Articles by Optima Financial Group

Optima Newsletter – April 2022

IRS Sends Large Tax Bills for 2021 Unemployment Benefits While some were able to return to work in 2021, approximately 25 million people received unemployment benefits and didn’t withhold taxes. The IRS is now looking to collect back taxes for the $325 billion in total benefits and mailed millions of large tax bills this season. […]

How to Protect Yourself from Tax Fraud?

You’ve always filed your income tax returns electronically in the past. Your returns were less vulnerable to calculation errors and you received your tax refund much quicker than you did filing paper returns. But this year, when you attempted to e-file your federal income tax return, the IRS rejected your submission, issuing a statement that […]

April 2022 Sees IRS Interest Rates Increase

As of April 1, 2022, the IRS raised its interest rates for the quarter. These changes apply to quarterly taxpayers, such as corporations and self-employed filers. The IRS announced the new rates as follows: How higher IRS interest rates affect your liability Liabilities accrue interest over time, so it’s likely that an outstanding balance will […]

IRA Hardship Withdrawal: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re facing financial hard times, your retirement funds begin to look like a good source of much-needed cash. In cases of dire emergency, you may indeed be able to make withdrawals from those funds before you reach retirement age. However, the potential short-term and long-term consequences can be severe. Nonetheless, if you must make […]

Optima Newsletter – October 2021

The IRS recently signed contracts with three private-sector collection agencies, taking effect Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. Taxpayers that are behind on payments toward their debts may be contacted by one of the new agencies. Here’s what you need to know: Read More What Is An IRS Revenue Officer? Revenue Officers deal with the most advanced […]