Tag Archives: IRS delay for 2011

IRS Announces 2011 Air Transportation Tax Rates

The Internal Revenue Service today announced the 2011 inflation adjustments to the excise taxes on air transportation.

Excise taxes apply to the domestic segments of taxable air transportation and to the use of international air facilities. The Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2010, Part IV, signed into law on Dec. 22, 2010, extends these excise taxes to air transportation that begins or is paid for no later than March 31, 2011.

These excise taxes are adjusted annually for inflation:

  • For 2011, the excise tax on the domestic segment of taxable air transportation is $3.70, unchanged from 2010.
  • The excise tax for 2011 for international flights that begin or end in the United States is $16.30, up from $16.10 in 2010.
  • The tax on use of international air facilities also applies at a reduced rate to departures of interstate flights that begin or end in Alaska or Hawaii. For 2011, the international air facilities tax on these flights is $8.20, up from $8.10 in 2010.

The new rates take effect Jan. 1, 2011.

Further details pertaining to the excise taxes on air transportation can be found in Form 720, Quarterly Excise Tax Return, and its instructions.

Claims for Refund of Excise Taxes – Form 8849

The IRS has recently added fraud involving the fuel tax credit to the list of frivolous tax claims being put forth by individuals and businesses. The credit has very defined criteria and applies generally to farmers and fisherman who use fuel for off-highway business purposes. There are some individuals who are trying to claim the credit when in fact their occupation or income level makes the claim unreasonable. If you attempt to claim a tax credit or refund, and it is not justified, you can be liable for up to $5,000 in penalties.

The tax credit is a possibility under the right, and narrowly defined circumstances. Basically, it works like this:

A federal excise tax is imposed on gasoline ($.184 per gallon), clear diesel fuel ($.244 per gallon), and clear kerosene ($.244 per gallon). The amount of these taxes may be credited or refunded if these fuels are used in many types of off-road uses. Common off-road uses include use as heating oil, use in stationary engines, use in non-highway vehicles, and use in separate engines mounted on highway vehicles. Continue reading →

Tax credits for Hydrogen fuel from IRS.

IRS Updates Alternative Fuel Excise Tax Forms

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has updated several tax forms used to claim the Alternative Fuel Excise Tax Credit. As a result of these updates, taxpayers claiming a rebate or payment for the $0.50 per gallon credit mustfile Form 8849, Schedule 3 (PDF 189 KB). Additionally, corporations and businesses may use Form 8849, Schedule 3 to claim a quarterly credit instead of using Form 4136 (PDF 263 KB) to claim an annual credit. According to the IRS, claimants that intend to file Form 8849, Schedule 3 must file no later than the end of the quarter following the quarter in which the fuel was used or sold.

Eight Things to Know If You Receive an IRS Notice

Did you receive a notice from the IRS this year? Every year the IRS sends millions of letters and notices to taxpayers but that doesn’t mean you need to worry. Here are eight things every taxpayer should know about IRS notices – just in case one shows up in your mailbox.

1. Don’t panic. Many of these letters can be dealt with simply and painlessly.

2. There are number of reasons the IRS sends notices to taxpayers. The notice may request payment of taxes, notify you of a change to your account or request additional information. The notice you receive normally covers a very specific issue about your account or tax return.

3. Each letter and notice offers specific instructions on what you need to do to satisfy the inquiry. Continue reading →

IRS Expands Use of Twitter to Help Taxpayers, Tax Professionals

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced the availability of expanded Twitter feeds to share timely information with taxpayers and the tax professional community.

The IRS Twitter news feed, @IRSnews, provides the latest federal tax news and information for taxpayers. The focus of the IRS Twitter messages will be on easy-to-use information, including tax tips, tax law changes and important IRS programs such as e-file, the earned income tax credit and “Where’s My Refund.” Anyone with a Twitter account can follow @IRSnews by going tohttp://twitter.com/IRSnews. Continue reading →