Best Tax Lawyers Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara, CA Tax FAQs

• Where does the Tax Court hold trial sessions closest to Santa Clara, California?

  The place of trial for Santa Clara tax matters is at the Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse, Rooms 2-1408, 450 Golden Gate Ave. San Francisco, CA (94102)

• Where is the low-income taxpayer clinic that is closest to Santa Clara, California?

  The nearest low-income taxpayer clinics to Santa Clara are the Justice and Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco and the UC Law San Francisco LITC in San Francisco.

  Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco: 201 Mission St., Suite 400 San Francisco, California 94105 Phone: (415) 982-1600

  UC Law San Francisco LITC: 200 McAllister Street San Francisco, CA 94102 Phone: (415) 565-4600

• Will requesting an Offer in Compromise for your Santa Clara tax debt affect your credit score?

  No, filing an Offer in Compromise in Santa Clara will not affect your credit score because it is not reported to credit reporting agencies. What can harm your credit score is failure to take action to resolve tax debts, which results in a federal tax lien in your name. Federal tax liens are reported to the county recorder and can be found on your credit report.

• What does it mean if you received a Notice of Deficiency from the IRS in Santa Clara, CA?

  It means you have unpaid taxes, and the IRS is notifying you that collection efforts will begin. Within 90 days of receiving the notice, you must file a petition to contest the deficiency. Your Santa Clara tax attorney can file this for you. The petition will halt collection efforts temporarily until the Tax Court judge determines that the tax deficiency stated in the notice is correct and must be paid.

• Will you be personally liable to the IRS if your business has unpaid payroll taxes in Santa Clara?

  Yes. The IRS can pursue an individual who was responsible for the collection and payment of employment taxes under the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty. Penalties for failing to meet tax obligations will be imposed even if the Santa Clara company no longer exists. Once the IRS has assessed the unpaid taxes and related penalties, it can begin contacting the responsible parties for collection.

• Why would the IRS in Santa Clara revoke your passport?

  You most likely owe more than $50,000 in back taxes or have ignored a tax lien or levy notice. For individuals with significant tax arrears, the IRS has the authority to revoke the passport as well as prevent its issuance or renewal. It should be noted that the $50,000 threshold varies with inflation.

• Do you have to disclose to the IRS in Santa Clara your inheritance from a non-U.S.-citizen relative?

  Yes, if the inheritance is worth more than $100,000, you must file Form 3520 with the IRS. A Santa Clara tax attorney can advise you on your offshore income reporting obligations to the IRS. Penalties may apply if certain foreign assets are not reported. The same care should be taken if your income comes from foreign investments, employment, or real estate.