Miller CPA Group, LLC

11/07/2024

Good afternoon from Miller CPA. We are writing to remind you of the importance of timely filing your 1099 forms to avoid potential penalties. We have been made aware of a situation where a Company received some substantial penalties because of not filing required 1099’s.

This serves as a crucial reminder for all of us to ensure that our filings are completed on time.
Penalties for Late Filing:

• $50 per form if you file within 30 days of the due date.
• $110 per form if you file more than 30 days late but before August 1.
• $290 per form if you file after August 1 or do not file at all.
• $580 per form for intentional disregard of the filing requirements.

These penalties can add up quickly and significantly impact your business. To avoid these penalties, please ensure that all your 1099 forms are filed by the due date.

If you have any questions or need assistance with your filings, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you navigate these requirements and ensure compliance.

08/29/2024

FINCEN Beneficial Owner Information (BOI) Fraud
Important:
Please be aware that you may receive official looking emails and letters claiming to be from FINCEN. The letter below is an example of a fraudulent letter that is currently being mailed out to businesses.
Here are a few signs that this is a fraudulent letter
• The website listed is not a government website. The correct website is https://fincen.gov/boi
• The tiny writing at the bottom says that it is not from the Federal government
This company supposedly files the form after gathering your confidential information but there is no way of knowing if your information will be handled securely or what their fee will be.
If you need assistance filing with FINCEN we recommend one of the three options below.
1. File Directly through FINCEN @ https://boiefiling.fincen.gov/fileboir
2. Contact your local attorney.
3. Use Legal Zoom or some other reputable online service

03/14/2024

How to pay 2023 Tax, 2024 Estimated Taxes and Extension Payments for 2023 (Updated)

03/14/2024

How to Pay Federal Taxes Online (you can also visit our website for PDF Instructions

03/09/2024

How to Make 23 Indiana Tax Payment, Extension Payments & 24 Estimated Payments (feel free to pause during video, if playing as you pay. Also, a pdf version is available on our website @ www.millercpagroup.com

12/31/2023

12/23/2023

Front Desk Receptionist, Fort Wayne, IN - Local CPA Firm

This Front Desk position is a pivotal role that serves as the first point of contact for clients. This role requires a high level of computer proficiency to manage client records, schedule appointments, and handle correspondence. The fast-paced nature of the job demands excellent organizational skills and the ability to multitask.

Success in this role is characterized by efficient handling of administrative tasks, prompt and professional communication with clients, and seamless coordination with the firm’s team. Mastery in using computer systems for various tasks, from data entry to client communication, is crucial.

This position is integral to the firm’s operations, contributing significantly to the client’s first impression and overall client experience. By providing exceptional service, the front desk role enhances the firm’s reputation and plays a key role in client retention and satisfaction. The front desk position, therefore, is not just a support role but a vital component of the firm’s success.

In essence, this role requires a personable professional who can thrive in a fast-paced environment, adeptly handle computer-based tasks, and consistently deliver superior client service.

Responsibilities

The individual in this role will be expected to:

* Client Interaction: Serve as the first point of contact for clients, both over the
phone and in person at the front desk. This includes providing assistance and
answering queries in a friendly and professional manner.

* Document Management: Handle various document-related tasks such as
scanning and mailing documents with tracking. Ensure all documents are
signed, leveraging an iPad for obtaining electronic signatures when necessary.

* Software Usage: Utilize a proprietary software database for various tasks. The
ability to quickly adapt to and proficiently use this software is crucial.

* Attention to Detail: Perform all tasks with a high level of detail and accuracy.
While speed is important in the fast-paced environment, avoiding mistakes is
paramount.

This is a job share part time position Mon-Friday 8 to noon or 1 pm not sure yet

(Thursday will be 8 am to 5 pm) Saturday may be required during tax season.

Please apply on Linkedin

12/01/2023

A new reporting rule goes into effect on January 1, 2024 requiring the filing of a special form directly online with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
• Entities created by filing with a secretary of state or equivalent official including single member LLC’s (even if filing Schedule C), homeowners associations, multi-member LLC’s, S corporations and C Corporations that are not exempt must disclose beneficial ownership:
o Within 90 days of formation of a new business in 2024; or
o By December 31, 2024 for companies that were in existence before 2024.
• Beneficial owner information includes full legal name, date of birth, residential street address and passport or driver’s license image (picture). A beneficial owner is an individual owning 25% or more of the entity, as well as officers, board members and non-owner managers.
• Ownership and address changes will have to be reported within 30 days of occurrence.
• Penalties for non-compliance are $500 per day and up to 2 years in prison.
There are very few exceptions for small businesses, and newly formed LLC’s and corporations have the biggest exposure for non-filing. Many of the exceptions are entities already regulated by federal or state governments and as such already disclose their beneficial ownership information to governmental authorities. Please see the attached “BOI Guide” PDF pages 10-14 for a full list of exempt entities and related questions to determine if you may be exempt.
A notable exception is for “large operating companies” defined as companies that meet all of the following requirements:
Employ at least 20 full-time employees in the U.S.
Gross revenue (or sales) over $5 million on the prior year’s tax return
An operating presence at a physical office in the U.S.
We are able to complete this form for you, but only with your specific written authorization. We will charge a fee to complete this form, which we currently estimate at $300-$500 per entity. As the CTA is not a part of the tax code, the assessment and application of many of the requirements set forth in the regulations, including but not limited to the determination of beneficial ownership interest, necessitate the need for legal guidance and direction. As such, since we are not attorneys, our firm is not able to provide you with any legal determination as to whether an exemption applies to the nature of your entity or whether legal relationships constitute beneficial ownership. The attached Client letter provides details on the information we will require to complete this form.
At the present time there are NO extensions available and the website to report this information is not expected to be available until January 1, 2024.
Because of the incredible amount of confidential information that must be provided, we strongly emphasize that you do NOT use unknown 3rd party solicitors, which we expect to soon emerge, because they could use this confidential information to steal your or your company’s identity or data. This alert is on the FinCEN website.
Alert: FinCEN has been notified of recent fraudulent attempts to solicit information from individuals and entities who may be subject to reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act. The fraudulent correspondence may be titled "Important Compliance Notice" and asks the recipient to click on a URL or to scan a QR code. Those e-mails or letters are fraudulent. FinCEN does not send unsolicited requests. Please do not respond to these fraudulent messages, or click on any links or scan any QR codes within them.
More information is available on the FinCen’s BOI Website.
We will send out additional information and updates as it becomes available.
Sincerely,
Miller CPA Group, LLC

11/17/2023

How Pitney Bowes PitneyShip Can Streamline Your Mailing Process

Written by: Kim Davies

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, efficiency is key. One area where efficiency can make a significant difference is in the shipping process. This is where Pitney Bowes PitneyShip comes in. PitneyShip is a shipping and mailing solution designed to simplify and streamline the shipping process for businesses.

Sending Tracking Information

One of the things that I love about PitneyShip is the ability to provide real-time tracking information. When I create the labels, it gives me the option to send to the sender, the receiver, or anyone else's email that i would like to add, it even includes proof of delivery. The convenience of having tracking information readily available is invaluable, especially when I’m frequently dispatching documents to organizations such as the Internal Revenue Service and the Indiana Department of Revenue. It’s hard to overstate the benefits of this feature.

We are excited to introduce a new feature for our clients. Now, when we dispatch documents to our clients, they will receive an email notification detailing the expected delivery date and confirmation of delivery. This notification is also shared with us, ensuring we are kept informed every step of the way.

We have the capability to keep our clients updated by sending copies of tax documents to various tax agencies. We can also inform clients about the receipt status of these documents by the agencies. While this doesn’t necessarily mean the documents have been processed, it does provide our clients with peace of mind knowing that the agencies have received them and that we have fulfilled our responsibility in the process. This practice significantly enhances client communication. I firmly believe that this approach can be highly advantageous not only in the tax and accounting field but also in other sectors.

Benefits to PitneyShip

PitneyShip is a versatile solution that can be tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses. It’s flexible, enabling you to adjust user numbers and permissions as per your business requirements. The platform is secure, backed by the robust Pitney Bowes Shipping 360™ technology.

PitneyShip is designed with a user-friendly interface to streamline
the shipping process, requiring little to no IT resources for implementation and ongoing performance management across your organization. In an era of rapidly increasing carrier rates, PitneyShip provides access to discounted rates from leading carriers like UPS, USPS, FedEx, and DHL Express, offering potential savings on shipping costs and contributing to your company’s financial health.

I’ve noticed that when I prepare envelopes for priority mail, it’s often less expensive to send them online via PitneyShip compared to using our PitneyBowes machine located at our front desk.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Pitney Bowes PitneyShip is a smart solution designed to help businesses thrive in the competitive world of e-commerce. I invite you to explore the services of PitneyShip and see how they can benefit your business. If you’re in the market for a new CPA for your business, consider reaching out to the Miller CPA Group. We’d be delighted to assist you.

11/11/2023

Tax Return Identify Theft- Oh No
Written by: Kim Davies (true story)

Here it is 2023 and I work for a CPA firm. I know all about IP Pins with the IRS. I process tax returns and e-file returns for our clients all throughout tax season. Often times as I go to e-file the returns, some get rejected because someone else filed a return using their name and social security number. They use their bank account or an account that they can access the funds. The information on the return can be all incorrect as well.

So normally, my husband and I file our tax return early every year. But this year we filed an extension. And our son also filed an extension. He has actually never filed a tax return before. He is 18 years old and has mild autism and has his first job at a grocery store after graduating high school. We wanted him to learn what it was like to file a tax return and meet the CPA Office and everything, so we wanted him to learn the entire process.

Next thing we know, he gets a letter in the mail from the IRS stating that he filed a tax return already. In my mind I thought, "No, there is no way he filed a return. Did he though? Maybe he did. Maybe he figured out how to do it himself." So, we asked him, and he told us he had not filed a return.

After many weeks of calling the IRS, setting up his ID Me Account on the IRS Site and actually driving him to the IRS physical location, we finally got it sorted out. What a mess!

I tell this story because over the past two years my coworker had told me to setup IP Pins for you, your husband and all your kids. I didn't do it. I urge everyone of you reading this article to please setup an IP PIN. You can even set it up for dependents who are young. You just need to setup an IRS Login for them and to do that they will need a passport and an ID Card. Then visit www.irs.gov and setup your account. During the beginning of the year around mid-January you can request your IP PIN. You enter this on your tax return and enter your dependents on there as well. This is a great time of year to get all your IRS accounts setup for everyone if you don't already have them setup. Protect you and your family from these thieves!

11/07/2023

New Electronic Filing Requirement
for Forms W-2, 1099, 1095

The IRS has updated e-filing requirements for information returns (1099, 1095, W-2) effective 12/31/2023. A company responsible for the completion of 10 or more information returns under a single EIN must e-file all returns.
If you prepare your own forms, then you will be responsible for e-filing the forms. If we prepare your forms, then we will be e-filing your forms.

If a return is filed on paper when it was required to be e-filed, penalties may be imposed by the IRS. See penalties for each return based on dates that will be charged for each return that is paper filed beyond the 10-return threshold. This means that if you don’t follow the e-filing requirement, you could face penalties and your return might not be considered as filed. It’s important to stay updated with these requirements to avoid any potential issues with the IRS.



https://www.irs.gov/payments/information-return-penalties