by the alien individual.

Q4. How should alien individuals who claim multiple Medical Condition Exceptions complete Part V of Form 8843?

A 4. An alien individual may be able to claim multiple Medical Condition Exceptions and should file a single Form 8843 enumerating all the applicable Medical Condition Exceptions on line 17a. The alien individual should attach a separate statement with respect to each Medical Condition Exception being claimed along with the relevant corresponding information as outlined in Rev. Proc. 2020-20, in FAQ 3, or the existing instructions, as applicable. As an example, line 17a could read:

“Condition 1: COVID-19 MEDICAL CONDITION TRAVEL EXCEPTION;

Condition 2: 30-DAY MEDICAL CONDITION,”

Lines 17b and 17c of Part V should be left blank, but the relevant information for each applicable exception, as described in Rev. Proc. 2020-20 and in FAQ 3, along with the dates that would otherwise be reflected under line 17b and line 17c, would be included in each separate statement. Neither of these conditions require a physician's statement, and thus line 18 should be left blank. Note, however, if an alien individual is also claiming a Medical Condition Exception that requires a physician's statement, the signature and relevant information from line 18 should be included in the separate attachment related to that medical condition.

Q5. What types of documentary evidence should Eligible Individuals retain to support their eligibility for the relief provided under Rev. Proc. 2020-20?

A5. An Eligible Individual claiming relief under Rev. Proc. 2020-20 should retain evidence of the individual's presence in the United States during the individual's claimed COVID-19 Emergency Period (such as a Customs and Border Protection Form I-94 showing the individual's entries into the United States, hotel receipts, or travel reservations, including confirmation of changes or cancellations). If the Eligible Individual was actually ill or advised to self-quarantine in the United States during the individual's excluded days under the revenue procedure, he or she may also retain the documents described in FAQ 2 to demonstrate presence in the United States through U.S.-based medical records and treatments, though failure to document an actual illness will not affect eligibility to claim relief under Rev. Proc. 2020-20.

An Eligible Individual who does not qualify for the presumption of an intent to leave the United States outlined in section 4.02 of Rev. Proc. 2020-20 (meaning, the individual has applied, or otherwise taken steps, to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States but is not yet a lawful permanent resident), should also retain any documents that may support a “facts and circumstances” analysis of the Eligible Individual's intent to leave the United States under section 301.7701(b)-3(c)(2). These documents should not be submitted with the Form 8843, but Eligible Individuals claiming relief under Rev. Proc. 2020-20 should be prepared to produce these records if requested by the IRS.

Wilson Tax Law Group, APLC (www.wilsontaxlaw.com) is a boutique Orange County tax controversy law firm that specializes in representation of individuals and businesses before federal and state tax authorities with audits, appeals, FBAR, offshore compliance, litigation and criminal defense. The firm was founded in 2014 by Joseph P. Wilson, a former Federal tax prosecutor, trial attorney for the IRS and trial attorney for the Franchise Tax Board.

For further information, or to arrange a consultation please contact: Wilson Tax Law Group, APLC

Newport Beach and Yorba Linda, California

Tel: (949) 397-2292 (Newport Beach Office)

Tel: (714) 463-4430 (Yorba Linda Office)