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Articles by Elyssa Carlos

New IRS Scam Alert: Phony Notices with Dangerous Flash Drives | Optima Tax Relief

A new IRS scam is targeting taxpayers who owe. As the IRS moves away from paper checks, scammers are mailing notices with flash drives to trick you into giving up your sensitive information. CEO David King and Chief Tax Officer and Lead Tax Attorney Philip Hwang share practical tips on how to verify your notices […]

What is Form 1099-DA? 

The tax landscape for digital assets is rapidly changing, and at the center of that change is a brand-new reporting form: Form 1099-DA. If you’ve traded cryptocurrencies, purchased an NFT, or even experimented with stablecoins, you’ll soon be hearing a lot about this form. Investors and brokers alike need to understand what it is, why […]

Am I Responsible for My Spouse’s Back Taxes?

When you marry, you often share many aspects of your life with your spouse: your home, your finances, and perhaps even your dreams. However, what happens when it comes to tax liabilities? Specifically, are you responsible for your spouse’s back taxes? This question can cause significant stress and confusion. To navigate this issue, it is […]

How to Read Your IRS Transcript and Understand Account Codes 

If you’ve ever ordered an IRS transcript, you know they can look overwhelming at first glance. Rows of numbers, dates, and abbreviations may leave you wondering what any of it actually means. The good news is that once you understand IRS transcript codes, these records become a powerful tool for tracking your return, refunds, and […]

The Most (and Least) Tax-Friendly States for Retirees 

Choosing where to live in retirement can stretch or shrink a nest egg by six figures over time. The most tax-friendly states for retirees aren’t just the ones with no income tax. They’re also the places where Social Security, pensions, IRA/401(k) withdrawals, property, sales, and even estate rules align with your specific income mix and […]