April 7, 2012

It’s ten days away. The April 17, 2012 filing deadline. Maybe you have had some pressures that have kept you from filing your tax return before now, or maybe you think you may owe money. Or you have ADD like me and can’t get your head around touching all that paper.

Whatever…

Did you know that you can give yourself several months of breathing room by filing a Federal form that doesn’t even require a signature?

Click HERE for the form, directly from the IRS. Print it out and fill out your name and address where indicated on page one.

The last page of the form contains information about where to mail the form. States are grouped and each group has a particular mailing address. Find your state within each group. Just mail the completed Page 1 First Class mail to the proper address.

For the state of California, you need not file a form if you expect a refund. You have until October 17, 2012 to file your return. Of course. The state is in no hurry to pay your refund. They earn interest on it.

If on the other hand, you think you may owe money, you should pay that estimated amount by April 17, then file before October 17, 2012.

Here’s what the state says:

How can I get an extension to file?
California gives you an automatic filing extension through October 15, 2012. You don’t need to apply for one. Here’s what you should do if you can’t file by April 17¹, 2012:

You are due a refund — File your return by October 15, 2012. Choose e-file and direct deposit for the fastest refund.
You have a balance due — Pay the amount you owe by April 17¹, 2012 to avoid penalties and interest. You can pay online, by credit card, or by check with form FTB 3519. Then file your return by October 15, 2012. Choose e-file to ensure that we receive your return on time.
You’re not sure if you have a balance due — Use the worksheet on form FTB 3519 to figure your tax.
Extension for federal returns: The process and dates for requesting a filing extension for your federal return are different. Refer to the IRS Website for information.

http://www.calbar.ca.gov/AboutUs/News/200908.aspx

STATE BAR SHUTS DOWN ILLEGAL LAW PRACTICE AT LOS ANGELES DOCUMENT PREPARATION SERVICE

San Francisco, April 16, 2009 — The State Bar yesterday shut down the part of a Los Angeles document preparation service that offered legal services by non-lawyers.

Applying a state law aimed at stemming the unauthorized practice of law, the bar obtained an order from Los Angeles County Superior Court on Wednesday assuming jurisdiction over an office that billed itself as having “experts” able to offer and provide legal advice.

The office, which was known by various names, including Centro Familiar and Coalition of Families for Justice, was operated by Paul Hernandez, a legal document assistant. Hernandez and his employees were ordered to cease and desist from practicing law or holding themselves out as being entitled to provide legal services.

Prosecutors in the State Bar’s Office of Chief Trial Counsel said advertisements in flyers distributed by Hernandez’s agents strongly suggested legal expertise by using such phrases as “experts,” “help in the law,” “modification (specialists),” and “assistance in all types of family issues.” Once in the door, clients were offered legal advice on their problems.

Business and Professions Code, section 6126.3 gives authority to a superior court, on its own motion or upon application of the State Bar, to assume jurisdiction of the “practice” of a person who is not a lawyer.
Assumption of a law practice by a Superior Court under §6126.3 is based upon the court finding that a person has engaged in the practice of law without being an active member of the State Bar or otherwise authorized to practice in California and that the interest of a client or interested person or entity will be prejudiced if the court does not assume jurisdiction.

Founded in 1927 by the state legislature, The State Bar of California is an administrative arm of the California Supreme Court, serving the public and seeking to improve the justice system for more than 80 years. All lawyers practicing law in California must be members of the State Bar. In April 2009, membership reached more than 222,000.
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Interest and penalties accrue every day.

So, naturally, it is best to stop the accretion!

Clear your mind right now, and finish up the chore. Please contact us for post-tax-season rate specials.

http://storiesforjesse.blogspot.com/2012/05/rebecca-goes-to-may-day-rally-in-nyc.html