Each year the IRS warns taxpayers about the "Dirty Dozen" tax
scams. Prior articles in this newsletter have covered various scams, but
on February 17, the IRS published the full list for 2017.
IRS Commissioner John Koskinen stated, "We continue to work hard
to protect taxpayers from identity theft and other scams. Taxpayers can
and should stay alert to new schemes which seem to constantly evolve.
We urge them to do all they can to avoid these pitfalls – whether
old or new."
1. Phishing – Taxpayers continue to receive emails from fraudsters. The emails
regularly contain links to fraudulent sites. You should not click on any
links from a suspicious email. The IRS states it "will never initiate
contact with taxpayers via email about a bill or refund." The latest
scam is an email to tax preparers with an "Access Locked" statement.
In order to supposedly unlock his or her tax software account, it asks
the tax preparer to click on a link and log on with his or her username
and password. The fraudster will then use that information to steal client
information. If you receive a suspicious email, you should forward it to
phishing@irs.gov.
2. Phone Scams – Americans continue to be threatened with arrest, deportation or
loss of a driver's license if they do not immediately send funds to
a fraudster who claims to be from the IRS. The funds have been sent through
iTunes cards or other immediate electronic payment methods.
3. Identity Theft – You should always safeguard your financial information. Shredding
important documents is a very good practice. You may choose to file early
and should try to protect your Social Security number to reduce the risk
of an identity theft.
4. Tax Return Preparer Fraud – Most tax preparers are honest and reputable. Be careful if the
tax preparer overpromises on your refund. He or she may create false deductions
and understate your taxes.
5. Fake Charities – Americans are the most generous people on the earth. There are
over one million recognized and reputable charitable organizations in
our nation. Americans give very generously to charities throughout the
land. However, some individuals create fake charities to receive gifts.
You should give to charities that you know are reputable. You also may
use the tools on
www.irs.gov to check out your favorite charities.
6. Inflated Refunds – Some tax preparers promote their business by promising large refunds.
The IRS indicates "fraudsters use wires, advertisements, phony storefronts
and word of mouth via community groups where trust is high to find victims."
You should use caution and determine whether you are using a credible
tax preparer who will file an accurate return.
7. Excess Business Credits – Some tax preparers improperly claim the fuel tax credit or research
credit. The fuel tax credit is permitted for off road or agricultural
use of vehicles. You should only claim these credits if you properly qualify for them.
8. Padding Deductions – You must only claim deductions you can support. If you make a
charitable gift of $250 or more, you must receive a receipt called a contemporaneous
written acknowledgement. The receipt will indicate there were "no
goods or services" given in exchange for the gift. This receipt must
be in your possession before filing your returns. You also should be careful
when claiming business deductions. There are specific records required
to support those deductions. Help is available on
www.irs.gov.
9. False Income – Do not report extra income to increase your earned income tax
credit. If you receive excess benefits from this refundable credit, you
could be subject to a claim by the IRS for back taxes, interest and penalties.
10. Abusive Tax Shelter – Some promoters claim that you can purchase a tax shelter and reduce
or eliminate your tax. Many of these tax shelters are very complex. Be
very careful if you are approached by someone selling a tax shelter that
looks too good to be true.
11. Frivolous Tax Arguments – Promoters may tell you that the dollar is no longer legal tender,
only foreign income is taxable or the federal government is not actually
permitted to collect tax and therefore you do not have to pay income tax.
These arguments have led too many unsuspecting taxpayers into negotiations
with the IRS over back taxes, penalties and interest.
12. Offshore Tax Avoidance – The Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program has enabled tens of
thousands of Americans who hold offshore accounts to disclose those to
the IRS. They have paid billions in taxes and penalties. All income is
taxable, including interest from foreign bank accounts.
One Hundred Years of Giving Fly-In
On February 16, over 200 leaders of nonprofits flew to Washington for
meetings with their Senators and Representatives. After a dinner meeting
on February 15 and training on making a Congressional visit, the 200 charitable
presidents, board members and staff held meetings with many Members of Congress.
The purpose of the event was to create a broad-based message in support
of philanthropy. Jason Lee, Interim President and CEO of the Association
of Fundraising Professionals, is Chair of the Charitable Giving Coalition.
He stated, "Today has been a great opportunity for our Coalition
members to engage Members of Congress and their staffs about the importance
of the charitable deduction and its positive impact on the people and
community served by the charitable sector."
Another enthusiastic participant was Michael Kenyon, President and CEO
of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners. He continued,
"This is a critical time for the nonprofit sector. Congress is poised
to undertake the largest re-write of the tax code in over thirty years
and whatever lawmakers ultimately do this year could have an enormous
effect on charitable giving in this country."
All visits focused on maintaining and supporting the charitable deduction.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) and his staff
are busy writing a comprehensive tax reform bill. The 2,000 to 3,000 page
bill may be released for scoring by the Joint Committee on Taxation in
late March.
The proposed bill may greatly increase the standard deduction. This may
reduce the number of Americans who itemize from approximately 30% to as
low as 5%. Because a majority of charitable giving comes from persons
who itemize, this could impact philanthropy.
Most participants thought the meetings were quite helpful. Jim Cooper,
President and CEO of the United Way of the Pacific Northwest, commented,
"I think the meetings have gone well. Generally, everyone understands
the impact of the charitable sector on the nation, which is a good thing.
There are tax proposals out there that will almost certainly reduce charitable
giving in the United States. So, they seemed really open to our discussions
on expanding the charitable deduction."
The Charitable Giving Coalition includes many charitable associations
and larger nonprofits. The members include the American Council on Gift
Annuities, Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, Association of Fundraising
Professionals, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Council
on Foundations, Independent Sector, Jewish Federations of North America,
National Catholic Development Conference and National Association for
Charitable Gift Planners.
Brueghal Old Masters Valued in Estate
In
Estate of Eva Franzen Kollsman et al. v. Commissioner; T. C. Memo. 2017-40; No. 26077-09 (22 Feb 2017), the Tax Court generally
followed the IRS appraiser's valuation for 17th Century paintings
by Pieter Brueghal and Jan Brueghal. There were modest discounts permitted
for cleaning the paintings.
Decedent Eva Franzen Kollsman died in New York City on August 31, 2005.
She owned two Old Master paintings on wood panels. The paintings were
(1) Village Kermesse, Dance Around the Maypole (Maypole) by Pieter Brueghal
the Younger and (2) Orpheus Charming the Animals (Orpheus) by Jan Brueghal
the Elder or Jan Brueghal the Younger.
The expert for the estate was George Wachter, Vice President of Sotheby's
North America and South America. On September 28, 2005, he provided a
letter and estimated the value of Maypole to be $500,000 and Orpheus to
be $100,000. Wachter also obtained a five year consignment of the paintings
to Sotheby's for a potential sale.
Because the paintings needed to be cleaned, in December of 2005 the paintings
were cleaned at a cost of $4,500 and $4,350, respectively.
The estate timely filed Form 706 and reported the value of Maypole at
$500,000 and Orpheus at $100,000. The IRS contested the valuations and
assessed a deficiency of $781,488.
After three and one half years Maypole was sold by Sotheby's for $2.1
million, with a cost including the buyer's premium equaling $2,434,500.
The Tax Court noted that Wachter claimed the change in valuation from
$500,000 to $2.43 million over three and a half years was because the
painting initially was dirty and there was a major growth in art valuation
during that time. However, the Court observed that he had a significant
conflict of interest. Wachter wanted to sell both paintings. The cleaning
was a relatively inexpensive and low-risk practice that would likely be
undertaken by any potential purchaser.
Wachter also did not provide comparables to support the claimed $500,000
valuation for Maypole and $100,000 valuation for Orpheus.
IRS appraiser Paul Cardile produced multiple comparables. He valued Maypole
at $2.1 million and Orpheus at $500,000 if attributed to Jan Brueghal
the Elder or $325,000 if attributed to Jan Brueghal the Younger.
The court determined that the Cardile comparables and values were far
more credible. It allowed a 5% discount for cleaning and reduced the $2.1
million valuation for Maypole by that amount.
With respect to Orpheus, the court noted that there was a "cogent
explanation" why it should be attributed to Jan Brueghal the Elder.
However, because there was a potential attribution issue, the court permitted
a 25% discount to $325,000.
Editor's Note: The court refused to recognize the historical increase in art valuation
during the period of three and a half years between the passing of the
decedent and the sale of the art. If the estate had had a valuation by
an objective third party, it is very probable that a much lower valuation
could have been accepted by the court. Because the estate offered only
the valuation by Wachter, who had a major conflict of interest, the court
essentially accepted the IRS valuation.
Applicable Federal Rate of 2.4% for March -- Rev. Rul. 2017-7; 2017-10
IRB 1 (17 Feb 2017)
The IRS has announced the Applicable Federal Rate (AFR) for March of 2017.
The AFR under Section 7520 for the month of March will be 2.4%. The rates
for February of 2.6% or January of 2.4% also may be used. The highest
AFR is beneficial for charitable deductions of remainder interests. The
lowest AFR is best for lead trusts and life estate reserved agreements.
With a gift annuity, if the annuitant desires greater tax-free payments
the lowest AFR is preferable. During 2017, pooled income funds in existence
less than three tax years must use a 1.2% deemed rate of return. Federal
rates are available by
clicking here.