Russo CPA Tax Tips Image: Social Security card artwork

Six Steps to Protect Against Taxpayer Identity Theft

Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses a taxpayer’s stolen personal information, such as a Social Security number, to file a tax return claiming a false refund. Thieves are actively working to steal taxpayer information and identities, and everyone should do everything they can to prevent identity theft.

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Hand adding money to ceramic piggy bank.

It’s Hurricane Season: 5 Steps to Safeguarding Tax Records

With hurricane season in full swing, now is a good time to create or review emergency preparedness plans for surviving natural disasters, which include more than just hurricanes. For example, in the last year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared major disasters following hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, severe storms, flooding, wildfires, and an earthquake. Individuals, organizations, and businesses should take time now to make or update their emergency plans.

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The hard facts: You will be Taxed on Cryptocurrency Hard Forks!

What is a hard fork?

A hard fork in blockchain technology is a radical change to a network’s protocol and requires all users to upgrade to the latest version of the protocol software. The change makes previously invalid blocks and transactions valid — or vice-versa.

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The IRS is interested in your Cryptocurrency activities!

No matter what your attitude or comfort level is about cryptocurrency, it has become mainstream in a relatively short time.

What has gained the keen interest of the IRS is the meteoric rise of bitcoin’s price (before its recent descent) and the increased acceptance of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as forms of payment. Bitcoin can now be used to buy much more than you might think.

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Payment for Refundable Child Tax Credit Starts July 15

The first monthly payment of the expanded and newly-advanceable Child Tax Credit (CTC) from the American Rescue Plan will be made on July 15. Roughly 39 million households—nearly 90 percent of children in the United States—are slated to begin receiving monthly payments without any further action required.

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Health Savings Account — HSA Limits Increase for 2022

Contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) are used to pay current or future medical expenses of the account owner, his or her spouse, and any qualified dependent and are adjusted annually for inflation. For 2022, the annual inflation-adjusted contribution limit for a Health Savings Account (HSA) increases to $$3,650 for individuals with self-only coverage (up $50 from 2021) and $7,300 for family coverage (up $100 from 2021).

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Expat Compliance With US Tax Filing Obligations

Taxpayers who relinquish citizenship without complying with their U.S. tax obligations are subject to the significant tax consequences of the U.S. expatriation tax regime. If you’re an expat who has relinquished—or intends to relinquish—your U.S. citizenship but still has U.S. tax filing obligations (including owing back taxes), you’ll be relieved to know there are IRS procedures in place that allow you to come into compliance and receive relief for any back taxes owed. Let’s take a look:

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