Full article @ LA Times: IRS will need at least a year to recover from government shutdown, watchdog tells lawmakers

Internal Revenue Service offices have reopened after the partial shutdown of the U.S. government, but the agency told lawmakers it was facing millions of unanswered taxpayer letters, weeks behind schedule on training for workers and in need of hiring thousands of new employees for this tax filing season, according to two House aides.

Dear Clients,

We hope that 2018 was a happy and prosperous year for you.

We recommend you book your appointment ASAP (even if you haven’t received all your tax documents) so we can implement tax planning opportunities before the tax filing deadline. We have appointment availability the following times, starting on Feb. 1st:

Monday - Thursday:  9 am - 7 pm
Friday:  9 am - 6 pm
Saturday:  9 am - 4 pm

We take the noon hour off for lunch. If you call and get voicemail, please leave a few good dates and times and we’ll return your call with an appointment. The same can be done via email. You are also welcome to mail, FAX, or email us your tax information, in lieu of having a face-to-face appointment. Rick Merrill is also available for appointments and questions. He is an Enrolled Agent with the IRS and has years of experience. For our SpaceX clients, please ask for Kevin Connors.
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​It’s been an interesting year with a few important tax changes that may impact you. Some taxpayers will pay less tax, but due to problems with the IRS’s published withholding tables, many taxpayers will be under-withheld on their paychecks. Here are some highlights:

Full article @ LA Times website: Tax preparers warn your refund may be smaller than usual this year. Here’s why

“Taxpayers have heard they may see more money as a result of the tax law changes, but more money doesn’t necessarily mean in their tax refund,” said Lisa Greene-Lewis, a tax expert at TurboTax . . . “They may have seen it throughout the year in their paychecks because the tax rates were lowered.”

That’s why the IRS and the tax-preparation industry has been trying for the last several months to persuade people to adjust their W-4s if necessary, using calculators they’ve provided that incorporate the tax changes. (The IRS calculator is here.)

Full article @ IRS website: IRS Urges Public to Stay Alert for Scam Phone Calls

​The IRS continues to warn consumers to guard against scam phone calls from thieves intent on stealing their money or their identity. Criminals pose as the IRS to trick victims out of their money or personal information.