Beware of New IRS Scams

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Camron Hoorfar

These days, scam artists are posing as IRS agents trying to scare people into paying the scam artists money. In order to stop this scam from happening to you, check out a few of these tips:

  1. Scam artists use scare tactics and aggressive language to get you to pay them.
  2. The IRS never calls you about a tax debt. If the IRS believes that you owe them money, they will send you many, many letters regarding the amount they want you to pay.
  3. Hang up and call the IRS directly. If someone calls you and says that you owe the IRS money, simply hang up the phone, go to the IRS website at ww.irs.gov, and call the IRS directly.
  4. The IRS will not email you. Similar to phone calls, if the IRS believes that you owe them money, they will send you notice through the mail. The IRS will not email you.

If you believe you have tax issues and would like some assistance, feel free to contact our law office at 816-524-4949 or www.hoorfarlaw.com.

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Back-to-School Education Credits

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Camron Hoorfar

back to school

There are two tax tips you should know about sending your children off to college:

  1. The American Opportunity Credit allows a tax credit of up to $2,500 per year per eligible student. This credit can be claimed for up to the first four (4) years of college. This credit also offers a maximum $1,000 refund.
  2. The Lifetime Learning Credit is worth up to $2,000 off of your taxes per year. There is no limit as to the number of years you can claim this credit. However, this credit does not offer a refund.

If you believe you made a mistake on a past tax return or need to file a tax return and would like some assistance, feel free to set up a consultation with our office by contacting us at 816-524-4949 or www.hoorfarlaw.com.

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Sex Tapes and Bankruptcy

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Camron Hoorfar

Who says bankruptcy can’t be sexy? In the case of rapper 50 Cent, he has learned about bankruptcy the hard way. Rapper 50 Cent chose to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after being sued by Lastonia Leviston for $5 million. Ms. Leviston won a $5 million judgment against 50 Cent when 50 Cent violated her privacy when he leaked a sex tape of her online.

If you believe that bankruptcy may be an option for you and would like some information, feel free to contact our law office at 816-524-4949 or www.hoorfarlaw.com.

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Terminating Maintenance or Alimony

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Camron Hoorfar

Maintenance, or alimony, is when one person pays their ex-spouse for a certain period of time after their divorce in order to support their ex-spouse. However, a person’s requirement of maintenance stops, or terminates, when the ex-spouse re-marries. Getting re-married means getting married in a marriage ceremony by a person with the authority to perform the marriage ceremony.

If you are facing a divorce or are paying alimony, contact our law office at 816-524-4949 or visit our website at www.Hoorfarlaw.com.

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Cell-Phones can be searched through Warrants

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Camron Hoorfar

 

cell phone 3The U.S. Supreme Court has stated that cell phones are now subject to searches as long as the appropriate warrant has been issued. A law enforcement officer cannot search your cell phone without a warrant, unless you voluntarily give them your cell phone.

If you are facing a criminal charge and need some help, contact our law office at 816-524-4949 or www.hoorfarlaw.com.

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Modifying Child Custody

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Camron Hoorfar

modifying child custody

In Missouri, in order to apply for a change in your custody arrangement of a child, you must be able to show that there was a substantial change in circumstances. Recently, a Missouri court ruled that a substantial change in circumstances occurred when the child moves in with the non-custodial parent and the custodial parent agrees to the living arrangement.

If you are wanting to modify your child custody arrangement or are facing a custody battle, contact our law office at 816-524-4949 or visit our website at www.Hoorfarlaw.com.

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Military Tax Breaks

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Camron Hoorfar

military

The IRS has allowed for certain tax breaks for members of the Armed Forces. Below are some of the tax breaks provided to servicemen and servicewomen:

  1. Members of the military in combat zones receive extensions on the due dates of returns.
  2. Combat zone pay is nontaxable and is not included in the taxpayer’s taxable income.
  3. Unreimbursed moving expenses can be deducted.
  4. A deduction is allowed for the cost of the uniforms.
  5. Amounts paid to ROTC students are nontaxable.

If you are facing tax problems or would like tax assistance, contact our law office at 816-524-4949 or visit our website at www.Hoorfarlaw.com.

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Charity

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Camron Hoorfar

You can generally deduct the full amount of the donation as long as it is to a qualified nonprofit. Some examples of qualified nonprofits are churches, governments, hospitals, the Salvation Army, United Way, Boy Scouts of America, and the American Red Cross. Some examples of nonqualified nonprofits are sports clubs, labor unions, tuition, chambers of commerce, homeowner’s associations, and political groups.

In order to take the charity deduction, you can donate money or property. The property can be personal property or real estate.

If you contribute personal property, you can take a deduction for the fair market value of the item at the time it was donated. It is also important to receive a statement from the charity listing the items that you donated, their value, and the date that they were donated.

However, no matter how much you wish you could, no one can deduct the value of their time or services. For example, if you accept a pro bono nonprofit case and you have 40 hours in the case and you bill $200 per hour, you are able to deduct none of it. If you are having tax issues we can help you by reaching us at Hoorfarlaw.com or 816-524-4949.

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Claiming Insanity

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Camron Hoorfar

Missouri courts require that when a person is declared mentally incompetent, that person cannot be tried, convicted, or sentenced of a crime. In order to be declared mentally incompetent, the jury must decide that you are mentally incapacitated and then two doctors must agree.

If you have been charged with a crime, contact our law office at 816-524-4949 or visit our website at www.Hoorfarlaw.com.

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Mortgage Interest

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Camron Hoorfar

Anyone who owns a home as their primary residence and has a mortgage on the property can deduct the mortgage interest as an itemized deduction on Schedule A of their personal income tax return. In order to deduct the amount you paid, you will need to use Form 8396. Typically you will receive a Form 1098 from your mortgage company, letting you know how much in mortgage interest you paid for that tax year.

However, it is important to note that you are only able to deduct the mortgage interest that you actually paid yourself. It is very common for older parents to pay for their children’s mortgage while the children get back on their feet. But if this occurs, the older parents are able to deduct the mortgage interest paid by them. The child cannot deduct the mortgage interest paid by their parents. If you or someone you know is havingtax issues, we can be reached at Hoorfarlaw.com or 816-524-4949.

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