Category Archives: New York

IRS Hardship Loans and Distribution Relief for Hurricane Sandy Victims

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In order to the alleviate hardships of individuals affected by Hurricane Sandy, the IRS has announced that it will relax procedural and administrative rules that apply to retirement plan loans. The IRS is providing this relief in addition to the postponement of various tax filing and payment deadlines to FEMA-designated areas such as New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. <!–more–>

To provide disaster relief, the IRS is minimizing the amount of red tape that eligible retirement plan participants would undergo in order to access their money.  The standard six-month ban on 401(k) and 403(b) contributions that would normally affect employees who take hardship loans will no longer apply.

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IRS Provides Tax Relief to Victims of Hurricane Sandy

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The IRS announced tax relief to individuals and business affected by Hurricane Sandy.

The IRS tax relief postponed various tax filing and payment deadlines.  Hurricane Sandy victims have until Feb. 1, 2013 to file all tax returns and pay any taxes due.  Tax payments and tax returns, include but are not limited to, fourth quarter individual estimated tax payment, payroll and excise tax returns and accompanying payments for the third and fourth quarters. Additionally, tax-exempt organizations required to file Form 990 series returns has been postponed. Continue reading →

IRS Gives Addition Time to Taxpayers and Preparers affected by Hurricane Sandy

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On October 31, 2012, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that taxpayers and tax preparers have been given until November 7 to file returns and accompanying payments. The relief was issued specifically for those in the areas of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States that were affected by the storm or by Hurricane Sandy. The announced relief is automatic and does not require filing waivers or extensions. Continue reading →

The IRS May Be a Red Sox Fan…

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The U.S. Justice Department is suing the New York Yankees’ managing general partner, Hal Steinbrenner, son of George Steinbrenner, over what it calls an “erroneous” tax refund.

According to Bloomberg News, citing the complaint, the refund originated from an audit involving the New York Yankees’ parent company for the tax years 2001 and 2002.  At the conclusion of the tax audit, the late owner, George Steinbrenner and the IRS settled.  The settlement resulted in adjustments to the tax returns of the beneficiaries; Hal Steinbrenner had a 25% interest, of a family trust.  Hal Steinbrenner paid taxes in 2008, and then filed an amended 2001 tax return in 2009 seeking a refund because of a $6.8 million net operating loss carried back from 2002.

The IRS is claiming the refund claim was filed late and has sued Steinbrenner to recover $670,493.78.

Refund Claims Must Be Filed Timely, Though Amount of Refund May Be Limited

Generally, speaking the timeliness of a refund claim depends on whether a tax return was filed.  If a return was filed, the claim must be filed within the later of: (a) 3 years from the time the return was filed, or (b) 2 years from the time the tax was paid.

Even if a claim is timely filed, the amount of the credit of refund may be limited.  In general, the amount cannot exceed the tax paid within the 3 year period immediately preceding the filing of the claim. 

Suits By United States for Recovery of Erroneous Refunds Must be Timely.

The recovery of an erroneous refund by suit is allowed only if the suit has commenced within 2 years after the making of such refund unless it appears the refund was induced by fraud or misrepresentation.  In that case, the suit may be brought at any time within 5 years from the making of the refund. 

The case is U.S. v. Harold Z. Steinbrenner and Christina L. Steinbrenner, 11-02840, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida (Tampa).