This Quarter’s Topics 

• Priority Mail

   

• Scams

   

• IRS Notice

   

• Payment to IRS

   

• IRS Extension

   

• Michigan Notice
  
  

PRIORITY MAIL
Thank you to all of you who sent us postage paid priority mail labels or envelopes.  Not only does this save us a lot of money on postage but it saves us time as well since there is a high incidence of phone calls and emails contacting us to check on the status of the returns from those who did not use the priority mail system.

SCAMS
We are hearing more and more about scams affecting those we serve.  If you ever get a phone call asking for ANY personal information, hang up, look up the phone number for the business yourself, and call them back directly.   Scammers use scare tactics or urgency to get your personal information without giving you a chance to stop and think.  If a phone call ever alarms you or makes you feel like you must respond urgently, there is a high probability that it is a scam.

IRS NOTICE
There are 2 things we want you to know about IRS notices:

1. The IRS no longer wishes to mail paper checks.  They want everyone to provide Routing and Account numbers.  If you do not list these on your tax return, you will get a notice from the IRS asking for that information.  If you do not provide the requested information, you will get your refund by paper check, but it will be delayed by about six additional weeks.  If you wish to contact the IRS about this by phone, the number on the notice only leads to an automated service.  To speak to a representative, call 800-829-1040.
2. If you receive a notice because the IRS is trying to change something on the tax return, we want you to contact us before you accept an additional refund or pay an additional amount due. We do not need to be contacted if a change is not made.  For instance, if the IRS is asking
   for more time, you do not need to contact us.  If the IRS is asking for more information, you do not need to contact us.  If the IRS is penalizing you for not making quarterly estimated payments, you do not need to contact us.

PAYMENT TO IRS
The IRS wants to receive payments via an electronic method.  This is also safer for you.  There are two common ways to pay:

1.  EFTPS – EFTPS: The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System | Internal Revenue Service
2. And Direct Pay with a bank account – Direct Pay with bank account | Internal Revenue Service

IRS EXTENSION
You may not claim your child as a qualifying child for the Earned Income Credit on either your original or an amended return if your child does not have a Social Security Number on or before the due date of your return (including extensions), even if your child later gets a SSN.  This makes it important to be able to show that you filed a request for an extension when you are waiting on a SSN for your dependent.

MICHIGAN NOTICE
It appears that Michigan is having issues with their tax process for 2025 as it relates to quarterly estimated payments.  If you receive a notice from Michigan that does not give you credit for your estimated payments, you will need to contact them for further instructions.  Unfortunately, this is not something we can help you with as the state will not discuss your tax return with us nor can we supply your proof of payment.

Sincerely in Christ,

James W. Rickard

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