Tax Tea with Melinda Tolbert

Tax debt is serious, but tax evasion is a completely different conversation.   In this episode of IRS War Room, Melinda Tolbert breaks down a federal tax case involving an Atlanta attorney who was convicted of evading nearly $1.5 million in federal income taxes over multiple years and sentenced to federal prison.   She explains the difference between owing taxes and tax evasion, why the IRS looks...

A fake gold mine, 493 alleged employees, and a $13 million paper trail.  Melinda Tolbert is breaking down what this case teaches business owners and tax professionals now.   In this episode of IRS War Room, Melinda breaks down a federal case involving alleged fake tax losses, a $3.3 million Treasury check, a nearly $10 million PPP loan application, fake payroll reports, luxury spending, and the re...

The SBA is going state by state after suspected PPP fraud, and Melinda Tolbert is explaining why business owners should not treat this as someone else's problem. In this episode of IRS War Room, Melinda breaks down the SBA's state by state enforcement effort, the Ohio borrower suspensions, and why similar actions in California, Minnesota, Maine, and Ohio point to a broader strategy around pandemic...

Fraud enforcement is getting more coordinated, and Melinda Tolbert is breaking down why business owners and tax professionals need to pay attention. In this episode of IRS War Room, Melinda explains the Department of Justice announcement of the National Fraud Enforcement Division and why it matters for fraud involving taxpayer funded money. She breaks down what this shift could mean for small busi...

PPP and EIDL enforcement is not over, and Melinda Tolbert is breaking down what borrowers need to understand now. In this episode of IRS War Room, Melinda explains the renewed PPP and EIDL crackdown, including the 562,000 loans referred to Treasury collections, the $22.2 billion tied to suspected fraud, and why some cases may move beyond repayment into fraud review or prosecution. She also breaks...

Have you received IRS Notice LT11 or 1058? Please don't ignore it. If you've received an LT11 notice or letter 1058 from the IRS, it means you have an outstanding tax balance. If you don't respond by the deadline, the IRS intends to seize your property. It is recommended to get representation immediately. If you can't afford representation, pay your balance in full or what you can to reduce future...

Number four on the list of the IRS’ Dirty Dozen list is the Fuel Tax Credit scam.   This credit is intended only for off-highway businesses and farming use. Fraudulent tax preparers exploit this credit, promising large refunds and charging high fees. That's why it is crucial to verify the credibility of anyone offering such services to avoid falling victim to these scams.   The Internal Service Re...

Since 2002, the IRS has published its annual "Dirty Dozen" list, highlighting the most alarming schemes and scams threatening taxpayers, businesses, and tax professionals.   This year, the list highlights scams like fake W-2 forms, misuse of Form 7202, and fraudulent Schedule H forms. Scammers create fake W-2s to claim large refunds, misuse Form 7202 for sick leave credits, and submit false Schedu...

Since 2002, the IRS has released an annual "Dirty Dozen" list of schemes and scams that pose risks to taxpayers, businesses, and the tax professional community.   This year, the list highlights various schemes used by fraudsters, including bogus tax strategies and fraudulent offshore schemes, which often target high-income earners with promises of large tax savings. It is crucial to verify the cre...

What happens when you fail to pay your taxes?   Failing to pay your taxes can result in severe consequences, such as having your passport revoked or denied. Since 2018, the IRS can flag individuals with seriously delinquent tax bills, enabling the State Department to take action.   Certain situations, like bankruptcy, tax-related identity theft, and serving in designated combat zones, won't trigge...

Stop! This Will Get You Audited Host: Melinda Tolbert   What is tax fraud?   Deliberately deceiving the IRS on your tax returns is a serious offense. From withholding income to improper deductions, these mistakes can land you in hot water. Penalties, fines, and even prison time could be on the line.   Don’t miss out on this episode where we discuss the common pitfalls to avoid committing tax fraud...