Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comFirm Insights
IRS Begins Crackdown of Small Businesses
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: September 13, 2013
Key Contacts
Back
Small businesses may face increased scrutiny from the Internal Revenue Service, which recently announced that it believes small companies may be under-reporting cash payments.
Resulting from the possibility of many small business audits in the future, the agency recently sent out 20,000 letters since fall 2012, notifying owners of “possible income under-reporting.” The IRS said it sent out these letters after examining the credit card transactions of a large number of small entities across the country. After its analysis, the tax agency said it is now trying to identify companies that receive an “unusually high portion” of reported sales through credit card transactions and may be under-reporting cash payments, CNN Money reports. The IRS is essentially targeting companies whose ratio of credit card to cash seems unusual for their industry, the news source added. The possible impending small business audits has owners and entities worried.
“You received one or more of these letters and notices because you may have under-reported your gross receipts,” said the agency. “This is based on your tax return and Form(s) 1099-K, Payment/Merchant Cards and Third Party Network Transactions that show an unusually high portion of receipts from card payments and other Form 1099-K reportable transactions.”
Business owners who receive the notices are typically given 30 days to respond in the way of a written explanation. However, many company owners are unsure of how to respond to the alleged tax law violations, with many asserting that they have accurately reported all income. In addition, many business owners argue that the IRS cannot accurately ascertain whether businesses are in compliance with tax law simply by relying upon industry averages, rather than concrete evidence of wrongdoing.
However, it is unclear if the IRS will seek out new barometers to measure compliance as it attempts to close the multibillion-dollar tax gap, $140 billion of which is attributed to noncompliance by small businesses.
- Practices: Tax and Trusts & Estates, Corporate Transactions & Business, Sophisticated Estate Planning & Wealth Preservation
- Locations: Red Bank, NJ, New York City, Little Falls, NJ
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
Tariff Response Options for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress
The Trump Administration’s new tariffs are having an oversized impact on small businesses, which already tend to operate on razor thin margins. Many businesses have been forced to raise prices, find new suppliers, lay off staff, and delay growth plans. For businesses facing even more dire financial circumstances, there are additional tariff response options, including […]
Author: Brian D. Spector
Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them
Business partnerships, much like marriages, function exceptionally well when partners are aligned but can become challenging when disagreements arise. Partnership disputes often stem from conflicts over business strategy, financial management, and unclear role definitions among partners. Understanding Business Partnership Conflicts Partnership conflicts place significant stress on businesses, making proactive measures essential. Partnerships should establish detailed […]
Author: Christopher D. Warren
Businesses Are Facing Financial Headwinds—A Practical Guide
*** The original article was featured on Bloomberg Tax, April 28, 2025 — As a tax attorney who spends much of my time helping people and companies who have large, unresolved issues with the IRS or one or more state tax departments, it often occurs to me that the best service that I can provide […]
Author: Scott H. Novak
President Trump's Termination of Member Gwynne Wilcox
On January 28, 2025, the Trump Administration terminated Gwynne Wilcox from her position as a Member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or the Board). Gwynne Wilcox, a union side lawyer for Levy Ratner, was confirmed to the Board for an original term in 2021 and confirmed again for a successive five-year term expiring […]
Author: Matthew F. Mimnaugh
Breach of Contract Explained: Types and Consequences
Breach of contract disputes are the most common type of business litigation. Therefore, nearly all New York and New Jersey businesses will likely have to deal with a contract dispute at least once. Understanding when to file a breach of contract lawsuit and how long you have to sue for breach of contract is essential […]
Author: Brittany P. Tarabour
How to Dissolve a Corporation in New Jersey: A Step-by-Step Guide
Closing your business can be a difficult and challenging task. For corporations, the process includes formal approval of the dissolution, winding up operations, resolving tax liabilities, and filing all required paperwork. Whether you need to understand how to dissolve a corporation in New York or New Jersey, it’s imperative to take all of the proper […]
Author: Christopher D. Warren
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.