It’s a stressful moment that can stop you in your tracks: a letter from the IRS or your state’s tax agency arrives in your mailbox, and it claims you owe taxes for a business you’ve never operated. Whether the letter references unpaid income taxes, missing payroll reports, or some kind of compliance issue, it’s understandably […]
Optima Tax Relief Wins Three Gold Stevie® Awards for Excellence in Customer Service
Leading Tax Resolution Firm Recognized for Outstanding Customer Support and Innovation for Sixth Consecutive Year Optima Tax Relief, the nation’s leading tax resolution firm, has been honored with three Gold Stevie® Awards in the 19th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. The company earned top recognition in the following categories: Front-Line Customer Service […]
How Does the IRS Collections Process Work?
The IRS is responsible for collecting taxes owed to the United States government. When taxpayers fail to pay their taxes on time, the IRS initiates a collections process to recover the outstanding debt. This process can be complex and intimidating for those unfamiliar with it. Understanding how the IRS collections process works can help taxpayers […]
What is the Gift Tax Exclusion?
When it comes to transferring wealth, the gift tax exclusion is a valuable tool for individuals looking to pass on assets without incurring significant tax liabilities. The gift tax is a federal tax on the transfer of money or property from one person to another without receiving something of equal value in return. However, the […]
Why Is Receiving a Large Tax Refund a Bad Thing?
Each year, millions of Americans eagerly await their tax refunds. For many, it feels like a financial windfall—a check from the government that brings temporary relief, fuels major purchases, or even funds vacations. But is receiving a large tax refund a bad thing? What if, instead of a reward, it’s actually a red flag? In […]
Head of Household Filing Status Explained
When tax season rolls around, individuals and families are presented with a myriad of choices regarding how to file their taxes. One such choice is determining your filing status. One often misunderstood but highly beneficial filing status is Head of Household. If you are the primary financial supporter of a household, this filing status could […]
What Happens If Someone Else Claimed Your Child on Their Tax Return?
Few things can disrupt your tax filing like finding out someone else has already claimed your child on their return. Whether it’s the result of a simple mistake or a contentious custody situation, this issue can cause delays, lost refunds, and plenty of stress. Understanding what happens in these situations, and how to resolve them, […]
Tax Credits vs. Tax Deductions
Tax season is officially here. As you prepare to file your tax return, it might be helpful to research ways to decrease your tax liability. A popular way to do this is to claim tax credits and tax deductions. While both can help reduce your overall tax liability, they operate in distinct ways. In this […]
Ask Phil: Is the IRS Shutting Down?
Today, Optima Tax Relief Lead Tax Attorney, Phil, addresses the trending myth: Is the IRS shutting down? The short answer: no, it’s not. Why the IRS Isn’t Going Anywhere Recently, talk of the IRS shutting down has picked up steam, especially online. Some of the talk is tied to Donald Trump’s return to the presidency […]
I Missed the Tax Deadline. Now What?
Missing the tax deadline can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure what happens next. Whether you forgot, ran out of time, or just didn’t have the funds to pay what you owed, you’re not alone—and you still have options. Each year, millions of taxpayers miss the April deadline for a variety of reasons. The […]