Individual Services

Filing tax returns online has never been easier

In fact,150 million people used e-file in 2017. E-file supports this growing trend toward electronic tax filing and payment with benefits like:

• Faster returns
• Greater accuracy
• Secure and confidential submission
• No paper return to mail
• File now, pay later
• Quick confirmation
• REJ's Accounting & Tax Service utilizes this system
• Convenience of filing via the internet
• Save time by paying fees by the due date, to the IRS or State online
• Power of Attorney forms available with your return for your Tax Professional to represent you in front of the IRS

Pay by electronic funds withdrawal from bank or via Credit/Debit Card

• Electronic filing and paying eliminates the need to submit an associated payment voucher such as Form 1040-V.
• Electronic funds withdrawal payments should be in whole dollars (round cents to the nearest whole dollar). New in 2008, the "amount of Tax Payment" can now include penalty and/or interest. Our software package will compute these amounts; and if not, they can be estimated. A taxpayer can also choose to wait and be billed for any applicable penalty and/or interest they may owe.

Form 1040 series (U.S. Individual Income Tax return)

• This includes current year Form(s) 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ.
• Taxpayers can e-file their individual returns and, at the same time, electronically pay the balance due. Intergrated e-file and e-pay options are available through tax professionals and tax preparation software. Most Tax Year 2007 intergrated e-file and e-pay options end October 15, 2008.
• Pay by phone or Internet credit or debit card options are avaliable year round.
• Taxpayers who receive a balance due notice can pay by credit or debit card. Past due tax payments can be made using a card by phone or Internet regardless of whether an installment agreement is in place.

Form 1040-ES

• Taxpayers who e-file can e-pay up to four estimated tax payments that can be scheduled for withdrawal on the following dates:
    • April 15, 2018
    • June 16, 2018
    • September 15, 2018
    • January 15, 2019
• A seperate payment record is required for each estimated payment. The bank account information can be the same or different for each payment record.
• The card payment option is avaliable year round.

Tax Representation for IRS & State
Helping you End Your Income Tax Problems

Robert Jacob, Enrolled Agent, is licensed by the Internal Revenue Service. He can represent you before the IRS or State of Michigan as either an individual or a business.

What is an Enrolled Agent?
An EA is an individual who has demonstrated technical competence in the field of taxation and can represent taxpayers before all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service. EAs advise, represent and prepare tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates, trusts and any entities with tax-reporting requirements. EAs’ expertise in the continually changing field of tax law enables them to effectively represent YOU, the taxpayer. Unlike CPA’s or Attorneys, all EAs specialize taxation. EAs are the only taxpayer representative s who receive the right to practice from the United States government, not by the State.

What should you do when you receive a letter from the IRS?
Don’t panic! Stay calm! Don’t ignore it either. On the top right-hand corner will indicate which year’s tax return the letter is addressing. Always respond to any requests you receive. Should you receive an “Audit” Letter, come in and talk to us to find out what you need to prepare for the IRS meeting and to discuss your letter/tax return.

The “Adjustment” Letter usually claims that some income does not appear to have been included in your tax return. It also includes a “balance due” amount to pay, if you agree. This letter lists the income amounts that appear to be missing, along with who sent the IRS these amounts. Of course, we can help explain this to you as well. Many people try to handle their tax problems themselves, often resulting in frustration and negative results. R.E.J’s Accounting & Tax Service can take this burden off your shoulders and give you peace of mind. Bob Jacob not only understands the system but will handle all the meetings and telephone conversations on your behalf so you never have to meet with the IRS yourself. The biggest key of all is to reduce your tax liability, in other words, how much you owe. Robert Jacob has already helped clients with:

• Removing Tax Liens
• Removing Bank Account Levies
• Removing Wage Garnishments
• Negotiating Installment Payment Plans
• Negotiating Settlements of Tax Liabilities
• Removing Penalties and Interest
• Filling Unfiled Previous Year’s Tax Returns
• Handling Tax Audits

To sit down with Robert Jacob for a consultation, please call our office at 734-284-8833 and schedule your appointment.
Should Bob take your case, the rate will be double his normal rate but he knows how to deal with the IRS and the best part is, you won’t have to.

REJ's Accounting & Tax Service can help you navigate the difficult waters of Estate Tax Planning during a time when you might be bereaved and need help with details. Estate Taxes apply to certain wealthy individuals whose estate is valued at or above certain IRS determined limits, as follows:

Estate Tax
(information below was copied from irs.gov website)

The Estate Tax is a tax on your right to transfer property at your death. It consists of an accounting of everything you own or have certain interests in at the date of death (Refer to Form 706 PDF (PDF)). The fair market value of these items is used, not necessarily what you paid for them or what their values were when you acquired them. The total of all of these items is your "Gross Estate." The includible property may consist of cash and securities, real estate, insurance, trusts, annuities, business interests and other assets.

Once you have accounted for the Gross Estate, certain deductions (and in special circumstances, reductions to value) are allowed in arriving at your "Taxable Estate." These deductions may include mortgages and other debts, estate administration expenses, property that passes to surviving spouses and qualified charities. The value of some operating business interests or farms may be reduced for estates that qualify.

After the net amount is computed, the value of lifetime taxable gifts (beginning with gifts made in 1977) is added to this number and the tax is computed. The tax is then reduced by the available unified credit.

Most relatively simple estates (cash, publicly traded securities, small amounts of other easily valued assets, and no special deductions or elections, or jointly held property) do not require the filing of an estate tax return. A filing is required for estates with combined gross assets and prior taxable gifts exceeding $1,500,000 in 2004 - 2005; $2,000,000 in 2006 - 2008; $3,500,000 for decedents dying in 2009; and $5,000,000 or more for decedent's dying in 2010 and 2011 (note: there are special rules for decedents dying in 2010); $5,120,000 in 2012, $5,250,000 in 2013, $5,340,000 in 2014, $5,430,000 in 2015, $5,450,000 in 2016, $5,490,000 in 2017, $11,180,000 in 2018, $11,400,000 in 2019, $11,580,000 in 2020, $11,700,000 in 2021, and $12,060,000 in 2022.

Beginning January 1, 2011, estates of decedents survived by a spouse may elect to pass any of the decedent’s unused exemption to the surviving spouse. This election is made on a timely filed estate tax return for the decedent with a surviving spouse. Note that simplified valuation provisions apply for those estates without a filing requirement absent the portability election. 

Be Prepared

Start preparing early for your tax appointment by compiling a list of the documents you expect to receive based on last year's statements and this year's activities. Collect documents and information into a central file as it is received throughout the year.

What Do I Need to Bring When I Meet With My Tax Preparer?

• W-2 Forms from all of the employers you have had throughout the year. Employers are required to issue W-2 Forms by Jaunuary 31. If you discover there is a form missing, contact the employer.
• You may receive income that is reported on 1099 Forms. These statements report income from intersets, dividends, pensions, self-employment, government payments, or the sale of property. It is helpful to bring the actual statements to your appointment. All forms will not look alike. Be sure to check the bottom of the year-end statements that may be substitute 1099s.
• Income may be reported to you on Schedule K-1.You would recieve these statements if you were a memeber of a partnership, a stockholder in an S Corporation, or a beneficiary of a trust or an estate. These forms usaully arrive in early March. The actual forms should be taken to your tax appoinment.
• Stock sales reporting requires information about the sale, as well aas the original cost of the stock. This information is reported on year-end statements for the year of purchase. If the stock was received as a gift or inheritance, other means of determining the cost will be necessary.
• Reporting is required for most real estate sales, showing the cost, sales price, and expenses of the sale. Closing statements from the sale and from the orignal purchase contain necessary information. Expensesof the4 sale and improvements made to the property increase the cost of the property. Real estate may be property held for investment, rental, pleasure, or your personal residence. If the sale is on a land contract, you need to have the address and Social Security number of the buyer.
• Business owners and farmers need to keep and bring accurate records of all income received during the year. Expense records of such things as inventory, supplies, business equipment, and other businessexpenses are essential. Payroll records may be necessary, depending on the services provided by your tax preparer.
• Childcare information should include the name, address, and ID number of the provider, as well as the amount of the expense.
• Moving expense records for unreimbursed job-related moves of more than 50miles are useful. The cost of moving includes transportation of goods and family to the new location. Travel to to your new home, including lodging, is also allowed.
• Medical expenses are deductible if they exceed 71/2% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). Prescription drugs, doctor, dental, hospital bills, medical insurance premiums, and the mileage to and from the doctor's office enter into the category.
• Charitable contributions are a good source of deductions. Single contributions of $250 or more require a statement from the charitable organization showing the amount contributed prior to the filing of your taxes. You should strive to collect receipts for all charitable contributions.
• As an employee, you may incur deductible expenses. Your tax preparer can help you with the expenses that are unique to your occupation. Don't forget union dues and tax preparation fees.
• If you own a home, it is probable that you can itemize deductions. Each year, bring the property tax bill and the mortgage interest statement to your tax appointment. If an individual your loan or land-contract, the name, address, and Social Security number of that individual is necessary. The interest on home equity loans and a vacation home may also be deductible.
• Personal interest is not deductible, so you can leave the charge card or car loan interest at home unless it is business or investment related.

Other Information

• Social Security numbers are necessary for all dependents.
• For divorces after 1984, the noncustodial parent will need a Form 8332 or other similar statement, signed by the custodial parent, in order to claim a child as a dependent.
• If this is your first visit to R.E.J's Accounting and Tax Service, bring a copy of last year's tax return. Your preparer can use last year's information as a guideline for this year's return. If you are returning to R.E.J's Accounting and Tax Service, a copy will be on file.
• If you received a tax booklet or postcard from the IRS, bring it along, even if it shows an incorrect address. Using the mailing label will speed the processing of the return.

Remember it is always better to bring too much information to your tax appointment than too little. Also if you are in any doubt about what to bring feel free to call us at 734-284-8833 or print off a copy of our tax organizer.

Click here for our Tax Organizer Form