TaxesToday.net

Personal and Business Tax Preparation at an affordable price We prepare personal, business, amended, prior-year, and non-resident tax returns.

TaxesToday.net provides affordable tax preparation and e-filing services for individuals, families, freelancers, self-employed professionals, and small businesses. IRS and CTEC registered with virtual and in-person appointments available throughout California.

08/21/2026

IRS Statute of Limitations on Unfiled Tax Returns: What to Know

Unfiled tax returns don't age out like filed ones: the IRS's assessment and ten-year collection clocks only start once a return is actually submitted, meaning skipped years can theoretically remain open indefinitely. If ignored long enough, the IRS may file a Substitute for Return using only reported income, ignoring deductions and dependents, and typically overstating what's owed, while failure-to-file and failure-to-pay penalties plus daily compounding interest accrue from the original due date regardless of when the IRS notices. Refunds, however, expire after three years and are forfeited permanently, creating an asymmetry where debts never expire but refunds do. Practically, the IRS usually only requires six years of filing compliance to be considered in good standing, though fraud, major underreporting, or high-dollar cases can extend that. State rules vary widely: some states like California, New York, and Virginia mirror the federal approach with no time limit on unfiled years, while others impose fixed lookback windows. Pulling IRS wage and income transcripts helps reconstruct accurate returns instead of relying on inflated IRS estimates. Once returns are filed, penalty relief options like First-Time Abatement or reasonable cause may apply, and payments generally apply to the oldest debt first. Filing, even late, converts open-ended exposure into a fixed, resolvable amount. https://www.taxestoday.net/irs-statute-of-limitations-on-unfiled-tax-returns.html

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(714) 229-1322

08/21/2026

Owner-Operator Tax Preparer: What They Do and How to Choose

Owner-operators file as self-employed business owners rather than W-2 employees, which means their tax situations require a preparer who understands trucking-specific rules rather than a generalist who mostly handles standard returns. The article explains why specialized help matters: owner-operators owe a 15.3% self-employment tax, must make quarterly estimated payments to avoid penalties, and qualify for numerous industry-specific deductions, fuel, tolls, depreciation, per diem, maintenance, dispatch and factoring fees, that generic preparers often overlook. It stresses the importance of accurate recordkeeping given IRS scrutiny of cash-heavy trucking income, and offers guidance for choosing a qualified preparer, including checking for a valid PTIN, CTEC certification, and real experience with Schedule C trucking clients, plus a checklist of questions to ask before hiring someone. The piece also details the four quarterly tax deadlines and explains how a knowledgeable preparer builds realistic payment estimates based on actual income rather than generic percentages. Finally, it highlights deductions like per diem, Section 179 depreciation, IFTA fees, ELD subscriptions, and the qualified business income deduction, urging drivers to partner with a trucking-savvy, CTEC-certified preparer to maximize deductions and avoid costly surprises at tax time. https://www.taxestoday.net/owner-operator-tax-preparer.html

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(714) 229-1322

08/21/2026

Can You Electronically File Back Taxes? What to Know

The article explains whether taxpayers can electronically file back taxes, clarifying that the IRS only allows e-filing for the current tax year plus the two prior years; anything older must be printed, signed, and mailed. It stresses why this distinction matters: e-filed returns process in one to three weeks while paper returns can take six to sixteen weeks, affecting refund timing, loan approvals, visa applications, and installment agreements. Refunds are only claimable for three years from the original due date, after which unclaimed money becomes the Treasury's permanently, though exceptions exist for disasters, combat zone service, or financial disability. Unlike refunds, back taxes owed accrue penalties and interest indefinitely with no expiration benefit. The piece walks through step-by-step filing instructions, covering gathering wage and income transcripts, matching each year to correct software or forms, preparing returns separately, and submitting electronically or by certified mail depending on the year. It also covers common e-file rejection causes like AGI mismatches, duplicate SSNs, or claimed dependents, and compares DIY filing versus hiring a professional preparer, noting that multiple back years, self-employment income, or IRS notices often make professional help worthwhile. TaxesToday offers preparation services starting at $99. https://www.taxestoday.net/can-you-electronically-file-back-taxes.html

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(714) 229-1322

08/18/2026

How to File a Company Tax Return: Forms and Deadlines

Filing a company tax return requires matching your business structure to the correct IRS form: sole proprietors and single-member LLCs use Schedule C with Form 1040, multi-member LLCs and partnerships file Form 1065, S-Corps use Form 1120-S, and C-Corps file Form 1120, each producing K-1s where applicable. Before filing, business owners should confirm their entity type and tax year, gather documents like EINs, prior returns, profit and loss statements, bank statements, 1099s, and payroll records, then reconcile income and expenses to calculate accurate totals and deductions such as rent, insurance, mileage, and depreciation. Filers can choose to self-file with software, hire a professional, or use a hybrid approach, depending on complexity. After completing the federal return with required schedules, businesses must also address state and local obligations, including nexus rules and franchise taxes like California's $800 minimum. Payment is a separate obligation from filing, with options like IRS Direct Pay, EFTPS, or installment agreements for those who can't pay in full. Deadlines for 2026 vary by entity, with partnerships and S-Corps due March 16 and sole proprietors and C-Corps due April 15, with extensions available via Form 4868 or 7004. Building a reminder system and organized recordkeeping prevents penalties and reduces stress in future filing seasons. https://www.taxestoday.net/file-company-tax-return.html

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(714) 229-1322

08/15/2026

Unfiled Tax Returns: Risks, Penalties, and How to File Back Taxes

Unfiled tax returns create escalating risk because the IRS already receives income data from employers and payers, matches it against filings, and can prepare a Substitute for Return (SFR) that skips deductions, credits, and correct filing status, inflating the tax owed. Failure-to-file penalties (5% monthly, capped at 25%), failure-to-pay penalties (0.5% monthly), and daily-compounding interest stack quickly, and unresolved balances can trigger liens, levies, passport revocation, and blocked loans, financial aid, or immigration filings. The IRS generally requires the last six years of returns for compliance, but there's no statute of limitations on assessing unfiled years, especially with fraud or prior notices. Refund claims, however, expire three years after the original due date, so taxpayers should prioritize filing years likely to yield refunds before losing that money permanently. State taxes, like California's Franchise Tax Board, operate independently with their own penalties and deadlines, requiring separate but coordinated filings. The recommended process involves pulling IRS transcripts, confirming missing years, preparing returns using correct year-specific forms, filing oldest to newest, and addressing balances through payment plans or penalty abatement. While simple one- or two-year cases may be handled independently, complex situations involving self-employment, multiple states, or IRS notices benefit from professional help to avoid costly errors and missed deadlines. https://www.taxestoday.net/unfiled-tax-returns.html

https://www.taxestoday.net
(714) 229-1322

08/09/2026

LLC S Corp Taxes: How the Election Works and What It Saves

Electing S corp taxation for an LLC is not a new business structure but a tax election that changes how the IRS treats income, allowing owners to split earnings into a reasonable salary and distributions, with self-employment tax applied only to the salary portion. Making the switch requires filing IRS Form 2553, signed by all members, within two months and 15 days of the tax year's start, plus setting up actual payroll with withholding and quarterly filings once elected. Comparing a standard LLC to an S corp-elected LLC shows the main savings come from shrinking the income subject to the 15.3% self-employment tax, though this benefit is offset by payroll service costs, Form 1120-S filing, and bookkeeping needs. Income and deductions otherwise flow through similarly via Schedule K-1, avoiding double taxation. The election generally only pays off once annual profit clears roughly $40,000-$60,000, since below that threshold administrative costs outweigh tax savings. Other factors—number of owners, growth plans, state-level taxes like California's franchise tax, comfort with payroll systems, and defensible reasonable compensation—also affect whether the election makes sense. Ultimately, the decision hinges on real financial figures rather than general rules of thumb, making professional tax guidance essential for determining the true break-even point. https://www.taxestoday.net/llc-s-corp-taxes.html

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(714) 229-1322

08/09/2026

Truck drivers and fleet owners face tax complexities that generic preparers often mishandle, including per diem deductions, IFTA reporting, fuel taxes, truck depreciation, and the differences between owner-operator and company driver status, which is why a specialized trucking CPA matters. This article explains what a trucking CPA does, emphasizing their knowledge of Schedule C filings, quarterly estimated taxes, Form 2290 Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, and industry-specific deductions like per diem meal rates, CDL renewal fees, lease payments, and insurance premiums. It offers guidance on choosing the right CPA, recommending drivers verify credentials, ask about trucking-specific experience, match services to business structure (sole proprietor, S-Corp, or multi-truck fleet), and compare pricing and year-round availability. The piece also provides a list of interview questions to vet potential CPAs and highlights red flags, such as preparers who guarantee refunds upfront, won't sign returns, or push S-Corp status without reviewing actual finances. It stresses that irregular trucking income requires tailored quarterly tax planning and clean bookkeeping to avoid IRS issues. Ultimately, the article argues that hiring a specialized trucking CPA prevents costly missed deductions and penalties, and encourages readers to seek CTEC-certified, IRS-registered preparers experienced with self-employed and 1099 filings. https://www.taxestoday.net/trucking-cpa.html

https://www.TaxesToday.net
(714) 229-1322

08/04/2026

How to File Taxes if Your Spouse Works in a Different State

When spouses work in different states, filing taxes becomes a multi-step process, since the federal return stays simple (couples choose married filing jointly or separately based purely on tax strategy) but state returns depend on residency, income source, and reciprocity agreements. The guide outlines six steps: first, determine each spouse's residency using domicile and statutory residency tests, since each spouse's status is assessed independently; second, choose a federal filing status, usually joint, which doesn't dictate state filing choices; third, check whether each state requires matching federal status or allows combined-but-separate filing; fourth, file resident, nonresident, or part-year returns depending on where income was earned and where each spouse lived; fifth, claim a credit for taxes paid to another state to avoid double taxation, filing the nonresident return first before claiming the credit on the resident return; and sixth, check for reciprocity agreements between states, which can eliminate the need for a nonresident return entirely, and account for community property rules in states like California and Texas that require splitting income 50/50. The article emphasizes that skipping residency and reciprocity checks often leads to amended returns, and recommends professional help for complex cases involving moves, nonresident spouses, or community property states. https://www.taxestoday.net/how-to-file-taxes-if-spouse-works-in-different-state.html

https://www.taxestoday.net
(714) 229-1322

08/04/2026

How to File Back Taxes Near You: A Step-by-Step Guide

This guide walks readers through the full process of filing back taxes, starting with understanding IRS consequences like Substitute for Returns, stacking failure-to-file and failure-to-pay penalties, daily-compounding interest, and the three-year deadline to claim old refunds. It explains that most cases only require the last six years of returns to reach IRS compliance, though notices, mortgages, visas, or flagged income can extend that window. Step-by-step, it covers gathering W-2s, 1099s, and other records, pulling free IRS wage and income transcripts when paperwork is missing, and confirming exactly which years need filing by checking IRS account transcripts. It stresses hiring a properly credentialed preparer, such as an Enrolled Agent or CPA, who can represent you before the IRS, rather than an unlicensed preparer. Each back tax year must be prepared using that year's specific tax rules and forms, often requiring paper filing since e-file typically only covers the current year plus two prior years. After filing, taxpayers should pay in full if possible or set up an installment agreement, Offer in Compromise, or Currently Not Collectible status, then verify each return posted correctly and ask about first-time penalty abatement. The article closes by encouraging readers to build ongoing compliance habits and consider services like TaxesToday.net for professional help.

https://www.taxestoday.net
(714) 229-1322

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