The Importance of Safeguarding Your Tax Identity In today’s digital age, identity theft is a growing concern, particularly during tax season when sensitive personal information is frequently exchanged. Tax-related identity theft can result in fraudulent tax returns filed in your name, unauthorized access to your financial accounts, and long-term financial repercussions. Therefore, it’s crucial for taxpayers to take proactive steps to safeguard their identities. Why Safeguarding Your Identity is Crucial Tax-related identity theft often occurs when someone uses your stolen Social Security number to file a tax return and claim a fraudulent refund. Victims may face delayed refunds, complications with their tax records, and extensive efforts to restore their identities. Protecting your personal information not only secures your financial well-being but also helps prevent the stress and hassle of dealing with identity theft. The Role of an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) One effective measure to enhance your tax security is obtaining an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS. An IP PIN is a six-digit number that adds an extra layer of protection to your tax return by verifying your identity before the IRS accepts your filing. This unique code helps prevent unauthorized individuals from using your Social Security number to file fraudulent tax returns. Taxpayers can obtain an IP PIN by visiting the IRS website and completing the online application. Once enrolled, you will receive a new IP PIN each year, which must be included on your federal tax return. How Noble Pacific Tax Group Prioritizes Client Data Security At Noble Pacific Tax Group, we understand the importance of safeguarding our clients’ sensitive information. We employ robust security measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, both online and offline. Our secure client portals, encrypted communication channels, and stringent internal protocols ensure that your personal and financial information remains confidential. We also educate our clients about best practices for protecting their identities, such as insisting that clients use our secure portal to provide documents and confidential information rather than email. Our commitment to data security is a cornerstone of our practice, giving you peace of mind that your information is in safe hands. Final Thoughts Identity theft is a serious threat, but by taking proactive steps like obtaining an IP PIN and working with trusted tax professionals, you can significantly reduce your risk. At Noble Pacific Tax Group, we are dedicated to safeguarding your data and supporting you in maintaining your financial security. If you have any questions about protecting your identity or need assistance with your taxes, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 323-498-1040, 562-485-9030 or contact us. At Noble Pacific Tax Group, we are here to help navigate and succeed in dealing with the IRS or state. In most cases you will never have to meet or speak with the IRS or state.If you are looking for this expertise, contact Noble Pacific Tax Group.

As the tax-filing season unfolds, many taxpayers are taking the bull by the horns and doing their own taxes. Though it may seem like good news for the individual taxpayer, it’s important to watch out for common tax filing mistakes. Tax preparation software makes some errors like addition and subtraction blunders less likely, but even the best software cannot eliminate all potential problems and human error. If you are getting ready to file your tax return, be sure to take a second (or third) look before you hit send. Keeping a close eye out for these common tax filing mistakes is the best way to ensure the IRS does not come knocking at your door. That said, lets jump into the 4 common tax return mistakes that could land you in tax trouble. 1. Transposed Numbers If the 1099 you receive shows $6300 in income and you inadvertently enter $3600 instead, the IRS may see this as a tax dodge instead of an innocent mistake. At best, transposing numbers will slow down your refund and raise a red flag with the tax agency. At worst, it could trigger an audit or further examination of your entire return. IRS computers are very good at comparing the figures taxpayers report to the ones they receive independently from banks, brokerage firms, and other agencies. Be sure to double-check and verify every number you enter and make sure it is right. Your tax software can tell you if your numbers do not add up, but they cannot catch transposed figures. 2. Misspelled Names It is easy to misspell a name or transpose a Social Security number when entering dependent information but doing so could cause real problems with your return. Be sure to double-check the names, ages, and Social Security numbers of all your children before sending your return to the IRS. Do not assume that all of that information will be transferred from a prior-year return. 3. Missing Social Security Numbers It is easy to forget this vital piece of information and doing so could delay your return and cause long-lasting problems. You may assume that your tax prep software will automatically enter your Social Security number, but that does not always happen. Be sure to give your Social Security number (and that of your spouse) one last look before filing your return. That last-minute check could save you a world of trouble later on. 4. Not Reporting All Your Income or Taking Too Many Deductions The IRS will likely get notified of income you received throughout the year, and it doesn’t just include your W2 wages. It’s important to keep track of all your income and report it to the IRS correctly to avoid any problems. It can also be tempting to click a few extra boxes and input a few made-up numbers as deductions to bring your tax liability down. DO NOT DO THIS. Just because the software lets you do this, doesn’t mean you should. It’s not the software’s job to tell you whether or not you should be taking that extra deduction or write off, it’s the taxpayer’s job to be honest and file their tax returns correctly. NEED TAX RELIEF? If you made a mistake on your tax return and end up on the receiving end of an IRS notice, or if you have years of unfiled tax returns, reach out to our office. We’ll schedule a no-obligation confidential consultation to explain your options to permanently resolve your tax problem. At Noble Pacific Tax Group, we are here to help navigate and suceed in dealing with the IRS or state. In most cases you will never have to meet or speak with the IRS or state. If you are looking for this expertise, contact Noble Pacific Tax Group or call 323-792-0792.

Cryptocurrency has become a popular way to invest, but the tax side of virtual coins can be difficult to navigate. The IRS has oscillated over the years on its stance on cryptocurrency, making it confusing even for the most diligent investors. In March of 2021, the IRS announced Operation Hidden Treasure in order to crack down on cryptocurrency reporting. If you’ve bought and/or sold crypto recently, it’s important to declare your crypto transactions on your tax forms, to avoid fraud and evasion charges. Here’s what you should know. Before we jump into it, if you know you owe IRS back taxes on your crypto gains, it’s important to reach out to a Qualified Tax Resolution Firm like ours that is skilled in negotiating back taxes with the IRS. We can help you file amended returns and get you back into compliance, while potentially negotiating with the IRS on your behalf.  What Is Operation Hidden Treasure? Operation Hidden Treasure is a joint effort by the IRS Civil Office of Fraud Enforcement and its Criminal Investigation Unit. It is designed to search for unreported income from cryptocurrency. Operation Hidden Treasure has trained agents to examine the blockchain to find signs of tax evasion. Blockchain is the digital ledger that tracks your cryptocurrency mining and transactions. The IRS agents look for signs that are marked as signatures, which makes it easier to detect further fraudulent activity. Crypto users have found ways to skirt reporting requirements by sending multiple transactions under a certain dollar amount or pouring their virtual currency into shell corporations, other countries, and cold storage. The IRS is also collaborating with European law enforcement agencies to combat international fraud. How To Protect Your Assets The IRS considers virtual currency to be property like gold, rather than money, and sales and exchanges of crypto are taxed accordingly. If your only crypto transaction this year was purchasing crypto, then that does not need to be reported, according to the IRS FAQ on their website. However, if you sold or you traded crypto for any goods or services, that does need to be reported. Other taxable crypto activity includes mining, and income from this and other crypto activities must also be reported on your tax return. When you sell your crypto, keep track of its value when you purchased it, and its value when you sold it. While crypto and the IRS can both be murky subjects, your transparency is the key to protecting your financial assets from future tax audits. To get ready for the upcoming tax season, it’s important to get your portfolio organized. If you have bought, sold, or traded crypto in the past year, contact a tax lawyer or a tax resolution firm like ours for advice on how to report your cryptocurrency transactions. The calculations can be tricky so we recommend using a third-party app to provide the reports necessary to file taxes properly. Need Tax Relief? If you do get in trouble with the IRS, reach out to our tax resolution firm and we’ll schedule a free, no-obligation confidential consultation to explain your options in full to permanently resolve your tax problem. At Noble Pacific Tax Group, we are here to help navigate and suceed in dealing with the IRS or state. In most cases you will never have to meet or speak with the IRS or state. If you are looking for this expertise, contact Noble Pacific Tax Group or call 323-792-0792.