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Small Business Retirement Plans Fuel Litigation: Reportable Transactions & 419 Plans Litigation: CJ...

Small Business Retirement Plans Fuel Litigation: Reportable Transactions & 419 Plans Litigation: CJ...: Reportable Transactions & 419 Plans Litigation: CJA and associates 419 412i section 79 scam audits... : CJA and associates 419 412i sect...

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Small Business Retirement Plans Fuel Litigation

Maryland Trial Lawyer
Dolan Media Newswires January

Small businesses facing audits and potentially huge tax penalties over certain types of retirement plans are filing lawsuits against those who marketed, designed and sold the plans. The 412(i) and 419(e) plans were marketed in the past several years as a way for small business owners to set up retirement or welfare benefits plans while leveraging huge tax savings, but the IRS put them on a list of abusive tax shelters and has more recently focused audits on them.

The penalties for such transactions are extremely high and can pile up quickly.

There are business owners who owe taxes but have been assessed 2 million in penalties. The existing cases involve many types of businesses, including doctors’ offices, dental practices, grocery store owners, mortgage companies and restaurant owners. Some are trying to negotiate with the IRS. Others are not waiting. A class action has been filed and cases in several states are ongoing. The business owners claim that they were targeted by insurance companies; and their agents to purchase the plans without any disclosure that the IRS viewed the plans as abusive tax shelters. Other defendants include financial advisors who recommended the plans, accountants who failed to fill out required tax forms and law firms that drafted opinion letters legitimizing the plans, which were used as marketing tools.

A 412(i) plan is a form of defined benefit pension plan. A 419(e) plan is a similar type of health and benefits plan. Typically, these were sold to small, privately held businesses with fewer than 20 employees and several million dollars in gross revenues. What distinguished a legitimate plan from the plans at issue were the life insurance policies used to fund them. The employer would make large cash contributions in the form of insurance premiums, deducting the entire amounts. The insurance policy was designed to have a “springing cash value,” meaning that for the first 5-7 years it would have a near-zero cash value, and then spring up in value.

Just before it sprung, the owner would purchase the policy from the trust at the low cash value, thus making a tax-free transaction. After the cash value shot up, the owner could take tax-free loans against it. Meanwhile, the insurance agents collected exorbitant commissions on the premiums – 80 to 110 percent of the first year’s premium, which could exceed million.

Technically, the IRS’s problems with the plans were that the “springing cash” structure disqualified them from being 412(i) plans and that the premiums, which dwarfed any payout to a beneficiary, violated incidental death benefit rules.

Under §6707A of the Internal Revenue Code, once the IRS flags something as an abusive tax shelter, or “listed transaction,” penalties are imposed per year for each failure to disclose it. Another allegation is that businesses weren’t told that they had to file Form 8886, which discloses a listed transaction.

According to Lance Wallach of Plainview, N.Y. (516-938-5007), who testifies as an expert in cases involving the plans, the vast majority of accountants either did not file the forms for their clients or did not fill them out correctly.

Because the IRS did not begin to focus audits on these types of plans until some years after they became listed transactions, the penalties have already stacked up by the time of the audits.

Another reason plaintiffs are going to court is that there are few alternatives – the penalties are not appeasable and must be paid before filing an administrative claim for a refund.

The suits allege misrepresentation, fraud and other consumer claims. “In street language, they lied,” said Peter Losavio, a plaintiffs’ attorney in Baton Rouge, La., who is investigating several cases. So far they have had mixed results. Losavio said that the strength of an individual case would depend on the disclosures made and what the sellers knew or should have known about the risks.

In 2004, the IRS issued notices and revenue rulings indicating that the plans were listed transactions. But plaintiffs’ lawyers allege that there were earlier signs that the plans ran afoul of the tax laws, evidenced by the fact that the IRS is auditing plans that existed before 2004.

“Insurance companies were aware this was dancing a tightrope,” said William Noll, a tax attorney in Malvern, Pa. “These plans were being scrutinized by the IRS at the same time they were being promoted, but there wasn’t any disclosure of the scrutiny to unwitting customers.”

A defense attorney, who represents benefits professionals in pending lawsuits, said the main defense is that the plans complied with the regulations at the time and that “nobody can predict the future.”

An employee benefits attorney who has settled several cases against insurance companies, said that although the lost tax benefit is not recoverable, other damages include the hefty commissions – which in one of his cases amounted to 400,000 the first year – as well as the costs of handling the audit and filing amended tax returns.

Defying the individualized approach an attorney filed a class action in federal court against four insurance companies claiming that they were aware that since the 1980s the IRS had been calling the policies potentially abusive and that in 2002 the IRS gave lectures calling the plans not just abusive but “criminal.” A judge dismissed the case against one of the insurers that sold 412(i) plans.

The court said that the plaintiffs failed to show the statements made by the insurance companies were fraudulent at the time they were made, because IRS statements prior to the revenue rulings indicated that the agency may or may not take the position that the plans were abusive. The attorney, whose suit also names law firm for its opinion letters approving the plans, will appeal the dismissal to the 5th Circuit.

In a case that survived a similar motion to dismiss, a small business owner is suing Hartford Insurance to recover a “seven-figure” sum in penalties and fees paid to the IRS. A trial is expected in August.

But tax experts say the audits and penalties continue. “There’s a bit of a disconnect between what members of Congress thought they meant by suspending collection and what is happening in practice. Clients are still getting bills and threats of liens,” Wallach said.“Thousands of business owners are being hit with million-dollar-plus fines. … The audits are continuing and escalating. I just got four calls today,” he said. A bill has been introduced in Congress to make the penalties less draconian, but nobody is expecting a magic bullet.

“From what we know, Congress is looking to make the penalties more proportionate to the tax benefit received instead of a fixed amount.”

Lance Wallach can be reached at: WallachInc@gmail.com

For more information, please visit www.taxadvisorexperts.org Lance Wallach, National Society of Accountants Speaker of the Year and member of the AICPA faculty of teaching professionals, is a frequent speaker on retirement plans, abusive tax shelters, financial, international tax, and estate planning. He writes about 412(i), 419, Section79, FBAR, and captive insurance plans. He speaks at more than ten conventions annually, writes for over fifty publications, is quoted regularly in the press and has been featured on television and radio financial talk shows including NBC, National Pubic Radio’s All Things Considered, and others. Lance has written numerous books including Protecting Clients from Fraud, Incompetence and Scams published by John Wiley and Sons, Bisk Education’s CPA’s Guide to Life Insurance and Federal Estate and Gift Taxation, as well as the AICPA best-selling books, including Avoiding Circular 230 Malpractice Traps and Common Abusive Small Business Hot Spots. He does expert witness testimony and has never lost a case. Contact him at 516.938.5007, wallachinc@gmail.com or visit www.taxadvisorexperts.com.

Lance Wallach
68 Keswick Lane
Plainview, NY 11803
Ph.: (516)938-5007
Fax: (516)938-6330 www.vebaplan.com

National Society of Accountants Speaker of The Year

The information provided herein is not intended as legal, accounting, financial or any type of advice for any specific individual or other entity. You should contact an appropriate professional for any such advice.

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The IRS Might be Looking For You

If you have received a notice that you are being audited by the IRS you may be subject to huge fines and penalties. Get Help with this problem before the IRS takes all your money.

412i 419E IRS Audits and Problems: March 2014

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

CJA & Associates and 412i, 419, and Other Abusive Plans

For help with CJA & Associates and 412i, 419, and other abusive plans contact Lance Wallach at lawallach@aol.com or call 516-938-5007. Lance Wallach is the leading expert on 412i, 419, Section 79 and Captive Insurance Plans. Lance has helped hundreds of people resolve their problems and get all their money back, usually without a lawsuit. Google Lance Wallach and see why CJA & Associates, insurance companies, and the IRS do not want to fight with Lance Wallach.

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Lance WallachJuly 31, 2013 at 8:22 AM

412i IRS audits, listed transactions
________________________________________
April 24, 2012 By Lance Wallach, CLU, CHFC
________________________________________

IRS auditing 412i plans
Protecting Clients From Fraud, Incompetence, and Scams
By: Lance Wallach
Published by John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Copyright Ó 2010. All rights reserved.

Excerpts have been taken from this book about:

Bruce Hink, who has given me permission to utilize his name and circumstances, is a perfect example of what the IRS is doing to unsuspecting business owners. What follows is a story about Bruce Hink and how the IRS fined him $200,000 a year for being in what they called a “listed transaction”. In addition, I believe that the accountant who signed the tax return and the insurance agent who sold the retirement plan will each be fined $200,000 as material advisors. We have received a large number of calls for help from accountants, business owners, and insurance agents in similar situations. Don’t think this will happen to you. It is happening to a lot of accountants and business owners, because most of these so-called listed, abusive plans, or plans substantially similar to the so-called listed, are currently being sold by most insurance agents.

Bruce was a small business owne

Lance Wallach, National Society of Accountants Speaker of the Year and member of the AICPA faculty of teaching professionals, is a frequent speaker on retirement plans, abusive tax shelters, financial, international tax, and estate planning. He writes about 412(i), 419, Section79, FBAR and captive insurance plans. He speaks at more than ten conventions annually, writes for more than 50 publications, is quoted regularly in the press and has been featured on television and radio financial talk shows including NBC, National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” and others. Lance has written numerous books including “Protecting Clients from Fraud, Incompetence and Scams,” published by John Wiley and Sons, Bisk Education’s “CPA’s Guide to Life Insurance and Federal Estate and Gift Taxation,” as well as the AICPA best-selling books, including “Avoiding Circular 230 Malpractice Traps and Common Abusive Small Business Hot Spots.” He does expert witness testimony and has never lost a case. Contact him at 516.938.5007, wallachinc@gmail.com or visit www.taxadvisorexpert.com.
The information provided herein is not intended as legal, accounting, financial or any type of advice for any specific individual or other entity. You should contact an appropriate professional for any such advice.
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1. Lance WallachJune 18, 2014 at 3:58 AM
  
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  Lance Wallach, co-author of several AICPA books with Sid Kess (’48), has completed his forth CPE book for Bisk CPEasy on business valuations. Wallach writes for over 20 financial publications and speaks frequently at national conventions. He is also an expert witness on abusive tax shelters.
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Small Business Retirement Plans Fuel Litigation: About Us

Small Business Retirement Plans Fuel Litigation: About Us: About Us

IRS Audit Assistance, Support, Expert Witness testimony

Thursday, June 12, 2014

HAVE YOU BEEN THE VICTIM OF THE SALE OF ABUSIVE LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY PRODUCTS SOLD AS PART OF A PENSION PLAN OR RETIREMENT PLAN?

Abusive Tax Shelters, Insurance and Annuity Product Fraud Lawsuit

RECOVER YOUR LOSSES FROM LIFE INSURANCE 412 (i) AND ANNUITY PRODUCTS SOLD AS PART OF A PENSION PLAN OR RETIREMENT PLAN

Insurance and Annuity Product Fraud Lawsuit

Life Insurance Companies and their Agents have been selling abusive life insurance and annuity products. Many pension plans have been promoted as legitimate retirement plans which contain various life insurance products and annuities. Unfortunately the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has now attacked many of these pension and retirement plans and is conducting audits to demand payment for taxes, penalties and interest and attempting to disqualify many plans.

If you are an accountant, business owner, corporate officer, dentist, doctor, professional athlete, professional or corporation of high net worth, you were unscrupulously targeted by life insurance companies and their agents to purchase a 412i defined benefit pension plan. You were chosen to purchase a 412i plan because you have the net worth to pay for it.

Our investigation has disclosed that many life insurance companies, promoters, attorneys,

and accountants promoted and sold these plans, including but not limited to the following:

• American General Life Insurance Company
• Guardian Life Insurance Company
• Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company
• Indianapolis Life Insurance Company
• Pacific Life Insurance Company
• Pension Services, LLC
• Many Other Life Insurance Companies and Agents

The individuals and groups above devised a scheme to sell abusive tax shelters under the auspices of Section 412(i) of the tax code. A 412(i) is a defined benefit pension plan. It provides specific retirement benefits to participants once they reach retirement and must contain assets sufficient to pay those benefits. A 412(i) plan differs from other defined benefit pension plans in that it must be funded exclusively by the purchase of individual life insurance products. To create a 412(i) plan, there must

be a trust to hold the assets. The employer funds the plan by making cash contributions to the trust, and the Code allows the employer to take a tax deduction in the amount of the contributions, i.e. the entire amount.

The trust uses the contributed funds to purchase some combination of life insurance products (insurance or annuities) for the plan. As the plan participants retire, the trust will usually sell the policies for their present cash value and purchase annuities with the proceeds. The revenue stream from the annuities pays the specified retirement benefit to plan participants.

These defendants (with the aid and knowledge of the insurance companies) used the traditional structure and sold life insurance policies with excessively high premiums. The trust then uses the large cash contributions to pay high insurance premiums and the employer takes a deduction for the sum of those large contributions. As you might expect, these policies were designed with excessively high fees or “loads” which provided exorbitant commissions to the insurance companies and the agents who sold the products.

The policies that were sold were termed Springing Cash Value Policies. They had little or no cash value for the first 5-7 years, after which they had significant cash value. Under this scheme, after 5-7 years, and just before the cash value sprung, the participant typically purchases the policy from the trust for the policy’s surrender value. In theory, you have a tax free transaction.

The IRS does not recognize the tax benefit of such a plan and has repeatedly issued announcements indicating that such plans are contrary to federal tax laws and regulations.

Have you received a letter from the IRS either (1) informing you of an upcoming audit of your plan or (2) demanding payment for substantial tax “penalties and interest”? The “tax free” benefit pension plan you purchased might be a scam, a fraud. Please allow us to speak with you and review your documentation to help you to determine your best course of action. Your communications will be treated with the strictest attorney-client confidence.

If you were a victim of such a sale of a 412i or 419 plan, we encourage you to contact us immediately . You may also receive a free initial consultation by telephone at 516 9357346 If you desire a free initial phone consultation please leave a specific time or time period within which to contact you.

Since you have already expanded a substantial amount of money in your pension plan and believed it was a legitimate retirement plan, you are obviously shocked to now learn that major life insurance companies and their agents may have sold you improper retirement plans simply to generate enormous commissions on life insurance and annuities. www.taxaudit419 and www.vebaplan.com have more information.

We also help with abusive tax shelters like 419 welfare benefit plans. In 2002 Lance Wallach wrote to Hartford and other insurance companies telling them that IRS will be increasing 419 audits and law firms would be suing them. What did Hartford do? They sent out some emails to others including their compliance department and continued to sell 419 plans. Give us a call if you want a copy of this.

IRS Audit Assistance, Support, Expert Witness testimony

Thursday, June 12, 2014

HAVE YOU BEEN THE VICTIM OF THE SALE OF ABUSIVE LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY PRODUCTS SOLD AS PART OF A PENSION PLAN OR RETIREMENT PLAN?

Abusive Tax Shelters, Insurance and Annuity Product Fraud Lawsuit

RECOVER YOUR LOSSES FROM LIFE INSURANCE 412 (i) AND ANNUITY PRODUCTS SOLD AS PART OF A PENSION PLAN OR RETIREMENT PLAN

Insurance and Annuity Product Fraud Lawsuit

Our investigation has disclosed that many life insurance companies, promoters, attorneys,

and accountants promoted and sold these plans, including but not limited to the following:

The IRS does not recognize the tax benefit of such a plan and has repeatedly issued announcements indicating that such plans are contrary to federal tax laws and regulations.

News from Alumni of the 1970s | Baruch College Alumni Magazine

Thursday, June 12, 2014

HAVE YOU BEEN THE VICTIM OF THE SALE OF ABUSIVE LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY PRODUCTS SOLD AS PART OF A PENSION PLAN OR RETIREMENT PLAN?

Abusive Tax Shelters, Insurance and Annuity Product Fraud Lawsuit

RECOVER YOUR LOSSES FROM LIFE INSURANCE 412 (i) AND ANNUITY PRODUCTS SOLD AS PART OF A PENSION PLAN OR RETIREMENT PLAN

Insurance and Annuity Product Fraud Lawsuit

Our investigation has disclosed that many life insurance companies, promoters, attorneys,

and accountants promoted and sold these plans, including but not limited to the following:

The IRS does not recognize the tax benefit of such a plan and has repeatedly issued announcements indicating that such plans are contrary to federal tax laws and regulations.