When to Hire a Tax Attorney is Before You Get an Audit Letter
Many business owners believe a tax attorney is someone you call only after receiving a dreaded audit notice from the IRS. From our decades of experience, including years spent as IRS agents, we can tell you that this view is reactive and can be costly. The most effective way to handle tax issues is to…
Top Illinois Sales Tax Audit Triggers and How to Avoid Them
As tax professionals with decades of experience, including that of former IRS agents, we know that the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) doesn’t select businesses for sales tax audits at random. Specific red flags in your reporting and operations can place your business under their microscope. Understanding these triggers is the first step toward proactive…
State Sales Tax Audit Survival Guide for Illinois Businesses
For any Illinois business, a notice from the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) can be a source of significant stress. A sales tax audit is an in-depth examination of your records to ensure you’ve been collecting and remitting the correct amount of tax. At our firm, we’ve seen firsthand how disruptive these audits can be….
Navigating an IRS Audit: A Business Owner’s Guide to Success
Receiving a notice from the IRS is an experience that can unsettle any business owner. It often brings a mix of uncertainty and concern about what lies ahead. At our firm, we’ve guided countless businesses through this very process. We understand that an audit is not just a financial inquiry but a significant disruption. Our…
Illinois Tip Tax Rules: When Gratuities Trigger Sales Tax
Do Tips Count as Taxable Sales in Illinois? What Every Restaurant Should Know If you own or manage a restaurant, bar, or salon in Illinois, you’ve probably asked: Are tips taxable in Illinois? It’s an important question, especially if you face sales tax audits from the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR)—the short answer:…
2025 IRS Enforcement Updates from North Carolina Tax Conference – What Small Businesses Must Know
What I Learned at the NC Bar Tax Conference: IRS Collection Changes That Small Businesses Shouldn’t Ignore In May 2025, I had the privilege of serving as a guest speaker at the North Carolina Bar Association’s Tax Section Conference, held at the beautiful Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina. I was on a…
3 Red Flags That Trigger Sales Tax Audits in Illinois
3 Red Flags That Trigger Sales Tax Audits in Illinois You need to watch for warning signs if you run a business in Illinois, especially in retail, restaurants, or services. The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) audits businesses for sales tax issues. Knowing what triggers an audit can help you avoid major problems. Here are…
Top 9 Signs to Know if Your Restaurant is on IDOR’s Audit Radar
How to Know if Your Restaurant is on IDOR’s Audit Radar Illinois is auditing more businesses for sales tax mistakes. Running a restaurant in Illinois now forces you to keep a close eye on your sales tax records. The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) regularly audits businesses to ensure they comply with tax laws….
Can You Erase IRS SFR Tax Debts in Bankruptcy? What Business Owners Must Know
Can You Erase IRS SFR Tax Debts in Bankruptcy? What Business Owners Must Know “The IRS Filed a Tax Return for Me—Can I Discharge That Debt in Bankruptcy?” If you didn’t file a tax return and the IRS did it for you, you might be in trouble, especially if you’re considering filing for bankruptcy. Many…
2025 Tariff Impact: Price Increases on Avocados, Coffee, Cell Phones & Sales Taxes
2025 Tariff Impact: Price Increases on Avocados, Coffee, Cell Phones & Sales Taxes In 2025, new U.S. tariffs are making everyday items like avocados, coffee, and smartphones more expensive. These changes affect what we pay at grocery stores, coffee shops, and electronics retailers. Let’s explore how these tariffs impact each product—and how they can trigger…